Catsmasher Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 I have been looking at these for a few weeks. We have a nice collection of handhelds and consoles, but sometimes it is a pain to hook them up just to play for an hour or two. It is also a pain to lug a Lynx and different Gameboys along when we travel. One of these systems, if they worked well, look like they would make a great addition. Is one better than the other in any way? The Wiz looks to be more expensive, but has a stylus - which I really don't need. How good are they at MP3s and movies? Any quality issues? Are there any other systems we should be looking at? Thanks Catsmasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cebus Capucinis Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 The WIZ seems to have better all-around support and development. I'd get it just because I feel like if anything went wrong I could easily get help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSchoolRetroGamer Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 (edited) The WIZ seems to have better all-around support and development. I'd get it just because I feel like if anything went wrong I could easily get help. Really? Judging from sites like the Wiz and Dingoo file archive my impression is just the opposite, though I expected the WIZ to have more development so far I have found the Dingoo beating it in support................ File Archives for various handhelds Admittedly I bought both just in case. Edited December 27, 2009 by OldSchoolRetroGamer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathanallan Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 (edited) Been looking around at the Chinese wholesalers, and they have all kinds of things that look exactly like the Dingoo. They'r eusing the abbreviation DS for "delightfully small." If I can get a single one I'll review it and report back, but the guys over there want me to buy a truckload of whatever, not a single one. This one: http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/multi-platform-portable-gaming-entertainment-station-black/ Edited December 27, 2009 by nathanallan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cebus Capucinis Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 The WIZ seems to have better all-around support and development. I'd get it just because I feel like if anything went wrong I could easily get help. Really? Judging from sites like the Wiz and Dingoo file archive my impression is just the opposite, though I expected the WIZ to have more development so far I have found the Dingoo beating it in support................ File Archives for various handhelds Admittedly I bought both just in case. Huh! I've never really done a lot of searching online, but I've been to each respective website and the WIZ seemed better off in terms of updates and whatnot. It's mainstreamed a lot more than the Dingoo, too, with ads in Thinkgeek.com and the like, and I'd assume needing a good development base would be a requirement for their seal of approval. Interesting to see that it's likely not the case! I haven't bought either yet but would love to get something like it; I did just recently get a DS used and a PSP is awaiting. I'm probably going to hack both of them, so I don't think I'll really need a WIZ or a Dingoo to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarian63 Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 I have been looking at these for a few weeks. We have a nice collection of handhelds and consoles, but sometimes it is a pain to hook them up just to play for an hour or two. It is also a pain to lug a Lynx and different Gameboys along when we travel. One of these systems, if they worked well, look like they would make a great addition. Is one better than the other in any way? The Wiz looks to be more expensive, but has a stylus - which I really don't need. How good are they at MP3s and movies? Any quality issues? Are there any other systems we should be looking at? Thanks Catsmasher Dingoo, it's great, tons of stuff and growing support. You cant go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuppicide Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Dingoo is cheaper. You will want the modified 1.20 firmware which can be overclocked to 430Mhz, and if you run Dingux (Linux on Dingoo) then you can run so much stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Version 2 of an Atari 7800 emulator for Dingoo native was released yesterday: http://boards.dingoonity.org/dingoo-releases/proosystem-v2-0/ I just tried it with a few ROMs and it seems to work well! There is also a port of Handy for the Dingoo, so you can play your Atari Lynx games on it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catsmasher Posted December 28, 2009 Author Share Posted December 28, 2009 Version 2 of an Atari 7800 emulator for Dingoo native was released yesterday: http://boards.dingoonity.org/dingoo-releases/proosystem-v2-0/ I just tried it with a few ROMs and it seems to work well! There is also a port of Handy for the Dingoo, so you can play your Atari Lynx games on it as well. That is what I want - to be able to run emulators. Is it comparable to running them on a PC? I am not much of a hacker - how straightforward is it to install and run the programs? All the talk about overclocking and different operating systems is scaring me. Can I just load emulators and run them with the installed OS? Thanks for the help. This sounds like it could be really cool. Keep on playing! Catsmasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 Yes - at least in the 'native' O/S. I run the emus for Lynx and Coleco often and they are easy to run. The 7800 emu looks great too but I haven't played much with it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I love the dingoo, at the price it is impossible to beat. Atari 7800, Lynx, 5200,2600 are all superb on the Dingoo, as is the Coleco and MAME emulators, video playback, MP3 playback etc etc etc. Really good value for money. I don't follow the WIZ anymore, but I believe the Dingoo has a very active population Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Version 2 of an Atari 7800 emulator for Dingoo native was released yesterday: I just tried it with a few ROMs and it seems to work well! There is also a port of Handy for the Dingoo, so you can play your Atari Lynx games on it as well. That is what I want - to be able to run emulators. Is it comparable to running them on a PC? I am not much of a hacker - how straightforward is it to install and run the programs? All the talk about overclocking and different operating systems is scaring me. Can I just load emulators and run them with the installed OS? Thanks for the help. This sounds like it could be really cool. Keep on playing! Catsmasher Installing Dingux is pretty easy when you follow the idiots guide to installing dingux. There are a few emulator "packs" that can be downloaded, but even I managed to learn a bit of linux code and install new emulators on the mini SD card. (and I am a total Luddite!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdement Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I've been scared off of buying a Dingoo because from everything I've read, it sounds like they're terribly fragile. Hacking a PSP sounds like a pain, but at least I won't have to worry about it breaking when I breathe on it. I wish I could use a new PSP though, instead of having to find an old one that can be hacked. If they'd make a better Dingoo I'd be all over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I've been scared off of buying a Dingoo because from everything I've read, it sounds like they're terribly fragile. Pshaw - I've had mine for a couple of months and treat it about the same as any other handheld I've owned (and I've owned quite a few) and I've never had a bit of trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathanallan Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I love the dingoo, at the price it is impossible to beat. Atari 7800, Lynx, 5200,2600 are all superb on the Dingoo, as is the Coleco and MAME emulators, video playback, MP3 playback etc etc etc. Really good value for money. I don't follow the WIZ anymore, but I believe the Dingoo has a very active population Wow, just looked at my link from earlier, compared it to an ebay sale, and yeah, the price can't be beat. ~$89 shipped, that's pretty good for something new and as useful as I have read. Somebody mentioned the PSP being fragile-- YES, it's a very fragile thing, even if it runs good (while it runs at all). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSchoolRetroGamer Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I got a black Dingoo recently and love it. I have a GP2xWiz also but I am still glad I got the Dingoo. As for it's frailty I don't know, find a suitable case for travel and don't be an idiot with it and you should have no issue with it. I actually like the built in games and was impressed with it's 3D capability reminding me of early PS1 titles. Very good for the price for sure.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I don't think the Dingoo is fragile at all, I use mine for at least 5 hours a day at work, mostly as an MP3 player but also for gaming during breaks. No problems in the 3 months I have been using it. It feels solidly built, no creaks or groans from the joypad or buttons. Build quality is at least as good as a DS in my opinion. At the price point I think it is tremendous value. Really glad that I bought one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathanallan Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I'm looking at the Dingoo now, that thing looks very interesting and being that it runs Linux (Dingux) makes it all the more desirable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSchoolRetroGamer Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I'm looking at the Dingoo now, that thing looks very interesting and being that it runs Linux (Dingux) makes it all the more desirable! I have yet to install Linux/Dingux, I'm a little confused by it. I DID install emulators for Sega Master system/ Colecovision/ Atari 7800 that work fine with native firmware though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 If you are a fan of the Atari Lynx, there is also a port of Handy that runs quite well. It's cool to run Blue Lightning or Shanghai on something the size of a Nintendo Micro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdement Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Well I could have gotten the wrong impression, but there were some complaints that worried me: - The screen cover reportedly is directly against the screen, so it's very vulnerable to pressure damage. - From doing a web search on drops, it seems virtually every time Dingoos are dropped, they break. But a major share of the PSP drops reported surviving. - I've seen a lot of DOA and dead in a few weeks complaints. Also inconsistent build issues with buttons and such. - Somebody on youtube said his screen got screwed up when he left the charger plugged in overnight. I would hope it has a decent charger circuit that shuts down when it's done charging. I don't want to have to keep track of that. But I don't own one, so it might be better than I think. I proceed from a skeptical position with no name Chinese stuff, and I haven't gotten a good impression from the balance of all the commentary. Maybe I'll end up with one anyway though. If I do, I'll probably hide it from my young nieces/nephews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Unfortunately there are way too many negatives posted on the web about pretty much everything, but if you look there are also a lot of people happy with the device. I heared that they sell 1-2000 units per week in the USA alone, so as with anything there are bound to be a few bad ones. For the record, I dropped my dingoo and it still works fine. The youtube video Vs the WIZ is very outdated, there has been a new firmware to resolve the button problem and we now have a load more emulators and Dingux:roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdement Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Unfortunately there are way too many negatives posted on the web about pretty much everything, but if you look there are also a lot of people happy with the device. Not trying to carry this on forever, but I referred to the balance of the commentary. I'm well aware that every device has mixed opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catsmasher Posted January 21, 2010 Author Share Posted January 21, 2010 I don't think the Dingoo is fragile at all, I use mine for at least 5 hours a day at work, mostly as an MP3 player but also for gaming during breaks. No problems in the 3 months I have been using it. It feels solidly built, no creaks or groans from the joypad or buttons. Build quality is at least as good as a DS in my opinion. At the price point I think it is tremendous value. Really glad that I bought one. Gee whiz, what kind of job do you have that you can play video games for 5 hours a day at work!? You are the king! I'm not worthy... After all the feedback, I bought the Dingoo. So far I really like it. It plays NES, GBA and SNES games on the built in emulators pretty well so far. The music player seems to work well. I haven't tried to install any videos, but the sample videos look and sound really good. (Using the included headphones of course). The menus are direct replicas of PSP and are pretty easy to navigate once you figure out that you need to page back to the main menu before changing applicatons. Unfortunately, there is one problem. I got a black one and there is a small area where the black has pulled away from under the cover leaving a white patch. I will be contacting Thinkgeek via email and seeing if I can send it back for replacement. It is not a huge issue, but when you buy something brand new, it should not have such a cosmetic defect. Should have gone with the white. I will do that before installing any of my own software. I am a big Lynx fan and I can't wait to try out the Lynx emulator! Overall - not bad at all for a little $100 Chinese gadget. I can see this going on roadtrips. Thanks for all the feedback. CatSmasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 There are also good emulators for the Atari 7800 and the Colecovision that run in the 'native' environment... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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