Dreamcast HD: Hd converters or complex transcoders reccomended for dreamcast systems and not ps2. Ps2 has no AA so it looks horrible in component, native vga and hd even though both are standard 480p. It gives us the Grain effect seen in there psone and ps2 console. The colors are enhanced in s-video, and diminished in HD giving it a flat texture feel + grain. The hd converters are useful because they create emersive environments in games which much need it such as blue stinger, trickstyle, doa and sonic. Games which dont need it are sega gt so like xbox 360 and ps3 it depends on the colors of the environment for hd emersion. AA on HD is a problem for new consoles even today where HD is not all about res as much about colors where 480 720 or 1080 dont make a noticable difference. Thankfully, most HD tvs have a vga output though so its better getting a PC out instead, although this is cheating. It makes the video colors look like component rather than hd because usually its upscaled ala the new gen xbox 360 effect.

Quick note: This is a given to tube televisions which mimic HD I personally call HDMI, most HD televisions will not function well in 640x480, often scaling or reducing the effects. HDMI tvs are good for 640x480, with of course the 50 dollar hd converter except bad for 720p, or native hd signals. It doesn't scale the images or reduce it like plasma does in 640x480p but make the graphics of 480p unnoticable (plasma has it scaled, usually discolored). In 720p on hdmi, you will see texture scaling or what I call no ability to see the bump mapping on the visuals and up-close textures (for xbox 360 this is a must). I have tested this on 3 tvs standard vizio, sony plasma, and another plasma i cannot recall at the moment (sanyo maybe?). As for xbox 360 1080p is the best choice with preference over quality...on a sony plasma which exceeds 40 inches because scaling does not effect the textures noticably than that. The native black levels, Aliasing and sharpness will be reduced at a cost of textures (reduced glare, shiny texture bp, loss of visible up close textures). Textures on games, as mentioned in one of my articles, effects the gleaming aspect, bump-mappingand sharpness of non-scaling. I prefer 720p because of this technical advantage unless games are truly made for 1080p (time to change the box insignia...any day now), very noticable in capcom and sega games. This problem can be alleviated by testing brands, eg lcd plasma, or other etc. I Reccomend older models of plasma which only use 720p to 480p. I use a diamond tube hdmi. Monitor quality Dreamcast on HDTV? Check. Well, see yah.

Copying games?

The best console to copy games are Ps2 and Dreamcast. Ps2 has an HD loader, while Dreamcast has CDrs to buy. The Ps2 is probably the best because the HD Loader lets you install any game. The Dreamcast can be good except not for the long run (if you are a game renter). Cartridge based Emulation is nice for the old school consoles and N64, except good to try and buy only, like the dreamcast or psone using cheap cdrs that dont copy correctly. They often glitch up, the cartridge aspect of N64 with unique graphics on emulators poses problems with 3d glitches. Most programs like Imageburn or Alcohol 120 are the best for this. I managed to copy about 100 games in the course of a month on Dreamcast using sites like DCisozone. Xbox, Psones and the new gens might need mods is what I heard, except Im not too sure. For the most part Dreamcast games are easily copyable and most commonly piratable. Low sound quality means no loud volume sound or base for that vga adapter hooked up to your surround sound system. The only really flaws I can think of is unnecessary reboots and freezes due to sound/video compression and graphics ommission ala 1.2 or something gdroms utilizing 700-800 megs cdr of data. On other game systems which I have once owned including gamecube and xbox 360, I am not too familar with mods. They are expensive and risky. I have never modded a console, although I heard its very beneficial in the long run.

Dreamcast CD-rs: Dreamcast reads cdrs twice as slow (long loadtimes@ 6x) and has missing content like music and cutscenes. Dreamcast CDrs are actually good, except it matters on which brand you buy. If you buy a brand, with the newer models, they read the cdrs faster and break the whole thing (games end up not booting or reading correctly). Sometimes the lazer passes twice instead of once, creating a ring effect, othertimes the cdr make create inaccurate results. The standard cdr by your drives manufacturer work best. Beware of cheap manufactured cdrs (usually with no labels) which create film tear as well. For instance, TDK for tdk drives, and Memorex for Memorex ones. fujifilm cdrs are easily the best universal cdr company you can find, durable, long lasting, and hard plastic make the film not deteriorate so easily, the same goes for rewritable dvdrs (which never work out too great anyways eg akward copy write errors such as for making rar files or back ups). CDRs can easily deteriote as well. Because of these flaws, and the ones formentioned well made Cdrs are reccomended ONLY for unreleased games such as Halflife and propeller online. The settings have always been Raw Tao at the lowest writing speed, except it can burn at a high one too. Burn n' try instead of earn and buy is what I always say ala disc juggler, a120, nero or imageburn. Programs without these settings are not reccomended. 800 meg cdrs dont work too great either in terms of readibility for the Dreamcast at least (most often over use leads to rings ala xbox 360). Gdroms can hold games like soa 2 easily. Upgrades and homebrew were very much so reccomended. Sometimes mvc2 conversions in music are most fun to play, othertimes you got faulty features but games like quake III were online ready and in tact. Usually dc copying results in laser lens reduction, because it puts a strain on the optical lens and motor. This is seen in most psone systems where the lens drops into the bay gradually until the cd is unreadable although the number one cause is age and moving the consoles. New consoles arent meant for mobility. Dreamcast copying is useful for games to be tested, played briefly, or backed up. What most people don't know is that it takes experience to notice problems with the Dreamcast. Its a really well built console actually. The laser lens screws are usually supposed to be fitted loosely in order to not hold the lens down. Fanboys who open up there console probably notice it does not create the upside down effect as its supposed to this way. The best solution is to print out the case design and line up the sticker with the printers as well. The end result will be advantageous to any game.