Author Topic: Sensor Bar (Read 8760 times)

Supermoose · « **on:** October 15, 2006, 01:52:46 PM »

Does anyone know about the placement of the sensor bar?...can it be behind closed cabinet doors and still sense where the remote is?...

Crimm · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2006, 01:59:25 PM »

It needs "line of sight". If you block the IR beams the sensor bar emits your Wii-mote wont be able to detect them.

Edfishy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2006, 07:56:23 PM »

Yes, that sensor bar is to me the single most concerning part about the Wii. It's just a bit odd to have to rely on a "third element"(console,controller,sensor-bar) to play a system that's supposed to make things easier. Hopefully in three year's time Nintendo can update the technology so that the sensor bar can be reduced to a few inches and be entirely wireless(powered by AA's).

Svevan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2006, 08:49:06 PM »

Why not just build the sensor bar into the front of the Wii?

Ceric · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2006, 08:50:35 PM »

There is a trade off with everything. To make things noticeably easier you have to make something more complex. Wiring 1 time for the sensor bar is fine by me. Oh, as for you question. If the cabinet doors are clear there might be a little interference but it could be doable.

Jensen · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2006, 09:15:51 PM »

The sensor bar doesn't sense anything! All it is is a few Infrared LEDs in a plastic bar. The camera in the front of the Wiimote uses the LEDs as reference points for its pointing functionality.

Without the bar, the wiimote would just be a sixaxis with less buttons.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2006, 09:23:02 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Jensen
The sensor bar doesn't sense anything! All it is is a few Infrared LEDs in a plastic bar. The camera in the front of the Wiimote uses the LEDs as reference points for its pointing functionality.

Without the bar, the wiimote would just be a sixaxis that is more durable, and better designed.

I think that is what you meant to say, I also like how now people are comparing it to the six axis, when Nintendo created it FIRST. The SIXAXIS is just a Wiimote with less functionality.

Crimm · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2006, 09:32:40 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: VGrevolution
I think that is what you meant to say, I also like how now people are comparing it to the six axis, when Nintendo created it FIRST. The SIXAXIS is just a Wiimote with less functionality.

I'm not really sure how many Wii games will use the pointer that aren't First Person ("shooters" being left off to accommodate games like Zelda that have first person elements).

Where the Wii has an advantage over SIXAXIS is how its held. It was designed with motion in mind. Pick up a DualShock, or even a GC controller, and try to move it around a lot. One arm gets in the way of the other. Unless you outstretch your arms you wont be able to rotate, using only your wrists, more then 120 degrees quickly. Regardless, it becomes very uncomfortable only after a few rotations.

IceCold · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2006, 10:20:20 PM »

Try swinging a sword with the SIXAXIS

Quote
I'm not really sure how many Wii games will use the pointer that aren't First Person ("shooters" being left off to accommodate games like Zelda that have first person elements).

Well. All games with a cursor will use the pointer, and most of those aren't First Person. See Mario Galaxy as an example.. This also includes the games with PC-style controls which will come on the Wii (RTS games, Adventure games, etc..)

It would also be used to aim in a third person shooter, or in a game like Madden where you use it to aim your throw..

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2006, 10:45:31 PM »

Perhaps I'm way off base here, but what is so complex about hooking up a sensor bar? Have people (including ones that don't play games) gotten so dumb that hooking up a sensor bar is not "easy"?

KDR_11k · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2006, 04:34:47 AM »

Does the sensor bar really need to be connected to anything? Isn't it just a dumb emitter? I'd be surprised if that thing needs more than power.

couchmonkey · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2006, 05:27:08 AM »

It's interesting, in Iwata's Wii interviews, the sensor bar came up as an issue they were very worried about...but it had to be done. So they put in the best effort to make it small and inconspicuous. I don't think it's too bad. I think the reason it's separate from the Wii is to again, keep it inconspicuous. I could put my Wii inside a cupboard and still have this little sensor bar outside...I think the bar is less conspicuous than the Wii itself (especially since it isn't white.)

Shecky · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2006, 12:45:59 PM »

Heh, Sony's already claimed their technology is suprior since it's "all inclusive" and doesn't require a silly sensor bar (Source: Sony's E3 Event). Such a misleading statement.

The sensor bar is a defining characteristic of the Wii in terms of functionality.

KDR_11k> Does the sensor bar really need to be connected to anything? Isn't it just a dumb emitter? I'd be surprised if that thing needs more than power.

If there's any sort of timing or pulse generation that needs to happen, then that could require the console to clock or control the IR field put out by the bar.

Smash_Brother · « **Reply #13 on:** October 16, 2006, 12:53:34 PM »

The sensor bar is about the size of a bic pen.

I don't think people are going to get bent out of shape about a small, pen-sized device sitting atop their TV.

Kairon · « **Reply #14 on:** October 16, 2006, 01:19:03 PM »

In the Iwata Interviews, they talked about making the Sensor Bar battery powered, but they go on to say they rejected that idea because people would need to replace the Sensor Bar's batteries in the middle of play. They felt attaching it via a wire would reduce one level of worrying.

Nevertheless, whose to say that third parties won't come up with a battery powered replacement?

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Ceric · « **Reply #15 on:** October 16, 2006, 01:27:57 PM »

For me its not the bar itself. I like how the bar is small. I know its not in the Wii because then you have to put the Wii on top of the TV. I have a CRT HDTV and I don't think it would stay on top of mine even. Now being complex. I have so many cables back there that anymore cables I need to route is a daunting experience.

Kairon · « **Reply #16 on:** October 16, 2006, 01:42:10 PM »

Cabling is a one-time deal and then you forget all about it. Not like changing batteries.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Guitar Smasher · « **Reply #17 on:** October 16, 2006, 03:55:17 PM »

Why do we even call it the 'sensor bar' if it doesn't sense anything?

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #18 on:** October 16, 2006, 04:12:05 PM »

Well doesn't it technically sense where the Wimote is moving (not 3D but more pointer style)? If it didn't sense anything I don't see how it would be any use

. Heck my wireless optical mouse has to have something to sense that when it moves.

Bloodworth · « **Reply #19 on:** October 17, 2006, 06:38:43 AM »

No the remote does the actual sensing. The bar is just a pair of lights that the remote uses to determine location.

Ceric · « **Reply #20 on:** October 17, 2006, 06:47:16 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Guitar Smasher
Why do we even call it the 'sensor bar' if it doesn't sense anything?

I think in the end is because Sensor Bar sounds cooler then Light Bar, Target Bar, Tracked Bar, LED Bar, Position Bar, Reference Bar, That Thing that Emits Light, etc.

AV · « **Reply #21 on:** July 17, 2010, 12:04:45 PM »

I actually have a interesting story that is why I'm bumping this up.

So yesterday I wanted to hang out with my friend at his apartment. I brought my Wii and everything ...or so I thought.
I didn't pack the sensor bar

My friend was 'oh well guess we can't play wii' but I took out my classic controller, plugged it into the wiimote and moved the analog stick to move the cursor. We were limited to what games we could play (wii sports resort was out of the question because you need to point for menus, and Galaxy 2 couldn't select a file) so we couldn't play any games that didn't use the cursor but I could access virtual console and wiiware. We actually played some gamecube games (NFL Blitz 2002) and Super Smash Brothers Brawl (it's been a while since I played that) and had a blast. I'm so happy Nintendo made a machine where they could find a easy way to work without a key component. Drunk Brawl at 1am is so much fun.

BeautifulShy · « **Reply #22 on:** July 17, 2010, 12:16:25 PM »

You could of used a candle.All the Wii remote needs is a IR light for the pointer to detect it.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2010, 12:29:21 PM »

maybe a string of Xmas lights could've done the trick too, you gotta get creative. The sensor bar is only plugged into the Wii for power.

Mop it up · « **Reply #24 on:** July 17, 2010, 01:22:00 PM »

Candles work well for multiplayer games. Then everyone can have their own sensor bar.

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Author Topic: Sensor Bar (Read 8760 times)