Dreamcast USB GD-ROM

[TDIRunner]

The new USB GD-ROM for the Dreamcast will be for sale on the Stone Age Gamer website starting on July 5th.  I've been waiting on this since it's supposed to be a step up from the GDEMU.  Unfortunately, the price reflects that.

http://www.stoneagegamer.com/dreamcast-usb.html

Version 4 Pricing: $169.99
Version 5 Pricing: $214.99

The nice thing about version 5 is it puts the USB stick under the cover instead of sticking out of the back which was my only complaint about this unit compared to the GDEMU.  But I don't konw if I want to pay that kind of money for the thing.  I'm currently more interested in the Saturn Rhea right now.

[sheep2001]

Do want, but pricey as all hell. 

[KalessinDB]

I want to swap from my GDEMU to the USB GDROM. Hit me up, TDI, if you're interested

[TDIRunner]

I want to swap from my GDEMU to the USB GDROM. Hit me up, TDI, if you're interested

Cool.  I'll send you a PM later this weekend. 

[Einhander]

What exactly does this do?

[TDIRunner]

What exactly does this do?

Well there's the GDEMU.  This device replaces the original GD ROM on your Dreamcast (you will no longer be able to play disc games).  After installing it, you can play Dreamcast ISO's off of an SD card.  It's sort of the same idea as a flash cart, but for a disc based system.  The GDEMU was the first SD card mod for the Dreamcast.  The creator is now working on a similar mod for the Saturn called the Rhea.

Then there's the USB GD-ROM.  This is a similar device for the Dreamcast, but it uses a USB stick instead of an SD card.  This is made by the same creator as the USB adapter for the 3DO (which basically does the same thing for the 3DO).  

Both devices remove the original GD ROM from the Dreamcast and both systems are plug and play (meaning no soldering skills are needed).  Version 4 of the USB GD-ROM requires modification to the outer case for the USB stick to plug in.  Version 5 of the USB GD-ROM and the GDEMU require no modification as the USB stick and SD card respectively plug in under the disc lid.  The GDEMU is supposedly less user friendly, but I can't comment on that as I haven't used either.  

[TDIRunner]

I want to swap from my GDEMU to the USB GDROM. Hit me up, TDI, if you're interested

PM sent. 

[bender3455]

I really like the idea of these devices.  I'd love to get one eventually, and even the Rhea (didn't know that existed).  Although, we're all gonna be seriously confused when our Dreamcasts don't make the sounds that make it sound like a jet adjusting it's flaps before takeoff.

[TDIRunner]

I really like the idea of these devices.  I'd love to get one eventually, and even the Rhea (didn't know that existed).  Although, we're all gonna be seriously confused when our Dreamcasts don't make the sounds that make it sound like a jet adjusting it's flaps before takeoff.

I'll be ok.  I have three working Dreamcats (two white and one black) and I plan to keep one specifically for playing my original discs if I want to.  All three take the same A/V and power cable so it's a quick swap if I want to go back to the noisy original.

That's why I was so happy to find a super cheap backup Saturn.  I'll be able to do the same thing with the Rhea.  One for SD cards and one for discs.  I also have two 3DO's for the same purpose, but I've had no luck in finding a supplier for the 3DO USB adapter.

[Einhander]

I'm sorry I still don't understand

[Arseen]

I'm sorry I still don't understand

1: Take Dreamcast.
2: Remove GD-ROM-drive. = CD-drive of Dreamcast.
3: Install USB GDROM device where the GD-ROM-drive was.
4: Load games on to USB-stick or such.
5: Stick that in to USB GDROM device's USB port.
6: Play games.

[Einhander]

I'm sorry I still don't understand

1: Take Dreamcast.
2: Remove GD-ROM-drive. = CD-drive of Dreamcast.
3: Install USB GDROM device where the GD-ROM-drive was.
4: Load games on to USB-stick or such.
5: Stick that in to USB GDROM device's USB port.
6: Play games.

I'm sorry I don't understand all those terms. What's wrong with just putting my own Dreamcast games in my Dreamcast? Why do I need GD ROM, CD DRIVE, USB GDROM and all these things? How will that help me?

What's the benefit? Please use simple terms anyone can understand. Because so far, I don't know what this is.

[irvgotti452]

  It's simple. It removes the need for cd's and replaces it with flash memory. I'm sure you can figure out the benefits from there.

[sheep2001]

You don't NEED it.  It's an option.

Still don't understand? Use google.  It can't be explained any simpler than arseen has explained it.

[Einhander]

It's simple. It removes the need for cd's and replaces it with flash memory. I'm sure you can figure out the benefits from there.

That's it? I'm not so lazy that I can't change a cd. Certainly wouldn't pay 160 so I don't have to open it up and put a cd in it. You know I thought about this the other day as I put a game in my PS4. I don't even notice it because it's not like it takes real effort.

Now, does it come with every game for free in the iso?