The VMU (Visual MEMORY unit) is actually a memory card for the play console Dreamcast of Sega. Contrary to other memory cards it serves not only than memory card, but can be used also than additional display in the Gamepad or even than independent Handheld.

Technology

• Connections: 2*7 pin at the top side with a serial interface
• Batteries: 2 x CR2032
• CCU: 8-bit (Sanyo LC8670 "“Potato"”), a processor manufactured particularly for Sega, which is compatible with the Sanyo LC86104C however as far as possible
• Screen: 48x32 pixel + four symbols at the lower edge of screen, mono chrome 1-bit
• Sceen size: 37 mm wide 26 mm highly
• Housing size: 47 mm wide 80 mm highly 16 mm thickly (1,85 in 3,15 in 0,63 in)
• Current supply: , switches itself 2 x off button battery automatically
• Weight: 45 g
• Sound: 1-Kanal PWM
• Memory: 128 KB (200 blocks) - the memory can be used both by DC plays, and/or 64KB of it also by VMU plays.

Functionality

In addition, the interface of the VMU can be put both into the CONTROLLER of the Dreamcast, it can for two VMUs directly be interconnected, in order to play or copy around memory conditions from a map to the other one plays (Chao Battle from Sonic Adventures) against each other. The VMU can store in each case a playable play.

Usually the display was used only for the Spielelogo or for short animations (for example Virtual tennis 2). In some plays like for example Sonic Shuffle had each player however an own screen, so that only it can see its maps.

Career/development

After (commercial) the end of the Dreamcast there were also no more further official developments for the VMU. Exactly as for the Dreamcast gives it for the VMU however still a small, active developer scene.

Related links

• Information to the Dreamcast VMU development

Articles in category "VMU"

We found here 3 articles.

Related Websites

We found here 6 related websites.

• DC VMU ICONS
  Our site has icons for your Dreamcast's VMU! There are over 150 and still counting! You can even make your own icons with our custom icons section.


• Official Website for VMU 2
  Mark Werth Lieutenant Colonel US Marine Corps Commanding Officer, VMU 2 ... VMU-2 MACG-28 2DMAW PSC Box 8077 Cherry Point, NC 28533-0077. Group Duty Officer ...


• PlanetDreamcast: Hardware - VMU
  The Dreamcast's Visual Memory Unit (VMU for short) is truly unique. A combination memory card and portable game system, the VMU is an innovation that is ...


• Sega dreamcast VMU development tools
  Tools for developing games and/or programs for the Sega dreamcast VMU/VMS.


• VMU - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  The VMU (short for Visual Memory Unit, not Virtual Memory Unit) is the "memory card" ... In Europe, the VMU was simply called a VM, short for Visual Memory. ...


• VMU Space Invaders
  The site contains the VMU Space Invaders game. Also has free source code to the game as well as useful...