USB Mod

JackFrost22 · Post by **JackFrost22** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:22 pm

Does anyone know of a mod to add a usb port on the =dreamcast i heard about it on the xbox and i knew they used similar memory card ports.

omegabullit · Post by **omegabullit** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:38 pm

Unless the DC is ready for USB, i dont think you could convert a different port or bus to use it, wouldnt be fast enough.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:34 pm

The Dreamcast uses a configuration thats similar to PS/2, but if you want to make a USB, ther are adapters that go PS/2 to USB. Put one of those together with the DC to PS/2 connection.

I know its not pretty, inovative... what the hell lazy. But remember the best solutions are always the simplist.

omegabullit · Post by **omegabullit** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:16 pm

wat kind of USB device do u plan on using?

JackFrost22 · Post by **JackFrost22** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 9:56 am

thanks sparkfirst thats what i'm gonna do but the serial port on the back is a modified usb. I wanted to use it for an ethernet connection some guy in a dreamcast forum did it.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 11:02 am

JackFrost22 wrote:thanks sparkfirst thats what i'm gonna do but the serial port on the back is a modified usb. I wanted to use it for an ethernet connection some guy in a dreamcast forum did it.

So your going to use the serial port to connect the Dreamcast to a USB broadband modem. It won be as fast as if you got the LAN/Broadband adapter but it will definatly be faster then the 56k. Tell us if it works I'd like to see if its a viable option to spending $75 for the LAN/Broadband adapter.

JackFrost22 · Post by **JackFrost22** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:43 pm

Yeah i found one on ebay for $10 but the serial port connecters are sold out at lik-sang.

cennar · Post by **cennar** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 7:54 pm

yeah i saw this and thought about VMU to usb set up. that would be nice ut i never reschearched the thing.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 10:31 am

JackFrost22 wrote:thanks sparkfirst thats what i'm gonna do but the serial port on the back is a modified usb. I wanted to use it for an ethernet connection some guy in a dreamcast forum did it.

If you can remember or leave a link I'd like to see that fourm and read whatever info is on it, or just tell me what the pinout is as the serial[port] has 10 wires (USB only has 4). I'd like to figure out the hardware of the Dreamcast better (its rather odd).

Also I was looking over NetBSD's FAQ about the Dreamcast port they mention the difference between the LAN and Broadband adpaters. The LAN has a chipset that aloues for only (max.) 10mbs well the Broadband is a 10/100mbs.

Epicenter · Post by **Epicenter** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 1:10 am

The controller ports on the XBox are adaptable to USB connectors because they are USB. The XBox is a PC with added proprietary connectors and design attributes. The Dreamcast's controller ports are NOT USB based, there is no USB chipset driving them, so even if you adapt them to the same port type, they will not function.

I also believe you are quite mistaken about the ports on the back of the unit being based on USB. There are too many leads and the data transmission speed is far too low.

JackFrost22 · Post by **JackFrost22** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 8:44 am

no its afast serial port. A serial port uses the same lines as usb. but its made to be slower. I just need a caoders cable and i can test =my adapter. I think it will work

Epicenter · Post by **Epicenter** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 12:01 pm

What's a fast serial port? The ports on the Dreamcast, the XBox? You really didn't make it all that clear what it is you're trying to DO.

At any rate USB is a type of serial connection but it's not identical by any means...

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 2:17 pm

He trying to make a cable/DSL modem with a USB conneter go through the serial port on the back of the Dreamcast instead of buying an expensive (and rare) broadband adapter card (to replace the standard modem).

JackFrost22 · Post by **JackFrost22** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 4:10 pm

yeah but I might scrap it the NETBSD guys got a nic working

Post by **Sparkfist** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 7:47 pm

Yeah and I've seen one person that made a whole modem and harddrive setup that ran from the modem serial interface. It was by no means simple, and if you want a LAN/BBA adapter go to game choice club (link in doomportables) and in the search type in "LAN" its fairly cheap or go all out with the BBA. Special note, the LAN is restricted to 10mps while the BBA is a 10/100mps transfer rate.