First Dimension who suffered
bad management and corruption had to stop the business in late 1976.
Bart Bailey (who used to troubleshoot HVG-101 models) remembers what
happened to later models: Indeed, the system was manufactured by Video Technology for First
Dimension, but did not contain an RF chip or a power supply chip. Instead, two CMOS chips combined the video signals of the AY-3-8500
game chip. First Dimension was already running out of money, so
could not afford high quality circuit boards (see picture).
I vaguely remember these, but they weren't being made very long.
(...)
If I recall correctly there was the game chip, RF chip, power supply chip.
I never did any repair on that model, I think they might have had a
skeleton crew shortly after bankruptcy that slung together some of those
and sold them wherever they could. It was real hectic near the end, lots
of rumors, much relief to get away from there.
The same model was also planned in color: Model 76C. What really happened to
this model is a mystery. As a matter of fact, one specimen is known to exist
with a "Black and White" sticker covering the "Color" word on the box. Although
the unit shows "Model 76C" in red, looking inside reveals the same circuit board as
Model 76. It is believed that the circuit board with color circuitry never
existed, probably because there was no money to fund its design. Consequently,
the company found itself with a black and white system stating "Model 76C" and
packed in a box featuring color pictures. Something had to be done to avoid
problems, so the "Black and White" sticker made things a bit clearer...
 Model 76. |
 Inside Models 76 and 76C: the game chip and few other components. |
 Model 76 was already discounted in late 1976,
probably to sell |
 A curious model: either Model 76, or what appears to be "Mark II". The text doesn't really match the pictured system: there is no reset button, no ball speed knob, and no serve switch ! Note also the very low $29.95 price, obviously to try selling whatever the company could... (Spiegel, Chicago, IL, 20 dec 1976) |
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