Hardware Finally a Wii Mini with HDMI and WiFi

[hdx]

Just wanted to show off my work. I added HDMI (via GCVideo) to Wii Mini. If I'm not mistaken this is the first ever HDMI modded Wii Mini out there. I know some people added Component video back which is definitely easier mod to do. HDMI mod is superior and the only 100% true digital solution so I put extra effort and went HDMI route. I used Arthrimus board which turned out to be a perfect fit if you remove one cap from Wii Mini's motherboard. This way added PCB can lay flat on the motherboard. My Wii Mini mobo is RVO-CPU-01.

I also installed WiFi card, connector and other passive components salvaged from an old Wii mobo. These mods require bluebomb hack and installing full Wii System Menu in order to restore 480p and WiFi in Settings.

Enough talk, some photos:

I was doing more extensive testing today and all I can say is that I highly recommend modding any Wii with HDMI. 100% true digital 480p looks beautiful. I actually see a noticeable upgrade in sharpness and color rendition compared to the official Component cable.

 

[kenkarru]

Hello, great job.

I am trying to add component video output to wii mini. I led out the wires from AVE-RVL BU9955EKV (RGB) and i added wire to connetor video (mode option TP238).

I instal a d2x-cios for wii mini and when i play game i have black and white picture on component cable. I the other case a have no imige on component cable only on compositive.

How add 480p on wii mini? New ios? THX

 

[MrCokeacola]

Good job OP, you must have the nicest Wii Mini in the world.

 

[TimPV3]

Very impressive OP!

 

[fleshdrive68]

Hey! I'm new to this community, and i would like to know what board models did you use? Thanks in advance!

 

[CMDreamer]

Would really enjoy a diy how-to if possible!

Love that Wii/Wii Mini still get the attention they deserve!

 

[hdx]

@CMDreamer Sorry I won't provide any instructions on how to do it. As you can see this is a more advanced modification. You have to hand solder to 0.5mm pitch IC legs which is extremely difficult without proper equipment. You basically have to have a microscope to do that. To be honest it doesn't really differ from any other GCVideo board installation if you've already used these on normal Wiis.

@fleshdrive68 I'm using Arthrimus' HDMI boards. He's not selling these, you have to manufacture them yourself.

@kenkarru For component video you have to restore some of the analog circuity first. There are some passive components missing. I know the community members made dedicated PCBs for easier modding but I haven't tested it personally. Component is easier but it's inferior to HDMI mod so I'm not interested.
For System Menu upgrade you need to find a *.wad file but be careful as full System Menu may brick your Wii Mini as it works with IOS80 with WiFi support. Make sure to install nowifi patched IOS afterwards to make sure you won't have problems. Or just install a WiFi card - this is what I recommend.

 

[fleshdrive68]

@fleshdrive68[/USER] I'm using Arthrimus' HDMI boards. He's not selling these, you have to manufacture them yourself.

Ok. Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 546149]

Just wanted to show off my work. I added HDMI (via GCVideo) to Wii Mini. If I'm not mistaken this is the first ever HDMI modded Wii Mini out there. I know some people added Component video back which is definitely easier mod to do. HDMI mod is superior and the only 100% true digital solution so I put extra effort and went HDMI route. I used Arthrimus board which turned out to be a perfect fit if you remove one cap from Wii Mini's motherboard. This way added PCB can lay flat on the motherboard. My Wii Mini mobo is RVO-CPU-01.

I also installed WiFi card, connector and other passive components salvaged from an old Wii mobo. These mods require bluebomb hack and installing full Wii System Menu in order to restore 480p and WiFi in Settings.

Enough talk, some photos:

View attachment 236543 View attachment 236544 View attachment 236545


I was doing more extensive testing today and all I can say is that I highly recommend modding any Wii with HDMI. 100% true digital 480p looks beautiful. I actually see a noticeable upgrade in sharpness and color rendition compared to the official Component cable.

Sweet, didn't think it was possible

 

[ReveriePass]

How do you install the Wii System Menu to the Wii Mini?

 

[EnterpriseFreak]

How do you install the Wii System Menu to the Wii Mini?

By installing the WAD of a normal 4.3 Menu that you get from either the NUS or a game that bundles 4.3 (Zelda: Skyward Sword for example)

 

[ReveriePass]

By installing the WAD of a normal 4.3 Menu that you get from either the NUS or a game that bundles 4.3 (Zelda: Skyward Sword for example)

I also read that you have to install a non wifi IOS so it doesn't brick?

 

[EnterpriseFreak]

I also read that you have to install a non wifi IOS so it doesn't brick?

The IOS80 found on the Mini is already non-wifi so you can just install the normal System Menu over the Mini one. Tried that on my own Mini that I got just to have fun with the system files not too long ago.

 

[ReveriePass]

The IOS80 found on the Mini is already non-wifi so you can just install the normal System Menu over the Mini one. Tried that on my own Mini that I got just to have fun with the system files not too long ago.

Okay, thanks so much! Just one more question, do you know where I can find a board to put component back on the Wii Mini?

 

[EnterpriseFreak]

Okay, thanks so much! Just one more question, do you know where I can find a board to put component back on the Wii Mini?

Don't know where you can buy a premade one but the design is open source so you should be able to get them made a company that produces PCBs.

https://github.com/Devnol/Miini-hwkit

 

[ReveriePass]

Don't know where you can buy a premade one but the design is open source so you should be able to get them made a company that produces PCBs.

https://github.com/Devnol/Miini-hwkit

Thanks for all your help. Do you also know how to install a wi-fi module? I can't find the documentation for it.

 

[EnterpriseFreak]

Thanks for all your help. Do you also know how to install a wi-fi module? I can't find the documentation for it.

Afaik you have to manually add a socket to the motherboard that the wi-fi card plugs into. The solder pads for the socket are right next to the BT card so you shouldn't have any issue finding them. Personally I'd just use the Wii LAN thingy (or it's Switch counterpart, that works on the Wii too) and not bother with installing the module.

 

[ReveriePass]

Afaik you have to manually add a socket to the motherboard that the wi-fi card plugs into. The solder pads for the socket are right next to the BT card so you shouldn't have any issue finding them. Personally I'd just use the Wii LAN thingy (or it's Switch counterpart, that works on the Wii too) and not bother with installing the module.

Installing the wifi module tomorrow. How do I go about installing the Wii System menu and the IOS for wifi?

 

[EnterpriseFreak]

Installing the wifi module tomorrow. How do I go about installing the Wii System menu and the IOS for wifi?

Well if you really want to go the Wii Mini with wifi you'll have to install an IOS80 (and a bunch of other IOS too for all the games) that has the Wifi code in it. Again, you'll get them from either the NUS or a 4.3 game disk. Before replacing the System Menu or IOS80 you should create a NAND backup using a hardmod just in case something goes wrong and the console is unable to boot after replacing these files.
Now, for the installation part:
I've used Wii Mod Lite to first uninstall the titles and then install their target variants on my Mini. You have to uninstall the System Menu / IOS / whatever you're trying to replace and then install their target versions (Wii Mini system titles have absurdly high version numbers so you can't just install the normal ones over them as these have lower version numbers). As soon as you have installed everything you want it's time to reboot the console, with any luck the console will still boot, if it does: Great! if not: Reflash your NAND backup.

 

[ReveriePass]

Well if you really want to go the Wii Mini with wifi you'll have to install an IOS80 (and a bunch of other IOS too for all the games) that has the Wifi code in it. Again, you'll get them from either the NUS or a 4.3 game disk. Before replacing the System Menu or IOS80 you should create a NAND backup using a hardmod just in case something goes wrong and the console is unable to boot after replacing these files.
Now, for the installation part:
I've used Wii Mod Lite to first uninstall the titles and then install their target variants on my Mini. You have to uninstall the System Menu / IOS / whatever you're trying to replace and then install their target versions (Wii Mini system titles have absurdly high version numbers so you can't just install the normal ones over them as these have lower version numbers). As soon as you have installed everything you want it's time to reboot the console, with any luck the console will still boot, if it does: Great! if not: Reflash your NAND backup.

Okay, installed the Wifi module and installed a 4.3 wad. Console boots, but I can't find an access point. Is it the location of my antenna? They're right next to each other in the inside of the console.