Dreamcast Broadband Adapter
Encyclopedia
The Dreamcast Broadband Adapter (often abbreviated to BBA) is an accessory that was released for the Dreamcast. The console originally came equipped with a 56 or 33.6K modem
for use with dial-up Internet access but the release of the broadband adapter on January 10, 2001 allowed the Dreamcast to utilize broadband Internet access
. The device can be used for web browsing, gaming and all of the other functions accessible using dial-up access. Shortly after its release, the adapter also became one of the items used to copy Dreamcast GD-ROM
s, much faster than was previously possible.
system and vice-versa.
There were only two versions released that were approved by Sega
.
When introduced, only a few hundred thousand were released, retailing at $59.95 (USD
).Due to the limited supply, they currently tend to sell for over $100 with online retailers. There is also a way to create a server between a Dreamcast and PC using the standard modem which allows the Dreamcast to share the PC's network connection. 1
Modem
A modem is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data...
for use with dial-up Internet access but the release of the broadband adapter on January 10, 2001 allowed the Dreamcast to utilize broadband Internet access
Broadband Internet access
Broadband Internet access, often shortened to just "broadband", is a high data rate, low-latency connection to the Internet— typically contrasted with dial-up access using a 56 kbit/s modem or satellite Internet with inherently high latency....
. The device can be used for web browsing, gaming and all of the other functions accessible using dial-up access. Shortly after its release, the adapter also became one of the items used to copy Dreamcast GD-ROM
GD-ROM
GD-ROM is the proprietary optical disc format used by the Dreamcast games console, as well as its arcade counterparts and the Sega/Nintendo/Namco Triforce arcade system...
s, much faster than was previously possible.
Versions
It is a common misconception that the broadband adapter was released with two model numbers (HIT-0400 for US, and HIT-0401 for Japan). This is actually a misunderstanding as all broadband adaptors from Japan or the US have the code HIT-0400. The code HIT-0401 actually refers to the Japanese broadband adapters' packaging and documentation, and the code HIT-0400 refers to the adapter hardware itself. The adapters are not region coded, so an American (or Japanese) adapter could be used on a PALPAL
PAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
system and vice-versa.
There were only two versions released that were approved by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
.
- HIT-0400: "Broadband Adapter", the more common model, this used a Realtek 8139 chip and supported 10 and 100 Mbit speeds.
- HIT-0300: "LAN Adapter", this version used a Fujitsu MB86967 chip and supported only 10 Mbit speed. This adapter is not compatible with any Dreamcast games and worked only with the included Japanese browser disk.
When introduced, only a few hundred thousand were released, retailing at $59.95 (USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
).Due to the limited supply, they currently tend to sell for over $100 with online retailers. There is also a way to create a server between a Dreamcast and PC using the standard modem which allows the Dreamcast to share the PC's network connection. 1