200GB Sega Dreamcast Mod - Retro Console Restoration

In this video I work on a Sega Dreamcast that's been sitting in my repair pile for almost a year. I actually unboxed this Dreamcast as part of a bulk faulty console purchase in the very first video I uploaded to this channel! A couple of months ago I purchased another bulk console lot, and I happened to come across Dreamcast controllers and VMUs. It was time to work on this puppy.

The unit fired up just fine so it didn't look like I had any power issues to address. The clock battery was dead and wouldn't recharge (Dreamcast internal battery is rechargeable). Unsurprisingly, the optical drive wouldn't read discs. While I could have attempted an optical drive repair along with the other minor issues that needed to be addressed, I instead opted for an optical drive emulator, i.e. the GDEMU.

The Dreamcast can be a prohibitively expensive system to collect games for, and with near perfect compatibility with the GDEMU it was the obvious choice. I was able to fit over 150 games on the system and am already enjoying some of my favorite games from childhood (indeed, I owned a Dreamcast while in high school and had about 15 games for it by the time I got rid of it).

This is one of my favorite projects so far (I feel like I've said that a few times). But really, I don't know why I waited this long. This system is a blast and incredibly fun. I'm looking forward to the holidays this year, I know what I'll be doing.

🎵 Music
Ikson - Together   / ikson  
   / ikson  

Affiliated links below to some of the tools I use if you'd like to support the channel:

🎮 Dreamcast Mod List:
GDEMU Board: https://amzn.to/2HdXMME
200GB SD Card: https://amzn.to/345EJgP
Dreamcast Controller Board Refurb Kit: https://amzn.to/3jaNxG9
ML2032 Clock Battery: https://amzn.to/353iUOc

🖥 Composite and S-Video on my Mac
USB Capture Card: https://amzn.to/2YM4TT7
(Catalina 64-bit drivers can be found on the manufacturer's website)

🔧 Toolkit
Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/2X7s0Gj
Automatic Wire Stripper: https://amzn.to/30F5TJm

🖌 Soldering Essentials
TS100 Soldering Iron: https://amzn.to/2YIJZUR
No Clean Flux Syringe: https://amzn.to/2NFUZvQ
No Clean Solder: https://amzn.to/2NHEAqQ
Desoldering Braid: https://amzn.to/312Grws

🔍 Soldering Add-ons
Tip Tinner: https://amzn.to/31w2EF4
Helping Hands Soldering Aid: https://amzn.to/3ihgksP