Comments on DINGUX: Suggestions for the next generation consoles

I think everybody talked about what I want too, mo...

2011-03-03T04:03:54.933+01:00

I think everybody talked about what I want too, more RAM, touchscreen, Wi-Fi support etc, BUT a design that still leave the laptop, like the A320, which I find it more beautiful than the A330.

I have three requests: 1) Support for Java mobile...

2011-01-31T11:23:32.243+01:00

I have three requests:

1) Support for Java mobile applications

2) Improved support for Flash. There needs to be a "tab" key to select buttons, and a "enter" key to press buttons.

3) PDF reader with zoom/scroll

Also, please keep av-out feature :-)

Thank you

(ibm5155) Maybe a dual-core CPU like an intel atom...

2011-01-25T23:09:23.351+01:00

(ibm5155)
Maybe a dual-core CPU like an intel atom330 downcloked to 300MHz or 400MHz...
I have tested my gemei a330 and i have some suggestions for the next gen.
Don't cut the subtitle on the tv-out mode, can plug a memory stick (pen drive or usb drive) and can aces movies from the console, maybe a dual core processor (one core used for process 3D graphics like a gpu, and the other do what a processor do), radio signal to play in multiplayer, games and emulators has the original resolution when in tv out (like when snes run the resolution is 256x224, and when play doom port the resolution is 320x240...), more space betwhen the buttons (some games are difficult to press many buttons like snes battle cars in gemei a330), the same height of the screen of gemei a330 (it's a good height, i needn't 4 inches or more), maybe a GBA style (screen separated from the rest), a tv-out that support 720p and maybe 1080p in a component out (i don't understand what is the fun in play 1080p in a 420p out, i know that in player suport 576i, but when i select this mode my tv write that's 420p)

If can't have dual core cpu, add an Audio processor like gemei a330 (if i remember it's processor chip with 200MHz), a GPU (or a CPU with floating points support) and a processor with 400-500-600MHz.

A volume potentiometer would be very cool, like on...

2010-12-17T10:31:46.328+01:00

A volume potentiometer would be very cool, like on the old GameBoy. Cheap, no drivers needed, extremely precise and efficient.

Oh please, dont remove the HOLD switch... I didnot...

2010-12-17T00:32:59.710+01:00

Oh please, dont remove the HOLD switch... I didnot see one in GA330... like A320 :(

- miniHDMI port instead of the AV out. NO WAY! HD...

2010-12-16T23:52:02.417+01:00

- miniHDMI port instead of the AV out.

NO WAY! HDMI is almost non-existing in most contries, and I am talking about from a country that is not *that* late, Brazil.
HDMI as an option is great, but it is way too soon to remove A/V, sadly.

Also, your description of device is a bit bloated in terms of controls. Big reset button, TWO analog, plus one digital, bigger L/R... I do not think it will fit :)

Here's my wishes: - Keep the focus on an Emul...

2010-12-16T22:19:47.306+01:00

Here's my wishes: -

Keep the focus on an Emulation/Game machine, this is the selling point. Do not compete with PSP/DS by adding unecessary features like bluetooth/wifi/touchscreen etc. This isn't needed for this device. This is a retro gaming device first. make all those features in a different model PMP targetted at media playing instead.

- Please go back to the A320 style (the psp copying looks tacky), it was clean and attractive, but make it a little bigger (around the size of a PSP Go but thinner) to accommodate these features: -

- At least 700Mhz CPU (1GHz would be perfect)

- 256MB RAM minimum

- approx 4" Screen, but keep it 4:3 ratio (if possible)

- dual analogue nubs in place of the start and select buttons (allowing easy PS1 and N64 emulation)

- 2x Micro SD slots with high capacity function. (to allow at least 32GB each)

- volume + and - buttons like on PSP Go. on the top.

- reset button on the top as a small button, not a hole.

- Put Start and select in another place like the sides of the unit or on top, keep the front clean.

- Make the L and R buttons bigger and curl around the side of the unit slightly. also make them have rubber contact, not switch.

- miniHDMI port instead of the AV out.

- Please keep the native OS and improve on it by including more emulators as standard.

- Make an option in the Native OS that can be turned on so that on booting the system can go directly to an emulation frontend with systems ready to select in a list with a nice photo of system under emulation. Then from this the games can be listed for each machine.

Things to keep

- Native OS, its easy to use.

- Lovely D Pad

- completely flat perspex top of A320. This is so clean and cool looking. no grooves or fancy "styling" is needed.

- MiniUSB for connection and charging underneath.

- Memory card slots underneath.

- speakers underneath (keeps the top clean)

- headphone port on the side. (pocket friendly)

- Power button on the side

- mic on the side.

Simply using microUSB does not mean it will allow ...

2010-12-15T23:26:48.799+01:00

Simply using microUSB does not mean it will allow the use of chargers from cellphones. It also must adhere to the same standard of voltage and current. Then yes, if it does follow the standard, count my vote also :)

Ok, if removable battery increases too much the pr...

2010-12-15T23:20:50.364+01:00

Ok, if removable battery increases too much the price, then it is out of the list.
I won't get a Caanoo as I already have a PSP and a DA320, and what got me to buy the DA320 was its incredible price.
MiniUSB is not so deprecated, I agree, but a microUSB port would make life easier for us who carry a lot of gadgets and have a modern mobile phone. As I said, is the new charging standard so basically it would save us to carry another more charger (or a mini to micro USB converter)

- MiniSD sucks: agreed, microSD is the standards n...

2010-12-14T23:01:04.012+01:00

- MiniSD sucks: agreed, microSD is the standards now and it is not always easy to find a miniSD card or a micro with adaptor.

- removable battery? Sorry pal, I do not see the point and would make it more expensive.

- led for battery and power on is a good idea.

- I do not see miniUSB so deprecated as miniSD, for me, it is a no-matter matter.

For your comments, it looks like you want something more complex, much like a PSP. This is not the point of Dingoo, why don't you just get a Canoo that is more like what you want? (no sarcasm, real valid question)

Here are my suggestions: - MiniSD sucks, is not ve...

2010-12-14T22:01:44.964+01:00

Here are my suggestions:
- MiniSD sucks, is not very standard so in the end everyone uses an adaptor. I think the new consoles must use MicroSD/TransFlash
- A removable battery would be great. I mean, one battery that could be easily removed without dissasembling the console, like the one that the PSP has. It would be cool to be able to carry an extra battery to replace in case you run out of power while on the go. Also it would be totally killer if the battery used was a standard Nokia cellphone battery like the BL5 (most chinese gadgets come with this type of battery, and there are plenty of cheap Nokia battery clones out there...
- A LED for battery status is a MUST! I hate when I am playing on my A320 and it suddenly powers off with no previous notice due to low battery!
- We need hardware volume controls. Changing volume on the A320 is a mess. It must be done by software and every app has a different way to change the volume. I want to be able to change the volume without having to memorize key combinations or going through menus
-I am pretty surprised no one mentioned a microUSB port. Come on! It's today's standard! Newer devices (specially cellphones) now come with this port, mostly with the idea of using une single charger for every gadget. This would also solve the problem of the USB Type A connector not fitting on the console, and if people wanted to use dongles they could always use a microUSB->USB TypeA converter. Very small ones can be found on the chinese market. Furthermore, Gemei could also sell a microUSB bluetooth adapter (just like the nano USB adapters out there but using a microUSB connector) as an option or in a bundle with the console, to enable multiplayer. I fact they could also sell wireless gamepads intended to play multiplayer without the need to have another extra console.
- Extending the previous point, I think that the next generation consoles could be sold in two flavors: handheld and desktop. The difference between them would be the lack of LCD and controls on the destop version, which would make it cheaper. Controllers not necessarily need to be bundled with the desktop version, as standard USB gamepads could be used (in combination with a key mapping utility built on the firmware, that would map gamepad buttons to the standard buttons on the console: for example, if you are using a playstation clone usb gamepad, map the X button to the A button of the Dingoo/Gemei AXXX (or wathever the new console is named)

Just a question that is running in my mind: Why didn't ChinaChip name the current Gemei A330 as Dingoo A340? That would make perfectly clear that it is the true sucessor of the A320, leaving the fake DingooTech A330 clearly outdated to the general public. Most people know nothing about Gemei, so if they see Dingoo A330 they will go for it instead of the Gemei A330, probably they would think the GA330 is a fake one. Plus, higher model number (A330 vs A340) suggests newer and better product...

The Dingoo is excellent for those reasons: - 320*2...

2010-12-14T14:38:00.577+01:00

The Dingoo is excellent for those reasons:
- 320*240 screen (perfect for retro gaming)
- good controls
- extremely light and small package
- good battery life
- dirt cheap
- made open and hackable

A better version for me would keep those excellent features, add more power (CPU, RAM, GPU) without compromising the rest (same price or cheaper, same size or smaller, more opened, etc...)

The controls can be improved also (please still digital).

If the screen becomes larger, the size bigger, the price higher, I'll simply keep my little cute A320 ;)

I preffer something thick if it increases battery ...

2010-12-11T19:04:40.369+01:00

I preffer something thick if it increases battery life (Im looking at you ipod touch! less than 3h playing 3d games sucks!)

NEEDS TO BE THINNER! my god the GA330 is a 16 mm ...

2010-12-09T22:36:25.980+01:00

NEEDS TO BE THINNER!

my god the GA330 is a 16 mm thick!

Sure that's thinner than the 32 mm Game Boy (Classic) or the 28.9 mm DS and the 27.4 mm GBC...

25.3 mm Game Boy Pocket
24.5 mm GBA
23 mm PSP1000
21.87 mm DS lite
19 mm PSP slim
18.9 mm DSi
17.5 mm Gemei X760+
It's even thinner then the 17 mm MacBook Air
but that's only 0.5 mm thinner than 16.5 mm PSP go

But it's thicker than the 14 mm Dingoo A320
and a piece of cardboard is only 3.6 mm.

Ok I'm being sarcastic.

Why is every one so obsessed with thinness?

Go for 25mm to 19mm and but a decent size battery in there and a USB host port.

i agree with hiban on " As a conclusion, if t...

2010-12-09T04:20:06.388+01:00

i agree with hiban on "
As a conclusion, if the caanoo would have been a bit more powerful (800Mhz) and would have had a decent DPad instead of the analog thing, it would have been the perfect retro handheld.

But it didn't, so i'm still waiting... "

that pretty much sums up what i want out of a perfect retro emulator, and also, quality case contruction is a must for me, good button/conrol layout and the ability to be buffed around a bit without worry to its functionality is important, and i dont like cheak plastics/thin plastic in my handheld, i like holding something that feels solid in my hands, thats the main reason i didnt buy the wiz for that reason, the caanoo however has a very nice case. i disagree with science only in that i think the whole purpose of dingoo is it does what it needs to for retro gameing and being a media player at the same time. a type 1 usb port is good so the the wifi and bluetooth dongels can be added on later. i just feel though that we should have a dingoo that does what it does perfectly, both in software, hardware, and astheticc/ergonomic presentation. the only extra things that aren't updates persay but extra features that werent there already would be multiplayer stuff. and also a nice 4:3 aspect ratio screen thats around 3.5 inches or slightly more would be great, and no washed ut screens, im willing to pay 150 us dollars if everything is up to standard, and as far as perfect emululation, for me that means no frameskips and full framerate [60 frames every second that goes by]

also the hardware thats used should be something that most coders and developers are familiar with, that way the open source can really take off

also one more thing, pocket sized is very respective to what one feels is pocket sized. i for awhile carried a 1st model atari lynx in my pocket until the novelty of haveing one wore off, my point is is that i like something larger because i dont mind carrying something big in my pocket, plus my hands are large and it would be nice have a large screen and great bottons and frontal sterio speakers. personaly, the sega gamegear was very nice to hold in my opinion, and i dont want something that big but that the point im getting at as far as pocketability goes

oh yeah, and smooth shiny [not glossy] quality plastic is what id like to see my handheld made out of

i didn't mean "like the letcool" alt...

2010-12-07T17:18:16.779+01:00

i didn't mean "like the letcool" although it would be awesome to play 2-player "out of the box" with a single console, using tv-out.

but i wouldn't mind to buy 2 consoles, if i could connect them "out of the box" (using a cable, integrated wifi, a dongle, or whatever)the point is being able to play multiplayer.

but most important is that the emulators have to be prepared for that: i want to play 2-player in Gameboy, SNES, Genesis, NeoGeo, CPS1/2, and every other system that was originally intended for that.

In my opinion, nobody has done the perfect "retro" handheld yet. And when i say "retro" i am referring to the 8/16 bit era, and arcades. (PSX and N64 are from a different generation)

The GA330 seems to have nice 2-player support(as seen on videos) but it is not powerful enough to emulate SNES, and the screen is not protected.

The caanoo is very nice, but it appears to (again)not being powerful enough, and the analog thing just sucks for many games.
However, it seems to allow up to 3-players by connecting 2 pads to a single console! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqwwrmF1Flw&feature=related
this is even better than the letcool.

As a conclusion, if the caanoo would have been a bit more powerful (800Mhz) and would have had a decent DPad instead of the analog thing, it would have been the perfect retro handheld.

But it didn't, so i'm still waiting...

I do agree that wireless communication are importa...

2010-12-07T16:23:45.855+01:00

I do agree that wireless communication are important (for me at least)
but if and only if it is well implemented in the software.
I don't need internet connection neither file shareing trouhgt wifi.
I don't have enought knwonledge about this but I suppose a bluetooth adapter will be enought (if it is easy to use for progammer) for multiplaying. (I suppose bluetooth is less powerhungry than wifi)

The only reason I use less my dingoo is the small screen.
A bigger screen (4" is perfect for me), faster CPU (well implemented GPU perhaps ;)) and the same compatibility and i'm probably in.
A support for multiplayer and I'm in no matter what. (even with dongle ..it is rather a matter of programming I guess)

PS : i agree with hi-ban, a 2 player support (like the letcool) would be even more awesome !

In my opinion, the only things i think my dingoo n...

2010-12-07T16:08:49.656+01:00

In my opinion, the only things i think my dingoo needed to be the perfect retro handheld is:

- good L/R buttons.
- powerful processor and GPU.
- at least 128 Mb RAM
- TV-Out
- USB host
- 2 player support (for all emulators)
- Ability to emulate (at full speed): GB/ GBC/ GBA/ NES/ SNES/ MasterSystem/ Genesis/ GameGear/ NeoGeo/ CPS1/ CPS2 and MAME. At least version 0.66 of MAME, (I still haven't been able to play the MAME version of dynablaster/bomberman)

PSX and N64 are not important to me, as i don't consider them "retro" consoles, so i really don't need analog nubs, or dozens of shoulder buttons.

I am happy with the standard DPad/XYAB/LR/Select/Start button combo, although maybe i've felt the need for 2 more buttons when playing Duke Nukem 3D.

About the screen, 320x240 was perfect for retro emulation. Even doom and almost every game of that time used that resolution. the screen size was also good for me. maybe 3" would be better, but 4" would be too big for my taste.

A volume wheel would also be good, so i can change the volume "on the fly" (like the 20 year old gameboy has)

And IMO a portable device should be "portable" (fits in a normal pocket). i mean, the dingoo/wiz/caanoo are "portable", the pandora is not "portable"

Of course, this is only my personal opinion.

@Les écrivains Génies Yes, crappy VGA cameras in ...

2010-12-04T23:42:57.808+01:00

@Les écrivains Génies

Yes, crappy VGA cameras in game consoles are useless, but
Wireless communication is very important! Dont you like multiplayer? :P

@Xeatheran: If you only need this, save some money...

2010-12-04T12:43:46.920+01:00

@Xeatheran: If you only need this, save some money and buy a Caanoo. Why build another one? I see no reason with a price difference of 30$.

I agree with those saying that Wifi, Bluetooth, Ca...

2010-12-04T09:13:52.938+01:00

I agree with those saying that Wifi, Bluetooth, Camera, Microphone, Touchscreens are useless, and cost money for something you'll use like 4 times in your life. Just to say to your buddies : hey look, it can also connect itself to the net !! (yehhaa how useful, with such a small screen).

I think that we should rather focus on a better processor, a good quality case (with good buttons too, not like those crappy Start Select and L + R buttons, that click loudly), and a bigger screen resolution if possible. Improving sound wouldn't be bad either ! And no underclocking for the processor.

Oh and nobody talked about it, but maybe they could do something about the emulators. Like updating them ^^ Or getting involved in the linux emulators.

@ xeatheran, well then you can stick with the a320...

2010-12-04T01:16:25.328+01:00

@ xeatheran, well then you can stick with the a320 because that appears to be what your describing.

Anyway i do agree with the camara who needs that.... and a mic... really not needed has anyone ever found a usefull function for this on their mp4 player? i havnt yet. take those two things out and it will leave room for something more usefull.

400Mhz? no needs at least 600 to 800Mhz of power or higher emulation like psx becomes impossible so too does n64.

It defo should have gpu acceleration, look at the gizmondo that had it, its potential was never unlocked because the company went backrupt but it was seen in some of its games like colours which was like gta but never finished. It was more powerfull than the psp.

To me it seems that most of you (especially Lucas)...

2010-12-04T00:34:30.757+01:00

To me it seems that most of you (especially Lucas) don't understand that one of the major factors with these smarthelds is the PRICE. Mini HDMI and Capacitive touchscreen are cool features, but they would make the console cost like three times more - and experience says that very few people want a $300 emulator.
This one also applies to you, Booboo - why, FFS, 256 MiB of RAM? For emulation of most consoles even 64 MiB is more than enough. And considering the USB host, SDIO seems totally pointless to me.
What we need is a 4:3 screen (320x240 or a multiple of it), ~400 MHz ARM-based CPU, microSD slot, _decent build quality_, possibly USB host for crazy stuff and low (< $100) price. And no f**king cameras. Analog nub is obviously a matter of personal preference, I don't need it, but could live with one. My personal dream is a GPU, but I don't expect any to appear in smarthelds soon.

@SiENcE The CC1800 has an VPU module which is cap...

2010-12-03T16:52:56.719+01:00

@SiENcE

The CC1800 has an VPU module which is capable of scaling (with interpolation) and color conversion. I'm yet to get the docs for this.

I assume the CC2000 with have a similar functionality, since it also has a GPU.

@boobo: Thanks. This sounds doable as long as the ...

2010-12-03T15:32:51.873+01:00

@boobo: Thanks. This sounds doable as long as the CPU is much faster and the Screen is better.

I would suggest an 640x480 screen. Otherwise it needs to much CPU power to Upscale different Emulators.

What about an Hardware Upscaler/Interpolation?