FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions newcomers ask most often about running, maintaining, and getting the best out of a Sega Dreamcast. reference

Do I need a modchip to run homebrew?

Usually not. The Dreamcast boots self-booting discs on many units without modification, and optical drive emulators load homebrew directly from an SD card with no chip required.

Why won't my console read burned discs anymore?

The GD-ROM laser dims with age and struggles with recordable media before it struggles with pressed discs. Cleaning the lens can help; fitting an ODE removes the problem permanently.

What is the best video output?

VGA gives the sharpest progressive picture for most games but needs a VGA box and is incompatible with a few titles. RGB SCART is excellent on CRTs, and S-Video is a good universal upgrade over composite.

Will a dead VMU battery erase my saves?

No. Save data lives in non-volatile memory and survives a dead battery. Only the clock and the VMU's standalone screen features stop working until you replace the cell.

Can I play on a modern TV?

Yes, by converting VGA or RGB to HDMI with a scaler or adapter. Starting from VGA gives the cleanest result, though you must route audio separately.