Channel F

The Fairchild Channel F is a home video game console released by Fairchild Semiconductor in November 1976.

It has the distinction of being the first programmable ROM cartridge‚Äìbased video game console, and the first console to use a microprocessor. It was launched as the Video Entertainment System, or VES, but when Atari released their VCS the next year, Fairchild renamed it’s machine.

“””The Channel F was launched in late 1976 (as the Video Entertainment System) and was the first home console to feature interchangeable programmable ROM Cartridges. It was sold under different names in different countries, including Adman Grandstand (UK), SABA Videoplay (Germany) and Barco Challenger (Italy).
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## Emul
The best emulator we’ve have found for the Channel F is [FreeChaF by David Richardson](https://github.com/libretro/FreeChaF). It is designed as a Libretro emulator so works well with Retroarch, Lakka and RetroPie. You will need two BIOS files for this emulator, which are:
* `SL31253` or `SL90025`
* `SL31254`

Platform | Emulator | Notes
:- | – | –
Windows / Mac OS / Linux | [MAME/MESS](https://www.mamedev.org) | Good Support. Setname: `channelf`
Retroarch | via lr-freechaf | –
RetroPie | via lr-freechaf | –

*Emulator Information Last Updated: 15th March 2020*
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## Tech
Name | Fairchild Channel F (launched as Video Entertainment System)
:- | –
**Origin** | United States
**Processor** | Fairchild F8
**Developed by** | Jerry Lawson
**Memory** | 64 bytes RAM, 2KB Video RAM
**Display Output** | TV via RF Modulator
**Display Size** (pixels) | 128 × 64
**Colours** | 8 Max
**Storage** | ROM Cartridge
**Input** | Joystick-type Controllers
**Cost** | $169 (USA)
**Dedicated Publications** | None that we can tell of
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## Reso
* [channelf.se / VES Wiki](http://channelf.se)”””