Channel F¶
Overview¶
The Fairchild Channel F (also sold as the Video Entertainment System) is a first-generation console introduced in 1976. It was the first cartridge-based home video game console powered by a microprocessor, and the removable control panels let arcades or living rooms swap stick layouts, light guns or steering wheels.
REG-Linux uses the channelf system group so compatible themes can surface the dedicated visual set for the platform.
Technical specifications¶
- Manufacturer: Fairchild
- Release year: 1976
- Hardware type: console
- CPU: Fairchild F8 at 1.79 MHz
- Memory: 2 KB cartridge ROM plus 64 bytes scratchpad RAM
- Display: 192×144 resolution with 64 colors and eight programmable sprites
- Sound: Two-position tone generator integrated in the video chip
Supported ROM extensions¶
zip, rom, bin, chf
Quick reference¶
- Emulator/frontend: RetroArch
- Core: libretro: FreeChaF
- ROM folder:
/userdata/roms/channelf - Accepted formats:
.zip,.rom,.bin,.chf
BIOS¶
Place the following BIOS ROMs in the bios directory (do not rename them). For the original Channel F use sl31253.bin and sl31254.bin; the Channel F II BIOS (sl90025) is optional and takes precedence when present.
| MD5 checksum | Share file path | Description |
|---|---|---|
ac9804d4c0e9d07e33472e3726ed15c3 |
bios/sl31253.bin |
Channel F BIOS (PSU 1) |
da98f4bb3242ab80d76629021bb27585 |
bios/sl31254.bin |
Channel F BIOS (PSU 2) |
95d339631d867c8f1d15a5f2ec26069d |
bios/sl90025.bin |
Channel F II BIOS (optional) |
ROMs¶
Store Channel F cartridge images in /userdata/roms/channelf. RetroArch will accept individual .rom/.bin files or zipped collections. Attach them through the FreeChaF core to mimic swapping physical cartridges.
Emulators¶
RetroArch / libretro: FreeChaF¶
libretro: FreeChaF is the FreeChaF core used within RetroArch. REG-Linux exposes system-wide features such as channelf.videomode, channelf.ratio, channelf.smooth, channelf.shaders, channelf.pixel_perfect, channelf.decoration, and channelf.game_translation.
| ES setting name REG-Linux.conf_key | Description => ES option key_value |
|---|---|
GRAPHICS BACKEND channelf.gfxbackend |
Choose OpenGL (safe) or Vulkan (fast when supported). => OpenGL opengl, Vulkan vulkan. |
AUDIO LATENCY channelf.audio_latency |
Adjust buffer in milliseconds to eliminate crackling. => 256 256, 192 192, 128 128, 64 64, 32 32, 16 16, 8 8. |
THREADED VIDEO channelf.video_threaded |
Offload rendering to another thread for weaker CPUs. => On true, Off false. |
Use the Quick Menu ([HOTKEY] + south button) to open FreeChaF’s core menu for per-game options.
Controls¶
FreeChaF exposes the Channel F console overlay through the RETROPAD. Press Start to show the virtual buttons, use the D-pad or stick to pick a button, then press a face button to activate it. Press Start again to hide the overlay.
| FreeChaF Function | Retropad mapping |
|---|---|
| Forward | D-pad Up / Left analog Up |
| Backward | D-pad Down / Left analog Down |
| Rotate Left | Y, L, Right analog Left |
| Rotate Right | A, R, Right analog Right |
| Pull Up | X / Right analog Up |
| Push Down | B / Right analog Down |
| Toggle Overlay | Start |
| Swap Controllers | Select |
Troubleshooting¶
- Confirm all required BIOS files exist under
bios/with the checksums above. - If a ROM fails to boot, ensure it is one of the supported extensions and try a different dump.