Difference between revisions of "NetLink Internet Modem"

Revision as of 06:49, 14 October 2012

NetLink Internet Modem

Manufacturer: Sega

Release	Date	RRP	Code

NetLink, also written as Net Link was an internet service offered by Sega of America for Sega Saturn consumers in North America. NetLink had several purposes, including basic internet access, email and online gaming - a precursor to similar attempts for the Sega Dreamcast, and the many online features video game consoles have today. NetLink was exclusive to North America, though a small, unsuccessful test-run of the service occurred in Finland for a short period. In Japan there was the Sega Saturn Modem, an older (and slower) device which utilised different online services.

The NetLink service can cause confusion, as it requires both a modem and compatible disc software in order to function. A NetLink Internet Modem needs to be placed in the Saturn's cartridge slot and hooked to a phone line (similar to the earlier Sega Mega Drive XB∀ND service), but in order to be utilised, a NetLink Custom Web Browser disc (or a compatible game disc) needs to be placed in the console. This is similar to the online services of the Sega Dreamcast, however the major difference there is that the Dreamcast Modem was included with the system.

NetLink Internet Modems were sold in two forms, in a package (catelogue number 80118) containing just the modem and a NetLink Custom Web Browser disc, and alongside Model 2 Sega Saturn consoles (catelogue number 80121). Depending on the retailer, the extra NetLink Game Pack may have been thrown in as an added bonus. Also available as part of the NetLink "range" was the NetLink Mouse, NetLink Keyboard and NetLink Keyboard Adapter.

The NetLink Internet Modem is a black 28.8kbps modem, slightly below upper-end home computers with 33.6kbps connections. As with most older online services, the NetLink service will no longer function correctly in the modern age. It should also not be confused with the DirectLink accessory, also released for the Sega Saturn.

Release

Though heavily advertised, the NetLink service is seen as a failure in North America, mostly due to its high price point and lack of games that supported it. At the end of the console's run, less than five million people had purchased a Sega Saturn console, with significantly less having a Sega NetLink modem as well.

Originally the unit was priced at $400 USD when bundled with the console, $199 by itself.

While the NetLink was not the first piece of hardware to allow American gamers to get online (or at least play against others online/direct dial*), it was the first to allow players to use their own internet service provider (ISP). While Sega recommended Concentric as the ISP of choice (similar to the Sega Dreamcast when released in this region), they allowed for any ISP that met their technical specifications.

Sega's target for North America was 100,000 NetLinks, however records show that only 15,000-25,000 were actually sold. Only five games supported the peripheral in this region.

Setting up the NetLink Internet Modem

Connecting the Sega Saturn NetLink modem is very simple. Make sure that your Sega Saturn game system is correctly attached to your TV and is working properly (consult your Sega Saturn Owners Manual for help). Then locate the phone outlet closest to your Sega Saturn.

Check to make sure that the nearest phone outlet to your Sega Saturn has a dial tone.
Make sure your Sega Saturn is off.
Plug your NetLink modem into the cartridge slot of your Sega Saturn, making sure that the Sega Saturn logo on the NetLink modem is facing the front of the Saturn.
Make sure that the NetLink modem fits snugly into the slot (gently wiggle it left to right slightly to make sure that it sits firmly in the cartridge slot).
Connect one end of the included 10-meter (approximately 33 feet) phone cord to the bottom jack in the NetLink modem (labeled "Line").
Connect the other end of the included 10-meter phone cord to the nearest phone outlet with a dial tone. You may have to disconnect your phone; if so, you can plug it into the available jack on the Net Link modem (labeled with a picture of a phone). You will still be able to use the phone normally when you are not using your NetLink modem. Be careful to place the Net Link phone cord so nobody will trip over it.
Place the NetLink web browser Compact Disc software in your Sega Saturn, label side up, and close the CD door.
Turn the power to your Sega Saturn On.

You can leave the NetLink modem attached while you're using normal Sega Saturn games; the games will not damage the NetLink, and the modem will not affect the games. However, you won't be able to use a Sega Saturn Backup RAM cartridge unless you remove the NetLink modem.

Technical Specifications

Interface

Telephone Circuit
2 Wire Interface (RJ-11 Type Phone Jack)

NCU

AA Type
Pulse: (10PPS/20PPS), Tone (DTMF)

Modem

Complies with: ITU-T (V.21/V.22/V.22bis/V.23/V.32/V.32bis/V.34, V.42/V.42bis), BELL (103/212A), MNP 2-5
FSK/PSK/QAM
75, 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400, 19200, 28000bps
Transmission level less than -9dBm
Reception level 0dBm to -43dBm

Operating Conditions

Temperature level 41 F to 95 F (5 C to 35 C)
Humidity level 20% to 90%RH

Compatible Games

Gallery

US Saturn and NetLink
US NetLink adapter

Physical Scans

Saturn, US
Cover
Modem Web Browser (Version 2)

Quick Start Card

Netlinkref-1.jpg

Front Side
Netlinkref-2.jpg

Back Side

External Links

Planetweb
The Sega Saturn NetLink League -- Hook up with fellow NetLink users to play Saturn games online!
Learn Planetweb's Self-Download Feature

Sega Saturn
Topics	Technical Specifications (Hardware Comparison) \| History (Development \| Release \| Decline and legacy) \| List of games (A-M) \| List of games (N-Z) \| Magazine articles \| Promotional material \| Merchandise
Hardware	Japan \| North America \| Western Europe \| Eastern Europe \| South America \| Asia \| South Korea \| Australasia \| Africa HiSaturn Navi \| SunSeibu SGX \| Sega Titan Video
Add-ons	Backup Memory (third-party) \| Sega PriFun \| Video CD Card (third-party) \| Extended RAM Cartridge (third-party) \| Twin Advanced ROM System
Controllers	Control Pad \| Control Pad (Australia) \| 3D Control Pad \| Arcade Racer \| Infrared Control Pad \| Mission Stick \| Shuttle Mouse \| Twin Stick \| Virtua Gun \| Virtua Stick \| Virtua Stick Pro
Online Services/Add-ons	NetLink Internet Modem (NetLink Keyboard \| NetLink Keyboard Adapter \| NetLink Mouse) \| Saturn Modem (Floppy Drive \| Keyboard)
Connector Cables	21 Pin RGB Cable \| Monaural AV Cable \| RF Unit \| Stereo AV Cable \| S-Video Cable \| Taisen Cable
Development Hardware	Programming Box \| Sound Box \| E7000 \| CartDev \| SNASM2 \| Address Checker \| PSY-Q Development System \| MIRAGE Universal CD Emulator
Misc. Hardware	6Player \| SBom Multitap‎ \| Saturn region converter cartridges \| Action Replay \| Pro Action Replay \| Action Replay Plus \| X-Terminator (Version 3) \| S-S Promoter \| Other cartridges

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{AccessoryBob
-| accessoryimage=NetLink_Japan.jpg
+| accessoryimage=Saturn_netlink.jpg
-| imgwidth=320
+| imgwidth=
 | accessoryprogramscreen=
 | title=
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 | romsize=
 | releases={{releases
-| sat_date_jp=199x
-| sat_code_jp=HSS-0127
 | sat_date_us=199x
+| sat_code_us=80118
 | sat_rrp_us=199
 }}
 }}
-'''Sega NetLink''' ('''Sega Saturn Modem''' in Japan) is a modem attachment for the [[Sega Saturn]] which allows the system to connect to the internet. It is a continuation of the [[XB∀ND]] project, originally released for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] in North America.
+'''NetLink''', also written as '''Net Link''' was an internet service offered by [[Sega of America]] for [[Sega Saturn]] consumers in North America. NetLink had several purposes, including basic internet access, email and online gaming - a precursor to similar attempts for the [[Sega Dreamcast]], and the many online features video game consoles have today. NetLink was exclusive to North America, though a small, unsuccessful test-run of the service occurred in Finland for a short period. In Japan there was the [[Sega Saturn Modem]], an older (and slower) device which utilised different online services.
-The Sega NetLink came in two flavours, a black 28.8 kbps model for North America, and a grey 14.4 kbps model for Japan (at the time, home computers were reaching 33.6 kbps). Both contained a simple web browser and email client and both were designed to be placed in the Saturn's cartridge port. No models were released in PAL regions, bar a small test-run in Finland which proved to be unsuccessful.
+The NetLink service can cause confusion, as it requires both a modem and compatible disc software in order to function. A '''NetLink Internet Modem''' needs to be placed in the Saturn's cartridge slot and hooked to a phone line (similar to the earlier [[Sega Mega Drive]] [[XB∀ND]] service), but in order to be utilised, a [[NetLink Custom Web Browser]] disc (or a compatible game disc) needs to be placed in the console. This is similar to the online services of the [[Sega Dreamcast]], however the major difference there is that the [[Dreamcast Modem]] was included with the system.
-As with most older online services, the Sega NetLink will no longer function correctly in the modern age. It should also not be confused with the [[DirectLink]], also released for the Sega Saturn.
+NetLink Internet Modems were sold in two forms, in a package (catelogue number 80118) containing just the modem and a NetLink Custom Web Browser disc, and alongside Model 2 Sega Saturn consoles (catelogue number 80121). Depending on the retailer, the extra [[NetLink Game Pack]] may have been thrown in as an added bonus. Also available as part of the NetLink "range" was the [[NetLink Mouse]], [[NetLink Keyboard]] and [[NetLink Keyboard Adapter]].
+The NetLink Internet Modem is a black 28.8kbps modem, slightly below upper-end home computers with 33.6kbps connections. As with most older online services, the NetLink service will no longer function correctly in the modern age. It should also not be confused with the [[DirectLink]] accessory, also released for the Sega Saturn.
 ==Release==
-===North America===
+Though heavily advertised, the NetLink service is seen as a failure in North America, mostly due to its high price point and lack of games that supported it. At the end of the console's run, less than five million people had purchased a Sega Saturn console, with significantly less having a Sega NetLink modem as well.
-Though heavily advertised, the Sega NetLink is seen as a failure in North America, mostly due to its high price point and lack of games to support it. At the end of the console's run, less than five million people had purchased a Sega Saturn console, with significantly less having a Sega NetLink modem as well.
-Originally the unit was priced at $400 USD when bundled with the console, $199 by itself. Later a package also existed including just NetLink software, which found itself priced at $200 before being lowered to $99 in the months that followed.
+Originally the unit was priced at $400 USD when bundled with the console, $199 by itself.
 While the NetLink was not the first piece of hardware to allow American gamers to get online (or at least play against others online/direct dial*), it was the first to allow players to use their own internet service provider (ISP). While Sega recommended Concentric as the ISP of choice (similar to the [[Sega Dreamcast]] when released in this region), they allowed for any ISP that met their technical specifications.
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 Sega's target for North America was 100,000 NetLinks, however records show that only 15,000-25,000 were actually sold. Only five games supported the peripheral in this region.
-===Japan===
+==Setting up the NetLink Internet Modem==
-Little is known about the Sega Saturn Modem performance in Japan, however the unit was engineered slightly differently. There is a card "holder", designed for use with "Saturn media cards" (priced at 2,000 yen each) containing pre-paid credits. One game credit was worth roughly 20 yen.
-There are more Japanese games which make use of the peripheral. Games that support it sport a "SegaSaturn Networks" logo on the box.
-==Compatible Hardware==
-The NetLink is compatible with a variety of other peripherals, most of whom also failed to sell in large quantities. These include a [[Saturn Mouse|mouse]], [[Sega Saturn Keyboard|keyboard]], [[Sega Saturn Floppy Disk Drive|floppy drive]] and [[Sega-Koei Word Processor Set|printer cable]]. Packages existed bundling several of these peripherals together.
-==Setting up the Sega Saturn NetLink Modem==
 Connecting the Sega Saturn NetLink modem is very simple. Make sure that your Sega Saturn game system is correctly attached to your TV and is working properly (consult your Sega Saturn Owners Manual for help). Then locate the phone outlet closest to your Sega Saturn.
@@ Line 44: / Line 36: @@
 #Check to make sure that the nearest phone outlet to your Sega Saturn has a dial tone.
 #Make sure your Sega Saturn is off.
-#Plug your NetLink modem into the cartridge slot of your Sega Saturn, making sure that the Sega Saturn logo on the NetLink modem is facing the front of the Saturn (see diagram below).
+#Plug your NetLink modem into the cartridge slot of your Sega Saturn, making sure that the Sega Saturn logo on the NetLink modem is facing the front of the Saturn.
 #Make sure that the NetLink modem fits snugly into the slot (gently wiggle it left to right slightly to make sure that it sits firmly in the cartridge slot).
 #Connect one end of the included 10-meter (approximately 33 feet) phone cord to the bottom jack in the NetLink modem (labeled "Line").
@@ Line 52: / Line 44: @@
 You can leave the NetLink modem attached while you're using normal Sega Saturn games; the games will not damage the NetLink, and the modem will not affect the games. However, you won't be able to use a Sega Saturn Backup RAM cartridge unless you remove the NetLink modem.
-==NetLink Software==
-===Netlink WebBrowser 2.0===
-Comes packaged with the NetLink itself. Supports all HTML 2.0 tags, and most HTML 3.0 tags. Unable to view framed webpages, and does not support IRC chat. Somewhat comparable to early versions of Netscape.
-===NetLink WebBrowser 3.0===
-Comes packaged with the NetLink game package. Adds support for the viewing of framed pages, sorta. All it really does is allow you to access each frame individually, but not view them all at once. Also adds a fairly basic IRC client. This IRC client is crippled in that it can't connect to major servers like DALnet and EFnet.
-===NetLink WebBrowser Golden 1.135===
-Same code as 3.0 except no CD was ever pressed and it does not include the "NetLink City" front page. Available for download from Planetweb's site.
-===NetLink Beta 4.035===
-Adds SSL support for secure online ordering. Available for download on Planetweb's site. This is the final version of the NetLink Browser that will be offered. No CD was ever pressed, meaning you have to redownload it each time you want to use the NetLink (It's not worth it in my opinion).
 ==Technical Specifications==
@@ Line 91: / Line 66: @@
 ==Compatible Games==
-===North America===
 *''[[Daytona USA: CCE NetLink Edition]]''
 *''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]''
@@ Line 97: / Line 71: @@
 *''[[Sega Rally]]''
 *''[[Virtual-On]]''
-===Japan===
-*''[[Daytona USA Circuit Edition]]''
-*''[[DecAthlete]]''
-*''[[Dennou Senki Virtual-On]]''
-*''[[Dennou Senki Virtual-On Media Card Pack]]''
-*''[[Habitat II]]''
-*''[[Pad Nifty]]''
-*''[[Pad Nifty 1.1 & Habitat II]]''
-*''[[Puyo Puyo Sun]]''
-*''[[Puzzle Bobble 3]]''
-*''[[Saturn Bomberman]]''
-*''[[Sega Rally Championship Plus]]''
-*''[[Sega Saturn Internet 2]]''
-*''[[Sega Saturn Internet Vol.1]]''
-*''[[Sega Worldwide Soccer '98]]''
-*''[[Shadows of the Tusk]]''
-*''[[Special Disc with Sega Saturn Internet 2]]''
-*''[[Virtua Fighter Remix]]''
 ==Gallery==
@@ Line 123: / Line 78: @@
 </gallery>
 ==Physical Scans==
-<gallery>
+{{Scanbox
-Image:Sega Saturn netlink us box.jpg|US box (front)
+| console=Saturn
-File:Saturn HSS-0127 box-1.jpg|JP box (back)
+| region=US
-</gallery>
+| front=NetLinkInternetModem Saturn US Box Front.jpg
-===US Quick Start Card===
+| item1=Saturn_netlink.jpg
+| item1name=Modem
+| item2=Notavailable.svg
+| item2name=[[NetLink Custom Web Browser|Web Browser]] (Version 2)
+}}
+===Quick Start Card===
 <gallery>
 File:Netlinkref-1.jpg|Front Side
 File:Netlinkref-2.jpg|Back Side
 </gallery>
 == External Links ==
 *[http://www.planetweb.com Planetweb]
@@ Line 137: / Line 98: @@
 *[http://www.gue-tech.org/darkgrue/attic/sega/saturn/internet/ Learn Planetweb's Self-Download Feature]
 {{Saturn}}
-[[Category:Saturn accessories]]