Several weeks ago we had a brief look at the
DreamConn wireless controller that popped up on eBay, and after much deliberation came to the conclusion that it looked like a great bit of kit. Featuring an impressive level of homebrew technology and reverse engineering, the DreamConn took an original stock Dreamcast controller and added Bluetooth technology and virtual VMUs amongst other things. Fast forward to the present and the creator of the DreamConn, Chris Diaoglou has produced an updated version with many more features and a lower price point:
DreamConn Version 2.0.
Version 2.0 has a whole host of improvements over previous iterations of the DreamConn, the most impressive being the vastly improved battery life - from around 3hrs in V1.0 to 10-14hrs in V2.0. Furthermore, the charging port has been changed from a micro USB to a 3.5mm jack (with a cable included as part of the package). Elsewhere, the LED has been upgraded so that it will now glow red when the battery is low.
The base unit that attaches to the Dreamcast has been refreshed too, and the whole device has improved internal circuitry and firmware. For ease, here are the details on V.20's improvements from the
eBay listing:
- Re-positioned power state LED.
- Power state LED is now bi-coloured : Green for normal battery / Red for low battery
- Addition of charging state LED : When battery is fully charged, the LED will light-up.
- Re-position and upgrade of the ON/OFF switch.
- Compact design of the Base Unit.
- Internal hardware and firmware upgrades.
Cool features from the original (such as being able to view the battery life and signal strength on the VMU screen) are retained, but the new DreamConn V2.0 has a lower asking price of around £96 plus postage. If you can spare the cash it looks to be a sound investment.
We will be taking delivery of a DreamConn V2.0 here at the Junkyard in the very near future so be sure to check back for an exclusive video review in the coming weeks (we'll also have it at
Play Expo Manchester in October so you'll be able to have a demo if you're going). That said, we'll be spamming your Facebook and Twitter feeds to death anyway so you won't have chance to miss it. That's just how we roll at the 'Yard.
13 comments:
This is such a cool piece of technology, been looking/waiting for wireless controllers for years!
Amazing! Are you able to use any vmu screen functionality from any games? or does the dreamconn stuff stay on at all times?
It looks like the screen is used as a status screen for the controller and the internal virtual VMUs do all the saving etc, but we will be doing a full video review in the near future as Chris is kindly lending us one to put through it's paces.
Looking forward to it Tom! This guy next needs to whip up a rechargeable vmu either charged through some sort of cradel or better directly from the controller. Sure thats not remotely possible but I can dream.
A rechargeable vmu that charges directly from the controller...I think it can (relatively easily) be done. I'll check to it.
That would be very cool Chris, not that THAT many games used the VMU outside of the pad but would be a super nice to have!
Very nice. I'll be looking to pick one of these up down the line at some point.
to bads its over 150$ on ebay lil to high for me
Yeah it still costs $150 on eBay not sure where you got that it has a lower price now?
i want to know if i can pull it apart to paint it. do that in your review. if its too top secret just share with me tom. ill keep it secret
Hey there Chris! I was just wondering if you had the chance to look into the rechargeable VMUs. :) I've been hoping for a solution for a long time, the CR2032s just run out so fast. XD
It's unlikely Chris will see your question here. Probably best to contact him through eBay.
I model a vmu a few years ago by soldering a postie and negative cable to the batty conceptions inside the vmu to a 2 pin mole and cut the vmu case to fit.
Then made a usb to 2 pin molex female connecter then use a back up phone battery charger all in only cost £3.00
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