Visual Memory Unit
From Sega Retro
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| Visual Memory Unit |
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| Made for: Sega Dreamcast |
| Manufacturer: Sega |
The VMU (short for Visual Memory Unit, not Virtual Memory Unit), also referred to as the Visual Memory or VM in Japan (ビジュアルメモリ) and Europe (though there have been sources that say VMS is the japanese device name this is not confirmed by Sega's hardware lists or any of the associated merchandise), is the "memory card" for the Sega Dreamcast. While its most basic function is as a removable storage device, the VMU has other purposes as well. It can serve as an auxiliary display during normal gameplay and, through the use of additional software, it can act as a console independent of the Dreamcast.
In order to function on its own, a VMU requires two CR2032 batteries, which can lead to problems. It does not require batteries in order to function within a Dreamcast controller (when the controller is connected and the system is powered on), but if the VMU lacks power it will make a high pitched warning screech during the console's bootup to alert the user. Furthermore, when the system is turned off, the VMUs are not, and so operate on their own power source for a short period of time before automatically switching themselves off. This means that the VMU will run out of batteries quicker if plugged in.
Like the controllers and console, there are many different flavours of VMU in terms of colours. The colours vary depending on the market - in Japan there were many novelty VMUs, often inspired by games. In North America, translucent coloured VMUs were released, while in Europe very few coloured VMUs were sold.
Technical Specifications
- CPU: 8-bit
- Memory: 128 KB (200 blocks)
- Power source: Two CR2032 batteries with auto-off function implemented in later versions of the VMU
- Display: 48 dot Width x 32 dot Height, Monochrome
- Display size: 37 mm (1.46 inches) Width x 26 mm (1.02 inches) Height
- Case dimensions: 47 mm (1.85 inches) Width x 80 mm (3.15 inches) Height x 16 *mm (0.63 inches) Depth
- Sound: 1-channel PWM sound source
- Weight: 45g (0.099 pounds)
List of VMUs
Sega
Japan
| Model No. | Description | Release Date | Product | Package | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HKT-7001 | Gather Godzilla ~Large Monster Set~ あつめてゴジラ〜怪獣大集合〜 |
1998-07-30 | 
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Price: 2,500¥ | |
| HKT-7002 | Visual Memory ビジュアルメモリ |
1998-11-27 | 
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Site: [1] Price: 2,500¥ |
| HKT-7005 | Mothra Dream Battle モスラドリームバトル |
1998-12-23 |
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Notes: HKT-7002 (with software) and figurine Price: ? |
| HKT-7006 | Gamera Dream Battle ガメラドリームバトル |
1999-03-25 |
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Notes: HKT-7002 (with software) and figurine Price: ? |
| HKT-7007-03 | Visual Memory Colour Version (Aqua Blue) ビジュアルメモリ･カラーバージョン （アクアブル） |
2000-03-01 ? | 
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Site: [2] Price: 2,500¥ |
| HKT-7007-04 | Visual Memory Colour Version (Lime Green) ビジュアルメモリ･カラーバージョン （ライムグリーン） |
2000-03-01 ? | 
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Site: [3] Price: 2,500¥ |
| HKT-7007-05 | Visual Memory Colour Version (Passion Pink) ビジュアルメモリ･カラーバージョン （パッションピンク） |
2000-03-01 ? | 
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Site: [4] Price: 2,500¥ |
| HKT-7007-06 | Visual Memory Colour Version (Smoke) ビジュアルメモリ･カラーバージョン （スモーク） |
2000-03-01 ? | 
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Site: [5] Price: 2,500¥ | |
| HKT-7007-16 | Visual Memory Clear ビジュアルメモリ クリア |
2000-12-01 ? | 
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Site: [6] Price: 2,500¥ |
| HKT-7007-17 | Virtual Memory Sonic Team version ビジュアルメモリ ソニックチームバージョン |
2000-12-21 ? | 
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| HKT-7007-18 | SGGG (Segagaga) Virtual Memory SGGG (セガガガ) ビジュアルメモリ |
2001-03-29 | 
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Note: See also Segagaga |
| HKT-7008-01 | Super Inventor Boy Kanipan Playing Kid DCDC 超発明BOYカニパン あそんでキッドDCDC（デシデシ） |
1999-04-22 | 50px |  
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Price: ? |
| HKT-7008-02 | Giant Channel ジャイアントチャネル |
1999-05-20 | 50px | 
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Price: ? |
| HKT-7009-01 | Visual Memory US Blue ビジュアルメモリ USレッド |
2001-11-01 ? | 
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Site: [7] Price: 2,500¥ |
| HKT-7009-02 | Visual Memory US Red ビジュアルメモリ USブルー |
2001-11-01 ? | 
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Site: [8] Price: 2,500¥ |
| DD | Visual Memory: Pearl White ビジュアルメモリ：パールホワイト |
2000-08-31 | Site: Announcement Price: 2,800¥ | ||
| DD | Visual Memory: Pearl Blue ビジュアルメモリ：パールブルー |
2000-08-31 | 
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Site: Announcement Price: 2,800¥ Notes: See also Special DC model Pearl Blue | |
| DD | Visual Memory: Pearl Pink ビジュアルメモリ：パールピンク |
2000-08-31 | 
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Site: Announcement Price: 2,800¥ Notes: See also Special DC model Pearl Pink | |
| DD | Visual Memory: Pure Black ビジュアルメモリ：ピュアブラック |
2000-12-21 | 
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Site: Announcement 1, 2 Price: 2,800¥ Notes: See also Special DC model Pure Black |
| DD | Visual Memory Clear Red ビジュアルメモリ クリアレッド |
2000-11-30 | Site: Announcement Note: Christmas Lottery (30-11~20-12) Might be the same as HKT-7009-02. | ||
| DD | Visual Memory Capcom version ビジュアルメモリ カプコンバージョン |
2000-12-22 | 
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Site: Announcement Price: 2,800¥ | |
| DPB | Visual Memory: Camouflage ビジュアルメモリ：迷彩色 |
1999-03-01 ? | 
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Price: 2000 DPB points |
| DPB | Visual Memory: Carbon Black ビジュアルメモリ：カーボンブラック |
1999-03-01 ? | 
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Price: 2000 DPB points |
| DPB | Visual Memory: Wood Grain ビジュアルメモリ：木目調 |
2000-09-01 | 
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Site: Announcement Price: 2000 DPB points |
| DPB | Visual Memory: Leopard ビジュアルメモリ：豹柄 |
2000-09-01 | 
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Site: Announcement Price: 2000 DPB points |
| DPB | Visual Memory: Marble ビジュアルメモリ：大理石調 |
2000-09-01 | 
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Site: Announcement Price: 2000 DPB points |
| DPB | Visual Memory: Strawberry version ビジュアルメモリ：イチゴバージョン |
2001-05-17 ? | 
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Price: 2000 DPB points |
| DPB | Visual Memory: Dolphin version ビジュアルメモリ：イルカバージョン |
2001-05-17 ? | 
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Price: 2000 DPB points |
| DPB | Visual Memory: Number version ビジュアルメモリ：ナンバーバージョン |
2001-05-17 ? | 
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Price: 2000 DPB points |
| Sakura Wars bundle VM サクラ大戦 ?? 同梱 |
2000-05-25 | 50px | HDR-0089 bundle Price: 6,800¥ (pack) | ||
| Sakura Wars 3 bundle VM サクラ大戦 ?? 同梱 携帯キネマトロン型 |
2001-03-22 | 
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HDR-0148 bundle Price: 9,800¥ (pack) | ||
| Di Gi Charat Fantasy bundle VM デ･ジ･キャラット ファンタジー ?? |
2001-09-06 | 
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T-46301M bundle Price: 7,800¥ (pack) | ||
| Seaman ~Forbidden Pet~ ?? シーマン～禁断のペット～ ?? 同梱 |
1999-07-29 | _VM.PNG)
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Site: Announcement Price: 34,800¥ (pack) | ||
| Hello Kitty Dreamcast Set (Blue Skeleton) bundle Hello Kitty ドリームキャストセット (と"スケルトンブルー) 同梱 |
1999-11-25 | _VM.PNG)
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Site: [9], Announcement Price: 39,800¥ (pack) | ||
| Hello Kitty Dreamcast Set (Pink Skeleton) bundle Hello Kitty ドリームキャストセット (スケルトンピンク) 同梱 |
1999-11-25 | _VM.PNG)
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Site: [10], Announcement Price: 39,800¥ (pack) | ||
| Dreamcast model: Seaman Christmas package bundle ドリームキャスト model:SEAMAN クリスマスパッケージ 同梱 |
1999-12-19 | _VM.PNG)
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Price: 34,800¥ (pack) | ||
| Dreamcast CODE: Veronica LIMITEDBOX bundle Dreamcast CODE: Veronica LIMITEDBOX 同梱 |
2000-02-03 | 50px | Site: Announcement Price: 34,800¥ (pack) | ||
| Dreamcast Sakura Taisen model bundle ドリームキャスト サクラ大戦モデル 同梱 |
2000-12-01 | 
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Site: [11] Price: 25,800¥ (pack) | ||
| Sakura Wars Contest VM |
- Data in italics is not official.
- Release dates with ? do not have a source.
- ?? means there is something supposed to be there.
US
The U.S. standard VM is undistinguisable from the Japanese counterpart. However, the colour series has slightly darker casing and has grey (instead of white) buttons (notice the starking difference between the Dreamcast inscription and the button colours). The US red and US blue japanese VMs described above are a domestic release of their overseas versions, sporting the U.S. grey buttons and are only distinct by their different packaging.
| Model No | Reference | Product | Box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK-50120 | Visual Memory Unit (standard) |
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| 'MK-50121 | Visual Memory Unit (clear blue) |
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| MK-50122 | Visual Memory Unit (clear green) | 
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a similar (or same) is included with the Holiday Gift Pack. |
| MK-50123 | Visual Memory Unit (clear red) |
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a similar (or same) is included with the Holiday Gift Pack |
| MK-50124 | Visual Memory Unit (clear yellow) | 
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| MK-50125 | Visual Memory Unit (clear black) | 
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- Data in italics might not be accurate.
Europe
The standard PAL VM is different from the Japanese and U.S. devices as it does not have have a spiral next to the Dreamcast inscription, and the inscription itself is made in a larger font.
| Model No | Reference | Image | Box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK-55120 | Visual Memory (standard) |  
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