The Dreamcast console, released by Sega in 1998, was a pioneering gaming system that introduced several innovative features, including online gaming through its built-in modem and the VM (Visual Memory) unit, which had a small LCD screen. One of the lesser-known aspects of the Dreamcast's capabilities was its potential for playing CD-ROMs beyond games, specifically through the use of CD-i (Compact Disc-Interactive) format, although this was not a primary use case or officially supported by Sega.
: Because original Dreamcast GD-ROMs held 1GB of data and standard CDs only hold 700MB, "extra quality" releases use high-quality downsampling for audio and video rather than outright removing content to make the game fit. dreamcast cdi internet archive extra quality
The Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library, has been instrumental in preserving and making accessible a vast array of digital content, including software, games, movies, and websites. Given the historical significance of the Dreamcast and its progressive features, the Internet Archive saw an opportunity to preserve Dreamcast content, including games and software, for the benefit of both gamers and historians. The Dreamcast console, released by Sega in 1998,