Fairchild Chanel F

The Fairchild Chanel F was the first video Game console in the world based on a system of cartridges. It was produced by Fairchild Semiconductor (apparently by their head office however) in August 1976 at the cost of $169.95. At that time, it was known as a video system of entertainment, or VES (Video Entertainment System), but when Atari left its VCS the following year, Fairchild quickly re-elected it.

History

The console Chanel F

Chanel F was based on the processor Fairchild F8, invented by Robert Noyce before it left Fairchild to create its own company, Intel. F8 was so early that the technology of the processors of the time could not make hold all the circuits necessary on only one piece, F8 was in fact a “family” of processors which were to be cabled together to form a central processing unit of treatment complete. The video was completely basic, although it was colors what was a great step ahead compared to the contemporary machines of Pong. The sound was played by an internal loudspeaker, rather than in the TV.

The controllers were a kind of joystick without base, the principal body was a large handshake with a triangular “course” on the top, the top being however the part which really moved. It could be used as a handle and pallets (torsion), and being lowered to function like button of fire. The unit contained a small compartment to store the controllers when it was moved: useful, because wiring was rather fine and even a normal movement could break them.

Only 21 cartridges had left for the console (generally to $19.95), in spite of its popularity of the beginnings.

The largest effects of Chanel F on the market was to stimulate Atari to leave their console second generation. Then named “Stella” the machine was also going to use cartridges, and after having seen Chanel F they realized that they should leave it as soon as possible before the market is not flooded machines based on cartridges. With the gross margin decreasing of the sale of system baseds on Pong, they were forced to sell Warner communications in order to gain the capital which they had need.

Chanel F System II

Fairchild decided to compete with the VCS, and the redésigna as a Chanel F System II . The principal changes were in the design, the controllers were dismountable starting from the central processing unit instead of a wiring connected inside, the compartment of storage was moved behind the unit, and the noise was then mixed in the signal of TV thus the unit more did not need a loudspeaker. However at that time, the market was in the middle of the first accident of the video games, and Fairchild sank and left the market.

In 1979, international Zircon repurchased the rights of Chanel F and left Chanel F System II. Only five plays left for the second system before its death, several of them same were developed at Fairchild before the liquidation of the company.

A certain number of authorized versions left to Europe, including the Luxor Video Entertainment System to Sweden, Grandstand with RU, and the Sheba Videoplay and of I' TT TV-Match Processor' , both to Germany.

Specifications technique

Processor: Fairchild F8 given rhythm to 1.79 MHz
Memory: 64 bytes
: 128×64 pixels, 8 colors
Sound: loudspeaker integrated
Entered: two controllers of play, cabled in the console
Left: Composite signal RF modulated, cable welded in the console

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