Is there a visible difference between a component cable and an AV cable?For the test, I am using my HDTV, 2x a Wii, 2x
Super Smash Bros Brawl, 1x Component cable (RVL-011), and 1x AV cable (RVL-009). I set the first Wii to 50hz (576i) and connect it using the AV cord. For the second Wii, I use the component cord and set it to HDTV (480p).
Right away, it's noticeable that the rectangular menu bars slightly flicker when changing colors using the AV cable but not when using the Component cable. After starting Super Smash Bros Brawl on both Wiis, I don't see any significant differences in the intro video. However, the startup screen does exhibit diagonal vibrations as the letters SUPER SMASH BROS slide across the screen with the AV cable. When I see the explanation where Mario hits Bowser on a stage, I'm taken aback. It looks really poor with the AV cable. Especially Mario's red cap vibrates, and the edges of the cap are not sharp. With the component cable, Mario's cap looks significantly better!
How does a component cable work?The Wii can display images up to 480p with a component cable. This isn't HD quality as there are too few pixels. The most important thing is that the technology is different from the 50hz (576i) of the AV cable.
The p stands for
Progressive scan, the i for
interlaced video. The advantage of
Progressive scan is that you don't have
interline twitter, which are vibrations that occur when neighboring pixels differ too much in color. In other words, a too sharp image causes vibrations with
interlaced video (the AV cable). Images in video games (and DVDs) are intentionally made less sharp to reduce these vibrations.
Once the images are made less sharp, the difference in sharpness between a component cable and an AV cable is minimal. The only thing that stands out then is that you will never see vibrations. When the images in the
video game take into account the Wii's settings, the contrast can increase with a component cable. In the case of
Super Smash Bros Brawl, we may have seen this in the clear edges of Mario's cap.
How do you set up a component cable?If you have a television with a component video connection, which most HDTVs have, you can start using the Component cable (RVL-011). Remove the old AV cord from the Wii and replace it with the Component cord.
The Component cable has five outputs in different colors, two for stereo sound (white and red) and three for the video images (green, blue, and red again). All five of these go into the TV.
Now adjust the Wii settings and you can enjoy the best possible image. Do this by clicking on the bottom left on the Wii icon, then on settings on the right, and finally look for "display."
6 months warranty
Not for the Wii mini
Manual and box
