Esoteric Devices Wiki

User Tools

Site Tools

You are here: Welcome to the Esoteric Devices Wiki! » Content Directory » Video Game Consoles (Home) » 6th Generation » Sega Dreamcast
eop:video_game_consoles-home:6th_generation:sega_dreamcast

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
eop:video_game_consoles-home:6th_generation:sega_dreamcast [2022/01/13 16:59] – io55admineop:video_game_consoles-home:6th_generation:sega_dreamcast [2023/02/26 18:38] (current) – [Windows CE + Possible Shell!] io55admin
Line 1: Line 1:
 ====== Sega Dreamcast ====== ====== Sega Dreamcast ======
 +
 +Sega's ill-fated final games system. Releasing on the memorable September 9th, 1999 in North America, the Dreamcast's SH-4 CPU, 26 MB of RAM (across 3 purposes), and 16.77 million colors at up to 640x480 was very powerful for the time, but simply not enough to bring Sega out of the financial pit it had dug itself over the past 6 years. Selling 9.13 million units, the Dreamcast is only considered a failure due to the fact that it was simply not given enough time, nor a company capable of keeping it alive.
 +
 +https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamcast 
  
 ===== Operating Systems (Hitachi SH-4) ===== ===== Operating Systems (Hitachi SH-4) =====
Line 5: Line 9:
 === Bricks-OS === === Bricks-OS ===
  
-Extremely basic initial port, only exists as sources.+Possibly the most basic port of Bricks-OS to exist, as it only exists as rudimentary source code.
  
 https://github.com/rickgaiser/bricks-os https://github.com/rickgaiser/bricks-os
Line 66: Line 70:
 === Debian/”RedHat”/Nero Image === === Debian/”RedHat”/Nero Image ===
  
-Debian based distro variant, using RedHat bootloader, with X and such. Various names used. Any info on the internet about “Debian” or “RedHat” on DC is this image.+The one variation of Debian for the Dreamcast. There are many names for this circulating online, but ultimately, they will all trace back to these files. Various Live CDs exist with varying levels of hardware support, with certain Live CDs having X and other such good things.
  
 https://web.archive.org/web/20191030122702/http://www.lxdream.org/wiki/index.php?title=Dreamcast_Linux https://web.archive.org/web/20191030122702/http://www.lxdream.org/wiki/index.php?title=Dreamcast_Linux
Line 74: Line 78:
 https://www.angelfire.com/dc2/fer/dclinux.html https://www.angelfire.com/dc2/fer/dclinux.html
  
 +
 +=== Dreamexplorer ==
 +
 +>Dream Explorer (a.k.a VMU Tool) is a mini OS for the Dreamcast
 +
 +A program for the Dreamcast that primarily focuses on browsing the content of one's attached VMUs. However, it does also offer a text viewer and an MP3/Ogg vorbis player, which slots it enough into a "general purpose" program to warrant an entry.
 +
 +http://bswirl.kitsunet.org/vmutool/release/about/?lg=en&menu=on
  
  
Line 80: Line 92:
 >operating system for the Sega Dreamcast based on the KallistiOS kernel >operating system for the Sega Dreamcast based on the KallistiOS kernel
  
-Mainly for playing ripped games, but supports programs, video, internet (browser unknown), etc.+Dreamshell is mostly meant for Dreamcasts which feature some sort of ODE, as it's function is mostly to load games. There are a few other functions, of course, but nothing major. However, the ODE that's paired with Dreamshell isn't very good at doing this, alas...
  
 http://www.dc-swat.ru/page/dreamshell/ http://www.dc-swat.ru/page/dreamshell/
Line 100: Line 112:
 >Gentoo has a prebuilt stage3 for SH4 (under experimental/sh/stages) dated Apr 2007 >Gentoo has a prebuilt stage3 for SH4 (under experimental/sh/stages) dated Apr 2007
  
-Confusingly listed, but the stage3-sh4-2006 files contain some mentions of Dreamcast.+The information available for this online is quite confusing, but when looking in the stage3-sh4-2006 files for Gentoo, the Dreamcast is in fact mentioned in some capacity.
  
 https://web.archive.org/web/20191030122702/http://www.lxdream.org/wiki/index.php?title=Dreamcast_Linux https://web.archive.org/web/20191030122702/http://www.lxdream.org/wiki/index.php?title=Dreamcast_Linux
Line 112: Line 124:
 === Linux-SH + LinuxDC (KERNEL) === === Linux-SH + LinuxDC (KERNEL) ===
  
-The most recent kernel versions for DC. Requires some funky downloading thru the net, via broadband adapter(?). LinuxDC is the original iteration, and is now best for documents only.+The most recent kernel versions for the Dreamcast, forming the basis of all the other distributions available. The 3rd link is the older iteration and only useful for documentation or exploring history.
  
 http://linuxdc.sourceforge.net/ http://linuxdc.sourceforge.net/
Line 126: Line 138:
 >Dreamcast port is far from optimized. Most, if not all games and applications will run very slow >Dreamcast port is far from optimized. Most, if not all games and applications will run very slow
  
-The inferior way for plain DOS on DC. Old, slow, weak compatibility.+This is the poorest way to play DOS software on the Dreamcast. While it does work, it will run very poorly due to the aforementioned lack of optimization.
  
 https://www.dreamcast.nu/en/ms-dos-emulation-dreamcast/ https://www.dreamcast.nu/en/ms-dos-emulation-dreamcast/
Line 138: Line 150:
 === NetBSD === === NetBSD ===
  
-The most recent and effective port, it seems. Has various versions. X server, video, etc. supported.+Probably the best operating system available for a Dreamcast. This port is still being supported by NetBSD despite the console's age, and it has the most comprehensive set of features. This includes X support, internet access, video playback, and more. Of course, this does require the Dreamcast keyboard. The NetBSD ports page claims that there is no mouse support, but the linked videos do show the cursor moving around, which means that this requires some experimentation. One must also note that the ports page claims consoles made after September 2000 could have issues with NetBSD, which could do with some testing.
  
 http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/dreamcast/ http://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/dreamcast/
Line 200: Line 212:
 === QNX === === QNX ===
  
-Never released, due to corporate licensing. Worked reasonably well, sorta.+Due to the licensing scheme of QNX, this was never released in a public fashion, much to the disappointment of the team. From the documentation that still exists online, QNX worked quite well, with it being capable of running a graphical environment, accessing the internet, running certain software, and more.
  
 http://www.sporktania.com/qnxdc/ http://www.sporktania.com/qnxdc/
Line 218: Line 230:
 === Stock BIOS === === Stock BIOS ===
  
-Looks interesting and has reasonably advanced function for the time.+What comes default on any Dreamcast. A pleasant little BIOS with not much to do.
  
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrLca87DMOo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrLca87DMOo
Line 228: Line 240:
 >Dreamcast Alternate BIOS ("Real Mode") with Puyo Puyo Fever >Dreamcast Alternate BIOS ("Real Mode") with Puyo Puyo Fever
  
-You can get this with save data from Puyo Puyo Fever by inputting some buttons. Esoteric variation+If one has Puyo Puyo Fever (JP) in their VMU save files, they can unlock this BIOS by simply pressing "Start" on the file. No functionality changes (outside of the ability to move the camera), but it looks cool.
  
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=87&v=4uuGo_js6fQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=87&v=4uuGo_js6fQ
Line 240: Line 252:
 >a work-in-progress IBM-PC 8086 Emulator >a work-in-progress IBM-PC 8086 Emulator
  
-Some sort of basic x86 emulator not updated for a while. Runs Windows 3 (and DOS), slowly.+A basic x86 emulator which hasn't received updates for a long time. Despite this, it is fully capable of booting DOS or Windows 3.0, running programs, and interfacing with controller input. However, the one significant downside is the lack of any color support.
  
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVRaDlvYY9Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVRaDlvYY9Y
Line 252: Line 264:
  
  
-=== Windows CE ===+=== Windows CE + Possible Shell! ===
  
 >bundling simple operating systems within the discs themselves >bundling simple operating systems within the discs themselves
  
-A basic SDK/layer included on a reasonable amount of DC games. Did nothing for end users. Could in theory be expanded, w/ kernel alterations and driver inclusions. Last link has some porting.+Despite the name, the "Windows CE" on the Dreamcast was not very "concise". Coming only on game discs which needed it, Windows CE on the Dreamcast was primarily a sort of "SDK" or "layer" to make porting games easier on developers. However, in theory, it is possible to port actual EOPs to the Dreamcast using this Windows CE setup, with the 2nd and last links detailing someone's attempts to do this with a proper desktop shell. In these links, the author describes the code compiling perfectly and actually running on the Dreamcast, but it crashes on boot. For all we know, this could be very easily fixed, resulting in a Windows CE shell on the Dreamcast!(!!!) People have already ported Internet Explorer (below) to the Dreamcast using Windows CE, so this could actually be possible!
  
 https://segaretro.org/Windows_CE https://segaretro.org/Windows_CE
 +
 +https://github.com/FaucetDC/WincastCE (portable but non-launching Windows CE shell)
  
 https://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7945 https://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7945
Line 265: Line 279:
  
 https://web.archive.org/web/20170111221115/http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/windows-ce-os-gui-shell-is-possible.64930/ https://web.archive.org/web/20170111221115/http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/windows-ce-os-gui-shell-is-possible.64930/
- 
-https://github.com/FaucetDC/WincastCE 
  
  
Line 276: Line 288:
 >DreamArena 2.0 was a nearly completed but never released browser update >DreamArena 2.0 was a nearly completed but never released browser update
  
-A new homebrew project to create an even better internet browser for the Dreamcast, which appears to be doing quite well.+A new homebrew project which aims to create an even better internet browser for the Dreamcast. The project appears to be doing quite well, receiving frequent status updates. They even opened testing quite recently! 
  
 https://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13676 https://dreamcast-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13676
Line 284: Line 296:
 === Internet Explorer (4.0?) === === Internet Explorer (4.0?) ===
  
-Slightly developed port using WinCE.+A very barebones port, but it does in fact work and can load pages. Done entirely with the Windows CE layer, which is //highly// intriguing.
  
 https://www.reddit.com/r/dreamcast/comments/73qieg/internet_explorer_on_a_dreamcast_because_why_not/ https://www.reddit.com/r/dreamcast/comments/73qieg/internet_explorer_on_a_dreamcast_because_why_not/
Line 294: Line 306:
 === PlanetWeb 1-3, DreamPassport, DreamKey, etc. === === PlanetWeb 1-3, DreamPassport, DreamKey, etc. ===
  
-Stock web browsers for the Dreamcast, meant for USA, Japan, and Europe/Australia, respectively. PlanetWeb is the best, apparently, but has bugs in 3.0 (while also having more features?)+The various stock web browsers for the Dreamcast, meant for USA, Japan, and Europe/Australia, respectively. Based off of what people say, PlanetWeb is apparently the best, but it has bugs in the physically uncommon version 3.0 (which also has more features?)
  
 https://dcemulation.org/index.php?title=DreamKey https://dcemulation.org/index.php?title=DreamKey
Line 308: Line 320:
 >the WebTV browser was an improvement over Sega's bundled Dream Passport software >the WebTV browser was an improvement over Sega's bundled Dream Passport software
  
-Now defunct Japanese service allowing access to Microsoft’s WebTV.+A Japanese service which allowed Dreamcast users to access Microsoft's WebTV. Now entirely defunct, although documentation is ongoing that could maybe, eventually, recreate the service.
  
 https://segaretro.org/WebTV_for_Dreamcast https://segaretro.org/WebTV_for_Dreamcast
Line 316: Line 328:
 === XDP === === XDP ===
  
-Custom alternative to PlanetWeb developed more recently.+A custom-developed alternative to PlanetWeb which has been developed more recently. Until DreamArena 3.0 releases, this is probably the best web browser available for the Dreamcast. 
 + 
 +https://dreamcastlive.net/downloads/ 
 + 
 +===== Other ===== 
 + 
 +=== Crafti === 
 + 
 +>No enemies are available but you do get Redstone and TNT blocks ! 
 + 
 +A Minecraft clone ported to a variety of platforms, with the Dreamcast port being one of the earlier ones. Still receives intermittent updates, up to 2022. 
 + 
 +https://dcemulation.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=104211
  
-http://dreamcastlive.net/files/XDP%20Limited%20Edition%20R-4.zip+https://gitlab.com/gameblabla/gameblabla-website-files/-/tree/simp/files/dreamcast_new
  
 ===== Version & Revision Guide ===== ===== Version & Revision Guide =====
Line 343: Line 367:
 === Dreamcast revisions: === === Dreamcast revisions: ===
  
-== “VA0” (very early 1999) ==+=== “VA0” (very early 1999) ===
  
 These systems can be hard to find in America, and are definitely more common in Japan. Here, the motherboard runs hotter, warranting a more robust cooling solution. Furthermore, chips in the system that the GDEMU ODE uses, output a hazardous voltage level. This can damage the GDEMU install if not taken into account. For this reason, be wary of these systems. However, some say they have a superior build quality. To identify, go to the bottom of the system; look for the “0” in the circle, to the left of the [NTSC | U] box on the sticker. These systems can be hard to find in America, and are definitely more common in Japan. Here, the motherboard runs hotter, warranting a more robust cooling solution. Furthermore, chips in the system that the GDEMU ODE uses, output a hazardous voltage level. This can damage the GDEMU install if not taken into account. For this reason, be wary of these systems. However, some say they have a superior build quality. To identify, go to the bottom of the system; look for the “0” in the circle, to the left of the [NTSC | U] box on the sticker.
Line 349: Line 373:
  
  
-== “VA1” (1999-2000) == +=== “VA1” (1999-2000) === 
-**RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY; LOWEST PRICE**+//RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY; LOWEST PRICE//
  
 A vast majority of NTSC-U Dreamcasts are of the VA1 revision. These can play burned discs, and can support an install of GDEMU. Easily the best revision. To identify, go to the bottom; look for the circled “1”, next to the NTSC-U code. RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY; LOWEST PRICE A vast majority of NTSC-U Dreamcasts are of the VA1 revision. These can play burned discs, and can support an install of GDEMU. Easily the best revision. To identify, go to the bottom; look for the circled “1”, next to the NTSC-U code. RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY; LOWEST PRICE
  
  
-== “VA2” (2001, to 31st March) == +=== “VA2” (2001, to 31st March) === 
-**DO NOT PURCHASE**+//DO NOT PURCHASE//
  
 Quite rare, but not as rare as the VA0s, seemingly. These systems are easily the worse for EOPs, as the drive controller is now integrated with the board itself, which makes it impossible to install an ODE. Furthermore, the drive does not support playing burned discs. There’s no reason to get one of these. To identify, go to the bottom, look for the circled “2”. Quite rare, but not as rare as the VA0s, seemingly. These systems are easily the worse for EOPs, as the drive controller is now integrated with the board itself, which makes it impossible to install an ODE. Furthermore, the drive does not support playing burned discs. There’s no reason to get one of these. To identify, go to the bottom, look for the circled “2”.
eop/video_game_consoles-home/6th_generation/sega_dreamcast.1642111151.txt.gz · Last modified: by io55admin