Modem Idea

MidnightObsidian · Post by **MidnightObsidian** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 11:19 pm

While we're on the topic of modems, I just came up with a seemingly-possible idea.

AMR modems are pretty much barebones hardware-- the dial chip and a standardized interface. Because the slot is dedicated and the onboard electronics are barebones and standardized, someone with programming skills could theoretically write up a program that acts kind of like a Glide wrapper, but instead of intercepting and translating Glide API calls into Direct3D or OpenGL, it could intercept and translate Dreamcast modem instructions into AMR instructions. If someone would design an interface and write the programming, it would work. You could have it load from a boot disc and stay in resident memory, so that it could be used with every application (commercial and homebrew) that uses (or wants to use) the modem.

It makes sense to me... what do you all think?

XantiaX · Post by **XantiaX** » Tue Mar 19, 2002 6:24 am

<-dunce

what would u use this for?

MidnightObsidian · Post by **MidnightObsidian** » Tue Mar 19, 2002 8:21 pm

It would be a replacement for the standard DC modem; developers can't use it because Sega never released the programming instructions for it.

Ex-Cyber · Post by **Ex-Cyber** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 3:24 am

It had occurred to me that what should be done in terms of constructing a new modem/BBA is to develop an integrated system that is an Ethernet adapter, but instead of interfacing like a BBA, emulates a PPP modem connection. This would make it compatible with *all* the online games instead of the two or three that happen to have BBA support. Of course, this is kind of a pipe dream unless the modem protocol can be reverse engineered...

MidnightObsidian · Post by **MidnightObsidian** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 10:56 am

Hmm... that's a cool idea, but I think it'd be pretty damn hard. Are you talking about having JUST a standard ethernet connection that can emulate a modem (for compatibility), or are you talking about having a two-in-one board?

Ex-Cyber · Post by **Ex-Cyber** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 3:08 pm

Are you talking about having JUST a standard ethernet connection that can emulate a modem (for compatibility)

Yes.

MidnightObsidian · Post by **MidnightObsidian** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 6:23 pm

That would be really, really great, if it were possible... I have no clue if it is, though.

If anyone knows (or has any interest in this, for that matter), I'd love to hear their opinions...

404NotFound · Post by **404NotFound** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 6:42 pm

That would rule because i have the router and everything... i just need a BBA..

I always wanted to play PSO with a BBa...

Dreamcastin2k2 · Post by **Dreamcastin2k2** » Sat Mar 23, 2002 8:28 pm

couldnt we just reverse engineer one of the browsers? I mean I know the scene trys to stay legit, but what if some anonomously realeased the information...I mean if the information is there we can't get in trouble for using it....just my thought on this. Please don't slam me for talking about Warez, I was just trying to make a point.

someoneElse · Post by **someoneElse** » Sat Mar 23, 2002 10:20 pm

Dreamcastin2k2 wrote:couldnt we just reverse engineer one of the browsers? I mean I know the scene trys to stay legit, but what if some anonomously realeased the information...I mean if the information is there we can't get in trouble for using it....just my thought on this. Please don't slam me for talking about Warez, I was just trying to make a point.

Theoretically, maybe, butt hen you'd only be able to do the exat same thing as the web browser.

You have to be able to know the programming instructions and protocols in order to be able to do....just about anything with it...

I'm not sure about the AMR modems, though... Doesn't the AMR slot displace a PCI slot? Unless that is the CNR I'm thinking about....
I'm not sure how that would work with the maple bus of the Dreamcast, unless somebody's gone pretty far on working with the Maple to PCI bus adapter that is in the Modem/BBA/Lan adapter.