VideoBrain Family Computer
What's New

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What's New

July 8, 2021

1. Now that Yahoo Groups is gone, I added a link to the new Channel F/VideoBrain Discussion Group on Groups.io to the main page of this website. Thanks to Diego for the new link.

June 5, 2020

1. Added the version .03 of F8.ini. Update by "e5frog" on May 15,2020.

November 5, 2012

1. Added the VideoBrain "Expander 1" accessory manual for the "The Intelligent Interface. The Expander 1 allows you to connect your VideoBrain home computer to two cassette recorders (for storage and retrieval of programs and data), a printer (for reports and program listings), and the VideoBrain Expander 2, an acoustic coupler (for communicating with other computers via a telephone).

November 4, 2012

1. Added the VideoBrain "Math Tutor 1" manual. From the instructions, "Math Tutor 1 takes the math student far beyond the realm of the electronic calculator. Rather than just supplying answers- this program is the first electronic teaching aid that allows you to work out all the steps of the problem right on your own TV screen.

October 29, 2012

1. Added the "Checkers" manual. A computerized update of the old favorite, Checkers. The player plays against the computer and can choose to play against one of four different skill levels. This game was designed for adults and children seven and over.

October 4, 2012

1. Added the "Money Minder" Owner's Handbook. The manual says, "The 'Money Minder' cartridge program helps you fight the high cost of living by letting you adapt big business planning and record-keeping techniques."

August 28, 2012

1. Added the Fairchild's F8 User's Guide (Document #67095665) from 1976. It contains general background about using the F8 system as well as the detailed information required to build a system that uses the F8 CPU and it's support chips. Simple single-processor setups as well as more complicated systems that use multi-processors are explained.
2. Added the F8 Microprocessor System Patent. This is patent U.S. #4086626 by Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation. It was filed on June 7, 1976 and granted on April 25, 1978.

July 6, 2012

1. Added a VideoBrain source code area. It contains F8 disassemblies, F8 source code and F8 homebrew source code for the VideoBrain.

July 2, 2012

1. Added dump of Timeshare cartridge.

June 28, 2012

1. Added VideoBrain Expander 2 Manual to the VideoBrain Manuals Page. The manual is available in three formats. One version is a pdf that is archive-quality (and NOT searchable), another pdf is a much lower-quality pdf, but the text is searchable, the last format is PDF/A document.

June 18, 2012

1. Added VideoBrain Abbreviated Instruction Card to the VideoBrain Manuals Page. The manual is available in three formats. One version is a pdf that is archive-quality, another pdf is a much lower-quality pdf, but the text is searchable, the last format is an ASCII text version of the card.

June 17, 2012

1. Added VidioBrain Lemonade Stand Manual to the VideoBrain Manuals Page. The manual is available in two formats. One version is a pdf that is archive-quality, while the other is a much lower-quality pdf, but the text is searchable.

June 14, 2012

1. Made note of confirmed existance of VideoBrain Quick Start Guide on VideoBrain Manuals Page.
2. Added VidioBrain Tennis Manual to the VideoBrain Manuals Page. The manual is available in two formats. One version is a pdf that is archive-quality, while the other is a much lower-quality pdf, but the text is searchable.

June 12, 2012

1. Added VideoBrain Expander 2 Manual. Until the manual is rescanned in color, this rough, B&W, scan will have have to make do.

June 1, 2012

1. Added to the "Manuals" section that "Expander I" and "Expander II" manuals exist. Noted that Matt plans to scan the "Expander I" manual and that no source is available for "Expander II."

May 30, 2012

1. Added Blackjack manual. It is available in three formats. PDF format (Archive quality PDF created from TIFF scans). Also added another version of the manual in Rich Text Format. Finally, the last version is a pdf created from the RTF file. This last version of the manual is the smallest at 71K.
2. Ordered the manuals on the manual page. They are no longer centered (but there is a wide left margin). The manuals are in an ordered list, which makes the list easier to read.

May 29, 2012

1. Added Vice Versa manual. It is available in three formats. PDF format (Archive quality PDF created from TIFF scans). Also added another version of the manual in Rich Text Format. Finally, the last version is a pdf created from the RTF file. This last version of the manual is the smallest at 157K.

May 25, 2012

1. Added Financier manual in pdf format.
2. Added Pinball manual in pdf format. The manual was created from scanned TIFFs. Also added another version of the manual in Rich Text Format.

May 23, 2012

1. Added Timeshare manual in pdf format. The manual was created from scanned TIFFs.
2. Added Wordwise 2 manual in pdf format. The manual was created from scanned TIFFs. Also added another version of the manual in Rich Text Format.
3. Separated the VideoBrain Manuals from the index page. The new page is here

May 22, 2012

1. Added Wordwise 1 manual in pdf format. The manual was created from scanned TIFFs. Also added another version of the manual in Rich Text Format.

May 21, 2012

1. Added VideoArtist manual in pdf format. The manual was created from scanned TIFFs. Also added another version of the manual in Rich Text Format.
2. Added Music Teacher 1 manual in pdf format. The manual was created from scanned TIFFs. Also added another version of the manual in Rich Text Format.
3. Added The 'PS Pad' Editor and 'DASM' Assembler tutorial. This explains how to assemble Fairchild F8 CPU source code using the PS Pad text editor in conjuction with the DASM assembler.

May 19, 2012

1. Added F8Tool, a Fairchild F8 CPU assembler/disassembler.
2. Added PS Pad, a text editor that works fantastically with the DASM Fairchild F8 CPU assembler, allowing you to automatically assemble files.

May 17, 2012

1. Added Index of Site to Index Page.
2. Added the DASM Assembler. The assembler supports the Fairchild F8 CPU.

May 16, 2012

1. Added a link to join the Channel F and VideoBrain Discussion Group to the VideoBrain Index Page.
2. Added a link a Google Search to the VideoBrain Index Page.

May 11, 2012

1. Added a VideoBrain links page.
2. Added Videobrain Video Hardware Patent (U.S. #4177462). You can read an overview here.

May 10, 2012

1. Added the Gladiator Manual.
2. Added a main theme picture of the VideoBrain from Armchair Arcade to this VideoBrain Index page. Thanks to Bill Loguidice for allowing me to use this picture.

May 9, 2012

1. Added the VideoBrain Owner's Manual.

May 4, 2012

1. Added the Preliminary F8 Microprocessor User's Manual (January 1975).
2. Added an excerpt from Stan Veit's History of the Personal Computer. This is Chapter 21, "Dogs and Dinosaurs" which includes some information about the VideoBrain. You can read the entire short chapter, or just read the excerpts directly related to the VideoBrain in a text file here.

May 3, 2012

1. Added a "Documents Wanted" section. The only document listed so far is "F8 User's Guide," #67095665. Fairchild Camera & Instrument Corp, 1976.
2. Added a programming book:
   1. Guide to Programming the F8 Microprocessor
      

      This 103-page manual explains how to write programs for the Fairchild F8 microprocessor system.

   2. Introduction to "Guide to Programming the F8 Microprocessor" (Retyped Text Document)
      
3. Added a magazine article:
   1. Critique of the F8 Microprocessor by Dave Caulkins.
      

      The Fairchild is a control microprocessor whose architecture is considerably different from most machines in the same price and performance class. This article is the review of the F8 CPU.

   2. Introduction to "Critique of the F8 Microprocessor."
      
4. Added a VideoBrain Video Hardware Patent:
   1. Videobrain Video Hardware Patent (U.S. 4232374).
      

      This patent describes the VideoBrain's video hardware in exact detail, but it is very technical.

   2. "VideoBrain Video Hardware Patent Overview" by Kurt Woloch.
      

      Kurt Woloch, a member of the Channel F and VideoBrain Yahoo discussion group, wrote an overview of the entire VideoBrain patent written in understandable language. If you don't want to read the patent, then Kurt's overview is a great way to get at least get an idea of what it contains.

December 14, 2011

1. First Day of Site - Enjoy!
2. Added a magazine article.
   1. VideoBrain: The Consumer Computer (Magazine Scan PDF)
      VideoBrain: The Consumer Computer (Retyped Text Document)
      By Mike Peak
      Source: Interface Age, Vol. 3, No. 2 (February 1978): 104-105.
      

      The industry is now viewing the microprocessor, not only for games, but for viable home computing systems. One company in particular, VideoBrain of Sunnyvale, California, has recently developed one of the more exciting entrants to the new field of consumer computers. This new device is named the VideoBrain.

      The VideoBrain is the first true turnkey computer system built with the general consumer in mind. Built around the F8 microprocessor the VideoBrain does not require any computer expertise on the part of the user.

      The VideoBrain is designed to be the very first computer system to take full advantage of current technological know-how, and remove the mystery surrounding computers. The VideoBrain provides for man machine interface by utilizing familiar objects found in the home, the color TV and telephone. The basic application design provides something for everyone with the greatest emphasis placed on the homemaker.