Dreamcast DVD - Possible?

Post by **jbltecnicspro** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:45 pm

Ok, so here's the deal: The Dreamcast didn't have the best drive in the world, and it tends to wear out over time. My question is this: is it possible to modify the Dreamcast with a DVD laser and motor, instead of the current GD-ROM, or does the BIOS depend on the presence of the GD-Rom drive (making this "quick" mod into a long and complicated one)? Also, I know this has probably been covered before, but what exactly happens to the GD-ROM drive over time, and what, if any, are some conventional fixes for the issue?

Post by **ZenLogikos** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:57 am

I'm not aware of any specific issue, but generally speaking, anything mechanical will eventually wear out in time. Parts rubbing/grinding against parts, heat warping, dirt accumulating, electron migration wearing out integrated circuits, etc. Myriad things factor into it. Nothing lasts forever.

Post by **GagaMan** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:23 am

Sadly, if it was as easy as you make it sound, someone would have done it by now.

Post by **d123456** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:37 am

I heard this is near impossible. Let it go!
maybe in 10 years time

Post by **NebachadnezzaR** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:25 pm

This is an old question and everytime it pops up again the answer remains the same: it's pretty much impossible.

Post by **Zer** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:35 pm

Pretty sure the GDR drive is a bit too... deep in the Dreamcast's board. It's possible, but it's about as possible as putting a DVD on a SegaCD or Neo Geo CD.

Besides, the only benefit to a DVD drive would be more storage, because DVD playback isn't as simple as one might think, if I recall correctly a decoder chip or a CPU fast enough is required and the DC lacks the chip of course and I don't think it'd do well using software considering it can't even play a Divx movie with good FPS and sound. You'd be better off finding a way to load games off the BBA or serial or something; DVD just isn't worth it.

Post by **Pullmyfinger** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:12 pm

It would be too complicated to make it work, that and an HDD too, we are actually lucky that the VHS tapes work.

Post by **nateup2** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:48 pm

It sounds like a fun project with very little logic. For as complicated as it would be, just buy a few extra DCs for spare drives.

Or follow the advice of my brother above and pick up a Tapecast addon, or the Lasrcast when it comes out.

Post by **D.D.D.** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:37 am

Pullmyfinger wrote:It would be too complicated to make it work, that and an HDD too, we are actually lucky that the VHS tapes work.

ROFL!

Post by **nick944** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:41 pm

Pullmyfinger wrote:It would be too complicated to make it work, that and an HDD too, we are actually lucky that the VHS tapes work.

Though a HDD has been made, only works with Dreamcast Linux or specifically designed games.