I've recently bought a WiiU and like many of you that maybe using a standard non-HDMI Tv, you may be having trouble with lagging issues, well thats whats happening to me at least.
What's greatly annoyed me are two things: 1.The console does not come with a component cable for use with non-hdmi tv's & 2. This console is definitely not for use with a non-HDMI Tv.
I like the WiiU, but these issues annoy me greatly, why did Nintendo do this to us, not everyone has a cool $300-$500 to go out and buy an HD tv after buying a WiiU and a bunch of games, it just seems so unnecessary.
While I realise this a whole new next-gen console, it would've been better if Nintendo had pointed the fact out you wouldn't be able to use it properly without an HD tv and without the console to give in, causing the gamepad to glitch-vomit and lag extremely or cut-out.

Well it annoys me even more now, on one hand i'm now thinking about getting an HD tv, but on the other i have to now sell or ditch my CRT and being forced to pay $20 to take it to the rubbish dump. What are your thoughts about gamepad lag with CRT tv's?

yeah its an unfortunate truth once you upgrade one piece of equipment usually the other pieces need to be upgraded as well.. I upgraded my yamaha reciever and my router in preparation of the wii u..my old reciever was not hdmi... my hd plasma is only 720 but im not changing that bad boy still got a lot of hours in it..

As far as your question, I love my plasma especially for bigger TV's my panasonic is awesome and i love the visuals especially for movies... I heard you guys across the pond have good models with low latency issues... I had to break my in the beginning. I'm not sure if still have to break plasmas in with the newer models...

Does anyone know if 50hz HD tvs are ok for gaming? i've had several salespeople tell me that I'd be better off with a 100hz HD tv but it's not something I can afford, so anyone with an HD tv give me their opinion?

Wow, that's unfortunate. Sorry to hear that the old Wii video jack is a no go. Seems like Nintendo's only caring for HD this time, with most menus seeming designed for widescreen (although I mightjust be looking at the screens mirrored from the Gamepad) and the console being boxed with an HDMI cable rather than a composite/component cable. I've only ever used my Wii U with the included HDMI cable, and I haven't noticed any lag, except when the system turns on, where the gamepad flashes the Wii U logo before the TV does (not the Nintendo logo, mind you, but the first thing both screens show together at boot. When it comes to frequency, I don't know. I don't think there's a big difference between TV frequencies here (It's 60hz normally here I think) in the states except when it comes to 3D, and I'm sure that's waaaaaaay out of your budget. It's true that you'd be better off with an 100hz TV, as that will definitely help remove lag and give you more frames per second (I think), but 50hz might be alright, I dunno. Take that advice with a grain of salt.

Another thing that might help is if the non-HDMI port really is the problem, instead of getting a new TV, if you can find a low latency HDMI to composite (or component if you rock a progressive scan TV) converter so you can hook up the HDMI cable to the Wii U and convert the signal for your existing TV without noticable lag, that will probably work great and might save you a couple hundred bucks.

I don't have a HDTV in my room, however, there is one in the living room. I've played it on there and it looks brilliant, well everything in HD is awesome. I don't have any lag issues or glitches with the gamepad when I use it on a SDTV. I do hate that it cuts off the side of the screen (Not quite sure if all SD TV's do this on the Wii U), but it's pretty annoying. Just want to add that if you end up buying one, you won't regret. Also, don't get a Plasma, they tend to burn out around the 5 year mark.

I play it on one of those giant fat TVs that are, like, 10 years old and it works fine no lag

I have a 1080p Vizio just for my Wii U and Wii

Well, thanks for the info but I've tried my Wii U on both of my CRTs and I don't think it's the environmental issues or the component cable. I think I literally have to buy a new tv, this one I have in my room is huge for a CRT, it's an LG Flatron and well it has a huge back and it's incredibly heavy and difficult to move by one person.
Besides, I've really always wanted to own an HD TV, my parents refuse to sell their ancient CRT for anything better, but I guess they don't really watch as much TV or Movies like I do. Also on the plus side, If I decide to get a blu-ray player they're not gonna be as expensive as they were when they first came out.
Speaking of Hz and tv displays, the HD tv I saw yesterday (using a HDMI, unlike the others) that I was interested in, had fairly decent picture quality, now I've seen a 100Hz or better tv, but that falls outside of my budget, who knows? maybe I might get a better tv some day, but for now I'd be happy with a full HD 32" 50hz TV (with 5ms response time of course!).

Sorry double post, but today I bought my HD TV! I bought a Panasonic TH-L32EM5Z Full HD LED LCD HD TV, phew that's a long descroption...
I'm gonna get it all hooked up now since I only just got i this afternoon here, os I hope it's gonna be great for playing Wii U and hopefully Wii games will look slightly better too.