Why You Need a CRT for Retro Gaming

Can't believe this was just on the curb in front of someone's house! I recommend searching on Craigslist (or something similar like OfferUp) for good deals. There are lots of people giving away these old TVs because

That's super lucky, thanks for saving this one from dying on the street

[HowAboutThisAsAName]

My Dad bought me an S-Video cable for my PS2 when I was growing up. Thanks Dad :)

[Motuochez]

Loved the little CRT 3D animation at the beginning, that was amazing haha. Also I definitely agree, CRT gives the pixels a more softer and natural look, like in the emulated version the stick looks very pixelated to my eyes. Also because CRT gives it that rounder and blurrier look, you can't really tell the jarring difference between the models and the pre-rendered backgrounds, like the one where Link is laying down on the bed.

[megamanfan]

It's not just the rounded pixels and scan-lines, even the saturation and colour display of retro games looks way better on a CRT TV, I wish a company somewhere in this world would start manufacturing CRT TVs once again.

[raichubender]

Been digging into CRTs and how color works on older displays with 'crappy' cables. I've gained a newfound appreciation for games that look ugly when displayed on a modern flatpanel display with blocky pixels or blurry splotches.
Turns out these pixel sprites and blurry textures actually contain a lot more detail that is basically not there on modern displays or emulator output. They will look bland, dull or just weird and give older games that 'dated' look and feel.
CRTs are a lot brighter and more vibrant by nature, so any dull visuals would likely look a lot more pretty. Also, artifacts and color blending on composite and S-video created more colors and pixel artists would use clever tricks to pack as much detail into tiny sprites and tiles that just isn't there when simply playing through and emulator. They're literally not intended for anything others than CRTs, which a lot of people for some reason fail to grasp...
First time I really noticed this was when I played the NES Battletoads on XB ONE via Rare Replay. When I turned on the CRT simulation filter, the 8-but visuals instantly looked a lot prettier, albeit blurrier. It felt like the boring, grid-aligned four-color tiles suddenly displayed a lot more color and visual variety. When you look at the tiles with the filter turned off, you can notice that there is something 'off' about these tiles. Like "why would they place that pixel there?" "How is this supposed to resemble a rock wall?" "These colors seem arbitrarily picked and clash." Then you see it on a CRT the way it was intended and everything just clicks.

[GoobyGooby]

I love CRT's so much. I have a LG HD CRT that goes up to 1080i and a 480i toshiba, they are such great displays. I really dont understand why the first thing someone asks when I show it off is "how are you going to get rid of it?" No im keeping these for life (or until they break)!

[ogSquink]

0:30 the high pitch shriek starts lol. that's a CRT for you.

[hectorvelez]

this reeks of nostalgia



...i love it

[retrorestored]

Congrats on realizing how amazing S-Video is! I heard about it growing up but I never realized how much better it was. Just switched all my consoles over a few months ago. 🙂

[someguyoninternet]

I also got that lucky moment! Me my dad and my grandpa was helping my grandpas friend and I ended up coming home with two windows xp pcs, a screen, a keyboard and a small CRT tv

[RichPoorFashion]

I actually like the regular cables over the S-Video for my Saturn. On my CRT the transparencies actually appear transparent! They look horrendous on an HDTV

[yesterdays-tech]

Wow! That's a staggering difference between cables. You don't realize how soft or how much sharper it could be until you see it.

[benaravensfan]

I have a 13 inch CRT on my table. They had it in the basement of my day program. When they were in the process of moving to their current building, they said that if no one takes it, it is being put out for bulk trash. So, I took it.

[JAM]

I’m in a phase where I like old games better than new games and they look poopy on an hdtv. Picking up a crt soon

[aarontrupiano]

s video makes a noticeable difference even watching a dvd

[dad]

Glad you found that little crt. I've got a 32 inch Sony Trinitron myself. My Sega Saturn is hooked up to the s-video. I bought mine with retro gaming in mind and have not been disappointed 😁👍

[ALiTY]

I really wish I could get a Working CRT for Free.

[rsolsjo]

Looks like there's slightly less "bloom" with s-video.

[MrVibeless]

Any chance we could see some more CRT footage. I find it fascinating how good it looks. I paid a pretty penny to have my N64 HD modded for modern tvs and the results, though better than before, are really disapointing to me. My TV still does funny things with the signal which results in strange pixelated mess and distortions no matter what setting I use on the ultra64 mod or my LG OLED telly.

[Analog-to-digital-cotinual]

i find it funny and kinda frustrating how in America u can pick up a decent tube TV at a yard sale but over here in Ireland for some reason u can only find obscure brands for double the price + postage that may or may not function