[0r4ng3]

Exacly what it says on the tin.

I've seen VMS used as synonym of VMU in many english sites, including right here on Sega Retro and on the english wikipedia. According to these sources, that is the name of the device in Japan. However, in my research for these things in numerous japanese sites, I've never seen it listed as VMS. Not in the japanese wikipedia, not in Sega's hardware page (even the URL is mocking me), not] in any packaging (neither the Dream Points or the non-standard packaging) and never in any japanese site either. It is always listed as Visual Memory (ビジュアルメモリ).

I know .vms is the extension of the virtual memory save file. I can't shake the feeling that VMS is another myth as the V in VMU meaning virtual was. I'm sorry if it's an ignorant question but it has been bothering me for awhile. So, does anyone know where System or VMS comes from?

[xdaniel]

Yeah, the two Japanese DC games - Sonic Adventure 2 and Psychic Force 2012 - I've got at hand only ever call it "Visual Memory" (or talk of generic "memory cards") in their manuals, either... SA2's manual even states that the "VM Minigame" needs 128 blocks, no "S" anywhere.

[Shadow Hog]

It was called the Visual Memory System back during the console's announcement, and for several months thereafter. At some point before launch, it was changed from "System" to "Unit". It's been VMU ever since.

That's my understanding of the situation - I definitely recall it being called VMS back during the initial "holy crap Dreamcast" rush, and then suddenly being VMU.

This post has been edited by Shadow Hog: 09 February 2011 - 05:17 PM

[Andlabs]

VMS? Digital beat Sega to the abbreviation.

[0r4ng3]

Maybe I'm not expressing myself well.

Wikipedia says the name of the device is VMS in Japan, VMU in the US (because VMS was already taken) and VM in Europe. Though not all english sites explain why the transition occurred, close to every will say that VMS is what the device was called in Japan. However, I've never seen VMS used in Japan. It is always just Visual Memory (packaging even has a trademark next to VM) and there is no word "system" attached to it nor do they use VMS as an abbreviation. If I had only came across japanese sites considering this, I'd say the device in Japan was called Visual Memory only. My doubt is where VMS is the name the device in Japan comes from to begin with.

[Black Squirrel]

Am I not right in thinking that when the unit is turned on, it actually reads "Visual Memory Unit"?

I've always called it the VMU, even before the internet was big, so though it may have been "officially" branded "Visual Memory" in Europe, the term "Visual Memory Unit" must have been leaking into the media from somewhere. I don't have a Japanese model so I couldn't say whether that's officially known as the "Visual Memory System"... perhaps there were translation issues?

[Sik]

What if system was never part of the name? E.g. they were talking about it as the system called Visual Memory.

[Rika Chou]

Am I not right in thinking that when the unit is turned on, it actually reads "Visual Memory Unit"?

Yeah, I am pretty sure I remember this.

This post has been edited by Rika Chou: 12 February 2011 - 04:20 AM

[0r4ng3]

Am I not right in thinking that when the unit is turned on, it actually reads "Visual Memory Unit"?

From what I recall, yes, Visual Memory Unit at startup, but none of those that I own have batteries at the moment (I'll get them tomorrow and be certain). Especially the PAL one, which has a different casing from the rest of the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8dvjCBiKqI&t=1m17s

That is either a US / Japanese model.

I've always called it the VMU, even before the internet was big, so though it may have been "officially" branded "Visual Memory" in Europe, the term "Visual Memory Unit" must have been leaking into the media from somewhere. I don't have a Japanese model so I couldn't say whether that's officially known as the "Visual Memory System"... perhaps there were translation issues?

It's not the VMU term I have problems with as the boxing for the US has Visual Memory Unit written on it (both versions of the packaging orangish and black). So I take that the name is the official one for the US. However, Visual Memory System, I never saw besides english wiki). In Japan, it's always VM like in Europe.

What if system was never part of the name? E.g. they were talking about it as the system called Visual Memory.

Yes, this system thing. Where does it come from? I never saw system being used in official sources. It's always just Visual Memory in Japan. Packaging, Sega's hardware site, shop listings, fan sites, etc.

[0r4ng3]

So I suppose I can't confirm this in any way.

Another thing about standard VMUs (not coloured ones). To my knowledge, US and Japanese official devices have a spiral next to the Dreamcast inscription while PAL devices do not have that spiral (and have a larger font instead). This is the same for the Vibration Packs, Mouse and Fishing Controllers (though the spiral in JP/US is above the inscription in this last case). Does anyone own any of these accessories that contradict this rule (ie US without a spiral or PAL with spiral)?

[Black Squirrel]

I suspect there's a few little details which are different between Japanese, North American and European models.

One thing I do know is that the Japanese Dreamcast console has a transparent piece of plastic on the CD lid above the LED rather than a grey one seen in US/EU models. The difference doesn't show up well in photographs.


Also if you're hunting for VMUs
http://www.segagagadomain.com/vmu-page.htm
there are quite a few official ones

This post has been edited by Black Squirrel: 21 February 2011 - 02:02 PM

[0r4ng3]

I suspect there's a few little details which are different between Japanese, North American and European models.

One thing I do know is that the Japanese Dreamcast console has a transparent piece of plastic on the CD lid above the LED rather than a grey one seen in US/EU models. The difference doesn't show up well in photographs.


Also if you're hunting for VMUs
http://www.segagagadomain.com/vmu-page.htm
there are quite a few official ones

This is relevant to my interests. So you're saying only Japanese DCs had that clear piece? I know that piece is exclusive to revision 0 but I had read that it spanned all three regions. So even revision 0 in US/PAL was grey? Then again, I never saw a US/PAL revision 0 either.

That's a fine good list but there're a couple of them missing. I have a complete one, but I'm still gathering data on a few details, then I'll publish it. Thanks.

This post has been edited by 0r4ng3: 21 February 2011 - 03:23 PM

[Black Squirrel]

I think the Japanese kept the clear piece throughout the lifespan of the console (not including the specials). It was also visable in a lot of pre-release photos of the system for all regions, but I think they were always grey in non-Japanese regions.

I got my first Dreamcast in December of 1999 (two months after release) and I'm pretty sure it didn't have a clear bit.

This post has been edited by Black Squirrel: 21 February 2011 - 04:08 PM

[Elratauru]

I have a US Launch DC, with no clear piece.

To me it was:
Red Spiral, Transparent Piece --> Japanese DC
Red spiral, Gray Piece --> US DC
Blue Spiral, Gray Piece --> EU DC

[0r4ng3]

Thank you very much for your answer. Could you answer something else though? Flip the console and in the sticker, look for a number inside a circle (the revision). Is it 0, 1 or 2?