So... the WiiHD

[Palom]

I'm not sure if or how much information I'm allowed to disclose, but something caught my eye at work today. I work for a company that deals with a process of PCB manufacturing.

Now, I do not see the actual, physical boards that are being produced. What reaches me is the CAD/CAM data used to create the boards. The part number for this particular board is: "GRVL-WiiHD-17." The board is approximately 6.5" x 9.5". There are various logos throughout the board, on various QFNs and DFNs (basically, where a CPU or some such chip would sit). These logos include: Starlight, Infineon, Spansion, Altera, Nova, ROHM, as well as the famous Nintendo logo. There is a connector for USB in the middle of the board, as well as on the end (the board has a sort of panhandle on one end, with the second USB connector at the end of the panhandle; such as one that would end up being a USB port on the back of the machine) and it looks like another on the side.

I'm not too familiar with chip companies, so I'm not quite sure the significance of these names. I was hoping someone with a bit more experience could shed some light on what I'm seeing. Looking at a regular Wii motherboard, this looks a bit different. I looks to me like the part number for a Wii motherboard is C/RVL-CPU-01 (CRVL versus GRVL for this "WiiHD?"). I do have some screenshots of the data, but I'm somewhat hesitant to post them (in case it gets someone--including me--in trouble).

Now, there are a few odd things about this, as well. This isn't the first time I've seen it. I do not own a Wii, personally. Over the past year or so, we've received this data (different revisions). I originally just thought it was some sort of HD output device for the Wii. But now that I'm dealing with it again, I'm questioning what exactly this is, since the Wii doesn't output anything HD. Then again, "HD" could stand for something other than "High Definition." Second, this is an American company and (I assume) NOA. Why would a new console design be going through NOA rather than Japan? Not to mention, why would this have an obvious "WiiHD" part number on it?

If anyone could help me figure this out, that'd be awesome. I really would like to know what this is! hehe

[Chun Liroy]

Sounds interesting at least.

[kuronosan]

Quite interesting...

[Seanr]

would be nice

[Guitarman]

if we knew how long it takes for the finished product to be placed on the market from when you work on it, we would know more. I'm wondering if this isnt the "new" nintendo system thats been rumored to be in the works.

[Palom]

Does anyone happen to have a link to a high-res version of the Wii motherboard? I can only find a high-res version of the bottom side, not the top side (the side with all the components and markings).

Here's a picture of the part number. It clearly shows "Nintendo of America."



(Sorry for awful colors.)

[Chun Liroy]

2009? Probably something old.

[Freeko]

lol colors make my eyes hurt



Anyways not sure if this is what you are looking for exactly but check the link.It has the motherboard.


http://wiire.org/Wii/console/motherboard

[Meian]

Wasn't there an old topic some months ago about some leaked info about the next Wii with blue-ray capabilities (mostly for anti-pirating) ? Wasn't sure if it was disproved or not or if it can relate to this.

[Devolver]

2009? Probably something old.

I saw that, but that might be related to a patent date or date of conception...or something similar.

[Kaelan?]

It could also be an internal prototype version or somesuch.

I don't really doubt there's a WiiHD coming at somepoint, but it would probably be named...well, somehting other than WiiHD.

[Palom]

The starlight logo matches this:

http://www.nintendo.com/corp/starlight.jsp

[Kirin]

The starlight logo matches this:

http://www.nintendo.com/corp/starlight.jsp

That almost makes me think its a device for the link mentioned where they can store large amounts of games on a HD drive in these hospital "kiosks" without worrying about changing games or copying discs by staff.

Some digging, (prolly easily enough on google, but got most of this from press contacts/resources) if these are the same companies you've mentioned:

Infineon: http://www.infineon.com/cms/en/corpo...any/index.html

Wireless Solutions

Infineon’s Wireless Solutions Division develops, manufactures and markets end-to-end leading edge semiconductor products and solutions for wireless communications to enable the smooth transmission of voice and high-speed data from the backbone of the telecommunication network infrastructure to the end user’s equipment. Infineon offers a mature and fully developed portfolio in Mobile Phone Platforms. This displays a comprehensive portfolio from ultra low cost platforms, to entry and modem solutions for smart phones.

The Wireless Solutions Division is well prepared to serve the growing trends in the mobile communication market. The company leverages its unique advantages in the areas of RF and mixed signal expertise, monolithic integration capabilities and excellent know-how in cellular software and systems.

Spansion: http://investor.spansion.com/overview.cfm (Lots of google links to a recent bankruptcy.)

Meet Spansion - One of the Leaders in Flash Memory Solutions

Spansion is dedicated to enabling, storing and protecting digital content in the automotive, consumer electronics, networking and wireless markets. As the largest company exclusively focused on developing, manufacturing, and marketing Flash memory solutions, Spansion is making Flash memory useful in greatly expanded applications through one of the most diverse and comprehensive Flash product lines on the market. Our blue chip customer base includes all of the top 10 original equipment manufacturers for automotive electronics, consumer electronics and handsets.

By leveraging cutting-edge advancements such as our award-winning MirrorBit™ technology, Spansion has successfully developed cost-effective, smaller and more powerful product offerings designed for reliable code execution and data storage.

Altera: http://www.altera.com/

Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) is a major manufacturer of high-end PLDs (programmable logic devices). The company invented the first reprogrammable logic device in 1984.[1] PLDs can be reprogrammed during the design cycle as well as in the field to perform multiple functions, and they support a fairly fast design process. Altera's main products are the Cyclone, Arria GX and Stratix series of FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays), the MAX series of CPLDs (complex programmable logic devices), the HardCopy series of ASICs (ASIC) and Quartus II software.

(From Wiki)

Nova: http://www.nova-dine.com/about.aspx

Our Mission:
Deliver high quality, reliable information technology services to our customers that will stand the test of time, while improving the quality of life on the Navajo Nation.

NOVA Corporation provides an integrated suite of managed communication solutions in the core competency areas of Network Infrastructure Services, Information Assurance, Disaster Recovery & COOP Planning, Enterprise Systems and Operations, Secure Web Portal & Collaboration Environments, and Business Process & Strategic Services.

ROHM: http://www.rohm.com/

ROHM products are not seen by the general public. However, we are involved in the development and manufacture of a whole host of electronic products, from standard parts to the most advanced components utilizing cutting-edge, original technologies, making us the unseen force behind many consumer electronics devices. Please click on the image below - you just might be surprised with what ROHM has to offer.

Maybe Nintendo is testing waters for a move to purely digital downloadable content. Who knows.

[Palom]

Aha! That could make sense. The design of the board leads me to believe the room above the "panhandle" would be enough to fit a hard drive or disc drive.

Edit: By the way, thanks for the link, Freeko, that was exactly what I was looking for.

[Freeko]

No worries, so... nintendo basically wants to make a USB Loader type of device for hospitals.


Anyways If you find out more info on it let us know. Interested in knowing about it.

[Ayn]

Edit: Nevermind that.

[miokomioko]

I'm not sure if it's just me not understanding what's going on in this thread, but... I was pretty sure Nintendo announced a while back that there would be a high-definition Wii with much more internal memory come 2011. That is, if there was even question about it, though this mystery board here is obviously not it.

[Sarial]

I'm not sure if it's just me not understanding what's going on in this thread, but... I was pretty sure Nintendo announced a while back that there would be a high-definition Wii with much more internal memory come 2011. That is, if there was even question about it, though this mystery board here is obviously not it.

I've definitely heard this rumor before--the idea that Nintendo was bringing out a new HD Wii, with the intent of bringing out new HD games, plus adding new peripherals. Said it would be "similar" to the Wii but possibly different controllers or something? Maybe sketch, but the articles below seem to basically be saying (what many people thought/think) that the Wii was a Gamecube+1 and this new Wii is the real next gen system?

http://gizmodo.com/5364077/next-gene...roller-in-2011

http://www.whattheyplay.com/blog/200...i-due-by-2011/

[miokomioko]

I thought it was just Nintendo finally saying "OK, fine. I guess it wouldn't hurt to at least have the capability of outputting 720p..." and trying to make money off of a small upgrade that results in everyone repurchasing the system. It would be very Nintendo DS of them, so I wouldn't doubt it.