First of all i have to thank Ralf Schmitz for this gift. (Grazie Ralf).

Short description taken directly from Wikipedia of the Saba Videoplay console (Fairchild Channel F):

The Fairchild Channel F, short for “Channel Fun”, is a video game console, the first to be based on a microprocessor and to use ROM cartridges (branded ‘Videocarts’) instead of having games built-in. It was released by Fairchild Camera and Instrument in November 1976 across North America at a retail price of US$169.95 (equivalent to $910 in 2023)

The console come in a fair state of preservation but still had the following problems:

• Broken reset button.
• Both joysticks did not work properly.
• A small part of the corner of the PCB of the power switch side was broken.
• Rough repair with adhesive tape of the cable of both joysticks.

The repair was quite simple but boring, fixing the joystick cable was not exactly fun, i had to cut the cable because one or more wires inside are broken, i also had to invent a cable gland for a missing joystick and drill a cable gland with the broken cable right inside to then insert the cutted cable and solder the wires inside the joystick. (see photo)

The reset button was enough to glue it. (see photo)

I polished the console case that had the classic matte and dry black color of 70s plastics with linseed oil, a little is enough on a makeup remover PAD or a cotton rag, the result is amazing.

For completeness i also installed the e5frog composite video modification that works well, i only had to bring an auxiliary ground (although the ground of the negative power supply is already connected) from the PCB to the metal body (see photo) because it gave me video noise, now it’s perfect.

Below the photo gallery:

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