FAQ - Fairchild Channel F FAQ
Copyright (c) 1997 William F. Rollins
Last updated 9/26/97
All rights reserved. This document may be copied, in whole or in part, by
any means provided the copyright remains intact and no fee is charged for
the information.
The data herein is provided for informational purposes only. No expressed
warranty is made or implied with regards to the accuracy of the
information contained herein.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fairchild Channel F Video Entertainment System, Model FVE #100
Q: How can I determine my Fairchild's age, in relation to when it was
produced?
Without having a production schedule from Fairchild's manufacturing
facility to compare FVE Unit Serial Numbers to, nothing will be exact, but
critical observation of a variety of units, combined with my aquisition
of a Channel F in the first month of national availability (early Autumn
of 1976), has dictated the information that appears below.
Rec.games.video.classic
Fairchild Channel F FAQ
APDF35D@prodigy.com - Clint Dyer
Version 0, February 12, 1996
Copyright (c) 1996 Clinton R. Dyer
All right reserved. This document may be copied, in whole or in part, by
any means provided the copyright and contributors sections remain intact and
no fee is charged for the information. Contributors retain the copyright to
their individual contributions.
The data herein is provided for informational purposes only. No warranty
is made with regards to the accuracy of this information.
These people knowingly (or unknowingly) helped with the information
contained in this FAQ.
No one yet!
Needs and such:
Well, pretty much everything and everything!
-Game Ratings. I'd like to get 3 or 4 numbers to average out, because
the numbers contained here are only my opinions. Keep in mind when
rating games that most of these games were early, so try and rate them to
games on the Fairchild system, and not against later systems.
-System specs
-Timeline information
-Repair information
-Anything anyone would like to see. This FAQ is for you, so if there's
something you want to see, let me know!
Thanks for any and all help!
1. Introduction
2. Timeline
3. System specs
3a. System information
3b. Cartridge information
3c. Controller information
4. Game list/etc.
4a. Box/Cartridge variations
4b. Catalogs and other paraphernalia
5. Repair information
5a. The base unit
5b. Controllers
5c. Why won't my games work?
1. Introduction
Why did I decide to do a Fairchild Channel F system FAQ?
Good question! I can't say this system is the most popular system of all
time or has the best games of all time, but it's always held a special
place in my heart. It was my first cart based video game system, and
really the only gaming system I've ever had that everyone in my family
could play and compete at (even my mom wasn't bad at Bowling).
I've heard it said before: "this system's horrible", "these games stink",
"the 2600 did that so much better", etc. and I just have to say one thing
to those people: It was the first programmable cartridge system -- what
do you want? All that had ever been seen at the Fairchild's release was
Pong, and this was a big step up. It actually contained cartridges, that
were different, instead of flipping a switch to change the game options.
The graphics, which consist primarily of large blocks, were
groundbreaking at the beginning, but when better systems were released,
failed to compare.
Towards the end, Zirchon Intl. bought the system rights from Fairchild,
released a new system, called strangely enough Channel F 2, and a total
of 5 games before the system passed away.
2. Timeline
1976 - Fairchild releases the Channel F cart based video game system
1976-1978/9? - Fairchild releases 21 different carts for their Channel F
system
1978/79? - Zircon buys the rights to the Channel F system
1978/79? - Zircon releases Channel F 2
1978/79? - The last cartridge for the system is produced (#26 Alien
Invasion)
3. System Specs
3a. Channel F system
?? Techy info. needed here!
3b. Channel F system 2
Same chipset/etc., with removable controllers, sound on the TV and
cartridge holders on the back instead of in the unit.
4. Game list/etc.
Key:
# of Players:
1 = a 1 player game only,
2 = a 2 player simultaneous game,
N/A = game isn't playable
Rating:
Gameplay rating from 1 to 5. 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
Rarity:
C = Common
UC = Uncommon
R = Rare
ER = Extremely Rare
Number: Name of Game, # of Players, Type of Game, Rating, Rarity
#1: Tic-Tac-Toe/Shooting Gallery/Doodle/Quadra Doodle, 2, Misc, ??, C
#2: Desert Fox/Shooting Gallery, 2, Shooter, ??,
#3: Video Blackjack, 2, Casino Games, ??,
#4: Spitfire, 2, Shooter, ??,
#5: Space War, 2, Shooter, ??,
#6: Math Quiz 1 (Addition/Subtraction), 1, Educational, ??,
Rec.games.video.classic
Fairchild Channel F FAQ
cdyer@best.com
&
cwebb@earthlink.net
Version 2, May 25, 1997
Copyright (c) 1997 Clinton R. Dyer & Chris Webb
All right reserved. This document may be copied, in whole or in part,
by any means provided the copyright and contributors sections remain
intact and no fee is charged for the information. Contributors retain
the copyright to their individual contributions.
The data herein is provided for informational purposes only. No
warranty is made with regards to the accuracy of this information.
These people knowingly (or unknowingly) helped with the information
contained in this FAQ.
Dave Ross (z956832@oats.farm.niu.edu)
Jay Tilton (tiltonj@erols.com)
Russ Perry (slapdash@execpc.com)
Sascha (imueller@student.uni-kl.de)
Needs and such: Well, pretty much everything and everything!
-Game Ratings. I'd like to get 3 or 4 numbers to average out, because
the numbers contained here are only my opinions. Keep in mind when
rating games that most of these games were early, so try and rate them
to games on the Fairchild system, and not against later systems.
-Information on the Fairchild Newsletter
-System specs
-Timeline information
-Repair information
-Anything anyone would like to see. This FAQ is for you, so if there's
something you want to see, let me know!
1. Introduction
2. Timeline
3. System specs
3a. System information - Original Channel F
3b. System information - Zircon Channel F System II
3c. System information - Luxor Video Entertainment Channel F
3d. System information - Grandstand
3e. System information - Saba Videoplay
3f. System information - ITT Tele-Match Processor
4. Game list/etc.
4a. Cartridge Summary
4b. Box/Cartridge variations
4c. Fairchild newsletter
4d. TV show appearance - "POW!"
4e. Catalogs and other paraphernalia
4f. Rumors and other myths
5. Repair information
5a. The base unit
5b. Controllers
5c. Why won't my games work?
1. Introduction
Why did I decide to do a Fairchild Channel F system FAQ?
Good question! I can't say this system is the most popular system of
all time or has the best games of all time, but it's always held a
special place in my heart. It was my first cart based video game
system, and really the only gaming system I've ever had that everyone
in my family could play and compete at (even my mom wasn't bad at
Bowling).
I've heard it said before: "this system's horrible", "these games
stink", "the 2600 did that so much better", etc. and I just have to
say one thing to those people: It was the first programmable cartridge
system -- what do you want? All that had ever been seen at the
Fairchild's release was Pong, and this was a big step up. It actually
contained different cartridges, instead of flipping a switch to change
the game options. The graphics, which consist primarily of large
blocks, were groundbreaking at the beginning, but when better systems
were released, failed to compare.
Towards the end, Zircon Intl. bought the system rights from Fairchild,
released a new system, called strangely enough Channel F System 2, and
a total of 5 games before the system passed away.
2. Timeline
1976 - Fairchild releases the Channel F cart based video game system
1976-1978/9? - Fairchild releases 21 different carts for their Channel F
system
1978/79? - Zircon buys the rights to the Channel F system
1978/79? - Zircon releases Channel F System 2
1978/79? - The last cartridge for the system is produced (#26 Alien
Invasion)
3. System Specs
3a. Channel F system 1 - Catalog #FVE-100 (Fairchild), #FR800 (Zircon)
Very 70's look to it. Power supply and controllers are hard-wired to
the console. There was a smoked plastic lid that hid the controllers
and a dust cloth inside. On top of the lid, there was a silver
aluminum sticker that read Fairchild Channel F across the sticker. The
RF cord was hard wired into the unit and the speaker was built into
the unit.
Channel F system pin-outs:
Female connector
----------------
5 4 3 2 1
9 8 7 6
Pin Function
--- --------
1 Twist left
2 Twist right
3 Pull up
4 Push down
5 Right
6 Up
7 Down
8 Left
9 Common
3b. Channel F System 2 - Catalog #FN808, #FVE300
Same chip set/etc., with removable controllers, sound on the TV and
controller holders attached to the back of the unit instead of being
contained in a compartment inside it. Uses all cartridges made for the
Channel F system. (The factory refurbished unit was catalog #FR800).
3c. Luxor Video Entertainment system (Sweden)
??
3d. Grandstand [Great Britain]
??
3e. Saba Videoplay [Germany]
According to the description of the US unit, it seems to be a
combination of the Channel F System 1 and System 2. It is quite big,
all black, and it features the storage compartment for the
controllers. The controllers are hardwired into the unit (they may be
removable from the inside, however). There is a gigantic shield casing
around the board (same as the US model). Sound is played through the
TV and it has a cartridge eject button. There is a sticker on the back
of the unit and another one inside. The one on inside says "Saba
Videoplay 2" whereas one on the top just says "Saba Videoplay". The
unit has a built-in auto-switchbox (again like the US model).
Some of the carts (e.g. Schach) feature german text onscreen.
3f. ITT Tele-Match Processor [Germany]
ITT put it out as the "ITT Tele-Match Processor". It has a totally
different design than the Saba. It is much smaller (no storage
compartment), made of black plastic with an aluminium front. Its
overall look reminds me a little of a small VCR. Sound on TV. No
controller holders, no cartridge eject button (you just pull them
out). Built-in Pong games, built-in automatic switchbox. The
controllers are removable, but you have to open the system and plug
them off the board. In contrary to the 70's design of the Saba, the
ITT version has more of an early 80's product, so I assume it had been
released after the Saba (this is a little vague, I know). But I think
the Saba Videoplay is more common.
4. Game list/etc.
Key:
# of Players:
1 a 1 player game only,
1/2 a 1 or 2 player game,
2 a 2 player simultaneous game,
Rating:
Game play rating from 1 to 5. 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
Rarity:
C Common
UC Uncommon
R Rare
ER Extremely Rare
IR Incredibly Rare
In the ratings column, the first score is Clint's, the second is Chris'.
4a. Cartridge Summary
Fairchild Channel F (American)
Luxor (Sweden; Swedish labels over American carts)
Saba (Germany)
# Name of Game; # Players; Game Type; Rating; Rarity
1; Tic-Tac-Toe / Shooting Gallery / Doodle / Quadra-Doodle; 1/2; Misc; 1/1;
C
1; Lerduveskytte / Luffarschack / Kaleidoskop / Rita Sjlv (Luxor)
1; Muehle / Tontauben-Schiessen / Kreatives Malspiel / Videoscope (Saba)
2; Desert Fox/Shooting Gallery; 1/2; Shooter; 2/2; UC
2; Lerduveskytte / kenkrig (Luxor)
2; Wuestenfuchs / Tontaubenschiessen (Saba)
3; Video Blackjack; 1/2; Casino Game; 2/4; UC
3; "21" 1 Eller 2 Spelare (Luxor)
3; Blackjack (Saba)
4; Spitfire; 1/2; Shooter; 4/5; UC
4; Luftkampf (Saba)
5; Space War; 1/2; Shooter; 3/3; UC
5; Rymdkrig (Luxor)
5; Kampf Im Weltraum (Saba)
6; Math Quiz 1 (Addition/Subtraction); 1; Educational; 2/1; R
6; Matematik (Luxor)
6; Magische Zahlen (Saba)
7; Math Quiz 2 (Multiplication/Division); 1; Educational; 2/1; R
7; Matematik (Luxor)
7; Autorennen (Saba)
8; Magic Numbers/Mind reader/Nim; 1; Puzzle; 4/1; UC
8; Master Mind (Magiska Tal) (Luxor)
8; Labyrinth (Saba)
9; Drag Race; 1/2; Driving; 4/4; UC
9; Backgammon / Acey Deucy (Saba)
10; Maze / Jailbreak / Blind Man's Bluff / Trailblazer; 2; Puzzle; 5/5; UC
10; Labyrint / Rymning / Blindbock / Stigfinnare (Luxor)
10; Baseball (Saba)
11; Backgammon / Acey-Deucey; 1/2; Board Game; 5/5; C
11; Brdspel / Dus-Ess (Luxor)
11; Robot-Jagd / Torpedo (Saba)
12; Baseball; 2; Sports; 3/3; C
12; Baseball (Luxor)
12; Sonar-Peilung (Saba)
13; Robot War / Torpedo Alley; 2; Shooter; 4/4; UC
13; Robotjakt / Torpedskjutning (Luxor)
13; Memory (Symbole) / Memory (Ziffern) (Saba)
14; Sonar Search; 1/2; Puzzle; 3/2; R
14; Voelkerball (Saba)
15; Memory Match; 1/2; Puzzle; 2/2; UC
15; Barriere (Saba)
16; Dodge It; 1/2; Driving; 4/5; UC
16; Rymmare-Fasttagare (Luxor)
16; Rat' Mal (Saba)
17; Pinball Challenge; 2; Sports; 5/4; ER
17; Kickball (Saba)
18; Hangman; 2; Puzzle; 4/3; R
18; Ordtavling (Luxor)
18; Bowling (Saba)
19;* Checkers; 2; Board Game; ?/3; IR
19; Odyssee Im Weltraum (Saba)
20; Video Whizball; 1/2; Sports; 4/5; R
20;*1 Schach (Saba)
21; Bowling; 1/2; Sports; 5/5; ER
22;* Slot Machine; 1/2; Casino Game; ?/2; IR
23;* Galactic Space Wars/Lunar Lander; 2; Shooter; 3/3; R
24;* Pro Football; 2; Sports; 3/5; ER
25;* Casino Poker; 1/2; Casino Game; ?/3; ER
26;* Alien Invasion; 1/2; Shooter; 4/5; IR
N/A Democart; N/A; Demo; ?/?; IR
N/A Democart 2; N/A; Demo; ?/?; IR
KB-1 Keyboard Cartridge + Keypad; N/A; ??; ??; NR
* = Zircon releases
*1 = This one is definitely chess, NOT checkers. On the side where the
small label is, the cartridge has a red LED that lights when the
computer is thinking about his next move. On the circuit board
(filling the entire cartridge) it says: "Fairchild Memory Systems (c)
1979". So we might have a European- (Germany-) only release here?
4b. Box/Cartridge variations
I used to be a heavy variation collector, and although I don't collect
them anymore, I thought there might be some people out there who do.
So, what I'm going to do is list all the boxes I have (or have had),
and you can check yours to make sure they match. Here's the key:
Box types:
R = Standard rainbow (From the box end, Blue, Green, Yellow and Red)
RF = Standard rainbow with a big F instead of the "Fairchild" logo
BR = Standard rainbow with a black stripe added before the blue stripe
BRF = Standard rainbow with a black stripe added before the blue stripe, and
a big F instead of the "Fairchild" logo (I haven't found one of these,
but figure they probably exist, so I'd throw it in)
NR = No Rainbow
W = White box (Zircon released all the white boxes)
Zircon = Zircon version of the game. Most Zircon versions have a
sticker on the back of the cartridge, whereas the Fairchild
carts don't.
# NAME; BOX TYPES
1 Tic-Tac-Toe/Etc; BR, RF, (Zircon)
2 Desert Fox/Shooting Gallery; BR
3 Video Blackjack; BR
4 Spitfire; BR
5 Space War; BR
6 Math Quiz 1; BR
7 Math Quiz 2; BR
8 Magic Numbers/Mind reader/Nim; BR
9 Drag Strip; BR
10 Maze; RF
11 Backgammon/Acey-Deucey; RF
12 Baseball; RF
13 Robot War/Torpedo Alley; RF
14 Sonar Search; RF
15 Memory Match 1 & 2; RF
16 Dodge It; RF
17 Pinball Challenge; RF
18 Hangman; NR
19 Checkers; ?
20 Video Whizball; NR
21 Bowling; NR
22 Slot Machine; NR, (Zircon)
23 Galactic Space Wars/Lunar Lander; W (Zircon)
24 Pro Football; W (Zircon)
25 Casino Royale; ?
26 Alien Invasion; W (Zircon)
Built-in games (US only?) - Hockey, Tennis and 2 drawing programs
Demo Demonstration Cartridge; ?
Demo 2 Demonstration Cartridge 2; ?
4c. Fairchild newsletter
First and only known newsletter, featured descriptions of carts 1-9,
with preview descriptions of carts 10-12. Dated October 1977. Mentions
that Carts 10-12 should be out by November 1977.
4d. TV show appearance - "POW!"
Chris:
A long time ago there was a local independent TV station (Ch. 11 in
Los Angeles) that had a contest where kids would call in and try to
win prizes. The game featured "Shooting Gallery" on the TV screen, and
the contestant would shout "Pow!" when they wanted the gun to fire. If
they could hit 10 ducks in 30 seconds, they won a $100 prize or some
other small prize. The unique thing is that this was the only time a
video game system was used on TV as part of a game show. This "show"
may have aired in other states as well.
Clint:
I remember this also! I don't remember the name of the actual show,
but this was a feature of the show (callers calling in and playing the
game for minimal prizes). The show was an hour long variety show, and
if it sounds semi-familiar, then Charlie and Humphry should also sound
familiar. They (dogs) did skits to teach kids the difference between
right and wrong (the skit I remember most was "1001 stupid things to
do -- borrowing without asking" -- yes, you had to see it). The show
ran on channel 2 in the Bay Area, and Pat McCormick was both the voice
of the two dogs and the real host.
4e. Catalogs and other paraphernalia
"Channel F has a lot more fun in store for you." Catalog includes
carts #1 - 17. Also of note is that the cart labels on the front are
different from anything I've seen before. They have a big picture with
a small amount of text, the Video cart # and the Fairchild logo at the
bottom. Weird!
Version A: "Now playing on Fairchild's Channel F System II". This
pamphlet includes the 1979 lineup. It show screen shots of carts 1-25,
not including carts 4, 7, 19, 22. The back of the pamphlet lists carts
1-24. The pamphlet ID# is CI 202520.
Version B: "Now playing on Fairchild's Channel F System II". This
pamphlet looks exactly like the above mentioned, except it lists iron
on the back panel instead of Fairchild. The carts also have changed
Catalog #'s which are now numbered C0XX (XX meaning Cart #).
Zircon sales flyer: featured an order form and sales descriptions on
brand new carts # 19, 22, 23, 24. On the back they offered a special
Holiday Package that included System 2 Console, and Carts 1, 2, 4, 5,
7, and 8. This flyer was one page typed front and back, and was dated
October 1980.
Zircon Service flyer: a 1/3 page flyer that pitched buying or
upgrading your console for $99.95 new or $59.95 refurbished. On the
back it featured a $47.00 service offer, but does not specify what
they do to the unit other than replacing lost or broken parts.
Microtronix Sales Flyer - This company was located in Philadelphia, PA. They
offered refurbished and new units, as well as some carts.
4f. Rumors and other Myths
According to the System 2 Box, there was a black cartridge and a
numeric Keypad. According to the picture the cart is called "Casino
Royal" (same as cart 25?) and numbered K-1.
5. Repair Information
5a. Base unit
It is doubtful that the console would develop a problem. We have not
found any schematics yet for the unit. One good hint to keep in mind,
if you drag out your system from storage to play with it, be sure to
let it sit at room temperature for at least 2 days before you turn it
on for the first time. This will allow the unit to "warm up" to room
temperature. I you don't do this, when you turn on a cold unit
directly out of storage, you may pop a chip!
5b. Controllers
If you have ever seen one of the controllers, you know that they are
unique in their design. They kind of resemble a dynamite detonator,
with a control knob that had 8 basic movements:
up/down/left/right/twist left/twist right/pull up/pull down. The
controller worked on contacts, somewhat like the Atari 2600. The
inside of the controller featured a metal ring that surrounded the
stick that accomplished movement on the screen.
The downside to these controllers is that they had very cheap wiring,
along the lines of 22 gauge or smaller. If the controllers were not
carefully handled, a wire would break either inside the controller or
in the wire leading to the console. I have not been successful yet in
finding a way to repair these units.
In a future update, I'll try to provide a pin-out of the 9 pin plug so
a replacement cord can be possibly wired to the controller.
5c. Why won't my cartridges work?
The system as a whole has never given me trouble. If you insert the
cartridges firmly into the console, they should work. A little
preventative maintenance also helps, such as cleaning the gold edge of
a cartridge with Denatured alcohol. Also keeping the console and carts
free of lint and dust helps ensure good performance.
(FAQ source)