6 ms·

Someone recorded the SEGA Channel's menu interface on VHS back when it was in operation and has subsequently uploaded it to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wat

Someone recorded the SEGA Channel's menu interface on VHS back when it was in operation and has subsequently uploaded it to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMRLZcBiN-k&t=72s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMRLZcBiN-k&t=72s An interesting detail of the SEGA Channel is that it was a one-way modem. There was no way for the cartridge to communicate anything back to the headend. Instead, there was a constant broadcast of Game 1, Menu program, Game 2, Menu program, Game 3, ... looping forever. When you selected a game, it would just wait for it to come around on the loop and store it locally.

rahimnathwani 7y ago
The looping you describe sounds similar to how teletext worked. You would enter a page number, and wait for the page to load. If it was a common page (e.g. the default page '100') it would be transmitted more frequently, so the average wait time would be lower.
- elsurudo 7y ago
  > how teletext worked How teletext works! In Europe, it is still used. There is weather, classifieds, LOTS of "seeking partner" ads usually for the older generation, etc... Really neat technology/"hack" when you think about it
  - rahimnathwani 7y ago
    "In Europe, it is still used." Wow. Your comment prompted me to ask my dad whether he still uses teletext. I assumed the answer would be 'no', because he can read and watch news on his iPad. But apparently he still uses teletext for quick access to news headlines and share prices.
    - danieldk 7y ago
      I have also seen people who use the online version/simulation of teletext. Probably because it is so brief and has very few distractions. E.g.: https://nos.nl/teletekst https://nos.nl/teletekst
      - s_y_n_t_a_x 7y ago
        That's really cool. Thanks for the link.
    - jeffrallen 7y ago
      In Switzerland, subtitles are on TT page 777.
- Symbiote 7y ago
  That's also how the auxiliary content in digital TV works -- the content that isn't video, audio or subtitles. The channel guide and semi-interactive text content (i.e. "modern" teletext) are special packets in the MPEG stream, and are cached by the receiver.
  - izacus 7y ago
    Yep, and the MPEG streams in Europe still carry actual Teletext on some DVB-T/C streams and even IP-TV.
codesushi42 7y ago
That is true. However, XBand signed a deal with Sega to build their modem into the Sega Channel adapter, enabling multiplayer gaming. I believe the multiplayer adapter was piloted in a few select regions, but I cannot say for certain. Anyway, I did have a friend with Sega Channel growing up. It was revolutionary. I would see nothing like it again until well over a decade later.

rahimnathwani 7y ago

The looping you describe sounds similar to how teletext worked. You would enter a page number, and wait for the page to load. If it was a common page (e.g. the default page '100') it would be transmitted more frequently, so the average wait time would be lower.

elsurudo 7y ago
> how teletext worked How teletext works! In Europe, it is still used. There is weather, classifieds, LOTS of "seeking partner" ads usually for the older generation, etc... Really neat technology/"hack" when you think about it
- rahimnathwani 7y ago
  "In Europe, it is still used." Wow. Your comment prompted me to ask my dad whether he still uses teletext. I assumed the answer would be 'no', because he can read and watch news on his iPad. But apparently he still uses teletext for quick access to news headlines and share prices.
  - danieldk 7y ago
    I have also seen people who use the online version/simulation of teletext. Probably because it is so brief and has very few distractions. E.g.: https://nos.nl/teletekst https://nos.nl/teletekst
    - s_y_n_t_a_x 7y ago
      That's really cool. Thanks for the link.
  - jeffrallen 7y ago
    In Switzerland, subtitles are on TT page 777.
Symbiote 7y ago
That's also how the auxiliary content in digital TV works -- the content that isn't video, audio or subtitles. The channel guide and semi-interactive text content (i.e. "modern" teletext) are special packets in the MPEG stream, and are cached by the receiver.
- izacus 7y ago
  Yep, and the MPEG streams in Europe still carry actual Teletext on some DVB-T/C streams and even IP-TV.

codesushi42 7y ago

That is true. However, XBand signed a deal with Sega to build their modem into the Sega Channel adapter, enabling multiplayer gaming. I believe the multiplayer adapter was piloted in a few select regions, but I cannot say for certain. Anyway, I did have a friend with Sega Channel growing up. It was revolutionary. I would see nothing like it again until well over a decade later.