DC SD Card Reader - what can it do

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I.M. Weasel
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DC SD Card Reader - what can it do

Post by I.M. Weasel »

Thinking about getting a SD Card reader (standard one that attaches to the serial port).

https://s.ecrater.com/stores/118320/52d ... 18320b.jpg

What are all the things you can do with it, exactly?

Backup VMU files to it?
Load homebrew apps/games/etc and run them from there?
Use it with dreamshell (or another OS) and do ______ with it?
Use it as save storage ( instead of a VMU) ?
Have it appear as a drive when youre using Dcviewer/DCDivx/Gypplay ?
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Re: DC SD Card Reader - what can it do

Post by |darc| »

You can back up/dump GD-ROMs with it (use jj1odm SD Ripper, not the ripper included with Dreamshell, it's unreliable)
Backup all your VMU saves easily (Dreamshell)
Load homebrew apps with Dreamshell.
You can load some official games off of it, but for most games the transfer is too slow and it plays crappy. Not recommended for this.
At least 1 indie game (Sturmwind) can use it for save data, replay data, high scores, and I think you can use it for DLC files too.

I don't think it would be useful for video applications. The SD card is being accessed over basic serial link, the transfer speed is very slow and wouldn't support it. Official games have stuttering music and FMV video because of the low transfer speed, so video playback is a no-go
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Re: DC SD Card Reader - what can it do

Post by donnonotin »

Hmmm, recently my dreamcast GD-ROM laser stopped working. I'm lazy so I just wanted to try a typical laser cleaner audio disc. This seems like a good idea for me if it's totally beyond repair.
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Re: DC SD Card Reader - what can it do

Post by |darc| »

donnonotin wrote: Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:29 am Hmmm, recently my dreamcast GD-ROM laser stopped working. I'm lazy so I just wanted to try a typical laser cleaner audio disc. This seems like a good idea for me if it's totally beyond repair.
The only problem is that you need a GD-ROM in good enough condition that it's capable of booting the loader on CD-R.
If you have no loader via CD-R, you have to replace the console BIOS by way of soldering a new flash ROM to load via SD card.
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