Connecting the Wii Console to the Dolphin Emulator for IR Sensor

pokilxa · 02-10-2021, 10:05 AM #1

First of all, I think closing the thread I was replying to because it was inactive was quite rude since I was contributing to it, and further responses may've helped future users. I mean, all I needed was a reply on how to do the thing I needed help with. There must be a post or support topic somewhere I can't find. Ref: https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-wiimote-pointer--58758

Secondly, here's what I needed help with Wink

:

(Quoted)
JosJuice Wrote:
If you plug in the sensor bar to your Wii and keep your Wii turned on, you will be able to use the sensor bar for Dolphin.

There is also some stuff you can do in the controller configuration to get a pointer without having a sensor bar (either using the mouse or using MotionPlus), but plugging the sensor bar into your Wii is probably the best solution if you can put the Wii close enough to your computer.

(Post)
Hello. I was wondering, how would I be able to connect my Wii console to my PC? I've looked at multiple videos and other forum threads (this one found most helpful so far), but I can only mainly find that I need a Dolphin sensor bar, or the video was about connecting a Wii Remote. I also tried doing "Add Device" in control panel while console was in sync mode, but I was unable to find the console showing up on the list. Thank you for your current help on the subject!

A brief explanation or link to the right post or support topic would be great! Sorry to bother with this, I just can't seem to find the way how to do this. Please excuse me if this should not've gone under controllers, I just thought it should since it is to do with the Wii Remote and IR sensors.

***Shonumi*** · 02-10-2021, 11:09 AM #2

(02-10-2021, 10:05 AM)pokilxa Wrote: First of all, I think closing the thread I was replying to because it was inactive was quite rude since I was contributing to it, and further responses may've helped future users. I mean, all I needed was a reply on how to do the thing I needed help with. There must be a post or support topic somewhere I can't find. Ref: https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-wiimote-pointer--58758

We don't encourage users to revive older threads. It's better to start a new thread altogether. This helps active members here see if someone new has a problem (or if someone has a new problem). It typically offers better visibility on user issues, meaning you're much more likely to get a response of some kind. If you do start a new thread, it's perfectly fine to link to other threads as reference, or include and relevant quotes. More information is always a good thing.

If you have any further questions, please see the Global Forum Rules section regarding necroposting. Generally, it's acceptable to revive an old thread if you're adding new information or answers to previously asked question rather than asking for assistance (which we prefer to be a separate thread, even if it is related to a different thread).

Now, about connecting your Wii console to your PC, I assume you mean you want to use Wii Remotes on your PC while playing Dolphin? To use Wii Remotes you'll need to connect them to a Bluetooth adapter on your PC. This only allows you to use the Wii Remote without the pointer. If you want to use the pointer, you'll have to get some sort of sensor bar near your PC.

One solution, as you mentioned, is to use the sensor bar from your Wii. There's nothing to do other than turn on your Wii and move the sensor bar to your PC/desk/table or wherever you want it. You don't have to do anything in your operating system to sync it up. The sensor bar is just a bunch of infrared lights that help the Wii Remote determine where it's aiming. The major drawback with this method is that you need your Wii close to your PC.

A second solution is to buy a USB sensor bar. There are quite a few of these products floating around these days for less than $10 USD. You plug it into a USB port, and... you're done. Instant sensor bar. A few come with Bluetooth integrated in them, but I prefer a separate Bluetooth adapter anyway.

**JosJuice** · 02-10-2021, 06:17 PM #3

I'm a little confused. Why do you want to connect your Wii console to your PC?

pokilxa · 02-11-2021, 09:11 AM #4

(02-10-2021, 11:09 AM)Shonumi Wrote: We don't encourage users to revive older threads. It's better to start a new thread altogether. This helps active members here see if someone new has a problem (or if someone has a new problem). It typically offers better visibility on user issues, meaning you're much more likely to get a response of some kind. If you do start a new thread, it's perfectly fine to link to other threads as reference, or include and relevant quotes. More information is always a good thing.

If you have any further questions, please see the Global Forum Rules section regarding necroposting. Generally, it's acceptable to revive an old thread if you're adding new information or answers to previously asked question rather than asking for assistance (which we prefer to be a separate thread, even if it is related to a different thread).

Now, about connecting your Wii console to your PC, I assume you mean you want to use Wii Remotes on your PC while playing Dolphin? To use Wii Remotes you'll need to connect them to a Bluetooth adapter on your PC. This only allows you to use the Wii Remote without the pointer. If you want to use the pointer, you'll have to get some sort of sensor bar near your PC.

One solution, as you mentioned, is to use the sensor bar from your Wii. There's nothing to do other than turn on your Wii and move the sensor bar to your PC/desk/table or wherever you want it. You don't have to do anything in your operating system to sync it up. The sensor bar is just a bunch of infrared lights that help the Wii Remote determine where it's aiming. The major drawback with this method is that you need your Wii close to your PC.

A second solution is to buy a USB sensor bar. There are quite a few of these products floating around these days for less than $10 USD. You plug it into a USB port, and... you're done. Instant sensor bar. A few come with Bluetooth integrated in them, but I prefer a separate Bluetooth adapter anyway.

Oh my, I'm quite stupid... So all the sensor bar needs is a power source? I always thought the bar needed to send info back to the Wii console, but now I assume that all the cable does is supply power. Thank you for your help, and great apologies for and inconvenience!

***Shonumi*** · 02-11-2021, 11:36 AM #5

(02-11-2021, 09:11 AM)pokilxa Wrote: Oh my, I'm quite stupid... So all the sensor bar needs is a power source? I always thought the bar needed to send info back to the Wii console, but now I assume that all the cable does is supply power. Thank you for your help, and great apologies for and inconvenience!

No worries. A lot of people don't actually know how the sensor bar works. Nintendo did a good job of making it look like magic when it came out.

Anyway, yeah, the cable just powers the sensor bar as far as I know. There are actually DIY mods for turning an official sensor bar into one powered over USB or batteries.

pokilxa · 02-13-2021, 03:55 AM #6

(02-11-2021, 11:36 AM)Shonumi Wrote: No worries. A lot of people don't actually know how the sensor bar works. Nintendo did a good job of making it look like magic when it came out.

Anyway, yeah, the cable just powers the sensor bar as far as I know. There are actually DIY mods for turning an official sensor bar into one powered over USB or batteries.

Thank you very much.

Very recently, I've noticed that it is quite hard to connect my remote to Bluetooth, and it randomly disappears while in pair mode. Might I suggest you look more into the Bluetooth connection between the remote and PC, and try to see if you can create a driver or program to make this easier. I'm pretty sure it's not my remotes since they connect to the console fine, but I think it has to do with the Bluetooth connection my PC is administrating. Thanks again for your fast replies! Have a great Friday.