Nintendo including wireless capabilities seemed like a boon for many ... similar add-ons for other systems can cost upwards of a hundred dollars. Still, for those not quite on the send-information-zipping-on-airwaves bandwagon, the lack of an ethernet port on the system meant either buying a router or one of Nintendo's silly USB dongles. Even if wireless is available, many users prefer the stability of a wired network anyway, and those USB ports on the back of the Wii have as of yet been unused. Until...Through some sort of electronic melding procedure, an unofficial ethernet-to-USB adapter (KINAMAX USB 2.0 to RJ45 Fast Ethernet 10/100 Base-T Network Adapter, found for sale at NewEgg here for $20) seems to send all the necessary 1's and 0's to the Wii. Why this adapter works and others not, we have no idea. Still, it's best not to look a gift horse in the mouth; if you wanted a wired connection, you've got one. Check after the break for a video demonstration.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-13-2006 @ 1:22PM
20XX said...
I had the same issue with my TiVo; certain USB Ethernet adapters contained JUST the right chipset to work with the TiVo box, and others didn't. It came down to buying the thing and checking the revision number on the unit.
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12-13-2006 @ 5:02PM
Richard said...
I bought one for $48nz from our local Dick Smiths electronics store, and it worked for my wii. (being like ..most? people and not having built in wifi at home), and it totally worked! i have the update and am now emailing my mii's all over the place.
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12-13-2006 @ 5:02PM
Richard said...
http://www.dicksmiths.co.nz
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12-13-2006 @ 5:14PM
Richard said...
..actually it has no s. http://www.dicksmith.co.nz
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12-13-2006 @ 7:13PM
Sketchy Fletchy said...
That's all it'll be - common chipset configuration. Hooray for Nintendo using some common non-proprietary components!
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12-13-2006 @ 7:39PM
James Yencken said...
Is this the one you bought richard? http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/en/product/XH8273
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12-15-2006 @ 3:45AM
Gleeb Torin said...
After some very half-arsed checks based on a memory of my Nintendo Wi-Fi adapter having the words "Powered by Buffalo" on it, it would appear that the adapter in the video works because it is based on a proprietary chipset made and resold by Buffalo.
So, my advice is to look for products based on the Buffalo chipset. You might find some even cheaper than the one already discovered.
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12-16-2006 @ 1:04AM
B1gC72 said...
"you know.....to extend and stuff"
dont know why but that made me chuckle.
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