What TV do you use for retro gaming?

I'm starting a retro gaming collection and the games look horrible on my 32" LCD. I was just wondering what kind of TV everyone uses to play old games. I looking to get a tube tv off craigslist. Any tipsfor buying one like what to look for?

I personally use a 17inch LCD TV/PC monitor combo , the picture is great.

the idea that CRTs are better for retro gaming is a true myth , its not 100% true, but its not false either.

what I mean by that is that people seem to assume that any CRT will beat any LCD, which is frankly not the case.

as a result, alot of people will just go for the first CRT they find, which sometimes ends up being a TV thats 20-30 years old, play the games using RF , or at most composite, and think they are getting a better picture, which is frankly ludicrous.

now, if one was to go and find a good quality CRT, with RGB SCART connections ( or at least S-video if you live in the US), then yes, it will look better than most LCDs.

but the bottom line is that not all CRTs are made the same , just like some LCDs do a better job than others

Try to find a TV with an S-Video input and component inputs, something like this:

Also, "flat" tube TVs don't work well with lightguns like the NES Zapper

Try to find a TV with an S-Video input and component inputs, something like this:

Also, "flat" tube TVs don't work well with lightguns like the NES Zapper

JuarN18

that would be good advice , though component would be pretty useless for most consoles in the US, which is why at least in this aspect, Europe got the better deal , since even as far back as the Master System , PAL consoles had RGB support (which is more or less the same as component)

then again , we get rubbish PAL conversions, so meh :P

that would be good advice , though component would be pretty useless for most consoles in the US, Darkman2007

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"]

that would be good advice , though component would be pretty useless for most consoles in the US, JuarN18

I personally use a 17inch LCD TV/PC monitor combo , the picture is great.

the idea that CRTs are better for retro gaming is a true myth , its not 100% true, but its not false either.

what I mean by that is that people seem to assume that any CRT will beat any LCD, which is frankly not the case.

as a result, alot of people will just go for the first CRT they find, which sometimes ends up being a TV thats 20-30 years old, play the games using RF , or at most composite, and think they are getting a better picture, which is frankly ludicrous.

now, if one was to go and find a good quality CRT, with RGB SCART connections ( or at least S-video if you live in the US), then yes, it will look better than most LCDs.

but the bottom line is that not all CRTs are made the same , just like some LCDs do a better job than others

Darkman2007

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"]

I personally use a 17inch LCD TV/PC monitor combo , the picture is great.

the idea that CRTs are better for retro gaming is a true myth , its not 100% true, but its not false either.

what I mean by that is that people seem to assume that any CRT will beat any LCD, which is frankly not the case.

as a result, alot of people will just go for the first CRT they find, which sometimes ends up being a TV thats 20-30 years old, play the games using RF , or at most composite, and think they are getting a better picture, which is frankly ludicrous.

now, if one was to go and find a good quality CRT, with RGB SCART connections ( or at least S-video if you live in the US), then yes, it will look better than most LCDs.

but the bottom line is that not all CRTs are made the same , just like some LCDs do a better job than others

AcidSoldner

thats the smaller TV with Virtua Cop

just keep in mind this was taken with a webcam , and not the greatest one either (though its better than my previous one)

thats the smaller TV with Virtua Cop

just keep in mind this was taken with a webcam , and not the greatest one either (though its better than my previous one)

Darkman2007

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"]

thats the smaller TV with Virtua Cop

just keep in mind this was taken with a webcam , and not the greatest one either (though its better than my previous one)

AcidSoldner

well its an LG , and the model number is RZ-17LZ40 , though thats the European number, the US one could be different (if indeed it made it there)

CRT (consoles) & LCD (PC & emulators)

I'm starting a retro gaming collection and the games look horrible on my 32" LCD.

jdc6305

Let me just warn you that Saturn and PS1 and older 3D games (such as SNES Star Fox) will likely look horrible even on a CRT with RGB cable.

[QUOTE="jdc6305"]

I'm starting a retro gaming collection and the games look horrible on my 32" LCD.

nameless12345

Let me just warn you that Saturn and PS1 and older 3D games (such as SNES Star Fox) will likely look horrible even on a CRT with RGB cable.

[QUOTE="nameless12345"]

[QUOTE="jdc6305"]

I'm starting a retro gaming collection and the games look horrible on my 32" LCD.

Darkman2007

Let me just warn you that Saturn and PS1 and older 3D games (such as SNES Star Fox) will likely look horrible even on a CRT with RGB cable.

Yes, I mean the games themselves. I think some people expect too much from classic games when it comes to graphics. There's really no way to fix, for example, Saturn's and PS1's lack of texture smoothing so they're bound to look pixely (except if you play them on PS2 which has the option for texture smoothing).

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"][QUOTE="nameless12345"]

Let me just warn you that Saturn and PS1 and older 3D games (such as SNES Star Fox) will likely look horrible even on a CRT with RGB cable.

nameless12345

Yes, I mean the games themselves. I think some people expect too much from classic games when it comes to graphics. There's really no way to fix, for example, Saturn's and PS1's lack of texture smoothing so they're bound to look pixely (except if you play them on PS2 which has the option for texture smoothing).

thats something else entirely, and is up to taste, I personally like the look of old 3D games.

though I can't emphasize enough the difference good cables make., in somw ways its more important than the TV.

so while you can't make the visuals better per se, you may as well make the best of it with some decent cables,

I mean , take FF8 , on my LCD , with RGB its pretty sharp

when you use composite , which is sadly what most people use, it looks quite a bit worse (a bit hard to see with the webcam, but you can tell best around the text. )

FF13 it isn't, but you may as well make the best of it, and in fact I would recommend trying better cables before a new TV.

32 inch CRT TV my family's had since probably the mid 90s. Sadly, my LCD doesn't have enough composite inputs to use the consoles on them. Then again, I really don't mind using it. Brings back memories.

[QUOTE="nameless12345"]

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"] if you mean picture quality, thats nonsense. if you mean the actual games, thats something else entirely.Darkman2007

Yes, I mean the games themselves. I think some people expect too much from classic games when it comes to graphics. There's really no way to fix, for example, Saturn's and PS1's lack of texture smoothing so they're bound to look pixely (except if you play them on PS2 which has the option for texture smoothing).

thats something else entirely, and is up to taste, I personally like the look of old 3D games.

though I can't emphasize enough the difference good cables make., in somw ways its more important than the TV.

so while you can't make the visuals better per se, you may as well make the best of it with some decent cables,

I mean , take FF8 , on my LCD , with RGB its pretty sharp

when you use composite , which is sadly what most people use, it looks quite a bit worse (a bit hard to see with the webcam, but you can tell best around the text. )

FF13 it isn't, but you may as well make the best of it, and in fact I would recommend trying better cables before a new TV.

Well, you may not agree with me but I find that composite hides a little of the pixelation that becomes more apparent with RGB. But to each their own.

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"]

[QUOTE="nameless12345"]

Yes, I mean the games themselves. I think some people expect too much from classic games when it comes to graphics. There's really no way to fix, for example, Saturn's and PS1's lack of texture smoothing so they're bound to look pixely (except if you play them on PS2 which has the option for texture smoothing).

nameless12345

thats something else entirely, and is up to taste, I personally like the look of old 3D games.

though I can't emphasize enough the difference good cables make., in somw ways its more important than the TV.

so while you can't make the visuals better per se, you may as well make the best of it with some decent cables,

I mean , take FF8 , on my LCD , with RGB its pretty sharp

when you use composite , which is sadly what most people use, it looks quite a bit worse (a bit hard to see with the webcam, but you can tell best around the text. )

FF13 it isn't, but you may as well make the best of it, and in fact I would recommend trying better cables before a new TV.

Well, you may not agree with me but I find that composite hides a little of the pixelation that becomes more apparent with RGB. But to each their own.

well if you like blurry picture quality its up to you, its not really any less pixelated (maybe a bit) but its considerably blurrier too, so youre replacing a small evil with a bigger one.

nevermind that the colours are more vibrant too .

[QUOTE="nameless12345"]

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"]

thats something else entirely, and is up to taste, I personally like the look of old 3D games.

though I can't emphasize enough the difference good cables make., in somw ways its more important than the TV.

so while you can't make the visuals better per se, you may as well make the best of it with some decent cables,

I mean , take FF8 , on my LCD , with RGB its pretty sharp

when you use composite , which is sadly what most people use, it looks quite a bit worse (a bit hard to see with the webcam, but you can tell best around the text. )

FF13 it isn't, but you may as well make the best of it, and in fact I would recommend trying better cables before a new TV.

Darkman2007

Well, you may not agree with me but I find that composite hides a little of the pixelation that becomes more apparent with RGB. But to each their own.

well if you like blurry picture quality its up to you, its not really any less pixelated (maybe a bit) but its considerably blurrier too, so youre replacing a small evil with a bigger one.

nevermind that the colours are more vibrant too .

The problem is that the res is too low and that the backgrounds are too low-quality and that there's no texture smoothing. If it had that it would surely look great with RGB and on a LCD.

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"]

[QUOTE="nameless12345"]

Well, you may not agree with me but I find that composite hides a little of the pixelation that becomes more apparent with RGB. But to each their own.

nameless12345

well if you like blurry picture quality its up to you, its not really any less pixelated (maybe a bit) but its considerably blurrier too, so youre replacing a small evil with a bigger one.

nevermind that the colours are more vibrant too .

The problem is that the res is too low and that the backgrounds are too low-quality and that there's no texture smoothing. If it had that it would surely look great with RGB and on a LCD.

[QUOTE="nameless12345"]

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"]

well if you like blurry picture quality its up to you, its not really any less pixelated (maybe a bit) but its considerably blurrier too, so youre replacing a small evil with a bigger one.

nevermind that the colours are more vibrant too .

Darkman2007

The problem is that the res is too low and that the backgrounds are too low-quality and that there's no texture smoothing. If it had that it would surely look great with RGB and on a LCD.

I agree on the whole that RGB (or VGA) is the superior cable, but like I said - those old games kinda don't benefit by a too sharp picture. Atleast in my view.

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"][QUOTE="nameless12345"]

The problem is that the res is too low and that the backgrounds are too low-quality and that there's no texture smoothing. If it had that it would surely look great with RGB and on a LCD.

nameless12345

I agree on the whole that RGB (or VGA) is the superior cable, but like I said - those old games kinda don't benefit by a too sharp picture. Atleast in my view.

I know what you mean , but for me, that "its too sharp" thing really only starts when a game is upscaled to HD , playing PS1 games on a PS3 actually looks worse than on a PS1 with RGB because it really is too sharp in there (making you see every imperfection) RGB is the perfect middle ground imo.

but what would you say about 2D games then?

Phantasy Star on the Master System , again RGB (ignore the green borders, thats due to a crappy PAL conversion)

[QUOTE="nameless12345"]

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"] thats the game itself, good cables will only make it sharper. though the LCD aspect has little to do with it, this LCD does just as well as the CRTs Ive played games on.Darkman2007

I agree on the whole that RGB (or VGA) is the superior cable, but like I said - those old games kinda don't benefit by a too sharp picture. Atleast in my view.

I know what you mean , but for me, that "its too sharp" thing really only starts when a game is upscaled to HD , playing PS1 games on a PS3 actually looks worse than on a PS1 with RGB because it really is too sharp in there (making you see every imperfection) RGB is the perfect middle ground imo.

but what would you say about 2D games then?

Phantasy Star on the Master System , again RGB (ignore the green borders, thats due to a crappy PAL conversion)

Well I think 2D games are better because the picture is more stable. I just happen to dislike extreme warping or blockyness of textures (although I can tolerate games like Doom and even Star Fox).

On the PC old 3D games still look good because you can simply bump the res and filters to extreme.

On the PC old 3D games still look good because you can simply bump the res and filters to extreme.

nameless12345

the problem 90% of classic gamers have is when they choose their HDTV. if its a 120hz it will play them just like an SRT tv most dont know that. i generally use an RCA 27 inch srt tv with component and s video for most since i have no room to put my classics on the HDTV. on my HDTV i have 2 classic consoles that play great on it, a SNES and a PSOne

An SD with a S-video outlet.

An SD with a S-video outlet.

xXTalismanXx

Either my 32" LCD HDTV or 61" DLP HDTV, I haven't had any problems.

I think mine is either a 26" or 28" Sony WEGA. I have SNES, Genesis, and N64 hooked up with composite cables, and a Gamcube and PS2 with S-Video.

27" Toshiba CRT TV

In the corner is My Atari TV which with some errors, can play Xbox 360 games. However, this is the ****c gaming room. The 7th generation room is down the hall.

In the corner is My Atari TV which with some errors, can play Xbox 360 games. However, this is the ****c gaming room. The 7th generation room is down the hall.Pegalamp

I used my 27" tube TV , but I gave it to my cousin's gf. so now I only have my 42" LCD , and it works ok. I'm probably going to get another 27"+ tubeTV because N64, Ps1, genesis , and NES games usually look better on a tube TV (less pixelated). and until I get another tube TV I can't play nes games that use the zapper.... :(

I switched over from a big old tube TV to a 19" (I think) LCD for space's sake. I never noticed the difference as far as picture quality but never cared that much either. I use composite cables for everything. I got a little switcher at Radio Shack so I don't have to be unplugging stuff all the time. I am kind of thinking of shoving the old tube TV back in there at some point, just to make the room a little more command center-y.

I just use my 40'' Sharp Aquos LCD. It works pretty well.

for me..emulation is the only way to play games before the dreamcast/xbox/GC/ps2 era...

trying to actually use cartridges and cds ends up looking horrible.

i have a 29" crt, but rarely use it, we also have a lcd 42', but in that tv,the best is to use my xbox 360. i've tested my playstation, and my wii, and the results aren't that good. i also have a 22' lcd, i think this one have the better overall appeal. it's no perfect for retro , but i can play retro and new games in this tv

I have a 20" Sanyo CRT. It only has RF (which I never use) and composite, but all my games look pretty good on it.

Same TV I use for all my gaming. Just a small SD TV. Nothing special but it's all I have, and it works.

27" sony flat tube, it's great and haven't had any problems with any light gun games yet, but i haven't tried a zapper so

Both are 1080p HDTVs but they have a really good picture for retro consoles.