D2Pro Review

Written by hitman43
Translated by Jones23
February 2008
( Original D2Pro Review in German )

Introduction

The D2Pro is the third modchip for the Nintendo Wii from the Wiikey Team. After the Wiikey they released the D2CKey, which was the first modchip for D2C chip sets. Now after the Infectus Team has released their Argon modchip for D2C consoles, the Wiikey Team has pulled even by releasing the D2Pro, another modchip for D2C chip sets, which also needs only 15-19 cables for installation.

The D2Pro chip is up-datable with an external programmer via USB, similar to the Argon modchip. The following pictures are just examples, cause they show the first installation made after the first, faulty diagrams. Every contact is in the wrong place, so don't solder your D2Pro like shown in the pics. That error has been fixed immediately after notice and you can get the corrected diagrams on the manufacturer homepage.

Contents

The D2Pro chips are shipped in an antistatic bag, the chip itself is very well made. The Team behind this project shows that they know what they're doing, like they did with the Wiikey and the D2CKey. The chip is on a multilayer PCB and looks very sturdy.

The components are tinned really good, the Actel, as well as all other components, fits nice and clean on the red PCB, which looks a lot like the D2CKey. The connector for the ribbon cable, which is needed to install the USB programmer, is also tight in place. The golden solder pads are labeled well readable.

Installation

Installation of the D2Pro requires some concentration, a good amount of soldering experience and a fine soldering tip. With the right equipment and enough soldering skills, installation can be done within 30-40 minutes (incl. disassembling/assembling the Wii console). Like with the Argon it's up to the installer whether to install the additional 4 cables for the import feature.

The manufacturers diagram was used for installation, i.e no cables were soldered to the backside of the main-board, although that would've been the cleanest solution to install the modchip. Thanks to alternative solder points it's no problem to install the chip, but it's still not suited for amateurs, who might overestimate their skills and thus damage their Wii console.


Status LED:

Just as the D2CKey, the D2Pro doesn't pass on status LEDs. The LEDs indicate different boot modes, which means that they are lit according to the inserted disc. E.g. with backups LED1 (blue) flashes a moment and LED2 (red) is lit permanently. When starting the console both LEDs are lit and the blue LED will turn off directly after boot-up.

Like with the D2CKey this is no hardware diagnosis for troubleshooting, thus they are of small use. In fact it's the opposite. Since you're nearly unable to see the LEDs when the console is reassembled, they are pretty useless and only gives you a clue while the console is still open. BUT what clue? It's only a boot mode indication!

Usage

D2Pro - it really works!

The D2Pro works as good as the D2CKey, playing GameCube imports works right from the start without the need to update. The Argon needs to be updated to play GC imports.

Homebrew software (only in GameCube mode) also works flawless, so using the D2Pro and the MFE distro you can add a lot of functions to your Wii and transform it into a media player (MP3 and DivX player).

Compatible Wii import games can be played too when you install the above mentioned 4 additional cables and bridge.

Even unloved media like EMTEC DVD+R were no problem for the D2Pro. Backups can be started in the disc channel after a short loading time.

The following software was tested:

- GCOS (Homebrew)
- SDLoad (Homebrew)

- Fifa 06 (GC original)
- Fifa 06 (GC backup)
- Resident Evil 4 (GC original)
- Resident Evil 4 (GC backup)
- WiiPlay PAL (Wii original)
- WiiPlay PAL (Wii backup - Verbatim media)
- WiiSports PAL (Wii original)

- WiiSports PAL (Wii backup - Verbatim media)
- Zelda Wii PAL (Wii original)
- Zelda Wii PAL (Wii backup - Verbatim + EMTEC media)

Like described above everything worked fine with the D2Pro, even cheaper and rather bad EMTEC media was recognized and could be read without problems. Dual layer media and MultiGameDiscs were not tested, but both should work fine.

Usage - Update function

The update feature is kind of confusing, because the USB programmer d2prog wasn't available when this test was written. On the one hand the D2Pro works flawless, so there's no need to update it, but on the other hand if you need to update it you have to reopen the Wii to install the ribbon cable. The ribbon cable is not shipped with the chip and not even with the d2prog, so you'll have to search for such a cable.

The d2prog will be released around the end of march 2008. How the update will work exactly is still unknown.

Conclusion

With the D2CKey and the Argon already available, the D2Pro doesn't set new standards, but it's manufactured really good and looks nice cause everything is mounted perfectly on the red PCB. You won't find fault with the hardware and you can't complain about the functionality either. The D2Pro boots compatible import games (bridge JP2 must be set on PAL consoles), but only when the additional 4 cables have been soldered.

A ribbon cable to attach the d2prog is not included, which means that you have to reopen the console to install the programmer. Another point of criticism is the programmer d2prog, which was not released yet, but is needed to update the chip.

But despite that the chip works flawless. The D2Pro starts Wii and GC imports, Homebrew software and backups without problems. Functionality is given without updates. Media compatibility seems to be really high. Despite the reduced number of cables installation is not easy and should only be done by professional modders.

All summoned up, the D2Pro is another good D2C modchip, which doesn't reinvent the wheel, but works flawless and is perfectly manufactured.

Positives

Wii D2C compatible
only 15 - 19 cables
very good import function
boots Homebrew without problems
boots backups without problems
updateable via USB
high media compatibility
DVD9 compatible
very high quality
ACTEL technology
LED indicator

Negatives

programmer not included
no ribbon cable for programmer included
Wii needs to be opened again in case you want to update
status LEDs nearly not visible when console is reassembled

Links

D2Pro's Website
D2Pro Review (German) @ ModControl.com

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