A few noob questions...

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!)

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
• Under Linux
• 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.

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

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).