Hardware HD Wii upscaler: VDIGI VD-W3

[Deleted User]

Now THIS looks fishy. I'm thinking of buying one at £37/$59, but I'm wondering if anyone has one and can tell me if this is total bullshit or the real deal. I mean, something that can suddenly 'make' your wii HD? I'm not sure. Look at the claims.

* Crystal shape image, Outstanding picture quality.
* Full HD (1080p) output.
* True 10-Bits high definition video scaler engine.
* AV grade scaler engine

User Friendly

* No external power required.
* Easy to setup.
* LED status indication.

Wide Range Video Display support

* Support TV (HDMI) and PC Monitor (DVI).
* HDMI-Audio and Analog audio out.
* Various HDTV video out.
* Native resolution for LCD monitor.


I'd like to ask a few questions:
1) Is the difference noticeable? All I see on Google are fanboys going 'Yuh it is gut' or IGN biased reviews going 'doobydoobydoo'
2) Are there any other, cheaper 'wii upscalers' on the market?

 

[PrinceNOOB]

I have one of those well it doesn't make your wii HD it just improves the picture and helps a bit in removing some of the jaggies and a brighter color

 

[Deleted User]

I have one of those well it doesn't make your wii HD it just improves the picture and helps a bit in removing some of the jaggies and a brighter color

Is it worth my money?

 

[PrinceNOOB]

I have one of those well it doesn't make your wii HD it just improves the picture and helps a bit in removing some of the jaggies and a brighter color

Is it worth my money?

If you have a big HDTV yes but if you have a small one it isn't worth it IMO.

 

[ZeWarrior]

This thing is utter shit compared to Dolphin at 1080p, all it does is upscale the image, which if you have a half-decent HDTV, shouldn't improve the quality much at all considering the TV is already upscaling everything to match its native resolution.

 

[farcry15]

here's a good review of this device
the screenshots probably aren't too reliable since they're taken by a camera and at an odd angle, rather than with a capture card.

there are also a few comparison shots on the manufacturers website

 

[CarbonX13]

IMO it isn't worth the buy, as Wii games lack the detail that really shows off games that are built for HD. 480p from component cables are honestly the highest you'd really need to go. You'll trim a bit of jagginess on the sides of textures, but other than that, I'd suggest you put the $60 on something else, like a game. =P

 

[trumpet-205]

If you must upscale it into 1080p, then use those boxes designed for upscaling. Those cost about $200 to $300. VD-W3 upscaling isn't as good as compare to other alternative.

 

[thebigboss14]

What you guys think are the best best option because I was thinking in getting the same thing.

 

[chin77]

I bought one and am pleased with the results for the following reasons:

MUCH better color
Really does take the edge off Wii's (relatively crappy) 480p especially when anti-aliased
but most of all, it displays THE WHOLE FRAME (which through my component cables gets cut on all 4 sides)
I like the fact that it's got many settings to fit your monitor needs
It supports HDMI audio for most HDTVs

The best Wii cable option IMO.

 

[Bladexdsl]

needs a usb slot so i'm shit out of luck both mine are taken

 

[Jakob95]

This thing is utter shit compared to Dolphin at 1080p, all it does is upscale the image, which if you have a half-decent HDTV, shouldn't improve the quality much at all considering the TV is already upscaling everything to match its native resolution.

Well you can't compare it to Dolphin since that is an emulator.

 

[ZeWarrior]

This thing is utter shit compared to Dolphin at 1080p, all it does is upscale the image, which if you have a half-decent HDTV, shouldn't improve the quality much at all considering the TV is already upscaling everything to match its native resolution.

Well you can't compare it to Dolphin since that is an emulator.

I'm aware.

 

[person66]

needs a usb slot so i'm shit out of luck both mine are taken

Why can't you use a USB hub?

 

[Evilbaz]

I might give one of these a go

 

[epicCreations.or]

I might give one of these a go

*psst* if you go to "My Controls", you can set your signature so you don't have to paste that everytime.

*ahem* Anyways, this thing is probably a waste.

 

[Bluelaserman]

I'm using AV cables at the moment on a 55" TV, should I upgrade to component or buy one of these?

 

[Evilbaz]

I might give one of these a go

*psst* if you go to "My Controls", you can set your signature so you don't have to paste that everytime.

*ahem* Anyways, this thing is probably a waste.

Thanks mate

 

[Coto]

I´d stick with component cables. Wii´s resolution are fine at 480p, a "more detailed" screen, incluiding resolution, stretch or whatever will make Wii worse. If it IS possible, you´ll make polygons to see way they aren´t designed.

As for this product, the comparisons were almost exactly to me, except the device stretching signal image a bit. (The same thing can be made by a lot of LCD/TVS so be careful what you read)

As myself, being user of Component cables, my dad at house has a '27 Plasma (yes an old plasma) and image improves a lot on low res games like Trauma Center Second Opinion.

My mother has a LCDTV '51 also, and frankly it does a better job at receiving/transcoding signal than Plasma itself. It looks awesome. (In games like Smash Bros Brawl with deflicker filter off seems almost like at a higher res, and Metroid Other M seems beautiful, being 16:9 by default)

So, stick with Component cables instead

 

[Deleted User]

so, component is great, amrite?