Difference between revisions of "Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit"
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[[File:WebTV_screenshot.jpg|thumb|right|WebTV for Dreamcast, as seen in Fall 1998.]] | [[File:WebTV_screenshot.jpg|thumb|right|WebTV for Dreamcast, as seen in Fall 1998.]] | ||
| − | '''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. | + | '''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. The currently known methods of officially obtaining the WebTV for Dreamcast disc back when it was still in support were free of charge and consisted of either mailing a special postcard that came with Japanese Dreamcast units, or by 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)}} |
In total, there are four known WebTV for Dreamcast variants, each with their own user agent: | In total, there are four known WebTV for Dreamcast variants, each with their own user agent: | ||
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| + | =="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> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 19:07, 8 May 2021
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 service, which debuted in Spring 1999, used the Windows CE capabilities of the Dreamcast to run a version of 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. The currently known methods of officially obtaining the WebTV for Dreamcast disc back when it was still in support were free of charge and consisted of either mailing a special postcard that came with Japanese Dreamcast units, or by e-mailing an address operated by WebTV with a specific subject line.[1]
In total, there are four known WebTV for Dreamcast variants, each with their own user agent:
- 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)
As the software requires a Japanese WebTV account, which are no longer available, the service can no longer be used on a Dreamcast.
Magazine articles
- Main article: Microsoft WebTV Connection Kit/Magazine articles.
Physical scans
| Dreamcast, JP (non-SSL) |
|---|
  Cover
|
 Disc |
| Dreamcast, JP (SSL) |
|---|
 Cover
|
"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.
References
- ↑ WebTV for Dreamcast (Japanese) (Wayback Machine: 1999-05-08 21:55)