wii debug console

So whats the hardware difference between the green faced wii debug unit versus the retail unit? I've seen them around the net and now there's one on ebay(probably will go for a large amount). I know they are a RVT reader but is that a software ability or a variation of the hardware?

 

Don't know much about the software/firmware that comes with it, but as far as I know the only difference compared to a regular Wii is that it plays RVT-R and NR discs (so reads unsigned code).

 

I m personally a tad confused with regard to the RV-T unit's ability to play NR-discs. Videos of the RV-T (white faced) used in IGN's office by Matt showed him successfully booting an RV-T disc and retail GC games, which leads me to believe that it can't do NR-discs.

I hope I m wrong, but can someone comment on this?

 

What did the Wii debug go for? Just curious.

 

with a RV-T you can run NR-discs from all regions. However you must manually switch the region of the RV-T before other region games work.

 

Pretty sure it was ~$400

 

Not too bad. Pretty sharp system. Wish I had seen the auction, would have picked it up.

 

It is at least a different firmware on the drive controller. There are rumours that it uses a different type of laser, but I think thats unlikely. It's possible on the GC that it uses a laser setup for reading DVD-R reliably, but the wii has no such problems.

I doubt they use anything particularly special for the media either, because they don't need to. As long as it's identifiable to the writer software, which is easy as all discs have information about them somewhere ( what speed etc ). The writer uses a different scrambling method to normal dvd ( gc/wii discs use another one ), which then can't be read by anything other than the RVT.

My guess is that you could get a Wii to read the disc, if you could get at the drive firmware. Which at the moment I think you can only do by soldering to the drive board.

 

thanks for the information.

Can the RV-T read retail GC or Wii discs?

 

No, but maybe they changed this on later revisions.

 

They're primarily meant for Q/A people, not development.

They come with a drive that will only play RVT-R discs; it will not read retail discs or DVD-Rs. The difference between these drives and retail drives seems not to be in the "firmware" (the mask ROM inside the Panasonic "GC2-DMS" chip, which seems to be identical to those used in the first retail units), but in the "other" controller chip (which is marked as "GC2-RD1" vs "GC2-D1A" on retail units).

Swapping a retail drive into one of these units will allow it to read retail discs, but that won't let you play games. A different common key is used, as is a different signature chain. I'm told that the developer tools come with software that can be used to sign discs with the appropriate keys.

Aside from the drive, there's not much difference between these and retail units. Keys aside, they have a unprogrammed boot1 hash in OTP (which allows their bootloader to be replaced with arbitrary code, if you so dare -- but what a waste!). They come with a different system menu, as mentioned, which allows you to change things like the simulated region -- but this is of little use to most people, since it won't play retail games.

They come with the same 64MB of RAM that the retail units come with, which make them unsuitable for actual development (real dev units have 128MB of RAM). They do NOT have any sort of "debug console port".

At least some of these units come with a coax jack for wired Wiimotes.

 

The last one I saw went for $787 on ebay a week ago. Thanks for the bit of knowledge guys.

 

The one that ended last night was at 788 but didn't hit the reserve price. Sounds like whoever got the one for 400 got a steal.

 

The seller had a nice 75% feedback, so I guess that's why it didn't go much higher. Plus he said it could play retail games, so it sorta looked like a case swap.

 

there is one on ebay right now for 1200$... ridiculous..

 

Why do you say that a grand or so is "ridiculous" for a current generation debug console? Seems pretty spot on in terms of second-hand value if the system is complete and working.

-hl718

 

No way man.. Imagine that xbox360 devs go for 900-1000 these days. 1200 is way to much for a wii debug unit, apart from the fact that shipping is excluded and the debug unit isnt boxed. Didnt you read what the other guys said wii devs go for? 500-700 which i think is more logical than a grand of 1200$ not shipped, unboxed.
Anyway. i cant say anything else though to tell you the truth.. It is only my opinion. In this type of "market" there is no standart price, though inmho it was a bit too much. Sorry about the term ridiculous... It was only my first thought when i saw the price and thought i should say my opinion to an open minded forum without being afraid of criticism.

 

You need to follow sale prices more closely.

*One* Wii RVT auction closed on eBay for around $500. That was from a seller who claimed that the unit played retail games and had atrocious feedback. In short, it was very likely a scam auction.

Wii debug kits are much more difficult to obtain on the second hand market than either Xbox 360 or PS3 debugs (which are downright common by comparison). As for being boxed, how many dev units (of any flavor) have you seen sold fully boxed?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but you need to back up any opinions with reasoning. After all, half the board would likely jump on a Wii debug at $500, but you don't see too many people anywhere on the net offering them at that price. That should tell you something.

If webjeff offered the system at $500, the auction length could probably be measured in minutes, rather than hours or days. Don't be afraid to post thoughts, but don't be suprised when something sparks a healthy debate.

-hl718

 

I love healthy debates! loolXD
I have seen 2 boxed debugs in my life being sold for approx 1200-1400
thats why i was amazed by the price! Even 1000 bucks i'd assume as a fair price for an unboxed one. The fact that this auction has a best offer though is a good sign.

 

People are already complaining about his "best offer" option as he tells people he won't accept anything lower than 1000 for it.

And I agree, while it's rare and all that, it IS unboxed, and the value of these things is all about how much you're willing to pay. I'd never pay 1000 none the less 1200 for one of these. I'd much rather put it towards a debug 360 or PS3 which has a lot more functions.

As far as boxed systems, are we talking specifically wii, or all? If all, I've seen plenty! Boxed dev systems, especially for playstation (any of the three) are out there and I've seen a couple on ebay in the last few weeks.