Review: VDIGI VD-W2 Wii VGA Cable

VDIGI VD-W2 Wii VGA Cable
Manufacturer: VDIGI
Site: Buy from VDIGI
Price: $39.90


Overview : Connect your Wii units to a CRT or LCD monitor in the form of a VGA cable. The cable is compatible with Wii units in all regions and is capable of producing high quality VGA output.

Features :

• Easy to setup and use
• Compatible with Japan, U.S. and UK version console Wii, backward compatible with Gamecube 480p supported games
• Provide high quality VGA output
• Clear crystal image quality
• No external power needed
• Support wide range of CRT/LCD monitors

Quality/Usability : Not everyone owns a HDTV (yet) or have a spare TV to use while the family is using the TV to watch their favorite show. But everyone does have a computer monitor whether it be a CRT or LCD or probably spares. If not, prices are fairly cheap for those looking to use CRT/LCD monitors for gaming. The quality of the cable is very durable with the cable being 6.5ft (2M), with maximum output resolution 640x480 @ 60fps with output signals of RGBHV and RGBs. The cable has the AV out plug that plugs into the Wii, VGA plug that connects to monitor and RCA plugs (red and white for audio right and left and green component cable).

To set your WIi to 480p, there are two ways. If you have component cable hooked up to your Wii already, then you're set. If not, you'll need to connect the AV out plug to the back of the Wii. Once connected, insert your green component into the the TV. Although this is for component, you can plug into the video plug on standard TVs. Turn on the Wii and a blue power indicator will light up on the VD-W2 but the display will be in black and white. From here, change the settings on the Wii (Wii icon > Wii settings > Screen > TV Resolution > select EDTV or HDTV > Confirm). If you're using a standard TV, your screen will go blank as it can not support HDTV signal.

You can either leave the console on or off but you can turn it off to be safe. Disconnect the cables that is connected to the TV and plug the VGA connector to your monitor. Once connected and Wii turned back on, the Wii dashboard will be displayed. For audio, connect the RCA plugs (audio L/R) to your audio equipment. If you dont, you can connect the the included 3.5mm headphone jack converter and connect to any PC speakers for audio.

On the back of the VGA connector are small dip switches. I didnt have to touch it, but I assume if you are having problems with your display you would toggle with the switches.

MODE/DIP / RGBS (Comp) / RGBHV (Default) / RGBHV (1) / RGBHV (2)
1______________ON__________OFF__________OFF______O FF
2______________OFF__________ON__________ON_______O N
3______________OFF__________OFF_________ON_______O FF
4______________OFF__________OFF_________OFF______O N

All the games I tried whether it be Wii or GameCube games, worked perfectly and looked great with bright vivid colors. I did notice that Zelda: Twilight Princess did show scanlines but I assume it was the game as some other Nintendo developed games such as Mario Party 8 did the same thing but some other games developed by other companies didnt.

Conclusion : Overall, the VDigi VD-W2 Wii VGA Cable worked as it should. The colors were bright and vivid and pictures being clear and crisp. The ability to change the settings on the Wii without the use of a HDTV comes in very handy. The manual was photocopied and black and white but so as long it showed us how to connect and set things up, who cares? The scanlines seems to be normal as it is game related to only Nintendo developed games.

Images via comments