Dreamcast SD Card Adapter

[Tupin]

Apparently these things use the serial port on the back of a Dreamcast to load an OS, and files for homebrew can be loaded from there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-SD-SDHC-Card-Reader-SEGA-DC-Dreamcast-XCKDIY-/390382203221?pt=PCC_Drives_Storage_Internal&hash=item5ae497b155

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XRp6KR2_cg

Anyone ever used this? For the price, I may just jump on it. They are apparently improving the firmware to make it more compatible, as well.

[buzz_n64]

Don't know, but just bought one. Hope I can get it to work.

Will this page help? http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=1103umQL.3-15tQf.h-odTtp&id=7818521031&

[Tupin]

Well, be sure to post your results, as I'm going to buy it soon as well.

[Pr3tty F1y]

There is a thread in the technical forum (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?158405-Dreamcast-SD-slot-Mod-help) addressing this.

I've purchased one and it works great.

If you are planning on backing up your GD-ROMs, the program SD Rip is much faster than backing up from DreamShell. With SD Rip, the full disc will be processed in 35 minutes or less. I was quite pleased with the results and very happy to have backed up the original copies of my PAL imports for Head Hunter and Shenmue II.

However, if you're a tad OCD like myself, it may bother you that the results (i.e., file hashes) from the SD card backup solutions don't match 1:1 to the Redump.org database. Redump.org is using a method through the insanely expensive Broadband Adapter (I think it is httpd-ack) that pulls in each track's pregap (which is all zeros anyway) as part of each track. I'm assuming this is done to ensure that the subchannel data is captured, but I'm not exactly an expert. I believe the difference comes to about 352,800 bytes/track (which again, is all zeros, so no useful data is being truncated).

I've looked into padding my own ripped files with a hex editor to match the file size and file hashes of Redump.org, but my results have been odd to say the least. All of the padding with zeros doesn't occur at the beginning of each of their tracks (I compared one of my dumps with one of theirs). It seems split with padding before the track and after the track. And again, this is not useful data, and I'm truthfully not sure what method should be considered the gold standard, but what I can say is that the GD-ROMs I have backed up on to an SD card contain all of the game and music data from the original disc.

From what I have read, you can also back up Naomi/Naomi 2 arcade GD-ROMs using this method as well and it seems that the subchannel data is not considered at all by the arcade units, so I would think it would be fair to assume that it was not used by the home Dreamcast unit as well (as far as copy protection goes).

And one final comment, SDHC cards should work with the device. My Dreamcast SD adapter has a slot for both MicroSD and SD and either have perfomred great with an 8gb SDHC card.

[Wraith Storm]

Thanks for the link Tupin. I had no idea that these had finally come down so much in price.



Don't know, but just bought one. Hope I can get it to work.

Yeah, I just ordered one as well. Been wanting a Dreamcast SD adapter for quite some time. This is by far the cheapest one I have seen, like you, I hope it works good. I know a lot of the emulators I have burned to disc list that they have support for the device. I guess we'll find out once it arrives.

[OldSchoolGamer]

I was reading this thread earlier this morning and it reminded me I had ordered one of those SD Card Adapters and so got me thinking "Hmmm I wonder where it IS?" I had ordered it exactly 1 month ago lol. About 1 hour later my Postwoman rang up saying I had a package and yep that was it! Looking forward to checking it out.

I got mine from here : http://dc-sd.com/
so I was getting nervous but it did arrive today so..........well I guess I still have to test it.

[Tupin]

Was it from the same seller?

[OldSchoolGamer]

Was it from the same seller?

Whoops forgot the link, I added it to my post.............

[BlastProcessing402]

I was reading this thread earlier this morning and it reminded me I had ordered one of those SD Card Adapters and so got me thinking "Hmmm I wonder where it IS?" I had ordered it exactly 1 month ago lol. About 1 hour later my Postwoman rang up saying I had a package and yep that was it! Looking forward to checking it out.

Welcome to the Twilight Zone.

[nebrazca78]

So, is it possible and has anyone actually tried playing a game from the SD card? I have a complete US DC collection but they are mostly factory sealed so having a bunch of great games playable from the card would be great.

[rbudrick]

So, is it possible and has anyone actually tried playing a game from the SD card? I have a complete US DC collection but they are mostly factory sealed so having a bunch of great games playable from the card would be great.

Yes, this.

I hate playing my originals and avoid it whenever possible, especially on DC discs where the slightest scratches make them unuseable, in my experience.

-Rob

[Wraith Storm]

Well, my Dreamcast SD card adapter arrived in the mail today. I'm at work right now, but when I get home I'll see if this thing really works (fingers crossed).

[Gapporin]

Here are my thoughts so far:

- The SD-DC page does not contain the most recent version of DreamShell. Grab that here (http://www.dc-swat.ru/page/dreamshell/). You'll also need a program that can burn a .cdi image to disc.
- Works great with homebrew/emulators. Simply slap the .BIN files on the SD card and run them from the File Manager.
- If you plan using your, ahem - retail backups - it has to be converted into a format called SDISO, which is like a regular .ISO file format, except coded and packaged in such a way that the Dreamcast can read and load them from the SD card. You can either do this yourself with a GDI dump of a DC game, or find -- places -- online that have a repository of them already converted. Retail compatibility is hit-and-miss. If (big if) the game manages to load correctly in the first place, anything with streaming audio/video will take a big hit in the speed department, because of the serial port's bottlenecking of data transfer. Now, if a game - say, Time Stalkers - doesn't heavily rely on streaming video/audio, then you're golden. If it does, except anything from short delays to unplayable glitches.

That's pretty much the short and long of it. I still haven't spent much time with it myself, but from what I could deduce and research last night, the above is true. Will be updating it with more thoughts as I come across them.

[Wraith Storm]

Hmmmm... Well I went to SWAT'S page and downloaded the first file "DreamShell 4.0 RC 1 CDI Image" and burned it using Alcohol 120% @ 8x speed. I tossed it in my DC and it wouldn't load.

This is how I have always burned my .cdi images and never really had an issue. So, I thought maybe Dreamshell was not a self booting disc and tried it with the Utopia boot disc, but still nothing happened.

Maybe it was a bad disc? I'll try burning it again and give it another shot after work tonight.

[OldSchoolGamer]

Hmmmm... Well I went to SWAT'S page and downloaded the first file "DreamShell 4.0 RC 1 CDI Image" and burned it using Alcohol 120% @ 8x speed. I tossed it in my DC and it wouldn't load.

This is how I have always burned my .cdi images and never really had an issue. So, I thought maybe Dreamshell was not a self booting disc and tried it with the Utopia boot disc, but still nothing happened.

Maybe it was a bad disc? I'll try burning it again and give it another shot after work tonight.

If you still have an issue TRY IMGBURN, I have founf this to burn images simply and easy when others fail.

http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

[kedawa]

Here are my thoughts so far:

- The SD-DC page does not contain the most recent version of DreamShell. Grab that here (http://www.dc-swat.ru/page/dreamshell/). You'll also need a program that can burn a .cdi image to disc.
- Works great with homebrew/emulators. Simply slap the .BIN files on the SD card and run them from the File Manager.
- If you plan using your, ahem - retail backups - it has to be converted into a format called SDISO, which is like a regular .ISO file format, except coded and packaged in such a way that the Dreamcast can read and load them from the SD card. You can either do this yourself with a GDI dump of a DC game, or find -- places -- online that have a repository of them already converted. Retail compatibility is hit-and-miss. If (big if) the game manages to load correctly in the first place, anything with streaming audio/video will take a big hit in the speed department, because of the serial port's bottlenecking of data transfer. Now, if a game - say, Time Stalkers - doesn't heavily rely on streaming video/audio, then you're golden. If it does, except anything from short delays to unplayable glitches.

That's pretty much the short and long of it. I still haven't spent much time with it myself, but from what I could deduce and research last night, the above is true. Will be updating it with more thoughts as I come across them.

It seems pretty much useless unless you're using it to rip GD-ROMs.
Playing badly optimized SDL games and lacklustre emulators isn't worth the fifteen dollar cost.

[Wraith Storm]

If you still have an issue TRY IMGBURN, I have founf this to burn images simply and easy when others fail.

http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

Okay... I burned it again and my DC tried to tell me it was an audio cd. Again, I tried using the Utopia boot CD as well and got nothing. :/

Per your suggestion, I have just downloaded and installed Imgburn. I'll try burning a third copy of Dreamshell. Third times a charm right?

[Wraith Storm]

It seems pretty much useless unless you're using it to rip GD-ROMs.
Playing badly optimized SDL games and lacklustre emulators isn't worth the fifteen dollar cost.

The main draw for me is the home brew stuff and some of the emulators. If there is a DC game that I wan't to play (and I don't already have it) then i'll buy it. I like physical copies. But there is a TON of awesome looking home brew on the DC that I want to try, but I refuse to burn an entire CD for one several meg file.

[Gapporin]

Okay... I burned it again and my DC tried to tell me it was an audio cd. Again, I tried using the Utopia boot CD as well and got nothing. :/

Per your suggestion, I have just downloaded and installed Imgburn. I'll try burning a third copy of Dreamshell. Third times a charm right?

...and if that doesn't work, try using BootDreams (http://www.dcisozone.com/downloads/789/BootDreams-106.html). That's what I used to burn DreamShell, and it worked for me.

[kedawa]

The main draw for me is the home brew stuff and some of the emulators. If there is a DC game that I wan't to play (and I don't already have it) then i'll buy it. I like physical copies. But there is a TON of awesome looking home brew on the DC that I want to try, but I refuse to burn an entire CD for one several meg file.

That's understandable. I only burn compilations if I can help it, for the same reason.
I just found that after a while, most of the homebrew titles I wanted to try were also available on PC, so I'd just play that version instead.

[Wraith Storm]

Okay... I am starting to think that the "DreamShell 4.0 RC 1 CDI Image" file on DC-Swats website is corrupt or something.

I have never really had issues burning Dreamcast .CDI files before but I cannot get this to work. I tried burning a few discs with Alcohol 120%, then I tried a few with Image Burn (very nice program btw. I can see using it a lot in the future), then I tried Boot Dreams which I already had but had forgot about and still nothing.

I have tried 3 different cd brands and even took them to my parents house and burned a few coasters on their computer, thinking maybe the issue was my burner, but nope.

3 different burning programs, 3 different cdr brands, two different computers and 8 coasters later... It has to be the source file.

Buzz: Have you received your adapter yet? Have you managed to successfully burn DreamShell to disc?

Arrrrrgggg! This is killing me!

[buzz_n64]

Buzz: Have you received your adapter yet? Have you managed to successfully burn DreamShell to disc?

I have received it, but to be honest, I haven't opened the package up yet. I tend to sit on things occasionally. Sorry. I should try it soon, maybe this week. From what I have heard, burn at the slowest speed possible, and certain loaders don't work right, but I have not tried yet.

[kedawa]

I can't understand why, in 2012, people are still using that awful disk mangler .cdi format.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Bumping this to request more info.

I got a bit of extra cash now and want to buy this to see if I can dump those Dreamcast discs I picked up last year (including that Daytona GD-R I couldn't run) just to see if they're any different from the retail versions. Oh and to see if I can find some stuff for Cutting Room Floor. :P

I saw some on eBay but don't know which one to pick. Any suggestions?

[Nz17]

Good news: instead of having to buy from random schmucks on eBay or scuzzy Web sites (Or do I repeat myself? ;)), now you can buy Dreamcast SD card adapters from The GOAT Store here in the good old U.S.A.

$20 Standard available in pink, purple, green, and smoke: http://www.goatstore.com/Products/Sega/Dreamcast/372082/SD_Card_Reader_Adapter/

$55 Special edition with built-in VGA adapter: http://www.goatstore.com/Products/Sega/Dreamcast/372083/SD_Card_Reader_and_VGA_Adapter/

If anyone buys any of these, please attest to their quality here in this thread so we can all know how good they are.

[poloplayr]

Can anyone recommend a UK/Euro place to order these interesting pieces of kit from?

Much appreciated.

[Wraith Storm]

::sighs:: I just wish I could get the software to burn properly. The sd card adapters won't do anything until they have dreamshell installed. I still cannot get it to burn properly.

[skaar]

Wraith try to find older CDRs with lower speed ratings... or a machine with an old CDR drive. Older lasers are very picky about burnspeed and media.

Slow and steady.

And yes, get another image.

[InsaneDavid]

Wraith try to find older CDRs with lower speed ratings... or a machine with an old CDR drive. Older lasers are very picky about burnspeed and media.

Slow and steady.

And yes, get another image.

I'll echo this. I babied an old CD-R drive for years and stocked up on one specific brand of CD-R that worked well with it when I was heavy into Dreamcast emulation years ago. With the two together, coupled with the gimped burning speed of an unregistered copy of Discjuggler, I had 100% success rate for years. Of course the drive finally croaked and Maxell CD-R Pro discs have changed manufacturing facilities and with it the quality has plunged.

[Greg2600]

Good news: instead of having to buy from random schmucks on eBay or scuzzy Web sites (Or do I repeat myself? ;)), now you can buy Dreamcast SD card adapters from The GOAT Store here in the good old U.S.A.

$20 Standard available in pink, purple, green, and smoke: http://www.goatstore.com/Products/Sega/Dreamcast/372082/SD_Card_Reader_Adapter/

$55 Special edition with built-in VGA adapter: http://www.goatstore.com/Products/Sega/Dreamcast/372083/SD_Card_Reader_and_VGA_Adapter/

If anyone buys any of these, please attest to their quality here in this thread so we can all know how good they are.

Seems Goat store sold out of the VGA/SD combo quite a while ago, which is too bad. That said, not a huge fan of that combo, as you have to do a switcheroo to play non-VGA games. Here was a video from 11 months ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvmb9pROOaM

I've been looking into Dreamshell, and I've been impressed by how well many games run.

[Greg2600]

So I got the SD Adapter off ebay. Have experimented quite a bit. I'd grade the experience a C+.

1. The newest (though 2 years old) Dreamshell 4.0 RC1 OS is easy to use and navigate.

2. Once you figure out the tricks on where to put files on the SD card, it's easy to repeat.

3. This solution is fairly cheap.

However, there are major flaws.

1. Either Dreamshell or the adapter is way too picky when it comes to SD card brands or types. I cannot get anything SDHC to work, nor MicroSD in an adapter. Very frustrating. Moreover, you must power the DC off to change cards.

2. Homebrew games are far too buggy, making one of the major reasons to own the adapter somewhat useless.

3. Unlike retail DC discs, where you could do a couple X-Y-B-A + Start combos to return to the DC menu, usually doesn't work with Dreamshell. Result is you have to turn off the system and back on, time and time again. Not a fan of that on an older system, it's just unnecessary wear and tear.

4. Game compatibility is frankly not good. Ironically most of the games that are inexpensive and domestic do work. The games you really want this for, imports, do not. Well, nothing works as is, you have to follow a specific procedure to set the ISO up for SD usage. Unfortunately, while tons have been done on ISO ZONE (http://theisozone.com/downloads/dreamcast/sd-isos/), far too many are missing.

5. Lastly, with GD-ROM emulation/replacement boards close to fruition, using this adapter is kind of becoming pointless.

[wingzrow]

5. Lastly, with GD-ROM emulation/replacement boards close to fruition, using this adapter is kind of becoming pointless.

Could you expand on this? Is this something we should know about?

[Greg2600]

Could you expand on this? Is this something we should know about?

I have in another thread, but there are a few projects that are aiming to do this. The team making something called the PSIO for the Playstation intends on using it also for the Dreamcast. Essentially you would use the SD card to load games directly into the DC's IDE port, where the GD drive currently connects. That would allow near 100% compatibility. I've been following on assemblergames.com forum, but the projects are still a ways off from completion.

[Daltone]

I've got a modded DC with an added SD card port cut in to the side of it. It's pretty nifty but I don't use it as much as I thought I would.

Emulation - it is great, dead easy. Love it.

Storing disc images - as someone mentioned already - the bottleneck caused by the serial port can make some games a right pain in the arse.

Is it worth the price? If you are looking for a little project, or if you want all your emulators through your TV in glorious VGA hen yeah, probably. It's not a solid state solution fo playing all your games though.

[Greg2600]

Price is just above $20 so it's definitely a fair deal. Despite the limitations of the serial port, I feel that the Dreamshell operating system is simply not up to par. It was greatly improved about 1 year ago, but nothing since. The SD card headache is very annoying, and something that most flash card makers resolve early on.

[Greg2600]

One last FYI on these for anyone who may read it. You should have a CD burned with Dreamshell Beta 4 and one with RC 1. RC 1 is more updated, but may not work on all SD-ISO's that have been made, so you may have to use the older version.

You also need an SDHC card at least Class 6 or greater, though I'd go for Class 10, when using RC-1.