Wii Video Quality Problems - Trying Out Dolphin and Other Things

[Ziggy]

I have not been happy with the Wii's video output quality for some time now. This is a shame because it keeps me from playing it. I have been unable to decide how to rectify this.

Back when the Wii was current gen, I had component cables for it and used it on a 720p TV. I had no problem back then with the video quality. I mean, the graphics are what they are, but it looked OK for what it is on my TV at the time. Then I eventually upgraded to a 1080p TV, and that's when I started noticing it looking a little weak. I experimented with connecting component video directly into the TV, as well as going through a Framemeister but I was never able to find settings that I was OK with.

Now most recently, I've upgraded to a 4K TV that has no component inputs. So I also picked up a RetroTINK 5X. The PS2 and OGXBOX were both passable going through the TINK, but the Wii still looks kind of awful.I've tried the suggested settings in USB Loader GX, and various settings on the TINK, but it still looks pretty bad in my opinion. There's lots of jaggies, but it's also kind of blurry at the same time. It's just a mess.

I know that the Wii isn't known for having amazing graphics, but it looks like my TV is broken and I'm just very unhappy with it. So I've been weighing my options...

1. HDMI scaler and software settings - This is what I'm currently doing. RetroTINK 5X and the recommended options in USB Loader GX. I'm not happy with the results.

2. Internal digital HDMI mod - I've been eyeing this mod for a while now. It takes the Wii's internal digital video and audio signals and outputs HDMI. So this is the best possible video quality you can get out of an actual Wii. But is it enough? I've seen a couple of brief video captures and it looks OK, but I'm worried that I still wouldn't be totally happy with it. Anyone here have any experience with this mod?

3. Emulation - This seems to be the easy answer. I've always vastly liked using real hardware over emulation, but in the case of the Wii, I feel like there's too many reasons to use an emulator and not enough good reasons to use a real Wii. One reason I like using real hardware, for retro consoles, is that it "just works" and I don't have to tweak any settings or worry about compatibility. But with the Wii, I feel like the reverse is kind of true. With an emulator, it will be easier to get good video quality versus tweaking settings on a scaler and on the Wii in software. Or installing a hardware mod.

So this thread might be a "talk me into using Dolphin over a real Wii" thread in disguise. Here's a couple of Dolphin specific questions...

Compatibility - I've checked the list and it looks like compatibility is very high overall. I spot checked a few of my favorite games and most are 5 stars (plays perfectly) but I noticed that Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are 4 starts (minor glithces). What is the quality of a 4-star compatibility game? Like, if I play through Mario Galaxy will things be blatantly obvious? Or just minor things that I may or may not notice?

Controllers - I've read that I can pair a real Wii remote using a standard Bluetooth adapter. Any compatibility issues doing this? I know I would still need a sensor bar.

System requirements - The official site is kinda vague. I have a Ryzen 7 5800X and a GeFroce RTX 4060. Will I be able to output 1080p without any issues?

All input welcomed!

[opa]

Funny timing. I just hooked up my Wii the other day (1080p/component) and thought it looked pretty good still. Granted, I may have had my glasses off. lol. I don't have a 4k tv yet so I'll take your word for it.

I haven't had much luck with Dolphin with the potato computer I use (although it can play PS2 fine so I'm not sure what the deal is). And I don't really know how you go about connecting the Wii remotes. I'd just run a few games and see if they work or not with your system.

I suppose another option that you didn't list is a Wii U (hdmi output). Do you have one of those? Basically compatible with every game or peripheral you may have.

[Ziggy]

Yeah, I've thought about using the Wii U as an option. Some people have some negative things to say about the way it makes Wii games look. I also found it a tad annoying to have to load into the U menu, then into the Wii menu, then load a game. But probably the bigger reason for me is wear and tear, I'd like to use my U for U games only to try and prolong the console's life.

I've downloaded the latest version of Dolphin and already begun to mess around with it. One thing I will have to do is get or make a sensor bar solution. But I suppose I could just use a standard controller for now to at least see how it looks.

edit: OK, so I have some initial thoughts. Dolphin is super easy to set up and use. So far I tested it out with New Super Mario Bros, a game I have played a lot on a real Wii. It looks amazing, for sure. There was some slight audio hiccups just as it was loading, but then the audio seemed fine after that.

I was using an 8bitdo Bluetooth adapter along with Nintendo's SNES Switch controller. There seemed to be lag. So I switched to using the same controller with a USB connection. Now I can't tell if there's any lag. I mean, it's been a long time since I've played the game. I'd have to swap back and forth between this and a real Wii to compare, which I kinda don't feel like doing. But I just plowed through the first two levels with the USB connected SNES Switch controller and it didn't feel terrible.

So, so far, Dolphin is very promising for me.

[Ziggy]

Alright, screw it. I moved this thread to the emulation forum, since this is definitely gonna turn into 100% Dolphin talk.

From suggestions in Google, I turned off V-sync and anti aliasing. The screen was tearing, so I turned V-sync back on. The input lag seems to be better or non existent now. And the video quality still looks good (way better than my real Wii at least).

I'm definitely open to all suggestions anyone might have with setting up this emulator to run it's best. What are some other things I can try that can help minimize input lag? I don't want to have to use USB connected controllers going forward. Are some BT adapters better than others? Are some controllers better than others?

I also have a Mayflash Gamecube to Wii U / PC adapter, is that good to use for Gamecube controllers? Can it replicate things like the analog shoulder buttons and rumble?

The audio still stutters for a second or two when things are loading. For example, everything is fine when I'm playing a level. But if I lose a life, the losing a life music stutters for a second. Any way to minimize or get rid of this problem?

[opa]

I have no info to offer but I am curious what final settings you end up using. I beat Pikmin (GameCube) on dolphin and it ran fine but other games are hit or miss for my pc. (I really just need a new computer)

[emwearz]

Probably not relevant, but this is my story of using a Wii with a 4K TV.

My Wii was always hooked up to my 1080p TV directly, 480P over official component cables. When I wen to a 4K screen, it didnt have component in, so I plugged it into my Tink2X (It is actually a clone, but for all purposes, lets call Tink2X), that looked best on pass through with no filters enabled. I compared to the WiiU's Wii mode, but it was blurrier and some of the aspect ratios were off.

I saw Bob from RetroRGB recommend a component to HDMI converter not an upscaler that is "zero lag" as it does not upscale and supports 480P, so your TV's internal scaler will handle the upscaling to 4k. Made a fairly big difference in my setup and now that converter sits between my component switcher and my TV (so my OG Xbox can do the same).

The Wii itself has a soft image because of the filters it uses (sort of like the N64), I know you said you disabled them, but I find in some games it actually makes it look dramatically worse as it is just so heavily jagged.

This was the solution that worked best for me, but it seems you have jumped ship to emulation, which nothing will compare to in terms of image quality when the internal res is so much higher.

Edit: Link to Bob's "Zero Lag Converter" list on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/retrorgb/list/IP72N6BL06SV

[Ziggy]

So I've ordered a cheap USB sensor bar. No one seems to make one that isn't incredibly cheap in a cutting corners kind of way. The official Nintendo sensor bar has 5 IR LEDs on each side, but all of the USB bars have on 3 per side. Some people say this can make movements kinda jerky at time, and may have to do with how large/bright/far your TV is. Well, I got a cheap 3-per-side bar. It was cheap enough that I think it'll be perfectly fine just to test out the emulator with. If I decide I want to commit to using the emulator and my main way of playing Wii games, I can re-explore the sensor bar thing.

My Wii was always hooked up to my 1080p TV directly, 480P over official component cables. When I wen to a 4K screen, it didnt have component in, so I plugged it into my Tink2X (It is actually a clone, but for all purposes, lets call Tink2X), that looked best on pass through with no filters enabled. I compared to the WiiU's Wii mode, but it was blurrier and some of the aspect ratios were off.

Yes, I don't think filters make it look any better. And also about the aspect ratio, the Wii always gives me a problem with scalers were other consoles do not. It would be easier to plug it straight into the TV, but alas, this TV is HDMI only.

I saw Bob from RetroRGB recommend a component to HDMI converter not an upscaler that is "zero lag" as it does not upscale and supports 480P, so your TV's internal scaler will handle the upscaling to 4k. Made a fairly big difference in my setup and now that converter sits between my component switcher and my TV (so my OG Xbox can do the same).

Yeah, I saw him recommend that. Electron Shepard also makes one (same maker as the internal HDMI mod I posted above).

https://electron-shepherd.com/products/ ... eq=uniform

I've thought about getting this, since it's cheap enough to gamble on. I'm sure I'd have no problem passing it on to someone if it turns out I don't like it. Hmm, now that you mention it, maybe I just might order one.

The Wii itself has a soft image because of the filters it uses (sort of like the N64), I know you said you disabled them, but I find in some games it actually makes it look dramatically worse as it is just so heavily jagged.

Yeah, the Wii really is a mess. The N64 is definitely another problematic console for HDTVs. And yes, when you disable that filter on the Wii, some games looks so jaggy that it's terrible. IIRC, I'm pretty sure you can set this filter on/off on a per game basis as well as globally. But I'm at a point in my life that I just want to play games, and not spend any more time tinkering with stuff. I spend all of my 20's and most of my 30's doing that, and I'm kind of over it.

This was the solution that worked best for me, but it seems you have jumped ship to emulation, which nothing will compare to in terms of image quality when the internal res is so much higher.

So I didn't jump ship, not yet anyway. More like dipped a toe. But yeah, just from the few minutes I've tested Dolphin with, it looks AMAZING being able to internal render at 1080p. Nothing will ever make the real console looks as good. I've always been sort of a stickler for gaming on real hardware, mostly on the premise that games will always play 100% correctly (never have any hallmark emulation hiccups like audio skipping). But being able to have the video quality improved this much, it might be a necessary trade off for the occasional emulation hiccup.

Or there's no rule that says I have to commit 100% to one or the other. So I can use the emulator most of the time. But if there's a game that just doesn't play nice, then I can deal with the real hardware.

[Ziggy]

OK, so I've made a little progress with Dolphin.

I got a USB sensor bar, and plugged it into my TV's USB port. So now the sensor bar will power on any time my TV is on. I briefly tested it by just pointing the cursor at the screen in the Wii's menu and moving it around. It seems to work OK.

Next, I was able to connect a real Wii remote to a BT adapter on my PC. I have the 8bitdo adapter, which is compatible with the Wii remote and I could sync it and everything, but Dolphin doesn't recognize the 8bitdo adapter. Weird. So I used a generic Asus BT adapter, it took some messing around but I was finally able to get the Wii remote synced in Dolphin.

At first, it seemed like there was a huge delay in button presses. I'm not sure what I did, but I was able to get it improved. Although it's a lot better, I still feel like it's sluggish. I felt like New Super Mario Bros was more of a challenge than it should be. So I played a few levels to mess around with it. Then I switched over to my real Wii and played the same few levels again, and it definitely felt like I could control it better. So there is a small amount of delay that is problematic for me.

Anyone know how to improve BT controller delay?

Now that I have the sensor bar, I was able to try Dolphin on my TV for the first time. Previously I had just been using my computer monitor. When I first connected the TV, the emulation was running really slow. I have no idea why, or what I did, but after switching some things and relaunching the emulator it is running well now. Still with a bit of controller delay. But wow, it looks amazing on the TV. I still have the audio slow down during loading/transitions. But honestly, I think that's an OK trade off for how good it looks. The controller delay though, I will have to get that sorted out. That will be a deal breaker for me if I can't get it improved.

[marurun]

Maybe find a way to boost the system priority of the bluetooth driver on the computer-side so it can respond more quickly to signals? Are you running Dolphin under Windows? Basically, what's your OS environment and your bluetooth version? Some reading suggests that multiple bluetooth connections slows things down a lot. Maybe try ensuring the Wiimote is the only thing connected via bluetooth.

[Ziggy]

The little bit of reading that I've done, regarding Dolphin and BT, is that the way Windows handles BT sucks. But yeah, I'm running this on Windows. Right now I have an Asus BT 5.0 USB dongle. It was the only BT device on this PC at the time of testing (I unplug whatever I'm not using) and the Wiimote was the only thing connected to it.