A few noob questions...

[Javawag]

Hiya all,

I'm about to buy a DreamCast from eBay... but I'd just like to confirm/ask about some things.

Firstly, any DreamCast console can play burnt CD-Rs made from CDI images, right? Do we need special software for the DreamCast to boot this CD or do you just throw it in?

Are CD-RWs supported (I guess most likely not)?

If I wanted to develop homebrew I could download an SDK from the net right? But would I need a dev DreamCast or just a standard console?

That's all for now I'd be grateful for any kind of response :D (well other than a response of something like "AHHHH NOOOOOOB!!":p )

- Javawag

EDIT: Another short question, you know how the DreamCast can connect to Dialup internet, can you somehow connect it to a PC with some form of software to play games like QuakeIII online? (I have no idea what ports DreamCast has on it as you can tell xD!)

[Mark30001]

All PAL Sega Dreamcast units can play burnt .cdi hombrew ;) games. You may want to check here if yours isn't a PAL unit:
http://dcemulation.com/article-supported.htm

For homebrew development, you'll need either a Dreamcast Coders Cable (cable which connects your dreamcast to a PC via serial connection) or a BroadBand Adapter, which can go for a lot on eBay.

Here's the software for development:

Dreamcast Development Environment - R3:

Under Windows (http://consolevision.com/?Dreamcast:Development:Under_Windows)
Under Linux (http://consolevision.com/?Dreamcast:Development:Under_Linux)
Under Mac OS X (http://consolevision.com/?Dreamcast:Development:Under_Mac_OS_X)


You may also want to check out this thread of links:
http://dcemulation.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=28240

I hope that helps some.

[Javawag]

Thanks for the reply!

OK, i've just bought one today and I'm really pleased with it so far (a bit noisier than I remember... no matter xD), but i need a VM (getting one from eBay). It's a pal unit so hopefully then homebrew will be fine with it.

Ahh, if I were to get a Broadband adaptor, could i use it with DreamKey and DreamArena too? (can you even still use those services?!) But i'd imagine that costs a hell of a lot. If i bought a japanese broadband adaptor, would it work in the UK? (i guess not..)

Thanks a lot,
- Javawag

[Christuserloeser]

Congrats on your purchase :)

I assume that the Japanese BBA will work with a UK Dreamcast because from what I know it seems that all other parts from any DC do work perfectly in DCs from other regions.

BBAs are only supported by the latest version of DreamKey (3.0).