The Benefits Of Fairchild Channel F

Second Generation : Fairchild Channel F

Manufacturer : Fairchild Semiconductor
Type : Video Game Console
Generation : Second Generation
First available : August, 1976

The Fairchild Channel F is the world’s second cartridge-based video game console, after the Magnavox Odyssey. It was released by Fairchild Semiconductor (though ostensibly by their parent company) in August 1976 at the retail price of $169.95. At this point it was known as the Video Entertainment System, or VES, but when Atari released their VCS the next year, Fairchild quickly renamed it.

The Fairchild Channel F was based on the Fairchild F8 CPU, invented by Robert Noyce before he left Fairchild to start his own company, Intel. The F8 was very complex compared to the typical integrated circuits of the day, and had more inputs and outputs than other contemporary chips.

Because chip packaging was not available with enough pins, the F8 was instead fabricated as a pair of chips that had to be used together to form a complete CPU. The video was quite basic, although it was in color which was a large step forward from the contemporary Pong machines.

Sound was played through an internal speaker, rather than the TV set. The controllers were a kind of joystick without a base; the main body was a large hand grip with a triangular “cap” on top, the top being the portion that actually moved. It could be used as both a joystick and paddle (twist), and not only pushed down to operate as a fire button but also pulled up. The unit contained a small compartment for storing the controllers when moving it: this was useful because the wiring was notoriously flimsy and even normal movement could break it.

Technical specifications of Fairchild Channel F
* CPU chip: Fairchild F8 operating at 1.79 MHz
* RAM: 64 bytes, 2 KiB VRAM (2×128×64 bits)
* Resolution: 128 × 64 pixels, 102 × 58 pixels visible
* Colors: eight colors (either black/white or four color max. per line)
* Audio: 500 Hz, 1 kHz, and 1.5 kHz tones (can be modulated quickly to produce different tones)
* Input: two custom game controllers, hardwired to the console
* Output: RF modulated composite video signal, cord hardwired to console

Source : http://www.gametrailers.com/

Similar Posts:

• Atari 2600
• Video Game Console : Second Generation
• Characteristics Each Generations Of Video Game System
• Understanding Nintendo
• Video Game Console : First Generation

Random Posts:

• Getting The Best Game Systems
• Xbox
• Most Noticeable Xbox Information
• Hitching a Ride to the Best Video Game
• Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 Controller : Which one the best one?
• How to Upgrade the Hard Drive on an XBox 360
• The Basic Facts Of The Evolution Of Video Game
• Things You Should Know About RPG System
• Video Game Console : Third Generation
• What Is So Fascinating About Super Nintendo ?