Chip updates?

[ar1stotle]

Alright, a deciding factor for what chip I choose is continuous support (well, after features, which basically leave the wiikey and cyclowiz on the list afaik). Last time I checked about a month ago, I heard people complaining for updates for both chips. Now, I've been to both's official websites, and I see the latest wiikey version is 1.2 and the latest Cyclowiz is 3.0. However, neither really specify any release dates. So, was either of these one of the long-awaited updates? Or are they both fairly old?

And where I'm looking to buy chips, the wiikey is advertised to have a built-in audio fix. Does this allow for the playing of streaming audio GC games, or is it something unrelated? Also, I have been looking but haven't found a definitive list of these "audio-streaming" games. Can anyone point me in the right direction (unless of course it's not applicable due to updates or something).

Also, is there any new buzz around about any new chips in development? I'm in now hurry to grab a chip, and prefer to get the best bang for my buck.

Thanks!

[AceMilo]

The only chips you can buy that have regular updates are the free opens ie openwii and wiifree. The wiikey is not version 1.2, that's only the setup disc, there have been no updates to the wiikey firmware at all. Wiikey says they support gc audio streaming fix but its a lie, they do not support it. There is a list but I cannot find it now of the games that use it.

There aren't really and chips in the pipeline besides the xecuter one, but no one knows when its coming out or if it will benefit over current chips other than it ships blank so its perfectly legal.

If you want the best compatability I'd go with cyclowiz, if you want the cheapest go wiifree.

[madridi4ever]

There is a list but I cannot find it now of the games that use it.


This one?
http://www.gcwiki.com/wiki/index.php/Streaming_Audio_Games

[ar1stotle]

Thanks for that list.

But do these open source ones yet have the capabilities of the wiikey/cyclowiz as far as playing wii backups? What exactly don't they do as well? Are they things that can be fixed with firmware or is it a hardware limitation?

And when was version 3.0 released for the cyclowiz? Is that team fairly dependable with these updates?

I guess another question, the extra wires that the cyclowiz has over the wiikey, I don't like the thought of extra wires, but I'm assuming they're not any harder to install, eh? I had practiced installing a chip in my PS2 but chickened out when I saw how close it's chip legs were... and from what I've seen of the Wii install pics it looks like it should be a breeze in comparison.

On a side note, I got my Wii on launch day. There's no chance that I have one of those chips without any legs, is there?

Thanks for bearing with me. I like to get all the facts in one place so I can make an educated decision. Maybe it's still best to wait?

Oh, and AceMilo, the youtube video in your sig has been removed.

[AceMilo]

Ahhh that sucks I gotta take it out now. The extra wires are for programming the chip for updates. The cyclowiz update came about about a week after they promised a date, so it was late but it did come out. The wiikey update was promised may 15th or so and hasn't come out yet and they already said don't hold your breath for it. The free chips have similar functionality but not as good import support for wii games but that can be fixed with firmware updates.

[ar1stotle]

Hmmm... I originally had the wiikey in mind, but now the cyclowiz is looking pretty good. Wish it wasn't more expensive than the wiikey though. Is that switch worth $7? Or could I get one even cheaper at radio shack? For a cyclowiz, I can either pay $28 for a v1 and upgrade to v2 (or 3, I assume?), or a v2 with the switch is $35.

Still feeling this out, not ready to make a purchase just yet :P

Edit: Looked up those free chips. They look pretty cool... but if I'm going to get one, I'm going to wait till they get a bit more up to date. While I don't know how many GC games I'll be playing, I don't like the thought that I might never be able to. But that WIIPv2 from team Xecuter looks very appealing. Can't wait for some new info on that beast.

[thebigjigga]

The free chips have similar functionality but not as good import support for wii games but that can be fixed with firmware updates.

Not true. WiiFree has always had import support and has a better record of being able to read import games than the Wiikey. Also, it was the first, and I believe, still the only to support import original discs.

WiiFree in my opinion is the best. But you have to have a programmer to update the chip if a new update is released. But there is another free chip called the OpenWii, that lets you upgrade by DVD. Heard pretty good things about that chip but I have never personally used it.

[thebigjigga]

I was originally using a Cylcowiz but now a WiiFree, but I thought the Cylcowiz was pretty good, though I didnt care about having to mount the switch so you could update by the DVD.

I would look at some of the free chips, or if you are set on paying for a chip, look at the Wiinja Deluxe.