Editing Dreamcast (section)

== Technical specifications ==
=== Hardware ===
{{Multiple image
| image1 = Sega-Dreamcast-Internals.jpg
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| image2 = Sega-Dreamcast-Motherboard-Top.jpg
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| footer = Internal view of a Dreamcast console including optical drive, power supply, controller ports, and cooling fan. Isolated [[motherboard]].
}}
[[File:NEC - VideoLogic@250nm@PowerVR Series2@CLX2@Dreamcast@315-6225 9852PX430 DSCx4 polysilicon@5x.jpg|thumb|Die shot of the Dreamcast's ASIC]]
The Dreamcast measures {{convert|190|x|195.8|x|75.5|mm|in|abbr=on}} and weighs {{convert|1.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="EGM115"/> Its main [[CPU]] is a two-way 360 [[Instructions per second|MIPS]] [[superscalar]] Hitachi [[SuperH|SH-4]] [[32-bit]] [[RISC]],<ref name="Unified" /><ref>{{cite web |date=September 12, 2002 |title=SH-4 CPU Core Architecture |url=https://www.st.com/resource/en/user_manual/cd00147165-sh-4-32-bit-cpu-core-architecture-stmicroelectronics.pdf |publisher=[[STMicroelectronics]] and [[Hitachi]] |page=15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024121355/https://www.st.com/resource/en/user_manual/cd00147165-sh-4-32-bit-cpu-core-architecture-stmicroelectronics.pdf |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> clocked at 200&nbsp;MHz with an 8 [[Kilobyte|kB]] [[CPU cache|instruction cache]] and 16&nbsp;kB data cache and a 128-bit graphics-oriented [[floating-point unit]] delivering 1.4 [[GigaFLOPS|GFLOPS]].<ref name="Unified"/> Its 100&nbsp;MHz [[PowerVR#Series2 (NEC)|NEC PowerVR2]] rendering engine, integrated with the [[Application-specific integrated circuit|ASIC]], can draw more than 3 million [[polygon]]s per second<ref name="EGM115"/> and use [[deferred shading]].<ref name="Unified"/> Sega estimated the Dreamcast's theoretical rendering capability at 7 million raw polygons per second, or 6 million with textures and lighting, but noted that "game logic and physics reduce peak graphic performance".<ref name="Unified"/>

Graphical hardware effects include [[trilinear filtering]], [[gouraud shading]], [[z-buffering]], [[spatial anti-aliasing]], [[Order-independent transparency|per-pixel translucency sorting]] and [[bump mapping]].<ref name="Unified" /><ref name="EGM115" /> The Dreamcast can [[Color depth|output]] approximately [[24-bit color|16.77 million colors]] simultaneously and displays [[Interlaced video|interlaced]] or [[progressive scan]] video at 640&nbsp;×&nbsp;480 [[video resolution]].<ref name="EGM115" /> Its 67&nbsp;MHz Yamaha AICA<ref name="NextGen211" /> sound processor, with a 32-bit [[ARM architecture|ARM7]] RISC CPU core, can generate 64 voices with [[Pulse-code modulation|PCM]] or [[Adaptive differential pulse-code modulation|ADPCM]], providing ten times the performance of the Saturn's sound system.<ref name="Unified" /> The Dreamcast has 16 [[Megabyte|MB]] main RAM, along with an additional 8&nbsp;MB of RAM for graphic textures and 2&nbsp;MB of RAM for sound.<ref name="Unified" /><ref name="EGM115" /> It reads media using a 12× speed Yamaha [[GD-ROM]] drive.<ref name="EGM115" /> In addition to Windows CE, the Dreamcast supports several Sega and [[middleware]] [[application programming interface]]s.<ref name="Unified" />

The Dreamcast can supply video through several accessories including [[RCA connector|A/V cables]], [[RF modulator]] connectors [[S-Video]] cables and [[SCART]]. A [[Dreamcast VGA|VGA adapter]] allows Dreamcast to connect on [[visual display unit|computer displays]] or [[enhanced-definition television]] sets in [[480p]].<ref name="NextGen211" />

=== Models ===
[[File:Sega-Dreamcast-Sports-Black-Console.jpg|thumb|The limited-edition black "Sega Sports" model]]
[[File:Fuji Divers 2000 series CX-1 Dreamcast 08.jpg|thumb|The Divers 2000 CX-1 is a special edition of the Dreamcast that was built into a television set.]]
Sega constructed numerous Dreamcast models, most of which were exclusive to Japan. The R7, a refurbished Dreamcast, was originally used as a network console in Japanese pachinko parlors. Another model, the Divers 2000 CX-1, is shaped similarly to Sonic's head and includes a television and software for teleconferencing. A ''[[Hello Kitty]]'' version, limited to 2000 units, was targeted at female gamers in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=consolevariations |date=2023-06-25 |title=Sega Dreamcast Hello Kitty Pink Console |url=https://consolevariations.com/collectibles/sega-dreamcast-hello-kitty-pink-console |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Consolevariations |language=en}}</ref> Special editions were created for ''Seaman''<ref>{{cite web |date=June 15, 1999 |title=Model:SEAMAN |url=http://sega.jp/corp/release/1999/0615/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802174716/http://sega.jp/corp/release/1999/0615/ |archive-date=August 2, 2014 |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=[[Sega]] |language=ja}}</ref> and ''[[Resident Evil – Code: Veronica]]''.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 6, 1999 |title=Dreamcast CODE:Veronica |url=http://sega.jp/corp/release/1999/1206/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802174723/http://sega.jp/corp/release/1999/1206/ |archive-date=August 2, 2014 |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=[[Sega]] |language=ja}}</ref> Color variations were sold through the Dreamcast Direct service in Japan.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Dreamcast Direct |url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/daily/2000/m06/d27/n03.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110043426/http://www.famitsu.com/game/daily/2000/m06/d27/n03.html |archive-date=November 10, 2014 |access-date=October 15, 2014 |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |publisher= |language=ja}}</ref> [[Toyota]] also offered special Dreamcast units at 160 of its dealers in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 28, 1999 |title=Toyota to market Sega's Dreamcast |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Toyota+to+market+Sega%27s+Dreamcast%2B.-a053901141 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802174713/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Toyota+to+market+Sega%27s+Dreamcast+.-a053901141 |archive-date=August 2, 2014 |access-date=October 15, 2014 |website=Kyodo News International, Inc. |publisher= |via=[[The Free Library]]}}</ref> In North America, a limited edition black Dreamcast was released with a Sega Sports logo on the lid, which included matching Sega Sports-branded black controllers and two games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Justice |first=Brandon |date=June 29, 2000 |title=Sega Reveals Details on Sega Sports Pack |url=https://ign.com/articles/2000/06/30/sega-reveals-details-on-sega-sports-pack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121071621/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/30/sega-reveals-details-on-sega-sports-pack |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |access-date=October 15, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

=== Controllers and accessories ===
[[File:Sega-Dreamcast-Cont-n-VMU.jpg|thumb|The Dreamcast controller has two dock connectors for use with multiple accessories, like the [[VMU]].]]
[[File:Sega-Dreamcast-Mouse-BL.jpg|thumb|upright|Dreamcast mouse accessory]]
The Dreamcast has four ports for controller inputs, and was sold with one controller. The controller is based on the [[Nights Into Dreams...#Release|Saturn 3D controller]] and includes an analog stick, a [[D-pad]], four action buttons, start button and two analog triggers.<ref name="NextGen211"/> It received mostly negative reviews from critics; ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' described it as "an ugly evolution of Saturn's 3D controller",<ref name="Edge20"/> and was called "[not] that great" by ''1Up.com''{{'}}s Sam Kennedy<ref name="360 will succeed">{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Sam |title=Dreamcast 2.0: 10 reasons why the Xbox 360 will succeed where the Dreamcast failed |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3145154 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208064454/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3145154 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=November 27, 2015 |website=[[1Up.com]]}}</ref> and "lame" by ''Game Informer''{{'}}s Andy McNamara.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=October 28, 1999 |title=''Marvel Vs. Capcom''-Dreamcast |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4233 |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001025165615/http://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4233 |archive-date=October 25, 2000 |access-date=November 28, 2014}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' wrote that "unlike most controllers, Sega's pad forces the user's hands into an uncomfortable parallel position".<ref>{{cite web |date=January 5, 2001 |title=The Xbox Controller |url=https://ign.com/articles/2001/01/06/the-xbox-controller |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105024234/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/01/06/the-xbox-controller |archive-date=November 5, 2014 |access-date=November 5, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Both the analog joystick and triggers uniquely used [[Hall effect]] sensors, which requires less calibration and leads to fewer issues with [[Analog stick#Neutral position and drifting|joystick drift]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dreamcast to JAMMA Project |url=https://pc2jamma.mameworld.info/arc_dc4.html |access-date=November 24, 2022 |website=pc2jamma.mameworld.info |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124215855/https://pc2jamma.mameworld.info/arc_dc4.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside the Dualshock 3 controller {{!}} Web Portal for Benjamin J Heckendorn |date=March 22, 2008 |url=https://www.benheck.com/inside-the-dualshock-3-controller/ |access-date=November 24, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124215855/https://www.benheck.com/inside-the-dualshock-3-controller/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Amos |first=Evan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-KAiEAAAQBAJ&q=hall+effect&pg=PA195 |title=The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox |date=September 8, 2021 |publisher=No Starch Press |isbn=978-1-7185-0061-7 |language=en |access-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125155144/https://books.google.com/books?id=-KAiEAAAQBAJ&q=hall%20effect&pg=PA195 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Various third-party controllers, from companies such as [[Mad Catz]], include additional buttons and other features;<ref name="NextGen211"/> third parties also manufactured arcade-style joysticks for fighting games, such as Agetech's Arcade Stick and Interact's Alloy Arcade Stick.<ref name="NextGen211"/><ref name="BW Peripherals">{{cite web |date=September 2, 1999 |title=Sega Dreamcast Launch Titles and Peripherals |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sega+Dreamcast+Launch+Titles+and+Peripherals.-a055638174 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207174909/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sega+Dreamcast+Launch+Titles+and+Peripherals.-a055638174 |archive-date=December 7, 2014 |access-date=December 3, 2014 |work=BusinessWire}}</ref> Mad Catz and Agetec created racing wheels for racing games.<ref name="NextGen211"/> Sega did not release its official [[light gun]]s in the US,<ref name="NextGen211">{{cite magazine |date=September 1999 |title=Dreamcast Arrives! |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher= |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=51–57}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Chau |first=Anthony |date=May 23, 2001 |title=''Confidential Mission'' |url=https://ign.com/articles/2001/05/23/confidential-mission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207112421/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/05/23/confidential-mission |archive-date=December 7, 2014 |access-date=December 3, 2014 |website=[[IGN]] |quote=Unfortunately, if you have the Japanese DC light gun, ''[[Confidential Mission]]'' will only work with US third party light guns.}}</ref> but some third party light guns were available.<ref name="NextGen211"/> The Dreamcast supports a Sega fishing "reel and rod" [[motion controller]] and a keyboard for text entry.<ref name="NextGen211"/><ref name="Soothsayer">{{cite web |last=Redsell |first=Adam |date=May 20, 2012 |title=Sega: A Soothsayer of the Games Industry |url=https://ign.com/articles/2012/05/20/sega-a-soothsayer-of-the-games-industry |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012022048/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/20/sega-a-soothsayer-of-the-games-industry |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Although it was designed for fishing games such as ''[[Sega Bass Fishing]]'',<ref name="BW Peripherals"/> ''Soulcalibur'' is playable with the fishing controller, which translates vertical and horizontal movements into on-screen swordplay; ''IGN'' cited it as a predecessor to the [[Wii Remote]].<ref name="Soothsayer"/> The Japanese Dreamcast port of Sega's ''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram]]'' supported a "Twin Sticks" peripheral, but its American publisher, [[Activision]], opted not to release it in the US.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=June 5, 2000 |title=''Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram'' |url=https://ign.com/articles/2000/06/06/virtual-on-oratorio-tangram |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207112920/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/06/virtual-on-oratorio-tangram |archive-date=December 7, 2014 |access-date=December 3, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> The Dreamcast can connect to [[SNK Playmore|SNK]]'s [[Neo Geo Pocket Color]], predating Nintendo's [[GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable]].<ref name="Dreamcast memorial"/>

In most regions, the Dreamcast includes a removable modem for online connectivity, which is modular for future upgrades.<ref name="Unified" /> In Brazil, due to the high price of the console, the modem was sold separately.<ref name="dreamcast_jogo">{{cite news |last=Oliveira |first=Otavio Dias de |date=September 11, 1999 |title=Sega Dreamcast estoura nas lojas |language=pt |volume=79 |pages=5–3 |newspaper=Folha de S.Paulo |publisher=Grupo Folha |issue=25728 |location=São Paulo |url=http://acervo2.folha.com.br/2/19/9/61/610919/1024/610919.png |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194536/http://acervo2.folha.com.br/2/19/9/61/610919/1024/610919.png |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |issn=1414-5723}}</ref> The original Japanese model and all PAL models have a transfer rate of 33.6&nbsp;kbit/s, and consoles sold in the US and in Japan after September 9, 1999, feature a [[56&nbsp;kbit/s line|56&nbsp;kbit/s]] dial-up modem.<ref>{{cite book |last=Carless |first=Simon |title=Gaming Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools |publisher=[[O'Reilly Media]] |year=2004 |isbn=978-0596007140 |page=198}}</ref> Broadband service was enabled through the later release of a broadband accessory in 2000 in Japan,<ref name=":62">{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Martyn |date=June 12, 2000 |title=Sega to launch broadband service in Japan |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/06/12/sega.broadband.idg/index.html |access-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626124624/https://www.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/06/12/sega.broadband.idg/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and early 2001 in the US.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Satterfield |first=Shane |date=January 4, 2001 |title=Dreamcast Broadband Adapter Will Be Available Online |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dreamcast-broadband-adapter-will-be-available-online/1100-2671025/ |access-date=June 22, 2020 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626232205/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dreamcast-broadband-adapter-will-be-available-online/1100-2671025/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Shahed |date=January 11, 2001 |title=Sega Releases the Dreamcast Broadband Adapter |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-releases-the-dreamcast-broadband-adapter/1100-2673469/ |access-date=June 23, 2020 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626114941/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-releases-the-dreamcast-broadband-adapter/1100-2673469/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Olafson |first=Peter |date=January 25, 2001 |title=NEWS WATCH; Faster Modem Makes Gamers Quicker on the Trigger |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/25/technology/news-watch-faster-modem-makes-gamers-quicker-on-the-trigger.html |access-date=June 23, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626140919/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/25/technology/news-watch-faster-modem-makes-gamers-quicker-on-the-trigger.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sega also produced the Dreameye, a digital camera that could be connected to the Dreamcast and used to exchange pictures and participate in [[Videotelephony|video chat]] over the internet. Sega hoped developers would use the Dreameye for future software, as some later did with Sony's similar [[EyeToy]] peripheral.<ref name="Avant-Garde" /><ref>{{cite web |date=March 6, 2000 |title=IGNDC Talks Dreameye with Sega |url=https://ign.com/articles/2000/03/07/igndc-talks-dreameye-with-sega |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207112545/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/07/igndc-talks-dreameye-with-sega |archive-date=December 7, 2014 |access-date=December 1, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> In addition, Sega investigated systems that would have allowed users to make telephone calls with the Dreamcast, and discussed with [[Motorola]] the development of an internet-enabled cell phone that would use technology from the console to enable quick downloads of games and other data.<ref name="Avant-Garde">{{cite journal|last1=Montfort|first1=Nick|last2=Consalvo|first2=Mia|title=The Dreamcast, Console of the Avant-Garde|journal=Loading... The Journal of the Canadian Game Studies Association|volume=6|number=9|pages=82–99}}</ref>

=== Storage ===
{{Main|VMU}}
In contrast to the Sega CD and Sega Saturn, which included internal backup memory,<ref name="Soothsayer" /> the Dreamcast uses a 128 kbyte [[memory card]], the [[VMU]], for data storage.<ref name="IGN VMU">{{cite web |date=August 13, 1999 |title=Dreamcast VMU |url=https://ign.com/articles/1999/08/14/dreamcast-vmu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105023644/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/14/dreamcast-vmu |archive-date=November 5, 2014 |access-date=November 5, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref name="Unified" /> The VMU features a small [[Liquid crystal display|LCD]] screen, audio output from a one-channel [[Pulse-width modulation|PWM]] sound source,<ref name="Vintage">{{cite book |last1=Loguidice |first1=Bill |title=Vintage Game Consoles: An Inside Look at Apple, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, and the Greatest Gaming Platforms of All Time |last2=Barton |first2=Matt |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-0415856003 |location=Boca Raton, Florida |page=278}}</ref> [[non-volatile memory]], a D-pad and four buttons.<ref name="Unified" /><ref name="Vintage" /><ref name="BW Peripherals" /> The VMU can present game information, be used as a minimal handheld gaming device,<ref name="Avant-Garde" /> and connect to certain Sega arcade machines.<ref name="Unified" /><ref name="Soothsayer" /><ref name="IGN VMU" /> For example, players use the VMU to call plays in ''NFL 2K'' or raise virtual pets in ''Sonic Adventure''.<ref name="Soothsayer" /><ref name="GS 2K Retro">{{cite web |last=Ekberg |first=Brian |date=August 2, 2005 |title=GameSpot Sports Classic - ''NFL 2K'' |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamespot-sports-classic-nfl-2k/1100-6130024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129041115/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamespot-sports-classic-nfl-2k/1100-6130024/ |archive-date=January 29, 2015 |access-date=November 5, 2014 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

Sega officials noted that the VMU could be used "as a private viewing area, the absence of which has prevented effective implementation of many types of games in the past".<ref name="Unified" /> After a VMU slot was incorporated into the controller's design, Sega's engineers found many additional uses for it, so a second slot was added.<ref name="Unified" /> It is generally for vibration packs providing [[Haptic technology|force feedback]],<ref name="Vintage" /> such as Sega's "Jump Pack"<ref name="BW Peripherals" /> and Performance's "Tremor Pack";<ref name="NextGen211" /> it can be used for peripherals including a microphone, enabling voice control and player communication.<ref name="Unified" /> Various third-party cards provide storage, and some contain the LCD screen addition.<ref name="NextGen211" /> [[LenovoEMC|Iomega]] announced a Dreamcast-compatible [[zip drive]] storing up to {{nowrap|100 MB}} on removable discs,<ref name="NextGen211" /> but it was never released.<ref name="RetroinspectionD" />