Dreamcast Development - Questions and Answers
Mini FAQ v0.2
Despite of many other so called FAQ's this document does not try to give answers to whatever possible question in it's inner details - instead it tries to lead you to websites with the original information that will serve you much better than another half-complete and outdated traditional FAQ could ever do.However, if you still think you got something to add here, don't hesitate to send me a mail.
Q: Now, where do i download those ISOs?
A: go away. this ain't your business.
Q: Well, then would you tell me how to get the DevKit?
A: pfff! did you understand shit?!
Q: What do I need to develop for the Dreamcast?
A: Basically, you'll need a set of compiler(s) and development-hardware to communicate with the dreamcast. Just to list them all once, choices are:
a) official Development Kit.
Bare bones development kits start at 00. (This includes development- hardware as well as Katana and Win-CE development Software.) Additionally you'll need a GD Writer and burnable GDs, which currently run around per disc. To apply for a Devkit at SEGA you need to submit a company profile packet, project, and publisher information. (check
http://www.sega.com/pc/suits/segadev.jhtml
for further official information.)b) GNU-tools targeted on SH4 and custom hardware to communicate with the Dreamcast from your host.
This is obviously the way to go unless you are one of the lucky few who got a development kit licenced from SEGA.
Q: Where do i get GNU-Tools?
A: GNU Tools can be found on various places on the web. However, there is a more detailed step-by-step document on how to get/configure/install GNU tools for the sh4-target at the Hitmen Homepage (http://www.hitmen-console.org)
Q: What custom Hardware do i need?
A: The are 4 known methods for now how to get your stuff uploaded and run on the Dreamcast.
a) The serial cable developed by Marcus Comstedt. More information is at Marcus Comstedt's Page (http://mc.pp.se/dc/)
b) The DDH developed by Skywalker/Hitmen. This has not been publicly released yet. For more info check the Hitmen Homepage (http://www.hitmen-console.org)
c) Another High-Speed serial Cable developed by Double Dutch Designs. For more information look at the Double Dutch Designs Homepage (http://www.doubledutchdesigns.com/)
d) Burning a bootable CD. This obviously ain't the most adviced method ;=P
Q: Where can i find documents on the Dreamcast Hardware and it's programming?
A: Some documents on the Dreamcast internals can be found here:
Bitmaster (http://www.bigfoot.com/~bITmASTER) lowlevel info (note: bITmASTER kindly provided his old content to us, which is available here and here in the Dreamcast section.)Marcus Comstedt (http://mc.pp.se/dc/) lowlevel info
Maiwe's DC-Dev (http://www.ludd.luth.se/~jlo/dc/) some Power-VR docs
Console Dev (http://www.consoledev.com/dc/) some hitachi-docs about the sh4
Q: Are there any free libraries available?
A: yes, look at these pages:
Dan Potter (http://www.allusion.net/dcdev/) free core library 'libdream', small alternative 'libc', gdb stub.
HeroZero (http://www.axtelius.com/herozero/) free core library 'hzlib'.Q: How do i create a CD that can be booted in the Dreamcast?
A: A detailed description of the process can be found at Marcus Comstedt's Page. (http://mc.pp.se/dc/)
Q: Where do i get a Windoze-compiled binary of MKISOFS and CDRECORD?
A: a nice package including all necessary gadgets can be found at the CdRecord's Homepage (http://cdrecord.berlios.de/old/private/cdrecord.html).
Q: What other free Stuff has been released that i might want to get?
A: some essential things can be found at these sites:
Marcus Comstedt (http://mc.pp.se/dc/) cd-related tools, example Sourcecode.
Maiwe (http://www.ludd.luth.se/~jlo/dc/some) GCC/Binutils patches, sh4-disassembler
Dan Potter (http://www.allusion.net/dcdev/) texture-twiddler, example Sourcecode.
Q: Which other related resources are there on the net?
A: a more or less comprehensive list is at the Hitmen Homepage (http://www.hitmen-console.org).