Difference between revisions of "Broadband Adapter"

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Sega's decision to incoroporate 33.6K or 56K modems into their Dreamcast consoles was based on the theory (later proved true) that most internet users during the late 1990s and early 2000s would be using dial-up connections to get online. However, some had access to faster broadband connections which are incompatible with the standard modem, so the broadband adapter was released to compensate.
 
Sega's decision to incoroporate 33.6K or 56K modems into their Dreamcast consoles was based on the theory (later proved true) that most internet users during the late 1990s and early 2000s would be using dial-up connections to get online. However, some had access to faster broadband connections which are incompatible with the standard modem, so the broadband adapter was released to compensate.
  
Two versions of the device were were released released:
+
Two versions of the device were released:
  
 
*HIT-300: "Dreamcast LAN Adapter" (ドリームキャスト・LANアダプタ) - this version used a Fujitsu MB86967 chip and supported only 10 Mbit speed, and is only thought to have been released in Japan.
 
*HIT-300: "Dreamcast LAN Adapter" (ドリームキャスト・LANアダプタ) - this version used a Fujitsu MB86967 chip and supported only 10 Mbit speed, and is only thought to have been released in Japan.

Revision as of 17:10, 18 October 2020

Dc bba.jpg
Broadband Adapter
Made for: Sega Dreamcast
Manufacturer: Sega
Type: Network tool
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Dreamcast
JP
HIT-0401
Sega Dreamcast
US
$50.0050.00 MK-50176

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Broadband Adapter (ブロードバンドアダプタ) (commonly abbreviated to BBA) and known as the Dreamcast Link in Brazil, is an accessory released for the Sega Dreamcast. It is a replacement for the built-in Dreamcast Modem, allowing games to benefit from faster internet connections.

Hardware

Sega's decision to incoroporate 33.6K or 56K modems into their Dreamcast consoles was based on the theory (later proved true) that most internet users during the late 1990s and early 2000s would be using dial-up connections to get online. However, some had access to faster broadband connections which are incompatible with the standard modem, so the broadband adapter was released to compensate.

Two versions of the device were released:

  • HIT-300: "Dreamcast LAN Adapter" (ドリームキャスト・LANアダプタ) - this version used a Fujitsu MB86967 chip and supported only 10 Mbit speed, and is only thought to have been released in Japan.
  • HIT-400: "Broadband Adapter" (ブロードバンドアダプタ) - the more common model. This used a Realtek 8139 chip and supported 10 and 100 Mbit speeds.

No such adapter was released in PAL regions, however the peripherals are not region coded, so an American adapter will function in a PAL system.

The broadband adapter theoretically fulfils the same functions as the standard modem, but is able to perform tasks much quicker, as more bandwidth is available through a broadband connection.

Compatibility

While the Dreamcast Modem is compatible with almost all online Dreamcast games, the Broadband Adapter is only compatible with a subset of the library, owing to the need for developers to explicitly support the device and its late arrival on the market. The games it does support will theoretically run better with a Broadband Adapter than a standard Dreamcast Modem, but if the priority is compatibility, it is not the best option.

Physical scans

Dreamcast, US
BBTop.jpg
BBBack.jpgBBSide.jpgBBFront.jpg
BBBottom.jpg
Cover
BroadbandAdapterInstructionManualU.pdf
Manual
Dreamcast, JP
BroadbandAdapter DC JP Box Back.jpgNospine.pngDCBroadbandAdapter JP Box Front.jpg
Cover

References


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
Controller Add-ons Jump Pack (Third-party) | Microphone | VMU (4x Memory Card | Third-party)
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
Unreleased Accessories DVD Player | Zip Drive | Swatch Access for Dreamcast | VMU MP3 Player
Arcade Variants NAOMI | Atomiswave | Sega Aurora