Dreamcast Wireless Controller DreamConn video review

Still following this subject and just noticed there's a new review available for v3.
http://www.thedreamcastjunkyard.co.uk/2016/01/dreamconn-v3-adds-pc-vmu-browser-support.html

Got some questions and remarks which I hope you won't take the wrong way, just some more feedback.


1 - I like that there's a save file managing app now too via Bluetooth.
Although I really wish it could also be done via the USB-cable, as I'm pretty sure i don't even have Bluetooth on the PC...:/
Will this maybe be possible later on or will you stick to the (classier) Bluetooth?


2 - I noticed something in the Junkyard's review which is probably wrong...

If I'm correct, and after having read the Ebay breakdown, this is not possible. Only from the virtual VMS.


3 - Concerning the VMU blocks size: pretty sure it's either 200 or 241 blocks (not 256 as you said, unless these aren't accessible in any way except for screen animation saving. Then I'm sorry, but yes, I meant 241 as expanded VMU).

However, what I did notice on the Ebay page's pics, is that they're currently set to 200 per default...
Also, will anyone be able to manage (expand/shrink) the VMU's block size with any app available, without corrupting the chips?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dreamcast-Wireless-Controller-DreamConn-v2-0-/262110138131?


4 - I already asked for multi-page built-in VMUs and you did reply on this matter...

So I got thinking a little bit further...
I know of these third party RUMBLE PACK/MULTI PAGE VMUs which could go from rumble to VMU with the flick of a switch on the side, and select pages with the push button on the top. Since I personally have A LOT of savefiles (as any hardcore DC gamer probably), I still would really like to have access to both ports of the controller for original VMU save file management.
A viable solution follows in the next question

Will a possible future version 4 have the option to select (maybe with really small switches or buttons) between the real vmu and the virtual ones? Thus switching from built-in VMU on port 1 to original/multi-page VMU on port 1 with a small switch/button, and switching from built-in VMU on port 2 to rumble/original/multi-page/rumble+multi-page VMU on port 2 with another small switch/button.


Looking forward to your answers, especially on number 4.
Thinking it can be done pretty easily, but of course I could be wrong
(guessing it's just read/write cable to wire to a selector)

 

Hi and thank you very much for sharing your thoughts.

To answer to your questions:

1. No. PC connectivity will remain via Bluetooth. It is quite easier this way. Why to mess with cables etc? Imagine that you sit comfortably to your couch and you want to take a backup of your saves - even while playing ; then you simply turn-off the controller, run the backup utility to your PC, and when you're done you turn on your controller and that's it. Most modern desktops and laptops have Bluetooth adapters built-in.
But if your PC doesn't have one, it is quite cheap (about $10) to get a USB Bluetooth dongle.

2. The answer is yes. The VMU managing is only for the virtual VMUs. Even so, there is the case scenario of how to manage a real VMU through this feature. As mentioned into the Backup Utility's instruction manual, you can backup all of your real VMUs into your PC through DreamConn - you'll only need a wired controller (which I guess everyone already have).
a. You plug DreamConn to your Dreamcast
b. You plug a wired controller to your Dreamcast + a real VMU you wish to backup
c. You copy the contents of the real VMU to a DreamConn's VMU
d. You backup DreamConn's VMU to your PC.

3. The physical size of a VMU/memory card that the Dreamcast can handle is 256 blocks. Dreamcast's formatting algorithm 'locks' 56 blocks leaving you with 200 blocks. A 3rd party application may use a different algorithm which frees 41 blocks leaving you with 241 blocks.
With DreamConn, I format the VMUs with Dreamcast and this is why you see 200 blocks free. But if you format it with a 3rd party application then you should get 241 blocks with no issues at all - no worries about the chips; they are bulletproof.

4. The answer here can be quite long and with technical details - but to make it short I can tell you that it is quite complicated to be done due to hardware limitations. Maybe in a future version - if any - but since there is the backup utility I think that one needs no to bother with real VMU managing any more. If you take a backup of your real VMUs once, and store them to your PC, then everything can be done from there in moments. You don't need to have a bunch of VMUs to store your saves.

Hope that I answered to all of your questions effectively. Thanks again for sharing these matters.

 

Wow i had no idea someone made a true, working wireless dreamcast controller. Please make more soon!

 

Really cool. I'm loving these bluetooth controller options coming out for older systems, 8bitdo's NES and SNES receivers, and now I see this exists. This seems infinitely more complex than any other system would be what with the VMU and all of that. So kudos. The price is high but it's not exactly unreasonable for what has been achieved.

What happens if you lose or break a receiver? The controller seems tied to its particular receiver. Is it possible to pair to another receiver? Seems unclear.