Dreamcast DCDigital (Retro GEM) Fitting Service

Available now (handled by our partners BetaGamma Computing in Greece). Please allow for shipping and processing delays due to slow post in Europe and technical issues at the Greek post office. UK customers MUST e-mail us first about ANY mod work (except NI).

Now you can upgrade your Dreamcast console to HDMI video output making it fully compatible with modern displays. Experience the entire Dreamcast software library in true, lossless digital HDMI with no cable swapping and no fuss. 240p modes can be line-doubled with optional scanline overlays while 480i modes are qucikly de-interlaced with no input lag, or passed through to your TV should you require more sophisticated de-interlacing.

Note – We now use PixelFX’s Retro GEM board for these installations. The version that will be installed is the Retro GEM basic, this can be upgraded to the Shiny version at any time by simply purchasing an unlock key from PixelFX. Retro GEM basic is ideal for users who already have upscalers, such as the OSSC Pro or PixelFX Morph. For more information, see this page.

480p or VGA games (which make up the the majority of the consoles library) can be scaled up to 1440p (on Retro GEM Shiny). The Retro GEM Shiny features an integer scaling 1080p output mode for the sharpest possible image, resulting in pixel perfect presentation with the correct aspect ratio.

480p and 960p display modes are also available for TVs and monitors that support or require them, as well as a pass-through mode that applies digitisation only, perfect for CRTs (when used with a suitable digital to analogue converter (DAC)) or for users who already have a scaling solution.

Both audio and video are processed entirely digitally from the Dreamcast’s motherboard, ensuring the cleanest possible digital signal with no intermediate analogue conversion whatsoever.

Unlike many competing solutions the Retro GEM outputs the Dreamcast’s signal with the correct aspect ratio. Retro GEM features less than 1 frame of input lag in all processing modes.

No need to take our word for it either, check out these reviews from around the web:-

DCDigital review: Dreamcast gets a digital video upgrade – and it’s stunning (Eurogamer)
DCDigital – The 1080p Dreamcast (Dreamcast Junkyard)

Powering up your Dreamcast

Order this service and we will supply the Retro GEM upgrade kit and fit it professionally for you. Not only that, we will clean and service your Dreamcast console and replace the problematic fuse on the controller port with a thermal reset model. This fuse will still trigger to prevent damage but will not then need replacing, a simple power cycle will reset the fuse automatically.

To open the On Screen menu, use the following button combination on the Dreamcast’s controller:-

L + R + DPad R + B

To view the user guide/configuration guide for Retro GEM, click here.

If you prefer to DIY fit your RetroGEM, click here.

Note that RetroGEM uses a mini HDMI output port and so a mini HDMI cable is required.

Dreamcast and Sega are trademarks of Sega Co., Ltd. DCDigital/Retro GEM is NOT an official Sega product.