Treamcast VS Dreamcast

[Jungle-Cat]

Hey all,
I'm looking at getting a Dreamcast for christams, always wanted one.

But I've noticed that you can buy Treamcasts still.
http://www.gp2xstore.com/products/Treamcast_Console-112-34.html

Can ALL dreamcast software run on them (so including all homebrew)?

Since it can connect to a "normal tv" (presumerably via c-video and l/r audio RCA jacks), would you guys consider using one as a standard dreamcast on a tv?

thanks

[JKKDARK]

Treamcast can run any game from any region and all the homebrew.

Don't forget the Treamcast doesn't use Modem, so you can't play online and surf the internet.

[Jungle-Cat]

Hmmm... there are no good online games though are there? so it isn't a big loss. I might still try and get the Dreamcast off of ebay for the games and accessories.

Does the treamcast have the expansion slot where the BBA goes in? Because I might try and get one of those.

[JKKDARK]

Treamcast hasn't the expansion slot, that's the problem.

For info about the online games, check here (http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=554107#post554107)

[Jungle-Cat]

After some more research I've found
http://www.divineo.cn/cgi-bin/div-cn/ret-tcast.html
to be quite cheaper.

They say that the cable for video output (to a tv etc) is not included:
" Can be connected to a normal TV (cable not supply and its outputs a NTSC signal for best compability)"

Where can I get the cable? What type of cable is it?

[bah]

Standard Dreamcast AV-out port. (http://www.segagagadomain.com/hardware/treamcast-back.jpg)

They're just refurbished used dreamcasts with a little modification arent they?

Cables.... (http://search.ebay.com.au/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=dreamcast+av&category0=)

So only older treamcasts had the modem port? This one has it. (http://www.segagagadomain.com/hardware/treamcast.htm)

[Dull Blade]

get the dreamcast. The TC cost 10x as much and essentially does the exact same thing (minus the screen). Pick up a game shark or codebreaker and then you can also play regionless for 1/10 the cost. The TC is a cool idea but imo its not worth it unless cash isnt and object to you.

[Jungle-Cat]

Before I get a Treamcast I will get a Dreamcast, i've decided. To play regionless I'll use the Utopia boot disc.

The main feature the TC lacks is the modem. You'd think the small amount of size it takes would be tolerable to stick in the new TC.

I might still get a TC in the future; they look quite cool ;)

[bah]

There must have been several models of treamcast (not just a different screen/colour) since release because this one has the modem port:

http://www.segagagadomain.com/hardware/treamcast-modem.jpg

[JKKDARK]

I think there were 2 models, but I thought the only "new stuff" was the screen

[bah]

One (http://www.superufo.com/review_html/Review_of_Portable_Treamcast.html)
http://www.superufo.com/review/pdc/images/treamcast09.jpg
http://www.superufo.com/review/pdc/images/treamcast06.jpg

Two (http://www.segagagadomain.com/hardware/treamcast.htm)
http://www.segagagadomain.com/hardware/treamcast-bios.jpg
http://www.segagagadomain.com/hardware/treamcast-modem.jpg

Three (http://www.gp2xstore.com/products/Treamcast_Console-112-34.html)
http://www.gp2xstore.com/images/products/109.jpg

Perhaps the second one isn't 'official'?
The first 2 both have modem ports, it seems odd the latest black model doesn't if they are just refurbished Dreamcasts.

[Dull Blade]

I'm pretty sure the 2nd one is official, I seem to remember a wide screen TC coming out quite a while back. As for the modem buissness, belive me, unless you have dial up and love surfing the net on an ancient browser, its pretty much useless. There are a select few DC games that still work online, but every time I've logged on (about a ear ago when I had dialup), no one has been in any of the servers. Its more or less just a novelty now.

[Jungle-Cat]

I did some reading at dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com, there are still people playing some DC games online.

I also did some reading up about playing online without a BBA, since I don't have dial up, god forbid. There is a way of setting up a DU server type thing on your computer, and then have the DC dial into it. It is a bit bodgy and annoying to set up, but it beats spending more than $100 on the BBA.

It is because of this I'm going to hold off getting a Treamcast, and just get a DC. Each of the TC models (except the 2nd, which is just bad considering Dreamcasts put out a 640x480 4:3 picture) have their pros and cons.

Main con with the first model is the lack of a controller... and I'm not sure but does it have AV out?

[JKKDARK]

I did some reading at dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com, there are still people playing some DC games online.

I also did some reading up about playing online without a BBA, since I don't have dial up, god forbid. There is a way of setting up a DU server type thing on your computer, and then have the DC dial into it. It is a bit bodgy and annoying to set up, but it beats spending more than $100 on the BBA.
Yeah, but if you want a PC-DC connection you have to use Windows 98. Windows 2000 and the next versions have many problems and it's too hard.

[Jungle-Cat]

Oh ok, I'll set up my P3 with windows 2000. Easy enough.

Also can you explain the naming convention on Dreamcast games, like what does (U) mean? I'm guessing you need to use Utopia boot disc, but that is just a guess.

[bah]

(U) normally means USA release (NTSC)
(J) for Japanese release (NTSC)
(E) for European release (Pal[60])

They all work on my Australian (PAL) dreamcast with utopia boot disc or selfboot patching.

[Jungle-Cat]

so (SB) would mean self boot, so no region coding.

And I'm Australian and I'm probably going to win a Dreamcast from Ebay tommorow because I have a bid setup at a pretty good price.

[bah]

Yeah that sounds right about the SB tag, I dont think its possible to make all game self boot though.
Something like: games that used the MS kernel could be self booted, ones that used the sega one couldnt. Its quite possible I'm wrong about that. :)

I don't know if self boot is region free, the utopia boot disc plays other region games though. My DC has been boxed away since I got an xbox a long while back.

JKKDARK would know more than me about these things.

[Jungle-Cat]

Hmmm OK.

And with the Utopia boot disc, what is the newest/best version? I found an archive that has versions .1 .3 and .5.

[JKKDARK]

Yes, a self boot game is region free. The Utopia disc is used for non-self boot games and original games from other regions.

[Jungle-Cat]

When a load a game using Utopia, does it act as like normal? ie. it all saves and runs fine?

[JKKDARK]

Yes it will run normal and the saves will work.

[Dull Blade]

regarding the versions of utopia, all of them are more or less the same, except one of them can force games to boot an a vga monior for improved definition.

[ExcruciationX]

Can't you buy refurbished Dreamcasts from Play-Asia? I'd go with that option.

[Jungle-Cat]

No, they never have stock. But they sell controllers and VMUs for less than 10 bucks each! and the postage is only 10 bucks.

So i might buy a controller so I have a full set of controllers.

[JKKDARK]

Can't you buy refurbished Dreamcasts from Play-Asia? I'd go with that option.

It was only on early 2006. There are not units anymore.

[Jungle-Cat]

Any of you guys got a link to a good guide on how to make (SB) games? I have 2 USA games I'd like to make SB. All i've found is
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2004/08/dreamcast-self-boot-tutorial-by.html
But it is kind of confusing and doesn't explain things.

//edit
http://chui.dcemu.co.uk/snes4all.html
I'd like to make a SB copy of that on a multisession disc (for the purpose of adding roms after... wel im sure you get it without me explaining). Would the procedure of that be the same as making a commercial game SB? I do not want to have any menus or anything (as suggested down the bottom of the SNES4ALL page, to make it SB)

//edit again
Well I might as well just ask here, tell me if I should make a new thread.
I'm wanting to get the Bleem! games, I've got Gran Turismo, but would like MGS and Tekken 3. Can anyone point me in the right direction?. Also about the bleem games, I read you need to sacrifice a memory card (for it be formatted for playstation), does that mean 1 memory card for all Bleem games, or 1 memory card per game?

[JKKDARK]

I'm wanting to get the Bleem! games, I've got Gran Turismo, but would like MGS and Tekken 3. Can anyone point me in the right direction?. Also about the bleem games, I read you need to sacrifice a memory card (for it be formatted for playstation), does that mean 1 memory card for all Bleem games, or 1 memory card per game?

If you're using Bleemcast beta, you can run many games but you will see a lot of graphic/sound problems. Also you can't see FMVs and you can't load/save games.
If you get the official Bleemcast (there are 3: for MGS, GT2 and T3), you can run only the specific game, and you can save/load the game and you will get better graphics than on the PlayStation console. And yes, you need to sacrifice a memory card for every Bleemcast unit.

[Jungle-Cat]

I made an order with play asia, getting 2 cheap-o memory cards. Damn; I should have got 3! But I probably don't mind not having MGS, I've already played it countless times through on my Playstation. I use to play PS so much it even broke down! So I got another one. Oh the memories...

Also I won that Dreamcast off of ebay, should be picking it up in the next day or so I presume.

/edit
I've just noticed that some of my CDI's of Dreamcast games are over 700mb. Do I have to trim them down some how?

[dcdood]

Try erasing some things, make it at least 660mb, someone said they had a problem with a cd Maxed out at 700mb exactly. it reaches to the CD"s end and may not be readable

[Jungle-Cat]

Erasing is probably not a good idea, the game might crash instead of skipping files. Dropping bit rates on sounds is fine; I can't tell the difference.