Table of Contents

1. Getting into the Composite Cable
2. Making the Paper Clips
3. Making the Component Cables
4. Bridging the Connection to enable Progressive
5. Inserting the Clips and attatching the cables
6. Enabling progressive scan and finishing up

Like most people who own a Wii and an HDTV I was desperate to get my hands on the highly sought short stocked component cables. Until I came across a Digg article pointing to a forum outlining how to turn your current composite cable into a component cable. I was definitely intrigued and was wondering if really was possible. Sure enough posts were flying around the GameSX Network forum that there was definitely success in getting it working.

While there were text written explinations as well as a random smattering of images here and there. There is definitely no good definative explination as to how to convert your cable.

I would like to thank all those responsible, especially RGB32E for researching and discovering this information. I am not responsible for discovering this information. I have merely compiled it into a relatively thorough guide. For additional information I encourage you to visit the following Wiki and Forum

Nintendo Wii Multi AV Pinout (NFO Games + GameSX Wiki)
NFO Games + GameSX Forum

This article will outline one of the two proposed methods of modifying your cable. I have chosen the ugly hacked paper clip method. The reason for this is it is non destructive of your original cable so if the process doesn't work you can easily use your composite. This is however a non permanent solution. I take NO RESPONSIBILITY for any damage that may be caused by performing this hack. So if you're ready, let's get started.

Equipment you will need

1. Wii Console and Composite AV Cable
2. Alligator clips (prefferebly with cables attaching each end) - You can find these at any radioshack
3. Paper Clips - BinaryProgrammer on the GameSX Nation recommends Acco #1 Paper Clips
4. Small Flat Head Screwdriver
5. Two composite cables you don't mind cutting up. These will be used to make our new component male ends.
6. Electrical Tape
7. Wire Strippers

Firstly you need to get your outer casing off of your original Wii composite AV Cable. This is done by prying off the top and bottom of the casing. You will see tiny notches where you can insert a small flathead screwdriver or anything else that's small, flat and hard. By lifting up on both ends the casing will slide off backwards onto the rest of the cable.

Next we will be bending and manipulating paper clips. These clips will be used to make the necessary connections. You will need 4 peices total. Three for connecting the Y, Pb, and Pr, and the last for bridging pins 8 & 10. I will explain where these will go later.

When bending the three signal clips (Y, Pb, Pr) make them all varying lengths so you can connect alligator clips to them without having them touch each other. The most important part of bending the paper clips is to bend the notch in the end. This is what will connect to lead inside the Wii.

We will now prepare our cables that will be used as our new Component video cables. Take your regular composite cable and cut it in half. Use the wire strippers on the cut end and unsheath the first layer. YOu should see copper cable surrounding another plastic cover inside.

The outside copper cable is the ground. The inner part is where the signal actually comes from. Carefully use your wire strippers on the internal section to get to the signal wire. Twist the ground and the signal seperately to strengthen the ends. This end is where our alligator clips will be connected to. The male end of the cable will be connected to your TV. We now have our Y component cable, repeat this process two more times to make the Pb and Pr cables.

Now we will make the connections with the paper clips. Plug the AV cable back into the Wii and turn the unit on. Make sure you can see the video coming through on the regtular composite signal.

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The diagram below illustrates the pin locations as well as how the clips are inserted based on which side they are on. The notches should always face towards the center to ensure the notch hits the contact point.

An additional image is shown below that has been provided by Rakien on the NFG forums. This diagram outlines where all the connections are to be placed. I really like it, hence why it is up here.

With the Wii still powered on carefully insert the bridging paper clip into pins 8 & 10. You will know the connection has been made when the composite video on your screen dissapears. This bridge is essential as it tells the Wii to enable component mode as well as the ability to use progressive mode. Now change the input mode of your TV from composite to one of your component inputs.

Insert one of your lead paper clips into pin 7. Remember to make sure the notch is facing towards the center of the AV connector as per the above diagram. Make sure it fits snugly and is not touching any other metal. Connect an alligator clip to the end of the paper clip. Connect the other end of the alligator clip to the signal portion of the Y cable we made earlier. Plug the Y cable's male end into your TV. If all the connections were made properly you should see the black and white 480i image pop up on your screen. If you didn't see the image this means that your paper clip isn't touching the pin properly or it is touching some other metal. Fiddle around with it until you get the black and white image on the screen.

In my setup I have grounded the Y cable by alligator clipping the ground of Y cable to the exposed part of the ground going into the Wii. I am unsure if this is required as I haven't read much about this topic. However I found the unit operated fine without the ground. I am unsure as to the long term effects or if this is indeed required. If someone knows more about this please let me know.

Now we connect the remaining two paper clips into Pin 9 (Pb) and Pin 11(Pr). Just like with the Y cable make sure they are snug and not touching anything else. Connect the alligator clips to the paper clips and the signal end of the composite cables we made. If you did it properly you will see the results immediately as you connect the composite cable into your TV's Pb and Pr inputs.

Making sure the connections are proper is the most difficult part of this hack. If you aren't getting it right away. Double check your paper clip, adjust the notch at the end of the clip and try it again. It DOES work.

If you've reached this stage you have a full colour component 480i image in front of you. Now you can go into your Wii settings and enable 480p mode. Congratulations you've got a fully working non destructive video cable for your Wii that should tide you over until the real cable comes out.

If you've followed the instructions here and haven't gotten it to work. Or you're just frustrated and want to give up; Simply remove all the paper clips including the 8 & 10 bridge and your cable is back working in it's original composite manner.

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Remember if you decide to remove the AV cable from the back, all your hard work will be undone as the paper clips will just immediately fall out. So be careful when you're moving it around. If you're so inclined you can clean things up a bit by wrapping connectors with electrical tape or whatever you like to ensure stability with connections.

Additional methods and information are available at the following two links. Please visit them if you are having any problems.

Nintendo Wii Multi AV Pinout (NFO Games + GameSX Wiki)
NFO Games + GameSX Forum

As stated before I take NO RESPONSIBILITY for any damage or loss of warranty that may arise due to this modification procedure. Please drop me a line if I've made a mistake or if something needs to be modified or appended.