Topic: Nyko Accessorizes the Wii

[WindyMan]

The accessory house offers rechargeable Wii remote batteries, component cables and a wireless sensor bar.

NYKO® UNVEILS NEW LINE OF NINTENDO WII PERIPHERALS    

New Suite of Nintendo Wii Products Puts Innovation In The Hands Of Gamers    

LOS ANGELES – January 5, 2007 – Nyko Technologies®, a premier peripherals   manufacturer, announced today their product lineup for the Nintendo Wii.   With a host of brand-new options for battery charging, wireless gaming, and   high-quality video, Nyko aims to stand at the forefront of the Wii accessory   market. Nyko’s products for the Nintendo Wii will debut at this year’s   Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.    

Nyko’s Charge Station for Wii enables gamers to simultaneously charge two   Wii remotes, maintaining a steady supply of power with two additional   rechargeable NiMH batteries. The charging dock allows the user to easily   keep 2 Wii-Remotes charged at all times by plugging into any wall outlet.   The dock has convenient and easy to read LED indicator lights, as well as a   6 foot power cord that allows the unit to be conveniently placed in even the   most crowded entertainment areas. For those active gaming sessions, the   Charge Station for Wii also includes two rubberized battery covers to make   sure even the most energetic gamer keeps a grip on the Wii-Remote. The   Charge Station for the Nintendo Wii will has a suggested retail price of   $29.99.    

For the ultimate in convenience and performance, Nyko’s Wireless Sensor Bar   provides a neat, obstacle-free gaming environment. With the Wireless Sensor   Bar, Wii gamers can play up to 25 feet away from their television with no   wires or cords. The Wireless Sensor Bar can be placed anywhere the consumer   wishes, making it ideal for wall-mounted televisions and projectors.  The   product features up to 30 hours of battery life on four AA batteries   (included), and also includes an optional built-in battery saving function   which emits an audible alarm when the Wireless Sensor Bar has been left idle   for a user-determined amount of time. The Wireless Sensor Bar for the   Nintendo Wii will has a suggested retail price of $19.99.    

To meet the needs of consumers demanding the best in visual performance from   their Nintendo Wii, Nyko is proud to offer the HD-Link for Wii. The HD-Link   provides a crystal clear image at a resolution of up to 480p. The cable also   includes high-quality audio cables, providing realistic immersive sound. The   HD-Link is 8 feet long to accommodate any entertainments setup and is   shielded to provide interference-free performance. The HD-Link for the   Nintendo Wii has a suggested retail price of $19.99.    

“The Nintendo Wii’s unique technology has proven to appeal to everyone from   casual to hardcore gamers, offering new opportunities to reach out to the   emerging world of interactive gaming" said Chris Arbogast, Marketing Manager   at Nyko Technologies. “Nyko’s new products for the Nintendo Wii offer   consumers the freedom of wireless technology, high-quality video and   continuous charging solutions. Gaming has evolved and we’re confident that   these new products enhance the experience and let gamers get the most out of   their new console."

[Bartman3010]

As much as I'd like some sort of alternative to the sensor bar thats quite unfriendly when it comes to travel, I hardly see how a wireless sensor bar will fix the problem...

I'm already having a hard time keeping the system online, and the Wii-remotes undistrubed by frequency disturbances, a wireless bar is going to make things worse.

Why oh why is the bar just a thin piece of expensive plastic with a really flimsy wire?

[BlkPaladin]

The bar doesn't transmit anything but IR to the controllers. So there will be no frequency disturbances. All the bar is in the first place is an IR transmitter, with this you get rid of the wire.

[KDR_11k]

It doesn't transmit any signals, it's just two infrared markers. You probably know that you can use candles instead of the bar.

[Kairon]

YES! Wireless sensor bar that runs on AAs! SCORE!

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[KDR_11k]

Go to an electronics store, get two IR LEDs and a resistor and use some wire to connect these into a circuit with a battery. Saved at least ten bucks and you've got a sensor bar that can be adjusted for any screen size (especially useful with projectors).

[Kairon]

But how long would that take, especially for a non-technical non-hardware guy like me? Time is the ULTIMATE scarce resource, and no amount of money saved can buy back even a minute of life.

Besides, if I made it, it'd probably break easy and not be suitable for travel. Although... you do make me wonder why third party manufacturers wouldn't just make an easily extendable version of a wireless sensor bar... just slide out the plastic!

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com  

[Pale]

the thought of having to remember to turn my sensor bar on and off, thus negating the sweet remote turn on of the Wii, makes me not want a wireless sensor bar.

[KDR_11k]

But how long would that take, especially for a non-technical non-hardware guy like me?

Less than a minute if you just "tie" the wire together instead of soldering it. Granted, the battery holder might take a bit more time but I wouldn't be surprised if you can buy prefabbed battery holders. If in doubt 9V block battery connectors are available. No idea how strong the resistor would need to be for this but I think you could just ask a store clerk.

Time is the ULTIMATE scarce resource, and no amount of money saved can buy back even a minute of life.

True but saving money lets you get by with working less overtime.

[Kairon]

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
the thought of having to remember to turn my sensor bar on and off, thus negating the sweet remote turn on of the Wii, makes me not want a wireless sensor bar.

Good point, but doesn't it auto turn off?

AA batteries are a BIG must for me, because I use AA rechargeables and want my wireless sensor bar to use the same battery standard as my controllers.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[31 Flavas]

Well, auto turn off, except by timer, would be hard to determine. There is no activity going on between the sensor bar and the remote. The sensor bar is only there to provide 2 infrared light sources for the remote to "see" and nothing more. In otherwords, the sensor bar doesn't know when it is or when it is not being used. And hence why it can't shut off when you turn of the console.

So instead just use the candle trick if you want a wireless sensor bar. Or for that matter any 2 infrared light sources. Clear incandescent lights put out plenty of infrared light as well.

At my new years party we didn't even use the sensor bar. When we needed to get a cursor to get around the Wii Sports menu we just pointed at the kitchen chandelier behind us. So it's really quite easy to go "wireless" for the "sensor bar".

This Nyko device looks just fine, you've just got to remember to turn it off after use or you'll kill the batteries.