Which is better, Bluetooth or Sensor Bar?

Integraoligist · 11-30-2011, 03:45 AM #1

Hello all,
New to the WII, haven't used an Emulator in about 15 years, so basically new to that as well...

Was looking at the Dolphin site and how you can connect the WIImote to the PC via Bluetooth or a Sensor Bar.

I remember going to a friends house and playing the WII for a short time, it had a Sensor Bar and everytime the WIImote was not facing the Sensor bar it would lose sync (at least I think thats what you would call it).

Bascailly, which is better to use with the WIImote and Dolphin?
A USB Bluetooth dongle or a Sensor Bar?

I have neither, nor do I have a WIImote yet. I'm looking to go pick these items up tonight.

Thanks all for the help!

**Starscream** · (This post was last modified: 11-30-2011, 03:51 AM by Starscream.)

You need both for Dolphin. Simply put. bluetooth is how the Wiimote connects to your PC, the sensor-bar tracks how you move the controller in a game.

~~Duke Nukem~~ · 11-30-2011, 03:50 AM #3

The sensor bar is standalone and have nothing to do with Windows only for IR.
You need the bluetooth adapter enable to use the Wiimote in Windows.

Short answer, you need booth.

Integraoligist · 11-30-2011, 04:08 AM #4

hmm, well I can find a Bluetooth dongle pretty much everywhere for like $10
But I can not find a regular Sensor Bar, they sell the wireless versions (which I would rather buy a Wired version, no batteries).

Where can I pick up a wired sensor bar? And is the bar USB? Or how does it connect to the PC?

~~Duke Nukem~~ · 11-30-2011, 04:21 AM #5

Don't think there is any wired USB sensor bar available?
Most of us here use an wireless one.

The one I use requires 4 AA batteries, I use rechargeable ones so it's not a problem.
Amazon have a wide range of wireless sensor bars.

Integraoligist · 11-30-2011, 04:26 AM #6

How does the wireless bar connect? via Bluetooth as well?

~~Duke Nukem~~ · 11-30-2011, 04:30 AM #7

No no nothing like that.
You only place it a top of your TV, switch it ON and let it do it's job.

Integraoligist · 11-30-2011, 04:43 AM #8

(11-30-2011, 04:30 AM)Gabriel Belmont Wrote: No no nothing like that.
You only place it a top of your TV, switch it ON and let it do it's job.

ok, so let me get the chain of command here... the WIImote signals the Sensor bar, which that reports back to the WIImote of the movement, the WIImote sends that via Bluetooth to the PC. Correct?

Also, I was looking at buying 2 WIImotes, they only come in WIIPLUS now, and was reading in another thread that some WIIPLUS games are having problems with Dolphin. Can we still use the new WIIPLUS remotes with standard (non-PLUS) games? Or will there be an issue?

~~Duke Nukem~~ · 11-30-2011, 04:57 AM #9

The sensor bar is only for Wiimote movement, that's the only thing to it.
The bluetooth adapter is only used to connect the Wiimote for usage in Windows/Dolphin.
Plain and simple.

As for the Wiimotes with built in motion plus they work fine as long as it's a RVL-CNT-01 model.
Colors like white and black Wiimotes should be safe to buy.

But newer Wiimotes in other colors might be RVL-CNT-01-TR which is a no no and don't work yet.

Integraoligist · 11-30-2011, 07:32 AM **#10**

(11-30-2011, 04:57 AM)Gabriel Belmont Wrote: The sensor bar is only for Wiimote movement, that's the only thing to it.
The bluetooth adapter is only used to connect the Wiimote for usage in Windows/Dolphin.
Plain and simple.

As for the Wiimotes with built in motion plus they work fine as long as it's a RVL-CNT-01 model.
Colors like white and black Wiimotes should be safe to buy.

But newer Wiimotes in other colors might be RVL-CNT-01-TR which is a no no and don't work yet.

Ok, I managed to finally find a shop with a Wireless Sensor Bar, but as for the controllers being RVL-CNT-01 or a RVL-CNT-01-TR... the people at the store only see: RVLAWRKA (on the black remote) or RVLAWRWA (on the white remote)
Is it imprinted somewhere on the remote itself?