Talk:Wii Remote/Archive 2

Archive 1

Archive 2

Archive 3

press releases about components used for Wii Remote

Just a heads up for the editors of this article. Various parts providers for Nintendo's Wii controller have sent out press releases during E3. You can find most of them linked at this thread, over at NeoGAF. The very first press release can be found here on the public press area of Nintendo's press website.

Anyway, some pretty interesting, if somewhat technical, information in those releases. Might make for a nice 'component breakdown' section for this article. For reference, first release was by Analog Devices, Inc., second one by STMicroelectronics, third one by PixArt Imaging Incorporation (PixArt).--Codemonkey 07:03, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

Much thanks. The press releases had already been cited in the article, and lot of the stuff in the thread has been discussed here as well, but the bit posted about the image sensor being in the remote is a quite a significant revelation. Dancter 07:49, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

Very interesting - could this mean then that the remote acts as a beacon (ir ?) and effectively there are two camera's in the sensor bar - one at either end - detecting positional info through triangulation/paralax? - can't wait to unscrew one... This would explain Dancter's comment that the front of the remote looks like an IR window.HappyVR 07:57, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

At a guess, I'd actually say four sensors; two pointing horizontally and two pointing vertically. It could then could then resolve the vectors to work out the exact position of the controller in 3D space. smurrayinchester^{(User), (Talk)} 08:04, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

Actually, the bit I was mentioning was just as intriguing: according the word on the street, it's the other way around[1]. If what is rumored there is true, then the nose of the Wii Remote works like an optical mouse in space, and the sensor bar just provides a good "tracking surface". The sensor bar would be the beacon(s), and the camera would be in the remote. Crazy, huh? I just wish we had more concrete information so we can start detailing the technology in the article. Dancter 09:21, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

The thread's getting pretty interesting now. Some good points about infrared, and how it may relate to image-sensing and power consumption[2]. You know, I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out the likelihoods of either configuration, and these are all I've been able to come up with so far:

• image sensor(s) in the sensor bar, emitter in the remote:
  • Hearsay. It's referred to as a sensor bar.
  • Spatial position. Better for establishing controller's position in relation to the monitor.
  • Battery life. ???
  • Price. Because emitters are probably cheaper, the price of extra Remotes would be lower
  • Confusion. Difficulties associating the points with their respective controllers (especially after one is "rediscovered")
  • Pointing. Quite difficult. Would rely on data from the Remote's internal sensors. The Remote's ability to measure pitch and yaw would be crucial.
• image sensor in the remote, emitters in the bar:
  • Hearsay. Apparently, that was the word going around the show floor.
  • Spatial position. Quite difficult. Cannot distinguish being at an angle from being far away elevation from pitch. Would rely on data from the Remote's internal sensors. Accelerometer precision would be crucial.
  • Battery life. ???
  • Price. because the image sensors are probably more expensive, the price of extra Remotes would be higher.
  • Confusion. With just two stationary a stationary set of points to worry about, it's easier for a Remote to reestablish where it is pointing in relation to the screen.
  • Pointing. Better for calibrating and correlating where the controller is pointing to a position on the screen.

Something to ruminate on, I guess. I think after determining this piece of information, there would be enough to include a basic, non-specific description of how the technology works. What do you think? Dancter 15:56, 14 May 2006 (UTC) I updated the comparison after evidence that are more than two emitters, and they arranged with different spacings[3]. Dancter 17:38, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

Yep, the info above will be helpful in putting together the article - Here's a list of technology that might be used - pendulum (with sensor)(detecting tilt and/or roll), gyroscope (1 or 2 axis rotational element) (with sensor), 'camera' (1 or more of) (possibly IR - due to shape of sensor bar not more than two points), accelerometers (up to 6 in total) , time delay distance measuring, intensity related distance measuring, genuine 'radar' array in sensor bar, actual pattern recognition from camera (in remote) image of tv screen (unlikely) - that's all I can think of at the moment. I wonder how long it will be before we get the facts.HappyVR 16:32, 14 May 2006 (UTC)

Oh my goodness! When I was reading the article you mentioned before[4], I knew I had heard about ultrasonic sensors being used in a motion-sensing controller before. I remember what it was now! The Power Glove! Man, now wouldn't that be funny. It'd go full-circle. Dancter 18:05, 14 May 2006 (UTC)

The press release's language is too ambigous for believing that the CMOS tech is actually used to track the Wii remote's motion. Press release's can often be very innaccurate. I think we should hold off on refrencing the press release untill we have a second, more technical source to verify that info. --Jake11 15:51, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

Well, if press releases can be that unreliable, then I understand. Dancter 16:18, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps the assumption that it is a CMOS image sensor is unfounded, but that it is a tracking sensor seems supported well enough, at least to me. Would you be against me adding it back in with the text adjusted? Dancter 18:58, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

These press releases point to the fact that Pixart tech is not currently used:

http://www.st.com/stonline/stappl/press/news/year2006/t2031.htm

http://www.analog.com/en/press/0,2890,3%255F%255F99573,00.html --Jake11 15:51, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

Actually, they don't. Neither of these preclude the possiblity of the inclusion of the PixArt technology (that Nintendo has confirmed is used in Wii). In fact, as has been discussed, the accelerometer technology and the tracking technology can (and probably do) complement each other. Dancter 16:18, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

Yes it does. The Analog Devices article states that a technology other than Pixart's CMOS tech is being used for three axis motion detection. The language of the press release about Pixart makes it sound as if it's a future tech to improve accuracy. Still, the language of the press release is too ambigous to rely on accurately. We should have something that states explicitly that the CMOS tech is used currently in the Wii remote.--Jake11 19:00, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

No, it doesn't. The articles state that the accelerometers are being used for three-axis motion detection. The PixArt release makes mention of a tracking sensor. I suspect it to be used for the pointing function, something the accelerometers would not be sufficient for, but the press release doesn't explicitly say anything about it. It does mention the technology allows movement to be tracked, which is why I worded it that way. That does not mean that it is for motion detection in the same sense as the accelerometers. But I'm fine with keeping the statement out, pending a second source. Dancter 19:41, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

where we heard these things

Just collecting some of things we've heard and where we heard them:

The Wii controller uses three-axis linear accelerometers from two companies. (Analog Devices and STMicroelectronics)

The two chips are used in different devices. (EEtimes article)

The Wii controller uses sensor tracking technology. (PixArt Imaging release)

The Wii Remote communicates using Bluetooth. (Broadcom release)

These are less reliable sources:

The Wii Remote uses IR technology. The sensors aren't in the Sensor Bar. (article citing a discussion with a developer)

Warm radiation sources such as halogen lights may potentially interfere with the infrared sensor technology. (gaming blog post)

The tracking sensor is in the remote. (forum post)

There are two four-emitter arrays on the sensor bar, one on each side, (forum post)

Pixart's CMOS tech may be used in the future to improve motion detection accuracy, (XGaming article, and Joystiq post)

PixArt's MOT sensor may be used for the Wii Remote's sensor bar functionality. (blog post)

The Wii Remote may contain a microphone, which may be used for VoIP. (GameSpot blog post, patent application)

Just so people don't have to mine through the whole page, if you want to add another reference, just add it to the list. Dancter 17:26, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

IGN put a review of the controller recently. [5] -- ReyBrujo 05:46, 17 May 2006 (UTC)

Images

Some of the images don't/aren't showing up in the gallery - is there a problem?HappyVR 19:49, 17 May 2006 (UTC)

Seems fine to me. Smurrayinchester 21:11, 17 May 2006 (UTC)

If it's anything like what I'm experiencing, your ad-blocker is blocking some of the images. I'm still trying to figure out what is triggering the blocking. Dancter 22:57, 17 May 2006 (UTC)

Suggestion about expansions of the "Wiimote"

I am here simply to suggest that it would be good to create separate articles for every expansion of the "Wiimote". For example, an article for the nunchuk (I don't really know how to write it), another for the Classic Controlles Shell etc. This way, we can add specifical informations for the "parts" of the controller. We can also add more pictures, because the gallery of the nunchuk, for example, will have space for more nunchuk pictures. I thought this because this way we can organize it better. There are lots of specifical information for every part of the controller that can write a big article. If you want more information, please check IGN's new article about their hands-on the controller and its accessories. So, what do you think? Thanks. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 200.153.54.125 (talk • contribs) 23:01, 17 May 2006 (UTC)

No Rechargable Battery

This article from The Wiire says the Wiimote will run on AA batteries - unlike the X360 and PS3 wireless controllers, there isn't built-in recharging. I don't know where exactly to stick this in the article so I'll let someone else do it. Kat, Queen of Typos 07:52, 18 May 2006 (UTC)

It's already in the article, but thanks for finding that! --mboverload@ 07:56, 18 May 2006 (UTC)

I'm confused

Does the article mean that in say a starwars game, you were having a lightsaber fight, could you use the controler as if it was the handle of the lightsaber or do certain movements make certain things happen?

Yes, you could have a lightsaber battle like you would hold a sword. Havok (T/C/c) 08:15, 18 May 2006 (UTC)

spaces

I added two extra blank lines after references at the end of the article - this seems to fix a display problem - that is references being overwritten by 'catergories' - is this a common wiki problem? or is it at 'my end' ?HappyVR 09:32, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

This happens to me all the time - Plough | talk to me 08:22, 28 May 2006 (UTC)

Analog controller

There is some disagreement between spellings 'nunchuk' and 'nuchaku' etc - as Nintendo's Wii page uses the spelling 'Nunchuk' maybe the article should too.HappyVR 13:09, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

Copied below from the Wii article --S.Skinner 20:53, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

On the subject of spelling disagreements, I've noticed that the nickname of the Remote can be spelt "wii-mote" or "wiimote". Is there any evidence to suggest which of these is predominant? The Wii Remote article uses the hyphanated spelling but the Wii article uses the un-hypanated version. S.Skinner 20:48, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

Considering that it is an unofficial nickname, I don't think it's a very important distinction, but searching both terms on Google, MSN, and Yahoo, it seems that the unhyphenated version has become the more common one. As it becomes more natural as nickname as opposed to a clever pun, I think you'll probably see even less of the hyphenated version. Dancter 21:55, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

Force feedback?

FTA: "The Wii Remote also provides basic audio and force feedback functionality." Is rumbling a kind of "force feedback"? Wouldn't it be more accurate to say "rumble functionality" or similar? Numbnumb 10:44, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

Yes, vibrational feedback is another option.HappyVR 10:55, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

pointing function

My comment to an addition "what happened - no mention of 'pointer function' at all in the article - it is hidden?" applies here. Was this section removed or perhaps it was never there? Surely a mention of the pointing ability is relevant.HappyVR 14:29, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

There was never a separate section before. The info on the pointer function was just a sentence in the first paragraph, just like the motion/tilt sensing. The rest of the section on motion-sensing tends to treat motion/orientation sensing and the pointer function as all part of the same feature. This makes some sense, as actions like the sword-swinging (motion-sensing) and flashlight-aiming (pointing) mentioned in the second paragraph will probably be more refined through the integration of both technologies. Dancter 15:56, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

Button that served no purpose

from classic controller "Previous shown pictures also included a ZL button next to the L button, this button served no purpose and has since been removed." just checking - is this right? what about 'left-handers'?HappyVR 14:29, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

Some gaming sites have reported this, Planet GameCube among them. Speaking strictly on the features of legacy controllers, the ZL button isn't technically necessary, as the GameCube controller only had one Z trigger, and it corresponds to the ZR trigger on the Classic Controller. Dancter 15:28, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

The Nintendo 64 controller presents quite a few problems when it comes to buttons and layout, but there are technically enough buttons for the Classic Controller to work with N64 games without the ZL button. Despite the reports, my money would be that there will be a ZL button on the release unit. It would make button configuration so much easier for N64 games. And anyway, the NCL site currently indicates a ZL button on the Classic Controller, so I see no problem with claiming it's there in the article. Dancter 15:28, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

Is it just me...

Or do the new pictures look like crap.--DivineShadow218 04:57, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

That is the price Wikipedia pays to be as free as possible. -- ReyBrujo 05:04, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

Just cant wait till it comes out, so I can upload better ones. --DivineShadow218 06:04, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

CD-i controller?

I'm not sure if it is worth a mention in the article (I don't know much about either system, only came by this by accident), but the Wii controller does seem to resemble the CD-i controller at least little bit. Perhaps this is just something superficial? Just figured I'd mention it. [6] Retodon8 21:23, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

Seems pretty superficial. How many ways are there to arrange a (relatively) small number of buttons on a remote? Ladlergo 21:27, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

Depends on the size of the controller and the buttons. Could be very large. Jaxad0127 03:36, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

I don't see much of a similarity, other than the fact that they both resemble television remotes in some way. However, not all television remotes resemble each other and the two controllers resemble remotes as differently as possible in my opinion. -Unknownwarrior33 16:20, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Mercury

WarioWare: Twisted!'s cartridge uses mercury, which is why it hasn't been released in teh Europes, right? Please don't say the Wii-mote contains mercury! Vitriol 13:03, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

It doesn't look like it. A review of the technology descriptions and data sheets of the developers of the accelerometers which are to handle the tilt-sensing seem to indicate that they are both solid-state devices, using silicon instead of liquid mercury like WarioWare: Twisted!'s tilt-sensor. Dancter 13:59, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

I seriously doubt that it will. Remember, Nintendo is going for a world-wide release. Jaxad0127 15:20, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

Agreed. I don't know if it was ever going to use mercury in the first place, but if it was I'm sure the issue with WarioWare would have been enough to change that. -Unknownwarrior33 16:24, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Virtual Console Controllers

Can anyone verify the Virtual Console Controller information? I can't seem to find evidence of it anywhere. Dancter 19:54, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

All I could find on it is on the NeoGAF forums. It doesn't sound convincing enough to me. Dancter 06:02, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

Newer thread here. It seems this is what is being referred to. Dancter 16:57, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

It's in edge but I'm not sure about the reliability of the magazine. anyone else about to verify it? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 86.132.188.170 (talk • contribs) 17:28, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

It seems that Edge has been reliable in the past, but that many readers are still doubting the information. One forum poster noted that the issue is the worst that they have read in a long time. If you're interested in debating the inclusion of dubious information from generally reliable sources, it is currently be discussed on the console's talk page. Dancter 17:42, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

Yeh I would agree with that issue of edge being poorly produced and will move to the Wii talkpage;) 86.132.188.170 15:30, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

I removed the section. Many seem to believe that it is just a misunderstanding [7]. Dancter 18:10, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

Slight design changes.

Just want to point out some slight design changes seen here: http://www.revogamers.net/index.php?do=viewarticle&id=253 (namely that the + and - buttons have changed into what seem to be "go back/return" and "pause" buttons respectivly). I was going to add such detail into the article, but wasn't sure how to format it properly, so I left it out. Zooba 20:02, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

Very interesting! It doesn't get much more stylish than Hotel Puerta America. Some intriguing stuff, like the estimated 20cm length of the sensor bar (smaller than the 30cm which I think came from HEXUS.gaming, and the 10 inches which I heard somewhere else), and the velcro for the sensor bar. Can you point out the specific text that indicates that the differences are indeed updates from the E3 design? I've only taken a semester of Spanish. Dancter 21:03, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

Just under "El Hardware" there's a picture with a man holding a Wii-mote verticall that has the design changes on it. 172.202.94.79 06:14, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I did see that, but what I was asking for was a passage affirming that what was pictured was an actual update from the E3 design. Without that, it is conjecture to assume that the revision is more up to date than the E3 model, which was also shown there. It is a reasonable conjecture, but conjecture nonetheless. Dancter 07:03, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Every picture on that page appears to come from E3. What design changes are you looking at specifically? Jaxad0127 15:09, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Actually, it seems that Nintendo held a showcase event in the Hotel Puerta America in Madrid, where a slightly different version of the Wii Remote was shown, with "reload" and "pause" buttons in the place of the + and - buttons, respectively. The Wii logo is also missing from this version. Dancter 15:24, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

It's likely that they're just demo remotes, for the demos (restart=restart the demo, pause is obvious). Jaxad0127 15:31, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

^ I would agree. I wouldn't be able to provide a translation, but apparently, according to a person from RevoGamers who went to the event (under the name CaVaYeRo), they were shown two controllers: the models from E3, and demo ones (that was from here [8]). Another person, also on the same thread, seemingly translated some of the text regarding the sensor bar, which apparently says: In reality its much smaller than it appears in official images, it measures no more than 20 centimeters. Thats about 8 inches. The source text appears to be: En realidad es mucho más pequeña de lo que parece en las imágenes oficiales, pues medía nada más que 20cm. 172.202.94.79 16:46, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Considering that the differences have been more than just a one-off, I added back a mention of them, with the qualification that they aren't necessarily intended for the final controller. Dancter 15:23, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

minor news

It seems http://1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151844 that the controller may come with a wrist strap (or may not). Not confirmed as such yet.HappyVR 15:33, 30 June 2006 (UTC)

Name Change

I suggest that we change the name of the article to WiiPointer, as that is the official name provided by Nintendo. Gopherdabills 13:02, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

I can't find any evidence that this is an official name. I have tried Nintendo's main site, Ign and Gamespot with no luck. Can you provide a link to this information. If not I am completly against this change.69.156.205.32 19:20, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

Nintendo's official Wii controller page says Wii Remote. Jaxad0127 19:39, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

Google search for WiiPointer -- Not sure how many of them are reliable, but it's a start. Though one of the search results itself says that there is no official news from Nintendo about this, just registered trademarks. --Stratadrake

Just about all of them say that (the results tend to be news announcements of new trademarks). We can't just assume that Nintendo registered this trademark for the sake of renaming the Wii's controller, especially when they actually call it "Wii Remote" on their website. Some companies register a number of trademarks in advance, only until they decide on which they'll use. -- Consumed Crustacean | Talk | 18:12, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Battery Life

A source on IGN Nintendo has said the controllers batter will last 30-60 hours on AA batteries, 2.4 GHz Bluetooth devices can communicate with the console, and that is it, also on g4tv.com/thefeed. --D-hyo 16:30, 20 July 2006 (UTC)

The controllers are Bluetooth devices. Hence, eh, it makes sense if the console has Bluetooth support. It can't necessarily interact with any and every Bluetooth thingy, though. -- Consumed Crustacean | Talk | 17:25, 20 July 2006 (UTC)

WTF is this?

http://www.revo-europe.com/newsgfx/newbutton.jpg

What's that on the side of the Wiimote? A new button? MisterCheese 19:55, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

Could be, but we can't speculate. -- ReyBrujo 20:01, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

"Wii Remote will come in the same colours as the console"

I have seen no evidence that this is so. If there is a source stating this then it should be added into the article, if not it should be removed for they can very easily release more colours for the controller than the console (most systems do this). --ItIsMe 07:27, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Its common knowledge. All of Nintendo's controllers have been the same color as the console. You may always buy more controllers of different colors. It has been like that since N64. --DivineShadow218 00:07, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

That may be so, but as the controller colors (and the console's, for that matter) have yet to be announced, I think that this statement may be better left out of the article. I don't believe that Nintendo has explicitly stated that the Wii Remote will come in the same colors as the console, and as such, the statement that they will is basically speculation, despite its likelihood of being correct. Erik 00:00, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

Reguarding Wii template

The template has been nominated for delteion. While that is being decided, it should remain on the pages it was on before. For more information, please see Talk:Wii#Question regarding template. Jaxad0127 00:48, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

New Wii Attachment?

I don't know whether to believe this or not. I don't know if anyone else has posted this yet. http://www.wiicentre.com/163/ubisoft-unveil-new-wiimote-attachment/ 70.26.92.26 16:01, 10 September 2006 (UTC)

It is not really an attachment, because apparently it does not connect to the extension port. The information was added and removed from the article because it did not use the expansion slot. -- ReyBrujo 16:36, 10 September 2006 (UTC)