Post by: BlackGriffen on May 25, 2005, 07:30:16 PM
Quote
No Ethernet jack; Revolution connects to the Internet using 802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi wireless
At first I was in disbelief when I read this. Don't get me wrong, wireless is great. Wireless only, however, is a mistake. The investment to get wireless running is US$50+, a significant investment. Cat-5 (ethernet) cable is US$20 or less (depends on length). The hardware necessary for a simple 10/100 ethernet connection is minimal and cheap, so I can't think of a reason not to include it. If Nintendo still chooses not to, though, they should at least support the use of USB ethernet adaptors.
If Nintendo refuses to do both then there is no other way to describe the decision but colossally stupid. It will hurt adoption of their online strategy, for starters.
So, in sum: Nintendo would have to be stupid to exclude a basic ethernet adaptor, and colossally stupid to disallow the use of USB ethernet adaptors as well.
BlackGriffen
Post by: Ian Sane on May 25, 2005, 07:59:24 PM
I imagine not having a port is the usual NCL making a decision for the whole world market based on Japan. Hot spots can work okay in Japan where millions of people live in a tiny little country. It doesn't work in the US and especially Canada where the population is more spread out and people can live far away from a city.
Post by: TMW on May 25, 2005, 08:00:23 PM
The prototype probably isn't even online yet, if it works at all.
Post by: HereticPB on May 25, 2005, 08:15:10 PM
Post by: anubis6789 on May 25, 2005, 08:37:15 PM
*EDIT: added the blurb about it being a prototype.*
Post by: IceCold on May 25, 2005, 08:47:21 PM
Post by: Don'tHate742 on May 25, 2005, 08:48:02 PM
If Nintendo becomes massively popular (lilke Nintendo wants) and those who want to play online (everyone, except Paladin) switch to wireless routers (one-time fee), then those very people will have another incentive to buy the DS (and vice versa).
Think about it....all those people switching to WiFi.....it's brilliant.
REV Lauch -- Sping 06'.
REV -- Super Smash Bros. Online -- Spring 06'.
DS -- Super Smash Bros. Online -- Fall 06'.
Post by: ShyGuy on May 25, 2005, 08:53:39 PM
And supporting a usb ethernet device is a little more complicated than just flipping a switch; you have to have drivers to interface with the various usb NIC's chipsets, or the Revolution won't see them.
Post by: Don'tHate742 on May 25, 2005, 09:00:26 PM
He doesn't complain, rather he brings up some important points regarding the negative side-effects to Nintendo's choices. I admit, he does focus on the bad alot, but he doesn't ignore the good either and it shows because he's been giving Nintendo alot slack recently.
Post by: ThePerm on May 25, 2005, 09:01:28 PM
Post by: nemo_83 on May 25, 2005, 09:44:07 PM
Post by: ThePerm on May 25, 2005, 10:01:47 PM
Post by: ShyGuy on May 25, 2005, 10:06:03 PM
I honestly expect Wifi to become ubiquitous in the next couple of years, consumer networking is trending that way.
Post by: nemo_83 on May 25, 2005, 10:35:15 PM
I guess I could get a usb cord and hook it up through the pc; if it is able to do that. All we know so far is that it will hook up to pc monitors, hopefully laptops cause that is what I have. But they may be doing that via wifi too. While I'm on the subject of hooking it up to a pc; am I going to need to use up all my pc's harddrive because the REV won't have one? What are people without pcs going to do?
Nintendo is making this more complicated than simple. If you think I'm being critical wait until xbots figure out how to use this against Nintendo in arguments.
Post by: ShyGuy on May 25, 2005, 10:50:43 PM
Just kidding, yeah it would make sense for nintendo to include an ethernet port, but I'm not too worried if they don't.
If you're already managing a five node network, I don't think nintendo is going to over complicate things for you here.
And I doubt the Revolution will display on your laptop, unless it has some video capture capabilities. That's just not how it works.
Post by: MrMojoRising on May 25, 2005, 10:55:32 PM
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Originally posted by: anubis6789
It would be cool if you connected an ethernet cable to your REV and it would becaome a hotspot for DS's.
AND HOW!
Post by: KnowsNothing on May 26, 2005, 02:04:33 AM
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The DS strategy won't work here.
I like this quote especially, since the DS strategy includes a USB conncection. If they're going to do it with a portable, they're going to do with with a home console. Perhaps you plug this wireless transmitter into your USB port and it supports both the DS and the Rev....?
Post by: jasonditz on May 26, 2005, 07:25:00 AM
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Originally posted by: ShyGuy
Penny Arcade deals with a similar problem
Just kidding, yeah it would make sense for nintendo to include an ethernet port, but I'm not too worried if they don't.
If you're already managing a five node network, I don't think nintendo is going to over complicate things for you here.
And I doubt the Revolution will display on your laptop, unless it has some video capture capabilities. That's just not how it works.
Yeah, most laptops don't have VGA-in, but you could just as easily get a decent HD capture card for the thing and play the games that way
Post by: jasonditz on May 26, 2005, 07:28:39 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 26, 2005, 09:10:48 AM
That's an interesting strategy but I don't think it's worth risking the Rev's online presence to sell more DS's. And this logic is backwards much like GBA connectivity. The PORTABLE is what sells. Therefore the portable should be used to try to get people to buy the console, not the other way around. With connectivity Nintendo was rather blatantly trying to sell GBAs to Cube owners but that didn't make any sense. The GBA was selling like Beatles records in the 60s while they couldn't give away Cubes. This is the same thing. The DS is doing pretty good. The Rev is no matter what going to struggle just because of Nintendo's current standing in the console market. So using the Rev to sell DS's makes no sense. Doesn't mean that's not their strategy but it's still really dumb.
Post by: jasonditz on May 26, 2005, 10:15:40 AM
Post by: nemo_83 on May 26, 2005, 05:10:30 PM
I am going to assume for right now that the final version will offer a port; but if we get to the 360's launch and Nintendo still has not shown the controller, graphics, specs, or cable port with Sony possibly launching in six months then I am going to bitch.
Post by: Bloodworth on May 26, 2005, 06:57:06 PM
Post by: nemo_83 on May 26, 2005, 07:14:05 PM
Post by: Shecky on May 26, 2005, 08:51:00 PM
Most users would prefer wireless... it's difficult for a lot of people to run an ethernet cord to their TV/living area.
So assuming you want wireless....
An wireless ethernet bridge (~$50+)
Or by an access point (~$50)
Post by: MrMojoRising on May 26, 2005, 11:14:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Shecky
IMO, it's stupid to include both!
Most users would prefer wireless... it's difficult for a lot of people to run an ethernet cord to their TV/living area.
So assuming you want wireless....
An wireless ethernet bridge (~$50+)
Or by an access point (~$50)
It is true that it wouldn't be easy to run an ethernet cord to where I like to play my games...but I don't think an option between wireless and wired is stupid. Both offers the most flexibility, will it really hinder the system to have one more plug?
Post by: Pale on May 27, 2005, 06:44:47 AM
I already have my wireless network. The only reason I want hard wired is because I know how flaky it can be. If you have ever tried to run an MMO over a wireless connection, you know what I mean. Having a 5 second burp in your connection can me death for your character.
Post by: Shecky on May 27, 2005, 08:13:47 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: MrMojoRisingQuote
Originally posted by: Shecky
IMO, it's stupid to include both!
Most users would prefer wireless... it's difficult for a lot of people to run an ethernet cord to their TV/living area.
So assuming you want wireless....
An wireless ethernet bridge (~$50+)
Or by an access point (~$50)
It is true that it wouldn't be easy to run an ethernet cord to where I like to play my games...but I don't think an option between wireless and wired is stupid. Both offers the most flexibility, will it really hinder the system to have one more plug?
Well stupid may have been the wrong word. It does add cost to the system though, and any cost adds up when your making millions of systems. I'd much rather see them come out with a USB ethernet adapter for those who must have a wired connection to the rev.
Post by: Shecky on May 27, 2005, 08:18:03 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: PaleZer0
The real strategy for getting people the wireless capabilities for their DS is to make the Rev a proprietary access point for DSs.
I'm assuming you mean proprietary in the sense of just acting as a standard access point built by broadcom.
Anything proprietary in the network communication of things and the rev would be DOA when it comes to gaming over the Internet.
Post by: BiLdItUp1 on May 27, 2005, 08:56:20 AM
look at this.
If they could make 'em that cheap, Nintendo could make their own version for like $10-20. Or maybe some sort of backwards bridge, but those don't exist. Still, the fact that we have to resort to that is ridiculous. I can't imagine a built-in ethernet slot (heck, we don't even need gigabit here) costing a lot or taking up valuable mobo space, so Ian has a valid point.
Post by: BigJim on May 27, 2005, 09:10:32 AM
That said, if they're already incorporating networking technology, the cost of a physical ethernet port would be negligible. They're incorporating USB ports for no particular reason, right? Why would an ethernet port make less sense?
If they don't include an ethernet port, it's likely a design choice, not a cost one. If nothing else, having the option to use an adapter like this over the USB port would be a good alternative. It wouldn't be a hard thing for Nintendo to do.
Post by: Pale on May 27, 2005, 10:01:19 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: SheckyQuote
Originally posted by: PaleZer0
The real strategy for getting people the wireless capabilities for their DS is to make the Rev a proprietary access point for DSs.
I'm assuming you mean proprietary in the sense of just acting as a standard access point built by broadcom.
Anything proprietary in the network communication of things and the rev would be DOA when it comes to gaming over the Internet.
By proprietary I mean, it isn't feasable to allow a wireless laptop to connect to the Rev for internet. That would involve building in toooo much functionality. If it only allowed DSs and least Nintendo could make a bunch of assumptions about the kind of device connecting through it.
Post by: ThePerm on May 27, 2005, 11:01:51 AM
Post by: Pale on May 27, 2005, 05:33:19 PM
