Best products from r/dreamcast

Thanks so much for the review! I have this one currently: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008COJXHC?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and I use it on my 1080p screen, but when I use it it's so much darker than going straight through VGA. Question for you - I'll be likely getting a 4K tv at somepoint and those don't have VGA ports... would you recommend that mini VGA to HDMI converter? I'm a pretty casual gamer but would love the optimal visuals if I can

Edit: just read your review of the mini converter. It looks to me like it's more of the picture I'd be looking for! Thanks again

Taiyo Yuden. Are considered the best. There are a few different partners for TY but JVC is supposed to be the best version. But they are all speciality disc and not as easy to get as verbatim. For Standard consumer discs, verbatim are considered to be the best. Different media has different sweet spots on write speeds. Memorex CD-rs work just fine on the dreamcast on low burn speeds with a good burner. Just read up on how CD's are burned and it should help with figuring out read problems of back ups.

Also, did you download the root file from the usbgdrom site? There's a file that has to be on the USB in order for it to run properly.

If you have, move on to USB sticks. I ordered a couple different USB drives before I found one that would work. The one I've actually had the best luck with is a USB microsd reader. I put a 400GB micro sd in it and it works perfect.

Here's the one I'm using:
CY Mini Size 5Gbps Super Speed... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016W4M5BE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And the micro sd card:
SanDisk Ultra 400GB microSDXC... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074RNRM2B?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Good luck.

Where are you located? Have you tried looking for independent game stores in your area? Sometimes they have some good deals, and even if they cost a little more, it might be worth it just to be able to check out the condition of the used merchandise before you buy it.

Are there any specific games you are looking for? $15+ is a pretty typical price tag for the more uncommon or high-demand titles, but there's still a lot of great stuff out there that can be picked up on the cheap. Amazon Marketplace is a great place to go for deals, and often times you can find new copies of games for around $10 or less. Right now you can get a new copy of Chu Chu Rocket for $3.94, a new copy of of Jet Grind Radio for $10.99, a new copy of Phantasy Star Online (it has an off-line game too) for $3.20, a new copy of Space Channel 5 for $4.49, a new copy of Tennis 2K2 for $3.34, a new copy of Test Drive Le Mans for $0.01, and a new copy of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater for $9.99.

I also have a Bravia and I have had success using this with this adaptor and it's been working great. Good luck!

Nice post. I am in the US and my set up is

Tomee VGA cable
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HPU96FI/ref=sr_rp_1?m=A26BKZHHS8SI0Z&ie=UTF8&qid=1457962972&sr=sr-1&keywords=tomee+vga

Etekcity VGA to HDMI upscaler
http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity%C2%AE-Scaler-Converter-Adapter-Laptop/dp/B008COJXHC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457963006&sr=8-1&keywords=etekcity+vga

Also need this to convert the audio
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0141KPE50?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

It works great and looks amazing seeing the DC in 1080p. The only issue I had is to make sure you plug the VGA cable in tightly. It fits more snugly than it is supposed to and if it isn't pushed in all the way, it won't work.

https://www.amazon.com/XBERSTAR-Optical-Simulation-Dreamcast-Machine-Generation/dp/B07G11VW1Z/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=GDEMU&qid=1568905001&sr=8-8

This is the one I bought. Is it more expensive? Yes. But... does it have Amazon Prime 2 day delivery? Yes. Does it have Amazon backed return policies? Yes. I mean, it's totally worth it, in my opinion.

What are you trying to output to? HDTV? CRT monitor? Because sometimes the VGA is a minimal difference on HD displays, either that or you get excessive smudging and it could actually look worse. Then you'd have to introduce an upscaler such as the XRGB mini and since you're on a budget don't even look up the price of that device.

But if you are going straight into a CRT then just about anything will work but I'd recommend a "box" over "cable" any day. Just make sure you've got corresponding speakers to connect to your respective "box". Some have a 3.5mm audio jack and some have Stereo Out (red & white).

Holy Grail VGA - http://www.beharbros.com/#!hanzo/c1gph

Average Grade VGA - http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000SL4IIG/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/185-2730549-1115359?fp=1&pc_redir=1427455287

Absolute Crap VGA cable - http://www.amazon.com/Tomee-Sega-VGA-Cable-Sound-Adapter/dp/B00HPU96FI

Hope this helps!

for the noctua fan mod u need the fan & 3d printed mount, as for the picopsu & gdemu here's few a links for them

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noctua fan- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Noctua-NF-A4x10-5V-Premium-Quiet-Fan-3-Pin-5V-Version-40x10mm-Brown/322236820992?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

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noctua 3d printed parts- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dreamcast-Noctua-Fan-Mount-Kit/273766717721?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3Dff8d1a32c5074eb7addc96d4e62fda19%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D183832533802%26itm%3D273766717721%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

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picopsu- https://www.ebay.com/itm/PicoDreamcast-V1-1-PicoPSU-mod-for-Sega-Dreamcast/273813870667?hash=item3fc094184b:g:gPwAAOSwozpcuhIZ

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gdemu- https://www.ebay.com/itm/GDEMU-Optical-Drive-Board-Card-Repair-Part-V5-15-For-SEGA-DC-DreamcastHost-Game/333124384430?hash=item4d8fc2b6ae:g:eFUAAOSwASRckeF4

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sandisk 128gb microsd- https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-128GB-microSDXC-Memory-Adapter/dp/B073JYC4XM

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& a power adapter for the picopsu if u live in US- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aukru-12V-2A-Power-Supply-Adapter-AC-to-DC-5-5mm-x-2-5mm-US-12V2A-5525-1-5m-LED/312698755511?hash=item48ce4c59b7:g:Z24AAOSw~RldKlhS

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get everything i've listed & your good to go search google for the gdemu sd card maker tho to put your GDI or CDI dreamcast or personal GDI ripped games on your sd card to play

I had some burning issues at first. I ended up using a better quality disk and haven't had a dud since. These are the best you can get. I bought Taiyo Yuden disks and have had excellent results. Get them now, because they have been discontinued.

I'm not an expert so I defer to Google in that regards. The Akira is supposed to be good. I use a aftermarket VGA cable to upscaler. It has some issues but it definitely looks better than AV cables. Check the links below for what I currently use.

Retro-Bit Dreamcast - Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BF74KOS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kAiJAbKSZDJV5

HDE VGA w/Audio to HDMI Video Scaler Converter Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009L4X3ZA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IAiJAbDHF66SJ

Since VGA is Analog and DP is Digital, you usually need a powered adapter. Also, all the adapters I've found have been DP to VGA, not the other way around. When dealing with VGA the direction is important. I think you could possibly do it with a VGA to HDMI adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/VicTsing-Converter-Adapter-Output-Female/dp/B00K4W62R4/

Followed by a HDMI to Displayport cable.

https://www.amazon.com/Rankie-DisplayPort-Cable-Resolution-Ready/dp/B00Z05JMKO/

The best route might be a Dreamcast to HDMI adapter

https://www.amazon.com/HD-Link-Cable-Dreamcast/dp/B07BZP7HML

followed by a female HDMI to Displayport.

https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Adapter-Benfei-Converter-Gold-Plated/dp/B017Q8ZVWK/

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It's certainly possible, but it'll be a bit more work than I think you envisioned.

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Edit - P.S. Be sure that the Displayport on your iMac is a displayport in and not a displayport out.

P.P.S. It seems the Female HDMI to Displayport might be one direction as well, DP-->HDMI

any clones that have better recommendations ?

https://www.amazon.ca/Tangxi-Simulation-Dreamcast-Generation-Replacement/dp/B07SBW9VRP/ref=sr_1_5?crid=7FET90B3GHNC&keywords=dreamcast+gdemu&qid=1568199486&s=gateway&sprefix=dreamcast+g%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-5

yeah I agree I like them being cheaper but I also want to make sure I get a board that works

Hi there, I bought this a couple of months ago and works wonders!!! it accepts VGA input and component inputs so you can upscale PS2, Dreamcast, OG Xbox among others to 1080p 60-htz, cant recommend it enough!.

Here is a link to a video of mine showing 18 Wheeler played of my Dreamcast using VGA upscaled to 720p, enjoy!

The easy answer is that you need to buy one of THESE and then plug it in to one of THESE.


For more money, you can buy a better quality VGA box, and a better quality upscaler. You could even get a VGA to HDMI converter and skip component altogether, if your TV has HDMI.

If you want a full history of Sega, this book is amazing:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Service-Games-Rise-Fall-Enhanced/dp/1494288354

So much detail on how Sega started, the specs of their consoles, the literal rise and fall of the company. Really good book!

I've just got one of the cheap silver VGA/S Video switch boxes for my dreamcast, and a decent VGA cable isn't much, obviously it's not going to be outputting high resolutions so doesn't need to be fancy. It's just the HDMI converter you want to spend a bit more on to avoid picture quality issues. It's one of those devices where you get what you pay for. Thankfully the dreamcast doesn't constantly switch video output like some systems do, it's just the screen centering that I've noticed can be off.


At the cheapest end you can find boxes like this on Amazon, but it's worth shopping around for the reviews. It tends to be the built in scaling that causes issues in them.


Portta PETVHS VGA + Stereo to HDMI Converter up Scaler v1.3 support 720P/1080p https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ATNF346/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pVxuDbF6B4TTR

Works perfectly for me. Combined with a cheap VGA-HDMI converter linked below. Perfectly crisp video and no glitches so far even on a cheapo 13" Dynex TV. Got other TV's in the house I need to also test with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009L4X3ZA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SK85NGH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sGngDb97RCTET

Maybe this? I don't have one but it seems like a good option

The Dreamcast's fan is just loud. I replaced mine with a quiet noctua fan, like shown here: https://youtu.be/eOP3ZDUX7Y8?t=964

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dreamcast-Noctua-Fan-Mod-Kit-Fan-not-included/273555906598?hash=item3fb133e026:m:mUxo_Y-G4mG5Ye6q1-BeifA:rk:1:pf:

https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-Cooling-Bearing-NF-A4X10-FLX-5V/dp/B00NEMGCIA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542691138&sr=8-1&keywords=B00NEMGCIA

I've got my Samsung 256GB SDXC working perfectly fine with GDEMU. It's important to properly format your card to Fat32. Try an app called GUIFORMAT.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Audio-Scaler-Converter-Adapter/dp/B009L4X3ZA

It says upscaler but I highly doubt it. My tv reports HDMI with a resolution of 640x480. Takes a little power brick (included) and plugs in the VGA +audio out from tomee/retrobit cables, then outputs with an HDMI cable.

My tv never has issues with the signal.

Good luck! Btw shipping without prime took ages, with prime I bet it would be snappy

Hi all,

Just a quick update. The Kaico DreamCast HDMI Adaptor Revision 3 has just landed in Amazon US FBA Centre and are now on the website : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SK85NGH

We should also have them live on Amazon UK and both eBay.co.uk and eBay.com by the end of the week :)

I have this one from Amazon works great, a must have if you have to read lots of text or frequently use a shell on your DC.

Just get a VGA cable...I have the Tomee VGA cable and it works great.

https://www.amazon.com/Tomee-Sega-VGA-Cable-Sound-Adapter/dp/B00HPU96FI

This just arrived yesterday and it works great hooked up to my monitor I usually have my desktop plugged into.

POUND HD Link Cable for Sega Dreamcast https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BZP7HML/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2wRUCbMC6VTGP

https://www.amazon.com/Tomee-Sega-VGA-Cable-Sound-Adapter/dp/B00HPU96FI

Lots of 1-star reviews for this one as well. Like with everything retro gaming, it's never easy and YMMV ;-)

Is this converter box any good?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009L4X3ZA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3V6BK4D0HKA8F&psc=1

I'd prefer to buy exclusively on amazon.

This is the fan I bought:
Noctua NF-A4x10 5V, Premium Quiet Fan, 3-Pin, 5V Version (40x10mm, Brown) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEMGCIA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_a55DDbK4QMAYZ

Can you tell if I need an adapter?

Also, I want to have the capacitors & the battery replaced

It was dead before they were even around. The Dreamcast was doing pretty well in the US, but sold poorly in Japan as consumers waited for the PS2. And when it did poorly in Japan, SoJ basically killed it and didn’t support SoA.

While there was an overlap in time between the DC and the PS2, it’s fate was sealed by the time the PS2 launched.

This is a great account of the history of Sega: Service Games: The Rise and Fall of SEGA: Enhanced Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1494288354/

I use the RetroBit VGA cable and despite needing to kind of force it in the first time, the picture quality is fantastic. I don't have it hooked up to an HDMI converter, though.

You could always just buy a Dreamcast HDMI cable these days.

Maybe a VGA to HDMI converter? I went for this option and I’m really happy with it. Check out Portta’s HDMI scaler, it’s out of stock now but it’s a viable option!

P.S: note that you will need a DC VGA cable too! Price for the whole set would be around 50€/60$

I discovered that the Samsung Micro SD card I’ve been using is stuck in a read-only mode, which has been very difficult to remove so far.

After a bunch of troubleshooting, I determined that the Samsung-branded adapter that came with the Micro SD card is faulty. On a hunch, I put card in an old SanDisk-branded adapter and the read-only protection went away.

I’m currently in the process of wiping the card again, just for good measure. I’m using a free program called MiniTool Partition Wizard to verify/fix everything.

thanks guys! so i can just get a vga box with this: https://www.amazon.com/VicTsing-Output-1080P-Converter-Adapter/dp/B00K4W62R4/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1467908380&sr=1-6&keywords=vga+to+hdmi

and ill be fine???

Only cards up to 32GB are officially supported but most larger cards work fine.

I use this 400GB card ($65) for all retail games:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074RNRM2B/

I use this 128GB card ($28) for homebrew/indies/hacks/protos/experimenting/etc.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015IYWJWO/

That's a GDEMU drive replacement. It plugs into the connector that the GD-ROM drive would normally connect to. Mine is a clone of the original that I got on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G11VW1Z/

The white part around it is a 3D printed enclosure. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1585333

Edit: If you do go with a clone route for GDEMU, don't update the firmware. Just leave it. It works.

I bought this one:

Noctua NF-A4x10 5V - 3-Pin Premium Quiet Fan (40mm, Brown) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NEMGCIA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5I-YCbGEYGVG9

You should be able to run your dreamcast through hdmi with better graphics for 60 bucks, you simply need these three things...

http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-1080p-HDMI-Scaling-Converter/dp/B008COJXHC/ref=pd_cp_e_0
http://www.amazon.com/Tomee-Sega-VGA-Cable-Sound-Adapter/dp/B00HPU96FI
And then a tiny audio adapter in order to connect the cables and have the audio go through hdmi, http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Male-RCA-Female-Discontinued/dp/B0018MI5F6/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1406852313&sr=1-3&keywords=red+white+audio+to+3.5mm

The Etekcity can do 720p but for some reason 1080 does not work. I first bought a Panlong, it did not work for me. The picture would show in 720 and 1080 but it scrolls diagonally and could not be fixed. I then bought the Etekcity, and although it only works in 720 it still looks ridiculously nicer than standard. I assumed it would barely be noticeable but it is a lot, though if you never played dreamcast the standard way it might not seem all that big of a deal.

Let the TV do the upscaling. Those TVs do upscaling great and any cable will be far worse at upscaling than the TV. Use the HDMI cable I bought here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BZP7HML/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just bought one of these, but ultimately I want to get a VGA-to-HDMI converter.

Should I have gotten the VGA Box instead?

I use a Retro Cast VGA cable I got off ebay for $10 and this VGA to HDMI converter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009L4X3ZA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_taa_hJPvzb7HHEFER

It works just fine for me.

I use these just fine. Never had a problem with the two TVs I have that have VGA hook ups

Amazon Prime is the fastest way :p https://amzn.com/B07G11VW1Z

They are cheaper elsewhere ($107 on Amazon), but you get Amazon's return policy if it blows.

DCHDMI, but if you don't have the money for it, get this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SK85NGH/

I was thinking get one of these or this. Thoughts?

Buy This:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SL4IIG/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hook it up to this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008COJXHC/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I saw a few videos on YouTube using this one, so I went with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009L4X3ZA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is it this one?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPU96FI/ref=s9_simh_gw_p63_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0QZJ1N46KC8TEV21HX7P&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200422&pf_rd_i=507846

https://www.amazon.com/HD-Link-Cable-Dreamcast-Sega/dp/B07BZP7HML/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1528125598&sr=8-1&keywords=pound+dreamcast&dpID=41NTgdULamL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&linkCode=sl1&tag=metaljcom0e-20&linkId=8d1e95cb1487e8913f4ad8d95f4653ba#customerReviews

?

Is this the cable I am looking for?
https://www.amazon.com/HD-Link-Cable-Dreamcast/dp/B07BZP7HML/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538963231&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=pound+hdmi+cable+dreamcast&dpPl=1&dpID=41s0wczCWGL&ref=plSrch

was it this one you got? I've got the same issue and i've got a Toro from beahbros with VGA to a HDMI scaler which works on my monitor but my elgato cannot pick it up due to it being a 640 x 480 image
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ATNF346/ref=psdc_430441031_t1_B008I03ZEM

This is the scaler/convertor
Portta HDMI Converter Up-scales VGA... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ATNF346?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

And its just a generic Chinese vga cable

I'm using 390GB/400GB.

3 times I just tested the time it took from pressing the power button, to arriving at the GDMenu screen. It was reliably 16 seconds each time.

This is the SD card I'm using.

You should search on OfferUp or Facebook marketplace to find the Dreamcast if you can! There is a way to connect a USB keyboard to the Dreamcast, but it's a pain. Everything else is an eBay thing to get!

Also, don't get the VGA to HDMI thing! I would recommend going for this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BZP7HML/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fXyTBbM941B0C

Does your TV have a hdmi port? You could buy a hdmi dreamcast cord POUND HD Link Cable for Sega Dreamcast https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BZP7HML/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_57xBCbENXH6D7

This might work for you.

So idk if I'm getting this right your trying to use a RF cord to display the dreamcast but since you use RF to get your TV channels it's kinda blocking them if you have both plugged in the same time?? Here in the US there is nothing on channel 3 so when you set the RF cord to channel 3 it will display on that. (I could be talking about something completely so disregard that if that's not what we are talking about lol)