Sensor bar blues

I was just wondering... is the sensor bar just for detecting the wii pointer???  And if so, then why is it really needed??? Didnt we have around 25 yrs ago some technology in the NES that did the same without the need of a "sensor bar" (ie. the Zapper).

I could be wrong (if it indeed serves another purpose that makes that clumsy thing and its endlessly long cable neccessary)

The tv was the sensor bar to the zapper. Learn how the zapper worked and you will see why projection tvs and hdtvs don't work with light guns unless they gasp have a sensor bar.

The tv was the sensor bar to the zapper. Learn how the zapper worked and you will see why projection tvs and hdtvs don't work with light guns unless they gasp have a sensor bar.

meimnobody

That sucks! We should all turn in our HDTV's so we can get rid of that nasty sensor bar.

the technology of the remote is more sophisticated than the zapper. you didn't mention the power glove, that alone needed a sensor instead of just the television.nekrotaunter

[QUOTE="nekrotaunter"]the technology of the remote is more sophisticated than the zapper. you didn't mention the power glove, that alone needed a sensor instead of just the television.vnc20100

The sensor bar actually does not sense anything. It emits an infrared signal, and it's actually the Wii Remote that "senses" where the TV is via the infrared signal being emitted at the bottom or top of your TV. It also gets a general idea of where the cursor should be on the screen in relation to where the "sensor" bar is (which is why you have to tell the Wii if it's placed on top of your TV or the bottom), and the fact that it's in the middle of your screen. Plugging the "sensor" bar into the Wii only provides it with power... it actually gets no signal through the cord that plugs into the Wii (which is also why the cord is so thin.)

The reason two candles works is that the fire in the candles is also infrared. I've known people that have used this method when they took their Wii to a friend's house and forgot the bar. This is NOT recommended though, as you're placing fire close to your TV and components... kind of a dumb thing to do. I'm assuming the new wireless "sensor" bars that are out now probably just run on batteries and don't even have anything that plugs into the Wii, since it's not needed.