History of video games/Platforms/APF TV Fun series
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An APF TV Fun model 401 being played on a CRT television.
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History
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Background
[edit | edit source]Before making the APF TV Fun, APF made consumer electronics like calculators.[1]
Launch
[edit | edit source]The APF TV Fun model 401 was released in 1976 for $125.[2][3] The system sold very well with 400,000 first year sales,[4] and lead APF to make more game consoles.[3]
In February 1977, the TV Fun Model 405 was launched.[5]
Legacy
[edit | edit source]The APF-MP1000 followed the system, featuring much better capabilities and design.
Technology
[edit | edit source]Casing tended to be shared between models of APF TV Fun.[6] Systems were manufactured in Japan.[7]
401
[edit | edit source]The APF model 401 uses a General Instrument AY-3-8500 chip, and takes 6 C type batteries.[2][3] A CD4071 chip handles video output on the APF model 401.[8]
402
[edit | edit source]The 402 also uses a General Instrument AY-3-8500 chip but has an additional General Instrument AY-3-8515 chip to add color graphics capability to the system.[9]
Notable games
[edit | edit source]The APF TV Fun 402 supported two light gun games.[9]
Gallery
[edit | edit source]APF TV Fun 402C console
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The 402C consisted of an angular deck with black plastic, woodgrain themed panels and silvery metallic accents. -
The 402C rear contained a number of ports, including power and controller ports. -
The 402C bottom contained a channel selection switch and an info panel. This console was made in Hong Kong. -
The 402C bottom panel with the battery compartment exposed.
APF TV Fun Controllers
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Paddle controllers for the APF TV Fun 402C. -
Light Gun for the APF TV Fun 402C.
APF TV Fun 402C Internals
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The PCB is made with care. Hand drawn traces curve to their destination. -
A small portion of the PCB is cut away to make space for an external component. Some cables are wrapped around a ferrite choke. -
The plastic shell of the console provides a number of internal mount points. -
A TV Fun 402C motherboard has hard wired connections to external components. -
A TV Fun 402C motherboard appears to be single sided, with this side lacking traces. -
RF Shielding protects significant components. -
Straight lines of solder blobs indicate a probable IC on the other side of the board. This PCB bears the mark of UAL. -
AY-3-8500 pinout, used on the 401, 402, and a number of first generation consoles. -
AY-3-8550 pinout, used on the 402
External Resources
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- Old Computers - APF TV Fun 401.
- Pong Museum - APF TV Fun 401.
References
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Parts of this page are based on materials from: Wikipedia: the free encyclopedia. |
- ↑ "TheGameConsole.com: APF TV Fun Model 401 Game Console". www.thegameconsole.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ a b "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ↑ a b c d e f "pongmuseum.com - APF TV Fun - Model 401". pongmuseum.com. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ Edwards, Benj (2 September 2016). "Ed Smith And The Imagination Machine: The Untold Story Of A Black Video Game Pioneer". Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/3063298/ed-smith-and-the-imagination-machine-the-untold-story-of-a-black-vid.
- ↑ "APF TV Fun model 405 retro gaming console". Vox Odyssey. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ "APF TV Fun". Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ "APF TV FUN 401". IT History Society. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ "APF TV Fun console repair". www.raphnet.net. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ a b "APF TV Fun Consoles". AtariAge Forums. Retrieved 17 November 2020.