Black Boxes: Dreamcast Reviewed
www.sega.com
Base unit $199 (includes one game controller). Additional controllers $29.99. Optional keyboard $24.99.
Video gaming devices are getting faster, more powerful and more feature-laden all the time. The latest release from Sega includes a Web browser, quite possibly making it smarter as well. Sega has long been one of the leaders in the highly competitive video game market, and their latest weapon in the game wars is a true delight for kids of any age.
Clearly aimed at video game fans (16-24 year old males), the Dreamcast machine includes a built-in modem and a Web browser, making it a set-top Internet device as well as a game machine.
Getting Set to Dream
Straight out of the box, the Dreamcast is very easy to get up and running. After connecting power, the audio/video cable, a phone line (for Internet access) and the included controller, simply slip a program disk into the CD drive on top of the unit and turn on the power. Games start their demo mode as soon as the system is powered, but the Internet browser requires a little bit of setup to before you can connect to the included Internet service, or to whatever service you may choose.
After filling in a few blanks, the Dreamcast dials out on its included 56k modem and upon connection starts you out at the SegaNet Web site. The browser which is included with the Dreamcast is very trim, having a simple interface, a peppy response, but lacking in some of the abilities of most standard computer browsers.
Web Browsing Lite
Dreamcast's Web browser can display simple Web pages, including graphics, and can even display frames pages, but it is severely limited in its multimedia capabilities. It cannot display streaming video, nor can it show downloadable video (since it has no hard drive on which to download). It can play many standard Web sounds, but it cannot play streaming audio or Internet radio. It cannot play Macromedia Flash presentations, nor can it display VRML (Virtual Reality Mark-up Language, 3-D graphics) pages.
For someone who already has a computer with any of the last few generations of Web browsers it will seem a rather rudimentary browsing solution. If you are new to the Net, you may not mind its functional limitations. What you might mind, however, are the routine error messages telling you that you cannot view such-and-such a file because the Web browser does not support it.
Dreamcast is ISP independent, so you can connect to the Internet with your current Internet service provider. Sega has recently announced plans to launch SegaNet, which will include online multi-player gaming and their own dial-up ISP for $21.95/month.
Accessories and Games
As far as game machines go, the Dreamcast appears to be a solid competitor. It offers a wide variety of graphically stunning games and many fine peripherals ("add-ons"). In addition to the optional keyboard, which we used with our test machine, you can chose from a variety of controllers (up to four can be used for multi-player games). There are also vibrating plug-ins, so you can "feel" the game, and memory modules (to store your high scores) with their own LCD displays, which allow you to play games wherever you go.
There are even steering controllers for racing games and a fishing pole for the bass fishing game, as well as a variety of specialty controllers and accessories yet to come. There is an ever-increasing assortment of games available for the Dreamcast; many based on previous Sega home games and arcade favorites. The Dreamcast also will play audio CDs in stereo, and in the future will connect to WindowsCE devices.
You can buy optional display cables, including S-Video (for connecting to higher resolution monitors) and VGA (for connecting to computer monitors), for better picture quality. (Using either the included composite A/V cable or the S-video cable to connect the Dreamcast to your VCR would mean that you could videotape game play, or, more our cup of tea, videotape your browsing session, so that you could review Web pages while off line.
Not Necessarily a Bad Thing
Overall, the Dreamcast is a powerful and entertaining game system. Unfortunately, its game prowess does not make it a Smart TV system component. If only Sega had built in a Web browser equal in power to its game-playing abilities, this could easily have been a good choice for an alternative access device.
Alas, with the Dreamcast, the most satisfying surfing you will be able to do will be in some "Hang 10" game, probably with a plug-in surfboard. Although easily added to an entertainment system, and tons of fun, the Dreamcast does not raise your television's IQ enough to make it truly smart. However, it's a good start and an innovative product. It combines several technologies which is the foundation smart television components are based on.
Platform Proprietary; compatible with Windows CE
Tech Specs
128-bit graphics engine (PowerVR2DC) with a top speed to 3,000,000 polygons per second
24MB (24 million bytes) of system memory
64 voice CD-quality audio
56kbps modem
Four controller ports
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