Hardware Extending Bluetooth on Wii U?

[jayjay123]

Anyone tried either of these methods on their Wii for extending Bluetooth? I'm keen to try it on my Wii-U. Given that I only paid $100 for my 32Gb console, I don't mind voiding warranty. I want to extend it to be able to use the pad in my room.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1437369/extending-the-bluetooth-range-of-the-controler

http://www.mobilemag.com/2004/11/08/bluetooth-boosting-1-mile-range-antenna/

Option 2 seems more feasable.

 

[Cyan]

The pad use Wifi to send video stream, not BT.
I don't remember if it's using only WiFi or both (Wifi for video and BT for buttons).

 

[jayjay123]

I'm sure it's using Bluetooth somewhere... otherwise the Wifi signal is really poor.

 

[Yepi69]

If its indeed using Wi-Fi, you can always take it apart and insert a longer antenna.

 

[jayjay123]

Yeah, I'm thinking that... off to google...



http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo Wii U Teardown/11796/1
Wireless modules in the main unit:
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo Wii U Teardown/11796/2
And in the controller pad (step 22):
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo Wii U Teardown/11796/3

I see some subminature coax connectors there
Like these: http://www.wellshow.com/rf-connectors/mini-connector/hirose-u-fl-connector/

Wifi it is!
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-secrets-of-the-wii-u-gamepad

 

[Elusivo]

So, who is gonna try and attach a couple detachable router antennas to those coax connectors and see if we get better gamepad range?

I'm sick of having to sit sideways on my toilet just to have better reception!

 

[jayjay123]

So, who is gonna try and attach a couple detachable router antennas to those coax connectors and see if we get better gamepad range?

I'm sick of having to sit sideways on my toilet just to have better reception!

I'll be taking a look at that shortly. Between work and setting up my arcade machine I'll see if this weekend gives me the time. I see two antennas - one for the gamepad and one for the unit. I'll try with the unit first.

 

[Elusivo]

Isn't it 2 antennas for each wifi module? Or the 2 wires from each module act as a single antenna?
Anyway, assuming that changing the antennas will work, i think boosting the unit's range alone would be enough.

Also, i noticed that the antenna cables inside the unit are pretty long and i red that long wires for antennas have huge signal loss. I wonder if going with those long wires was nintendo's best choice...

Just found this http://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_manual-mod-antena-externa-wifi-en-conector-sma-ps3_1183525 on a ps3, if it can be done there no reason why it shouldn't work on the wii u xD
... ok, not so sure anymore, according to this http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=679395 looks like adding a single 5.5dbi antenna didn't help the wii... i wonder if maybe 2 antennas with higher dbi specs would be an improvement on the wii u...

 

[jayjay123]

Isn't it 2 antennas for each wifi module? Or the 2 wires from each module act as a single antenna?
Anyway, assuming that changing the antennas will work, i think boosting the unit's range alone would be enough.

Also, i noticed that the antenna cables inside the unit are pretty long and i red that long wires for antennas have huge signal loss. I wonder if going with those long wires was nintendo's best choice...

Just found this http://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_manual-mod-antena-externa-wifi-en-conector-sma-ps3_1183525 on a ps3, if it can be done there no reason why it shouldn't work on the wii u xD
... ok, not so sure anymore, according to this http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=679395 looks like adding a single 5.5dbi antenna didn't help the wii... i wonder if maybe 2 antennas with higher dbi specs would be an improvement on the wii u...

It's likely there are two antennas for each, but one external would likely be OK. As for the length, I don't think that kind of length is an issue, though I'm all for shorter. Thanks for the ps3 link - that's pretty much what I'm looking at. I'll keep you posted.