Difference between revisions of "Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit"

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| publisher=[[Sega]]
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| developer=[[WebTV Networks]]
 
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{{stub}}'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (マイクロソフト ウェブ・ティービー接続キット), or simply '''WebTV for Dreamcast''', is a Japanese-only disc that allowed users of [[Microsoft]]'s [[wikipedia:MSN TV|WebTV]] service to access the Internet from their [[Sega Dreamcast]]. The disc used the [[Windows CE]] capabilities of the Dreamcast to run a port of the WebTV client technology, with the browser engine assumed to be based off of [[wikipedia:Internet Explorer|Internet Explorer]] 2.0. The complementing service for the software is believed to have debuted in Spring 1999. At the time of its release, the WebTV browser was an improvement over Sega's bundled [[Dream Passport]] software. By the release of Dream Passport 3, however, the Sega browser became more capable than WebTV.
  
−
[[File:WebTV_screenshot.jpg|thumb|right|WebTV service on WebTV for Dreamcast, as seen in Fall 1998.]]
+
As the software requires the Japanese WebTV service to work, which shut down sometime in March 2002 (compared to the prolonged lifespan of the American service, which lasted from 1996 all the way into September 2013), Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit is no longer usable officially.
−
'''WebTV for Dreamcast''', known officially as '''Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit''' (マイクロソフト ウェブ・ティービー接続キット), is a Japanese-only disc that allowed users of [[Microsoft]]'s [[wikipedia:WebTV|WebTV]] service to access the Internet from their [[Sega Dreamcast]]. The disc used the [[Windows CE]] capabilities of the Dreamcast to run a port of the WebTV client technology, with the browser engine assumed to be based off of [[wikipedia:Internet Explorer|Internet Explorer]] 2.0. The complementing service for the software is believed to have debuted in Spring 1999. At the time of its release, the WebTV browser was an improvement over Sega's bundled [[Dream Passport]] software. By the release of Dream Passport 3, however, the Sega browser became more capable than WebTV.
 
  
−
As the software requires the Japanese WebTV service to work, which has been defunct for several years by now (possibly by or before the September 2013 shutdown of the American WebTV/MSN TV service), WebTV for Dreamcast can no longer be used for the time being.
+
==Versions==
 +
There were only ever two major releases of Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit. The one released at launch, which was simply titled '''Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit''' (マイクロソフト ウェブ・ティービー接続キット), and a later revision released in December of 1999 that added 128-bit SSL capabilities not present in the launch disc, aptly named '''Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit 128bit SSL Compatible Version''' (マイクロソフト ウェブ・ティービー接続キット 128bit SSL対応版). The currently known methods of officially obtaining the WebTV Connection Kit disc that were available back in the day were mailing a special postcard that came with Japanese Dreamcast units, or e-mailing an address operated by WebTV with a specific subject line.{{ref|[http://web.archive.org/web/19990508215546/http://www.webtv.co.jp/webtvdc/start01.html WebTV for Dreamcast] (Japanese)}}. The launch disc has a yellow label with black and silver elements, while the 128-bit SSL upgrade disc is almost entirely silver with black elements. Both releases have since been dumped in GDI format.
  
−
==Releases==
+
In total, there are four known Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit prints, each believed to have their own user agent:{{ref|[https://web.archive.org/web/20020804134733/http://nagoya.cool.ne.jp/infinite/column/HTTP_USER_AGENT.html INFINITE DREAM - SEGA Dreamcast Browser List] (Japanese)}}
−
There were only ever two major releases of WebTV for Dreamcast. The one released at launch, which was simply titled '''Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit''' (マイクロソフト ウェブ・ティービー接続キット), and a later revision released in December of 1999 that added 128-bit SSL capabilities not present in the launch disc, aptly named '''Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit 128bit SSL Compatible Version''' (マイクロソフト ウェブ・ティービー接続キット 128bit SSL対応版). The currently known methods of officially obtaining the WebTV for Dreamcast disc that were available back in the day were mailing a special postcard that came with Japanese Dreamcast units, or e-mailing an address operated by WebTV with a specific subject line.{{ref|[http://web.archive.org/web/19990508215546/http://www.webtv.co.jp/webtvdc/start01.html WebTV for Dreamcast] (Japanese)}}. The launch disc has a yellow label with black and silver elements, while the 128-bit SSL upgrade disc is almost entirely silver with black elements. Both releases have since been dumped in GDI format.
 
−
 
 
−
In total, there are believed to be four known WebTV for Dreamcast prints, each with their own user agent:
 
  
 
*WebTV/1.0 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)
 
*WebTV/1.0 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)
Line 45: Line 43:
  
 
The 610-7117 and 610-7391 prints have thick, but standard size jewel cases, while 610-7390 just has a standard CD jewel case (like most Dreamcast games used) to house the disc. The 610-7390 print also doesn't include an instruction manual like the 610-7117 print does (and the 610-7391 print might have). This might hint that the 610-7390 print was intended to be shipped to those already subscribed to the WebTV service in Japan before the 128-bit SSL upgrade was published.
 
The 610-7117 and 610-7391 prints have thick, but standard size jewel cases, while 610-7390 just has a standard CD jewel case (like most Dreamcast games used) to house the disc. The 610-7390 print also doesn't include an instruction manual like the 610-7117 print does (and the 610-7391 print might have). This might hint that the 610-7390 print was intended to be shipped to those already subscribed to the WebTV service in Japan before the 128-bit SSL upgrade was published.
 +
 +
There has also been mention that a copy of the launch WebTV disc without a full manual exists. Confirmation that this claim is true has not been verified yet, however.
  
 
==Magazine articles==
 
==Magazine articles==
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
==="Luck'n Luck WebTV"===
 +
The postcards for requesting the Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit that were bundled with Japanese Dreamcast units came attached with a small flyer titled "Luck'n Luck WebTV" (らくらくウェブティービー). This flyer is related to WebTV, and depicts a conversation between four friends to introduce a new person to what WebTV is. Images of the pages from this flyer have recently been found from a Yahoo! Auctions Japan listing and have since been uploaded here to preserve the contents of this otherwise unknown piece of WebTV history.
 +
 +
<gallery>
 +
WebTV Lucknluck cover.jpg
 +
WebTV Lucknluck p1-2.jpg
 +
WebTV Lucknluck p3-4.jpg
 +
WebTV Lucknluck p5 postcard.jpg
 +
WebTV Lucknluck postcard back.jpg
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
==Screenshots==
 +
<gallery>
 +
WebTV_screenshot.jpg|WebTV service on WebTV for Dreamcast, as seen in Fall 1998.
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
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| disc=Webtv dc jp disc 610-7391.jpg
 
| disc=Webtv dc jp disc 610-7391.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
−
=="Luck'n Luck WebTV"==
 
−
The postcards for requesting the WebTV for Dreamcast connection kit that were bundled with Japanese Dreamcast units came attached with a small comic titled "Luck'n Luck WebTV" (らくらくウェブティービー). Currently what the comic is about isn't entirely known yet to those who don't understand Japanese but it has something to do with WebTV and is most likely meant as a way to introduce newcomers to what WebTV is. It can also be determined that it centers around a family, consisting of the mother, father, and possibly two brothers. Images of the pages from this comic have recently been found from a Yahoo! Auctions Japan listing and have since been uploaded here to preserve the contents of this otherwise-unknown comic.
 
−
 
−
<gallery>
 
−
WebTV Lucknluck cover.jpg
 
−
WebTV Lucknluck p1-2.jpg
 
−
WebTV Lucknluck p3-4.jpg
 
−
WebTV Lucknluck p5 postcard.jpg
 
−
WebTV Lucknluck postcard back.jpg
 
−
</gallery>
 
  
 
==Technical information==
 
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
 
===Software===
 
===Software===
−
In the high density area of the WebTV for Dreamcast disc is a file named WEBTV.ROM, which contain files used by the software stored in a proprietary format specific to WebTV called [https://webtvwiki.net/wiki/Flash_ROM#ROMFS ROMFS]. Most of these files pertain to the user interface of WebTV for Dreamcast, which mainly consist of HTML files and images, but also includes proprietary .dat string files. WEBTV.ROM also contains numerous files either made for WebTV for Dreamcast that are unused, or in the case of the 128-bit SSL version, include files that belong to other versions of the WebTV technology entirely. The WEBTV.ROM file uses no compression or encryption and ignoring proper extraction tools, can be somewhat easily analyzed with a hex editor. It's believed that this file is used by the WEBTV.EXE program on the disc when it starts up.
+
In the high density area of the WebTV for Dreamcast disc is a file named WEBTV.ROM, which contain files used by the software stored in a WebTV-specific proprietary format called ROMFS. Most of the files in the ROMFS are related to the user interface of WebTV for Dreamcast, which mainly consist of HTML files and images, but also includes proprietary .dat string files. WEBTV.ROM also contains numerous files either made for WebTV for Dreamcast that are unused, or in the case of the 128-bit SSL version, include files that belong to other versions of the WebTV technology entirely. The WEBTV.ROM file uses no compression or encryption and ignoring proper extraction tools, can be somewhat easily analyzed with a hex editor. It's believed that this file is used by the WEBTV.EXE program on the disc when it starts up.
  
 
All text used by WebTV for Dreamcast has so far been observed to be encoded in either Shift-JIS or ISO-2022-JP format.
 
All text used by WebTV for Dreamcast has so far been observed to be encoded in either Shift-JIS or ISO-2022-JP format.
 +
 +
===Power-off codes===
 +
WebTV for Dreamcast, like its dedicated hardware counterparts, allows for a user to enter in a "power-off code" on boot up, mainly in the event troubleshooting is needed (the codes are called "power-off codes" because on dedicated WebTV/MSN TV hardware, the codes would be entered in when a box was powered off). To accomplish this, the user has to press the S3 key on the Dreamcast keyboard three times right as the splash screen fades in, and then quickly type in the code. Only a few codes have been confirmed to work on WebTV for Dreamcast, and the time window to enter in the code at the splash screen is very short, making it difficult to attempt. Codes that have been 100% confirmed to work on WebTV for Dreamcast are listed below:
 +
 +
(Original Information from http://turdinc.kicks-ass.net/Msntv/imagesJP/webtvDC.html)
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Code !! Function
 +
|-
 +
| 411 || Shows technical information about the WebTV disc and SSID (WebTV serial ID) assigned to Dreamcast
 +
|-
 +
| 7264 || Clears TellyScript(?)
 +
|-
 +
| 32768 || Resets WebTV flash data (TellyScript, dialing options, etc.). This does not appear to affect data stored by other titles in the Dreamcast's flash memory, but this hasn't been confirmed yet so use this code with caution
 +
|-
 +
| 1111 || Power up for DataDownload. Triggering this PO code on the Dreamcast results in the screen fading to back and the Dreamcast booting back into its menu
 +
|-
 +
| 77437 || "Spooky Dialing Options"
 +
|}
  
 
===Protocol===
 
===Protocol===
−
Believe it or not, WebTV for Dreamcast uses its own protocol to communicate with the WebTV service and even query HTTP websites. This protocol is known as the '''WebTV Protocol''', or WTVP, which is the same protocol used by dedicated WebTV/MSN TV hardware to communicate with the standard WebTV/MSN TV service. Information on this protocol in general and the content it served is extremely scarce, and next to no information on how the Japanese WebTV service differed on a technical level compared to its American counterpart is readily available as of writing. There have been efforts to [https://webtvwiki.net/wiki/WTVP document this protocol] in as much detail and clarity as possible, although it isn't much to decently recreate the service at the moment.
+
WebTV for Dreamcast uses its own protocol to communicate with the WebTV service and even query HTTP websites. This protocol is known as the '''WebTV Protocol''', or WTVP, which is the same protocol used by dedicated WebTV/MSN TV hardware to communicate with the standard WebTV/MSN TV service. Information on this protocol in general and the content it served is extremely scarce, and next to no information on how the Japanese WebTV service differed on a technical level compared to its American counterpart is readily available as of writing. There have been efforts to document this protocol in as much detail as possible, such as the [https://wiki.webtv.zone/mediawiki/index.php/WTVP WebTV Wiki].
−
 
 
−
==External Links==
 
−
* [https://webtvwiki.net/wiki/WebTV_for_Dreamcast More information on "WebTV for Dreamcast"]
 
  
 +
==External links==
 +
* [http://turdinc.kicks-ass.net/Msntv/imagesJP/webtvDC.html Using the Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit"]
 +
* [https://wiki.webtv.zone/mediawiki/index.php/WebTV_for_Dreamcast More information on "WebTV for Dreamcast"]
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
<references />
+
<references/>
  
 
{{Dreamcast}}
 
{{Dreamcast}}
−
 
 
[[Category:Sega Dreamcast]]
 
[[Category:Sega Dreamcast]]
 
[[Category:Online services]]
 
[[Category:Online services]]

Revision as of 16:13, 15 April 2024

n/a

Wtvdc startup.jpg

Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit
System(s): Dreamcast
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Peripherals supported: Dreamcast Keyboard, Dreamcast Modem, Dreamcast VGA Box
Genre: Network (ネットワーク), ETC

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Dreamcast
JP 		610-7117
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Dreamcast
JP
(128-bit SSL) 		610-7390
610-7391
Sega Rating: All Ages

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit (マイクロソフト ウェブ・ティービー接続キット), or simply WebTV for Dreamcast, is a Japanese-only disc that allowed users of Microsoft's WebTV service to access the Internet from their Sega Dreamcast. The disc used the Windows CE capabilities of the Dreamcast to run a port of the WebTV client technology, with the browser engine assumed to be based off of Internet Explorer 2.0. The complementing service for the software is believed to have debuted in Spring 1999. At the time of its release, the WebTV browser was an improvement over Sega's bundled Dream Passport software. By the release of Dream Passport 3, however, the Sega browser became more capable than WebTV.

As the software requires the Japanese WebTV service to work, which shut down sometime in March 2002 (compared to the prolonged lifespan of the American service, which lasted from 1996 all the way into September 2013), Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit is no longer usable officially.

Versions

There were only ever two major releases of Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit. The one released at launch, which was simply titled Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit (マイクロソフト ウェブ・ティービー接続キット), and a later revision released in December of 1999 that added 128-bit SSL capabilities not present in the launch disc, aptly named Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit 128bit SSL Compatible Version (マイクロソフト ウェブ・ティービー接続キット 128bit SSL対応版). The currently known methods of officially obtaining the WebTV Connection Kit disc that were available back in the day were mailing a special postcard that came with Japanese Dreamcast units, or e-mailing an address operated by WebTV with a specific subject line.[1]. The launch disc has a yellow label with black and silver elements, while the 128-bit SSL upgrade disc is almost entirely silver with black elements. Both releases have since been dumped in GDI format.

In total, there are four known Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit prints, each believed to have their own user agent:[2]

  • WebTV/1.0 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)
  • WebTV/1.2 (compatible; MSIE 2.0)
  • WebTV/2.2.3 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)
  • WebTV/2.2.4.1 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)

Three prints also have known catalog codes, which will be listed down below with the corresponding release they were manufactured for:

  • 610-7117 (Launch)
  • 610-7390 (128-bit SSL)
  • 610-7391 (128-bit SSL)

The 610-7117 and 610-7391 prints have thick, but standard size jewel cases, while 610-7390 just has a standard CD jewel case (like most Dreamcast games used) to house the disc. The 610-7390 print also doesn't include an instruction manual like the 610-7117 print does (and the 610-7391 print might have). This might hint that the 610-7390 print was intended to be shipped to those already subscribed to the WebTV service in Japan before the 128-bit SSL upgrade was published.

There has also been mention that a copy of the launch WebTV disc without a full manual exists. Confirmation that this claim is true has not been verified yet, however.

Magazine articles

Main article: Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

"Luck'n Luck WebTV"

The postcards for requesting the Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit that were bundled with Japanese Dreamcast units came attached with a small flyer titled "Luck'n Luck WebTV" (らくらくウェブティービー). This flyer is related to WebTV, and depicts a conversation between four friends to introduce a new person to what WebTV is. Images of the pages from this flyer have recently been found from a Yahoo! Auctions Japan listing and have since been uploaded here to preserve the contents of this otherwise unknown piece of WebTV history.

  • WebTV Lucknluck cover.jpg
  • WebTV Lucknluck p1-2.jpg
  • WebTV Lucknluck p3-4.jpg
  • WebTV Lucknluck p5 postcard.jpg
  • WebTV Lucknluck postcard back.jpg

Screenshots

  • WebTV service on WebTV for Dreamcast, as seen in Fall 1998.

Physical scans

Dreamcast, JP (non-SSL)
Webtv dc jp backcover.pngWebtv dc jp frontcover.png
Cover
Webtv dc jp disc.png
Disc
Dreamcast, JP (SSL)
Webtv dc jp sslcover.jpg
Cover
Dreamcast, JP (SSL; 610-7391)
Webtv dc jp backcover spine 610-7391.jpgWebtv dc jp frontcover 610-7391.jpg
Cover
Webtv dc jp disc 610-7391.jpg
Disc

Technical information

Main article: Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit/Technical information.

Software

In the high density area of the WebTV for Dreamcast disc is a file named WEBTV.ROM, which contain files used by the software stored in a WebTV-specific proprietary format called ROMFS. Most of the files in the ROMFS are related to the user interface of WebTV for Dreamcast, which mainly consist of HTML files and images, but also includes proprietary .dat string files. WEBTV.ROM also contains numerous files either made for WebTV for Dreamcast that are unused, or in the case of the 128-bit SSL version, include files that belong to other versions of the WebTV technology entirely. The WEBTV.ROM file uses no compression or encryption and ignoring proper extraction tools, can be somewhat easily analyzed with a hex editor. It's believed that this file is used by the WEBTV.EXE program on the disc when it starts up.

All text used by WebTV for Dreamcast has so far been observed to be encoded in either Shift-JIS or ISO-2022-JP format.

Power-off codes

WebTV for Dreamcast, like its dedicated hardware counterparts, allows for a user to enter in a "power-off code" on boot up, mainly in the event troubleshooting is needed (the codes are called "power-off codes" because on dedicated WebTV/MSN TV hardware, the codes would be entered in when a box was powered off). To accomplish this, the user has to press the S3 key on the Dreamcast keyboard three times right as the splash screen fades in, and then quickly type in the code. Only a few codes have been confirmed to work on WebTV for Dreamcast, and the time window to enter in the code at the splash screen is very short, making it difficult to attempt. Codes that have been 100% confirmed to work on WebTV for Dreamcast are listed below:

(Original Information from http://turdinc.kicks-ass.net/Msntv/imagesJP/webtvDC.html)

Code Function
411 Shows technical information about the WebTV disc and SSID (WebTV serial ID) assigned to Dreamcast
7264 Clears TellyScript(?)
32768 Resets WebTV flash data (TellyScript, dialing options, etc.). This does not appear to affect data stored by other titles in the Dreamcast's flash memory, but this hasn't been confirmed yet so use this code with caution
1111 Power up for DataDownload. Triggering this PO code on the Dreamcast results in the screen fading to back and the Dreamcast booting back into its menu
77437 "Spooky Dialing Options"

Protocol

WebTV for Dreamcast uses its own protocol to communicate with the WebTV service and even query HTTP websites. This protocol is known as the WebTV Protocol, or WTVP, which is the same protocol used by dedicated WebTV/MSN TV hardware to communicate with the standard WebTV/MSN TV service. Information on this protocol in general and the content it served is extremely scarce, and next to no information on how the Japanese WebTV service differed on a technical level compared to its American counterpart is readily available as of writing. There have been efforts to document this protocol in as much detail as possible, such as the WebTV Wiki.

External links

References

  1. ↑ WebTV for Dreamcast (Japanese) (Wayback Machine: 1999-05-08 21:55)
  2. ↑ INFINITE DREAM - SEGA Dreamcast Browser List (Japanese) (Wayback Machine: 2002-08-04 13:47)


Sega Dreamcast
Topics Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) | History (Development | Release | Decline and legacy | Internet) | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
Hardware Japan (Special) | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | North America | Asia | South America | Australasia | Africa
Add-ons Dreamcast Karaoke | Dreameye
Controllers Controller | Arcade Stick | Fishing Controller | Gun (Dream Blaster) | Race Controller | Maracas Controller (Third-party) | Twin Stick | Keyboard | Mouse | Third-party
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Development Hardware Dev.Box | Controller Box | Controller Function Checker | Sound Box | GD-Writer | C1/C2 Checker | Dev.Cas | GD-ROM Duplicator
Online Services/Add-ons Dreamarena | SegaNet | WebTV for Dreamcast | Modem | Modular Cable | Modular Extension Cable | Broadband Adapter | Dreamphone
Connector Cables Onsei Setsuzoku Cable | RF Adapter | Scart Cable | S Tanshi Cable | Stereo AV Cable | VGA Box

Dreamcast MIDI Interface Cable | Neo Geo Pocket/Dreamcast Setsuzoku Cable | Taisen Cable

Misc. Hardware Action Replay CDX | Code Breaker | Kiosk | MP3 DC | MP3 DC Audio Player | Official Case | Treamcast
Third-party accessories Controllers | Controller converters | Miscellaneous
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Arcade Variants NAOMI | Atomiswave | Sega Aurora
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