Difference between revisions of "Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit"

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m (Text replacement - "Physical Scans" to "Physical scans")
 
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[[File:WebTV_screenshot.jpg|thumb|right|WebTV for Dreamcast, as seen in Fall 1998.]]
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{{Bob
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'''WebTV for Dreamcast''' is a Japanese-only disc that allowed users of [[Microsoft]]'s [[wikipedia:WebTV|WebTV]] service to access the Internet from their [[Sega Dreamcast]]. The service, which debuted in Spring 1999, used the [[Windows CE]] capabilities of the Dreamcast to run a version of [[wikipedia:Internet Explorer|Internet Explorer]] 2.0. 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. A later version of the WebTV disc included 128-bit SSL capabilities which were not present on the launch disc.
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| bobscreen=Wtvdc startup.jpg
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| publisher=[[Sega]]
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| developer=[[WebTV Networks]]
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| licensor=[[Microsoft]]
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| system=[[Dreamcast]]
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| sounddriver=
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| peripherals=[[Dreamcast Keyboard]], [[Dreamcast Modem]], [[Dreamcast VGA Box]]
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| players=1
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| genre=Network (ネットワーク), ETC
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| releases={{releasesDC
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| dc_date_jp=1999
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| dc_code_jp=610-7117
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| dc_rrp_jp=
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| dc_rating_jp=all
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| dc_date_jp_ssl=1999-12
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| dc_code_jp_ssl=610-7390
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| dc_code2_jp_ssl=610-7391
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| dc_rrp_jp_ssl=
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| dc_rating_jp_ssl=all
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| dc_type_jp_ssl=128-bit SSL
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}}
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| properties={{Properties|DC|wince}}
 +
}}
 +
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (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 which 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.
  
−
In total, there are four known WebTV for Dreamcast variants, each with their own user agent:
+
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 Setsuzoku Kit'' is no longer usable officially.
 +
 
 +
==Versions==
 +
There were only ever two major releases of ''Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit''. The one released at launch, which was simply titled '''''Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku 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, named '''''Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit 128bit SSL Taiouban''''' (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.
 +
 
 +
In total, there are four known ''Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku 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)}}
  
 
*WebTV/1.0 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)
 
*WebTV/1.0 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)
Line 9: Line 39:
 
*WebTV/2.2.4.1 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)
 
*WebTV/2.2.4.1 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)
  
−
As the software requires a Japanese WebTV account, which are no longer available, the service can no longer be used on a Dreamcast.
+
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==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
==="Luck'n Luck WebTV"===
 +
The postcards for requesting the ''Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku 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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| square=yes
 
| square=yes
 
| disc=
 
| disc=
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}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Dreamcast
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| region=JP (SSL; 610-7391)
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| front=Webtv dc jp frontcover 610-7391.jpg
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| back=Webtv dc jp backcover spine 610-7391.jpg
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| spinemissing=
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| square=yes
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| disc=Webtv dc jp disc 610-7391.jpg
 
}}
 
}}
  
 +
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/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)
 +
 +
{| class="prettytable"
 +
! 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 [https://wiki.webtv.zone/mediawiki/index.php/WTVP WebTV Wiki].
 +
 +
==External links==
 +
* [http://turdinc.kicks-ass.net/Msntv/imagesJP/webtvDC.html Using the Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit"]
 +
* [https://wiki.webtv.zone/mediawiki/index.php/WebTV_for_Dreamcast More information on "WebTV for Dreamcast"]
 +
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 +
{{WebTVOmni}}
 
{{Dreamcast}}
 
{{Dreamcast}}
−
 
 
[[Category:Sega Dreamcast]]
 
[[Category:Sega Dreamcast]]
−
[[Category:Sega Online Services]]
+
[[Category:Online services]]

Latest revision as of 06:31, 25 August 2024

n/a

Wtvdc startup.jpg

Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit
System(s): Dreamcast
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Microsoft
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), is a Japanese-only disc which 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 Setsuzoku Kit is no longer usable officially.

Versions

There were only ever two major releases of Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit. The one released at launch, which was simply titled Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku 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, named Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit 128bit SSL Taiouban (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.

In total, there are four known Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku 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 Setsuzoku 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)


Microsoft WebTV Setsuzoku Kit

Wtvdc startup.jpg

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