Broadband adapter: Difference between revisions
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The Dreamcast '''Broadband Adapter''' ('''HIT-400''', sometimes '''HIT-401'''; HIT-401 is written on the box, but HIT-400 is on the peripheral's underside sticker), often abbreviated '''BBA''', is a 10/100mbit network adapter for the Dreamcast based on the Realtek 8139C chip. It connects to the G2 bus in place of the modem, and it was released in Japan and in the United States. Despite not seeing a release in PAL regions, some PAL game software is actually compatible with it, such as Toy Racer and Phantasy Star Online.<ref>https://www.dreamcastlive.net/games</ref> It is a different piece of hardware than the [[LAN adapter | Dreamcast LAN Adapter]]. | The Dreamcast '''Broadband Adapter''' ('''HIT-400''', sometimes '''HIT-401'''; HIT-401 is written on the box, but HIT-400 is on the peripheral's underside sticker), often abbreviated '''BBA''', is a 10/100mbit network adapter for the Dreamcast based on the Realtek 8139C chip. It connects to the G2 bus in place of the modem, and it was released in Japan and in the United States. Despite not seeing a release in PAL regions, some PAL game software is actually compatible with it, such as Toy Racer and Phantasy Star Online.<ref>https://www.dreamcastlive.net/games</ref> It is a different piece of hardware than the [[LAN adapter | Dreamcast LAN Adapter]]. | ||
Broadband Adapters were made in both black and white colors, although the black ones were only available via online order from Sega | Broadband Adapters were made in both black and white colors, although the black ones were only available via online order from CSI in Japan.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20020402231233/http://www3.csi-msp.com:80/bbsite/</ref> Fewer than 2000 black ones were made due to low demand during the window of opportunity to pre-order them (December 1, 2001 to December 28, 2001), and they cost 8,800 yen.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20011227174405/http://www3.csi-msp.com/bbsite/web/news/news54.html</ref> Also, an R7 Limited Edition console + broadband adapter bundle was sold by CSI for a limited time.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20020816021110/http://www3.csi-msp.com/bbsite/web/news/news69.html</ref> Contrary to popular belief, in Japan broadband adapters were only sold by CSI, not by Sega themselves.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20020606141349/http://www.sega.co.jp:80/bba/where.html</ref> In the US, however, they could be bought in stores. | ||
Due to their release towards the end of the Dreamcast's official lifespan, broadband adapters are somewhat uncommon peripherals and are only supported by a handful of games,<ref>https://www.dreamcastlive.net/games</ref> but they are useful for playing supported networked games and linking to a computer for programming, debugging, and dumping [[GD-ROM|GD-ROMs]]. Interestingly, by way of the broadband passport web browser, there was a method to use broadband adapters with the Dreamcast Karaoke Unit to access the DreamKara service.<ref>For some reason the text on this page is white on a white background. Highlight the whole page to see it: http://web.archive.org/web/20010413170305/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/kara/dc_kara/bba/bba.html</ref> | |||
== Tools == | == Tools == | ||
Revision as of 18:41, 14 March 2020
The Dreamcast Broadband Adapter (HIT-400, sometimes HIT-401; HIT-401 is written on the box, but HIT-400 is on the peripheral's underside sticker), often abbreviated BBA, is a 10/100mbit network adapter for the Dreamcast based on the Realtek 8139C chip. It connects to the G2 bus in place of the modem, and it was released in Japan and in the United States. Despite not seeing a release in PAL regions, some PAL game software is actually compatible with it, such as Toy Racer and Phantasy Star Online.[1] It is a different piece of hardware than the Dreamcast LAN Adapter.
Broadband Adapters were made in both black and white colors, although the black ones were only available via online order from CSI in Japan.[2] Fewer than 2000 black ones were made due to low demand during the window of opportunity to pre-order them (December 1, 2001 to December 28, 2001), and they cost 8,800 yen.[3] Also, an R7 Limited Edition console + broadband adapter bundle was sold by CSI for a limited time.[4] Contrary to popular belief, in Japan broadband adapters were only sold by CSI, not by Sega themselves.[5] In the US, however, they could be bought in stores.
Due to their release towards the end of the Dreamcast's official lifespan, broadband adapters are somewhat uncommon peripherals and are only supported by a handful of games,[6] but they are useful for playing supported networked games and linking to a computer for programming, debugging, and dumping GD-ROMs. Interestingly, by way of the broadband passport web browser, there was a method to use broadband adapters with the Dreamcast Karaoke Unit to access the DreamKara service.[7]
Tools
- dcload-ip - A program made to transfer .bin and .elf files (and srec files, if specially configured for it) over the BBA. It also provides chainloaded programs with a standard syscall interface for communicating with a networked PC. Mostly intended for homebrew development.
- httpd-ack - Most highly recommended GD-ROM dumping software
- BBRip v1.2 - Now-obsolete Windows-only GD-ROM dumping software for use with dcload-ip (it is recommended to use httpd-ack instead)
Documents
References
- ↑ https://www.dreamcastlive.net/games
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20020402231233/http://www3.csi-msp.com:80/bbsite/
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20011227174405/http://www3.csi-msp.com/bbsite/web/news/news54.html
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20020816021110/http://www3.csi-msp.com/bbsite/web/news/news69.html
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20020606141349/http://www.sega.co.jp:80/bba/where.html
- ↑ https://www.dreamcastlive.net/games
- ↑ For some reason the text on this page is white on a white background. Highlight the whole page to see it: http://web.archive.org/web/20010413170305/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/kara/dc_kara/bba/bba.html