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Dina 2 in one (2-in-1)
Type |
Console Clone |
Developer |
Bit Corporation |
Release Date |
1986-Feb |
Region(s) |
United States, Taiwan |
Initial Price |
$40 USD |
Games Released |
Compatible with ColecoVision and Sega SG-1000 |
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DW FACTS
by Dark Watcher with added
content from Marriott_Guy |
Bit Corporation had their stake in the videogame industry for years creating games for the Atari 2600. Being a Korean based
company allowed them the ability to overlook copyright and patents. In the mid 1980s Bit Corporation created a line of computers (the
BIT-60 and BIT-90) that were compatible with both Atari 2600 and ColecoVision cartridges. In 1986 they went a step further and
created a console called the DINA 2 in one (2-in-1).
The DINA 2-in-1 was an impressive clone. This slim console could play both ColecoVision and Sega SG-1000 cartridges. It came
equipped with Nintendo N.E.S styled control pads and even had a built in game called Meteoric Shower (pictured to the right). Since the DINA control
pads did not contain the numeric keypad of the actual ColecoVision controller, they were mounted on the unit itself. It also
sported a "pause" button that could be used for SG-1000 games. An expansion port resides on the back of the console,
but for the most part this was not utilized (described in more detail below).
Elsewhere in the world Coleco was feeling the pains of the Videogame Crash. Britain-based company Telegames eventually purchased
the rights to the ColecoVision console and bought most of Coleco's stock. Rather then selling Coleco's bulky unit, Telegames
began manufacturing and distributing the Bit Corporation designed DINA 2-in-1. In 1988 the renamed DINA became the Telegames
Personal Arcade. The unit was only available for mail order through Telegames USA, a Texas-based videogame mail-order store.
Retail price? Only $40 USD.
As impressive as the Telegames Personal Arcade was for the price, it did have its share of flaws. The console was not compatible
with all ColecoVision carts. Part of the reason was due to the lack of a second player numeric keypad. The Atari 2600
adaptor and other expansion devices were incompatible due to the positioning of the power and RF connectors. Some units had a
manufacturing defect that caused the system to draw too much power into the motherboard causing damage after long term play.
FACT: Telegames Personal Arcade was only advertised as a Colecovision alternative. Western gamers were never aware of its
Sega SG-1000 capabilities. Owners probably mistaken the additional slot as an expansion port. The rumor that the SG-1000
slot was disabled in models by Telegames is completely false. |
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Above picture courtesy of Sega Retro
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MODELS
Officially licensed releases |
The Bit Corporation and Telegames Personal Arcade are virtually identical, with the exception the obvious branding variations. |
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Some pictures courtesy of Sega Retro |
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CLONES
Non-licensed hardware releases |
This system is a clone.
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CONSOLE RATINGS
by 98PaceCar |
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. A 10 point scale is utilized, with 10 being
excellent. |
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CRITERIA |
RATING |
NOTES & COMMENTS |
Console Design |
05 |
The Dina 2-in-1 is a
relatively bland looking console, but the idea of having both ColecoVision and Sega SG-1000 compatibility in a single
package is appealing, at least to hard core collectors. |
Console Durability |
04 |
Some of the had problems
with failing motherboards and the overall build quality is low, as would be expected in what amounts to an unauthorized
clone console. |
Controllers |
04 |
The controllers for the
Dina 2-in-1 are usable, but nothing exceptional. |
Graphics |
07 |
Effectively marketed as a
ColecoVision compatible alternative, the Dina is able to play a large amount of the ColecoVision library which gives it
access to some impressive games. |
Audio |
07 |
Again, as a ColecoVision
clone, the Dina is more than capable in the sound department. |
Media |
08 |
Though no Dina specific
carts were released, the Dina had access to some of the hardiest cartridges released in the ColecoVision releases. |
Game Library |
07 |
If the Dina were fully
compatible with the ColecoVision library, it would have scored higher here. The incompatibilities pull it down a bit
as it isn't a true replacement for a ColecoVision. SG-1000 capabilities bring it back up a notch, though SG-1000
cartridges are extremely difficult to source outside of Japan. |
Gamer Value |
03 |
The incompatibilities the
Dina suffers form as well as its relatively high price bring down the gamer value to a point where I wouldn't recommend it
to someone wanting to play, unless SG-1000 is a desire. |
Collector Value |
06 |
The Dina is a tough console
to find, especially in working condition. The fact that it's a clone brings down the value in some collector's eyes.
Also watch for the Telegames version of the same console. |
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SPECS & MANUALS
For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love. |
The Bit Corporation and Telegames version are nearly identical, with the exception of a little change in branding on the front
of the console. The Bit Corp. model included the power supply (AC 127V, 60 Hz) while the Telegames Personal Arcade did
not. Neither system included an instruction manual.
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Processor Type |
Processor
Speed |
Other
Processor Information |
RAM \ Video RAM |
NEC 780-C (Zilog 780A
clone) |
3.25 MHz |
Texas Instruments
TMS9929A VDC |
8 KB \ 16 KB |
Screen Resolution
|
Color Palette
|
Polygons \ Sprites
|
Audio |
256 x 192 |
16 colors |
32 Sprites |
Texas Instruments SN76489A
(3 Channel) |
Media Format
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Media Capacity
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Games Released
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Other Supported Formats
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Cartridge |
32 KB |
ColecoVision & Sega SG-1000 compatible |
Sega SG-3000 |
Internal Storage
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External \ Removable Storage
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Game Controllers
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Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
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8 KB ROM |
None |
D-Pad, 2 Buttons |
None |
Controller Ports |
Network Ports |
Other Ports
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Audio \ Video
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Two (2) |
None |
Expansion port |
RF |
Power Supply - External
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Other Outputs
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Other Details \ Notes
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Input: AC 110V, 60 Hz
Output: +12V 300mA, -5V 900mA, +5V 100mA |
None |
Channel 13
(NTSC) utilized instead of the standard channel 3/4. |
Manuals |
The Telegames Personal
Arcade did not come with an owner's manual. I don't believe the Bit Corp version did either. |
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WEB RESOURCES
Highly recommended websites for this system |
Sega Retro
Great info on the Dina 2 in one
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