website/content/museum/apf-tv-fun-model-401.md

---
title: APF TV Fun (Model 401)
categories:
- Pongs
origins:
- United Kingdom
years:
- '1976'
cpus:
- AY-3-8500 from General Instruments
params:
  name: TV Fun (Model 401)
  image: /media/museum/photos/apf_tvfun-401_1s.jpg
  company: /companies/apf
  company_name: APF
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: TV Fun (Model 401)
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: APF
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: United Kingdom
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1976'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Tennis, Hockey, Squash, Single Handball
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Two built-in knobs
  - label: CPU
    value: AY-3-8500 from General Instruments
  - label: SPEED
    value: Reset, manual serve
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: power on/off, doubles/skeet/practice, serve manual/auto, TV channel 3/4 on the underside
  - label: RAM
    value: On screen
  - label: COLORS
    value: Black & white
  - label: SOUND
    value: Built-in speaker
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: RF TV video output
  - label: OS
    value: 6 x C batteries
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: External power supply unit, 9V 500 mA tip positive
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 'No'
  - label: PRICE
    value: About $125
  tabs:
  - photos
  - software
  - emulators
  - links
  photos:
  - title: TV FUN - MODEL 401A
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/apf_tvfun-401_1.jpg
  - title: DOCUMENTATION
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/apf_tv-fun_doc_1.jpg
  emulators:
  - title: www.pong-story.com
    url: http://www.pong-story.com/pcpong.htm
    platform: Multiplatform
    text: Several pong emulators (simulators) presented here
  links:
  - title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
    url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
    text: ''
  comments:
  - author: ronald bowen (north alabama)
    date: Saturday 7th January 2012
    text: I have apf tv fun gome looks just like the apf 401 but is labaled 402 and has gun. just got it out of some junk stuff.
  - author: Ant (Los Angeles)
    date: Saturday 2nd April 2011
    text: My parents bought this for my brother in the 70''s. This was my first video gaming experience. Whats strange is they say it was made for the England market, so how did my parents buy one in the states? At some time they must have decided to sell here. I''m trying to put together a personal timeline so would be great if someone could provide that info
  - author: charlie oliver (usa)
    date: Sunday 6th March 2011
    text: APF TV Fun (Model 401) I got one it has the 2 cylinder and also a cool looking Gun :) QC
  - author: Jonathan Allen Scher (Bowling Green, KY/United States)
    date: Friday 8th October 2010
    text: I was wondering if there are still APF TV Fun Pong consoles left. But the one I''m looking for specifically is the model 442. The APF TV Fun that has two cylinder controllers. You know what I mean? It is for my future review of old games so I was wondering if you have one or somewhere else you know where I can buy one?
  - author: Scott
    date: Saturday 2nd October 2010
    text: AC adapter is 9V 500 mA tip positive
  - author: Steve (Kansas)
    date: Wednesday 9th December 2009
    text: Hey Zach, in case you ever get this message, I was wondering if you could provide me with detailed information on the specifications for the AC power cord. I have the system, but I lack the AC cable. I''m fairly sure I can buy a modern one to replace it, but I need the exact output settings so that I do not damage the internal circuitry. Any information is very appreciated. My email is Beesson6606(at)gmail(dot)com. Thanks a lot!
  - author: Zach (Midwest)
    date: Monday 25th February 2008
    text: I just acquired a APF Tv fun Model 401..It works and such, also has the box and manual (box is in rough shape). Anyway anyone know a value of this thing.
  - author: Mike (Seattle, WA)
    date: Wednesday 19th January 2005
    text: This was the first video game my parents bought for me. I thought it was sold under a different brand/name though. I recall they bought it from a local Fred Meyer store and paid around $50 USD for it (which was quite a bit in those days). Other pong systems were selling for about twice that, so this was a real bargin.
  - author: alex compton (texas)
    date: Tuesday 27th July 2004
    text: yeah if you put the switch to computer it should work
  - author: jim bramlet (Pennsylvania)
    date: Tuesday 13rd July 2004
    text: Does anyone no how to hook up the apf tv fun model 401 to a tv. It has a cable running out the back and when i plug it into the video in outlet no picture comes up but i can hear the sounds.
  related:
  - /museum/a10-telespiel-9010
  - /museum/alex-video-spiel-tg-621
  - /museum/apf-match
  - /museum/audiosonic-pp-800
  - /museum/bentley-compu-vision
  - /museum/blaupunkt-tv-action
  - /museum/coleco-telstar-alpha-model-6030
  - /museum/conic-tv-sports-tg-621
  - /museum/conic-tvg-209
  - /museum/dms-telesports-mini
  - /museum/grandstand-t-v-game-model-3000
  - /museum/hanimex-666
  - /museum/hanimex-7771
  - /museum/hanimex-t-338
  - /museum/intel-germany-super-tele-sport-d-688-36
  - /museum/interton-video-2400
  - /museum/jostykit-multi-tv-game-hf-344
  - /museum/magiclick-teleclick
  - /museum/match-sd-01c
  - /museum/mbo-tele-ball
  - /museum/mbo-tele-ball-ii
  - /museum/mbo-tele-ball-iii
  - /museum/mentor-sport-tg-20
  - /museum/novoton-tj-141
  - /museum/novoton-video-sports
  - /museum/playtech-telesport
  - /museum/polistil-v-g-2
  - /museum/r-f-t-bss-01-bildschirmspiel-01
  - /museum/radofin-electronics-limited-tele-sports
  - /museum/riva-t-800c
  - /museum/roberts-paddle-iv
  - /museum/roberts-rally-iv
  - /museum/sands-3000
  - /museum/societe-occitane-d-electronique-oc-4
  - /museum/sonolor-telematch
  - /museum/sportron-101u
  - /museum/superlectron-tv-challenger-series-3000-tvc-3000
  - /museum/tele-flip-paris-video-sport-fy-707
  - /museum/thomson-jv1t
  - /museum/ultrasound-tele-sports
  - /museum/ultrasound-tv-9010
  - /museum/universum-tv-multi-spiel-handheld
  - /museum/universum-tv-spiel-1004
  software:
  - /software/squash-practice-also-known-as-practice-pelota-solitaire-handball-mur-d-entrainement-entrainement-solo-squash-exercice
  oc_id: 1009
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230629130315/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1009
    date: '2023-06-29'
---

APF TV Fun Model 401 is a classic pong system. It is one of the first system based on the common AY-3-8500 chipset from General Instruments. Thus, it offers four basic pong games : tennis, hockey, squash and single handball.

The case is quite nice with woodgrain style finish and silver-like knobs, switches and buttons... Switches are used to turn the system on and off, select game option and service mode (auto/manual). Buttons are used to reset the system and serve the ball. Game selection is made through a small dial in the middle of the control panel.

The controllers are built-in the case. These are two dials placed on both sides of the case. The RF cable is built into the unit, but it's possible to unplug it from the insides of the machine for replacement. The system can be powered by six C-size batteries or by an external power supply.

The TV Fun model 401 is not to be mistaken with later APF models which used the same case. There are TV Fun Model 401A and TV Fun Sportsarama.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>