Tano Dragon 64 computer unboxing & review

[@vwestlife]

Some people collect record albums, or Pokemon cards, or football uniforms. I collect old computers. :-)

[@wgrantha4438]

me too

[@KlingonCaptain]

I can't afford to collect anything so I watch KZbin videos about things that I enjoy like old computers and passagemakers (boats with enough range to cross the Atlantic).

[@TontonMayonnaise]

Wow ... unopened since 1984 ... This like finding the alliance arch :) First time I see a Dragon 32 functioning for me ... thank you for this video !

[@GarrardAT6]

Wow...Blast from the past there! Can't remember exactly what year, 82 maybe 83...But I got a Commodore 64 for Christmas, and my best friend got a Dragon 32...'From Wales'...Boyo!!! Needless to say he spent more time at my house playing my favourite game on the C64...'Thing On A Spring' which has the best computer music ever!...And now I am feeling a desperate need to go and play it on that very same machine! :) That Dragon is very nice find though...being new old stock and cheap!!!

[@benwilson3679]

Hello from Liverpool! Absolutely brilliant!! I had the Dragon 32 back in the 80s and loved playing games like Chuckie Egg and Donkey Kong etc - those were the days!!

[@NoName-qq8ri]

I love your videos mate, I was born in 82 and didn't really game until 86 however I do love finding out about these old PC's especially as I love modern PC gaming. So a new subscriber from me. I didn't even know the Dragon computers were sold in USA, I knew about them from the UK though.

[@MarkTheMorose]

Very interesting. The Dragon 64 in Britain had a grey coloured case, to differentiate it from the 32. Interestingly, Tano seem to have used a sticker that actually fit the space on top of the case. In British 32 machines, the 'Dragon' sticker was a bit too wide and gradually shrank over the years, giving it a permanent crease in the middle. A company called Microdeal here bought over a lot of American CoCo software and had it converted to run on the Dragon. They had a character called Cuthbert who became their mascot, and appeared in several games. The games were usually clones (Cuthbert in the Jungle = Pitfall), and the character himself looked amazingly like Alfred E Neuman from Mad magazine. (In adverts and so-on, that is).

[@The_Laser_Channel]

I like when Kevin shows his face in his video! (now just need it in HD!)

[@databits]

Really enjoyed this video! I had the TRS-80 Color Computer as a kid and loved it.

[@vwestlife]

The data is saved as an audio signal on the tape, which is then decoded back into data when played back into the computer.

This is one of the most interesting channels from youtube , great job vwestlife

[@TheRetroShed]

All sold now! That’s a shame. Would love one! Great vid. :)

[@guyo68]

Not sure if this was intentional or coincidental (I'm gonna suspect the former), but there was a highly comical nature to the complete calm with which you faced each glaring limitation or WTF moment with this ancient beast... Almost like serenely watching a deadly accident unfold. God I miss my Dragon 32... It's in the next room (LOL), just hasn't been fired up in nearly 30 years. Thanks for a beautifully nostalgic and highly entertaining tour of this gem.

[@guyo68]

LOL. Our memory of these machines tends to be more nostalgic than factual. I may remember the great joy with which I spent hours on hours gaming/programming myself to death in a vacuum (no Internet to connect to, and nothing much else to do with computers back then) - but had no recollection whatsoever of just how unyielding and low-powered my beloved Dragon 32 could be. Your video tour brought on a somewhat jarring recollection of this less delightful aspect of my early computing days. Thanks!

[@vwestlife]

Notebook Supplies says they have sold out of the "new" PX-8s, but they still have "refurbished" PX-4 computers available. Best Electronics has new-in-box Atari 130XE computers available, but their price is unreasonably high ($175).

[@vwestlife]

I used a JVC GZ-MS230 for the entire video. The opening and closing scenes just look different because I cropped them down to 4:3 aspect ratio, and boosted the contrast and color saturation to help make up for the poor lighting in the garage.

[@sandmanxo]

Amazing these have been sitting in a warehouse for nearly 30 years unopened! If I had a working cassette deck I'd probably get one, but as it is it's already more than I want to spend on a novelty computer. I still liked the video though, and always nice to see forgotten systems.

[@vwestlife]

I had done my research on the Dragon, so I already knew what I was getting myself into.

[@mheermance]

Too bad I didn't see this a year ago. That's a really sweet retro computer find. Seeing the differences is interesting. The Coco had an internal power supply, and using a joystick connector for the power is idiosyncratic.It's interesting that they used different keyboard scan codes.

[@vwestlife]

I had "Jazz 88" WBGO playing through most of the video. I've used a word processor written in GW-BASIC on a PC, but I didn't think you could make one work on such a limited machine (except, of course, that it turns out as a very limited word processor!).

[@vwestlife]

It would work with any parallel port printer which accepts plain ASCII text, including the LaserJet 4L I did a video on recently -- I'd just need to get a cable for it (which may be rather difficult to find at this point!).

[@lmull3]

i am so getting one of these! i'd love to learn basic, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

[@parkerp1000]

Its pretty cool that its still brand new in the box

[@compdude512]

That's an interesting machine! It looks almost exactly like an Apple II...which I used to have in near-pristine condition before someone decided to trash it without me even knowing. I wish I still had that machine. I enjoyed using it.

[@retroman3075]

Thats pretty cool. I have one of these new in the box, but never powered it on. Nice to see how it works!

[@wilkes85]

That is awesome! not a bad price for a NOS computer either, considering what some used, vintage computers go for. Collectors are gonna go insane for this! I really like this style of computer, it's like your "halftop"! There should be modern computers like that! You can make your own games on it too? That's awesome! You should make one! Nice intro and outro by the way... you should wear that suit more often in your videos ;-)

[@philslamon]

Great video. I had the dragon 32 in the UK and remember spending hours reading that basic user manual. Not to mention hours keying in the code to make it draw a circle. . Lots of cuthbert games like cuthbert in the jungle. .. a pitfall clone. It was so powerful after my sinclaire zx81 and my Mattel Aquarius.

[@anajay78]

No usb 3.0 ports? Man you got ripped off.

[@MR101722]

BootCamp Assistant It was a joke.

[@williamkidd1599]

BootCamp Assistant is a joke 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TCGProductions03]

Macs running macOS are a joke.

[@williamkidd1599]

The optical drive in Asus Q550LF laptops are a joke. #Rekt

[@eduardoavila646]

@@TCGProductions03 Macs are a joke

[@vwestlife]

Yup, WBGO's signal is good for about a 40-mile radius around NYC.

[@vwestlife]

California Digital has not updated their web site in a long time. And yes, that is a Color Classic.

[@MyManiacGamer]

finally an American that does his research and doesn't refer to Wales as England fucking hate that!

[@smittenthekitteninmittens2679]

tell me about it..im Welsh and it always bugs me!!

[@The_Laser_Channel]

I think its awesome when Kevin shows his face on the camera

[@WildDieWoodard]

I got mine from California Digital... In person! I was given a tour of their warehouse and I was able to pick my Tano Dragon off the shelves (and there were SEVERAL more there, so don't worry about them selling out any time soon).

[@compactc9]

I LOVE finding cool NOS things like this, thats a fun find.

[@frazzleface753]

I think Dragon was on the shortlist to provide a computer for the BBC. Acorn eventually won out.

[@TechnologySpotlight]

Looks like an Apple II!

[@vwestlife]

They use UPS shipping, so you can go to UPS's web site and calculate it yourself: shipping weight 12 lbs. in a 20"x20"x8" box from zip code 90274.

[@The_Laser_Channel]

that blew my mind at first as well! But what really blew my mind is, in Japan the Famicom (or as we know it in the USA, the Nintendo Entertainment System) actually had a cassette system and a keyboard...so yes, the Japanese version of the NES was pretty much a full blown computer...it had Famicom Basic, a keyboard, cassette drive and even a modem!

[@pessolanostudios]

First time seeing you for real. Im shocked that you look exactly how you sound !

[@davidinmossy]

This was my first ever computer !!

[@BrianPicchi]

Insane that the company still has them new in stock! Only other old computer I know like that is the Epson PX-8 Geneva which you can still buy NIB or at least you could as of about 6 months ago.

[@vwestlife]

No. The Tano Dragon was made in the USA and runs on 120 volt AC power.

[@NJRoadfan]

Somehow I don't see you hawking NOS Tano Dragons in a motocross uniform on QVC. Would be interesting seeing this thing running OS-9.

[@ThisGuyFrritz]

The typewritten material might've been done with a daisy chain printer. Some people must've been disappointed that it's wasn't 100% TRS-80 Color Computer compatable.

[@TheXJ12]

All programs fit on only one cassette !!?? Of course they do !!! Cassettes were 60, 90 or even 120 minutes. Can you imagine the amount of data transferred (so, stored on the tape) during these 60mn ? A 5 mn load time is probably more than enough for each. At 1200bit/s (around 120 byte/s) all 64kbyte takes 9 minutes. 9600bps makes it 1mn 8s. Back in 1996, I put my Dragon 32 in a "James Bond suitcase" with few CD4094, transistors and relays to control animated puppets, wiper motors (to show and hide decors) and lighting for a children's show. The artist simply had a remote control to start and stop the cassette player.

[@lorumipsum1129]

TheXJ12 imagined if you used data compression on them as well

[@ScreamingHotSauce]

Great, the website's down. Now where do I get my new Dragon 64?

[@vwestlife]

Too late. They're all gone.

[@vwestlife]

Through a modem, in a very limited sense (text only), yes, it can.

[@yueibm]

I wonder if the reason you don't hear a click turning off is because the relay inside cycles on and off after the power supply finishes ramping up, as to reset the computer once after the supply voltage is stable. Try pressing the Reset button and see if it makes the same click. The relay would likely be a normally closed since you don't hear it on power off.

[@yueibm]

+Yue Fan Nevermind, you explained it's the tape drive relay at 16:00.

[@SkyShazad]

What a Great video, brought back so many memories

[@pgj1997]

23:07 He's actually called "Jumpman" in this.

[@pgj1997]

GamingDude800 no, he isn't.

[@gabrielgarza3707]

pgj1997 he's Mario

[@alcid34]

I have one of these computers, but the tape that came with has been destroyed by my old califone cassette player (it's replaced by a GE).... Now a question about the joystick. I know you said that a Tandy 1000 joystick wouldn't work on the computer because of the middle pin, but after searching, I've realized that the pinout for the Dragon joystick port and the Tandy CoCo is exactly the same and the middle pin on the 1000 joystick is going to the second fire button. So, by removing the middle pin on the Tandy 1000 Joystick, would the joystick work in that configuration?

[@vwestlife]

Yes, if you remove the middle pin, a Tandy joystick will work.

[@RetroGamerVX]

I've just made an enquiry about sending one of these to the uk. Depends on how much postage is going to be! :o)

[@weasel2htm]

Wait, is that I siren I hear winding down at 00:10?

[@Highran56]

Crazy to think my lecturer programmed this!

[@JohnnyBareToes1]

I have an original Dragon 32 and the button which is used for your channel selector is the power button on mine. There is no switch on the power brick. Si it looks like they re-purposed the power button as the channel selector for the US models.

[@sieksnis]

What cassette player brand/model? And how computer remote controls player? Is this posible with any player, or it should have some interface?

[@vwestlife]

+sieksnis Any standard portable cassette recorder will work.

[@sieksnis]

+vwestlife I know, that any cassette recorder will work, but I asked about computer remote controling recorders motor. When you presed Play on recorder it doesn't started play cassette until you typed "LOAD something" on computer, and stopped motor, when program loaded. Is this posible with any recorder, or it should have some kind interface? If yes, what should it have? Sorry for English XD

[@vwestlife]

sieksnis The remote connection is not necessary. Without it, you'll just need to stop the cassette recorded manually when the computer is finished loading or saving.

[@vwestlife]

Yes, a Color Classic.

[@vwestlife]

The entire computer is in the keyboard!

[@AngelSonevski]

Damn computers weren't made in Asian sweatshops at one point?

[@Lijrobert]

I'm 13 and I know that is a PC. However, I have been watching vintage tech videos for I while.

[@vwestlife]

One sports outfit is not a shock. A closet full of them, however, is a different story... :-P

[@weasel2htm]

Was that noise the reason for the edit around that spot? Well I guess you get all the good radio stations where you live, I get peace and quiet where I live (except when the people across the street are in a party mood!)

[@leonardoantonio8756]

Pretty interesting, you could use it to learn basic. Is amazing that they still are selling those machines.

[@AtariFTW]

geez.. website is no longer working. guess I missed out

[@MrMiata-wt9vz]

same, i wish i would have found this earlier

[@EMBEVIDEO]

That was my first computer - well, the smaller version, the Dragon 32 - then I upgraded to the 64 model. With 6809E CPU, OS9 and a graphics update to show 80*24 characters it was pretty good these days. And I ruined my eyes sitting in front of an old TV-screen before I had the chance to buy a monitor ;) And I had the external Floppy-drive that was huuuuuge! ;)

[@zubirhusein]

Would there be a battery inside that could leak, like what happened with many Amigas?

[@vwestlife]

I made one good Color Classic out of two: one with complete internals but a cracked case, and another with a good case but no logic board.

[@MrComputerfan]

Cool, a new old Computer!

[@spk-media]

that german translation on that box is hilarious

[@weasel2htm]

17:01 Fourplay - “101 Eastbound”, good song, what station were you streaming, I heard good jazz throughout the video! You almost seem surprised that such a basic word processor is written in BASIC

[@dave4shmups]

Excellent video vwestlife! Would Dragon 32 cartridge games work on this machine? My concern is that the games would, of course, be PAL.

[@vwestlife]

No. Quite a few web sites end up mistakenly getting flagged by Google. If you don't want to visit the web site, just send an e-mail to catalog(@)cadigital(.) com (remove parentheses). Their price for the Tano Dragon has since gone up to $49... I guess as their remaining stock gets less, they will start asking a higher price for it.

[@joelcr250]

You should get one, its fun. Do you live near any woods/forest ?

[@CaminoAir]

The Dragon 32 wasn't one of the most popular British computers of the early '80's, but it sold relatively okay. The display was well below average, which is a pity, as the machine has a good basic (& manual), good selection of ports and nice keyboard. It just wasn't special enough in any category. The casing is strange in that the components don't require that much space. The stand out software was 'Space Shuttle', a NASA shuttle simulator.

[@TCZ1]

What is the thing in the back when you said Tandy joystick

[@NicholasMarkovich]

Do you think one could get a cheap blank ROM chip, obtain an image of the TRS-80 ROM, ask very nicely to borrow a university chip burner and put in a TRS-80 ROM to make all of the software compatible? There should be no problem to run the original TRS-80 ROM if essentially all the hardware is the same (cloned) as the TRS-80.

[@andygozzo72]

not quite 'drop in and go', the keyboard line mapping is slightly different, but easy enough to make an adaptor to flip the necessary lines round , theres info on the net somewhere, also i dont know if the dragon 64 serial port is driven the same way as on the coco,, a dragon 32 doesnt have a serial port but a parallel printer port

[@vwestlife]

I could also chroma-key the green background of the Dragon's text screen!

[@Lachlant1984]

I have just tried to visit the website on my computer here and I too got a Malware Warning. I'm not running any malware detection software on my iMac, but the warning appears to have come from Google, did you get any kind of warning like that when you ordered your computer?

[@jenmonday]

10:15 omg a trans supply, she's just like me fr

[@zeldajunkielol2]

If there's no specific warranty expiration date listed, wouldn't it be 90 days from date of purchase?

[@vwestlife]

It would be if Tano was still in business, but they are not.

[@vwestlife]

Yes, I am a Westlife fan. :-)

[@krist0sh]

I contacted them, and price for shipping and for the unit itself came up in 90$. I really have to think about it, as shopping for over 37$ in Norway can lead to the item getting into customs.

[@drnapster]

first i found this video then a few hours later i found a post by you selling this computer. i would be very interesting to know why you got rid of it???

[@vwestlife]

John Bedard Because aside from the initial curiosity of getting a "brand new" 30 year old computer, I didn't have much use for it.

[@drnapster]

Fair enough. Lol you just saved me some money lol

[@Xxmeca421xX]

u get some crazy stuff. i didnt even know they had programs on tapes like that

[@mikebmx101]

Nice jersey! I have one similar, do you do bmx or mx? or are you just wearing it for comfort?:P

[@1697djh]

Dragon where also considering an MSX computer, but went bust before it went to market

[@urbanodagrippino8433]

Didn't BBC b programs run on this

[@dave4shmups]

So, will Dragon 32 game cartridges work on this, or is the fact that they're PAL going to be an issue??

[@nt654321]

Wow that keyboard sounds awesome!!! What kind of keyswitches does it use?

[@SuperMoleRetro]

Website is not online. Maybe it is just temporary?

[@vwestlife]

Maybe they finally ran out of Dragons to sell. But you can get one on eBay now: www.ebay.com/itm/231110951574

[@GeoNeilUK]

This is actually quite an interesting of showing tje little differences between the Dragon and the Tandy CoCo, that it's not just a rebadge. I'm guessing modding in an actual CoCo ROM wouldn't go well.

[@Trance88]

Interesting find. These old computers just seem so hilariously limited and impractical. What printers can work with this? I'd love to see what a text document printout looks like.

[@n__neen]

Wow, I'm from Jaffrey, NH. It's always strange to hear someone mention the town!

[@randyz7906]

all i got was a red box with this in it: has been reported as an attack page and a very high unsafe rating so whats the deal? it will not goto site the warning stays and gives you an option to leave so i can't even look around.

[@vwestlife]

randy z It works fine for me. Try this page: www.cadigital.com/tanoship.htm

[@randyz7906]

i did same thing it says it is an attck page where the site would install something on computer to steal key presses and other info on computer. i think i will just pass. i even tried to see this page on another computer ans with linux os and it says same thing.

[@vwestlife]

randy z Pale Moon (based on Firefox) does not report any problem with the site. Probably your web browser is using wrong information.

[@randyz7906]

i use the newest version of Firefox on windows machine and the Linux machine

[@vwestlife]

randy z Then just e-mail them at [e-mail] rather than going through their web site.

[@vhfgamer]

I wanted one of those computers so bad several years ago, but unfortunately they sold out a week or two before I had scraped together the extra cash.

[@mr.nobody6829]

I bet the 149 worth of softwares are all written in Basic.

[@memsom]

Pretty sure the Dragon wasn't meant to be a CoCo clone. I think they used the similar design to cut costs, but Tandy computers were not popular in the UK and I think I only ever saw one in the flesh. The Dragon, on the other hand, was reasonably popular at the time. It was never sold on the fact it was reasonably CoCo compatible.

[@NJRoadfan]

It could. We've got two Toasters, an army of camcorders, a fistful of wire, a few old monitors, and a bunch of TBCs. Heck, I even got a generator to run it all just in case JCP&L's legendary reliability tries to thwart the plan.

[@sparticus214]

Could you use this computer to program a CH MOD For Linux and flash it on the cmos with a customer chip?

[@vwestlife]

Most of the people buying the Dragon are probably collectors who will never open up the box, leave it in their closet, and wait for it to someday become valuable... and maybe a few U.K. ex-pats who had the Dragon 32 as their first computer when they were a kid.

[@andrewbevan4662]

In Britain in the 80's this is what you had if you couldn't get a ZX Spectrum or Commodore 64

[@5sideproductions]

That is a computer, that is what we had back then.