Bought a CRT for retro gaming. Looks like shyt

[ProSaibot]

I swear gaming as a kid on my old TV didn't look this bad

I bought the same model CRT TV as the once I had back in the day and it is blurry, bright and grainy a bit. Pretty sure it was crystal clear when I used to play the PS2 on my old CRT back in 2003

Is nostalgia blinding me or indeed the CRT I bought defective a bit.

Asking just to know if I need to put effort in finding a decent CRT

[David275]

I've had the same thing happen when using old computer monitors. It doesn't look the same as I remember it.

I think it might be because we have gotten used to the better technology available now, which makes it hard to go back to old stuff.

[OptimusTrajan]

Tubes are probably burnt out.

[Coal Man]

This is what happens when u lose G/T sub for 2 weeks

[nkiritsis13]

The better option is to just emulate it on the PC where you can get anti-aliasing, reshades, CRT filters, and everything else you can imagine versus hunting down a cinder block TV that, as OptimusTrajan noted, might not even be up to snuff due to the passage of time.

Now, you mentioned PS2, so one of the top results for PS2 emulation is this:


However, the thing with PS2/Xbox/Gamecube era games is that we were firmly in the 3D era by then where there really isn't any need for a CRT since the advantages mainly apply to 2D pixel art games where the artists used the CRT screen's flaws to their advantage to create smoother visuals that digital displays cannot replicate without the aforementioned reshades/filters.

So for that era of games (and PS3/Xbox/Wii/Wii-U), you're far better off just emulating since you can get perfect anti-aliasing to get rid of the step-ladder edges, get perfect frame rates since they'll be piss-easy to run on any modern computer, and even have access to modifications that might add some much needed quality of life improvements or even new features/levels/items/ect.

[BullittEV]

I swear gaming as a kid on my old TV didn't look this bad

I bought the same model CRT TV as the once I had back in the day and it is blurry, bright and grainy a bit. Pretty sure it was crystal clear when I used to play the PS2 on my old CRT back in 2003

Is nostalgia blinding me or indeed the CRT I bought defective a bit.

Asking just to know if I need to put effort in finding a decent CRT

We're also older now so that imagination also shifted to realism.

But yeah, it was that bad- we had no other reference except for older technology.

[ScrillaIsBake]

I bought an HDMI upscaler for my PS2 and I like it srs

edit: It's not as nice as x4 resolution on PCSX2, but beats the stock look imo

[ProSaibot]

Update: Just bought another CRT and it looks crisp perfect. My eyes weren't blinded by nostalgia and indeed the other TV was shyt.

[JayJ350]

Update: Just bought another CRT and it looks crisp perfect. My eyes weren't blinded by nostalgia and indeed the other TV was shyt.

Yeah you probably just bought some tired old TV that worked like chit. That and some CRT's were never good for gaming.

[rocketfish]

CRT's don't live forever, the original CRT you bought is fuked.

CRT's look amazing when you have content that fits that resolution..

[superfunk]

CRT's don't live forever, the original CRT you bought is fuked.

CRT's look amazing when you have content that fits that resolution..

wdym about the resolution? CRTs could do just about any resolution and still look equally good. That was one of their biggest strengths, you could tailor the resolution to the application/game. They don't have a native resolution.

[elterrible987]

you need at minimum S-video if not component video inputs.

composite video will look like chit.


also if you are using an hdmi converter you need a high quality one and its hard to get one to go from hdmi to 480i.

its almost more trouble than its worth, youre probably better off using emulators and filters that mimic CRT scanlines ect.

[elterrible987]

wdym about the resolution? CRTs could do just about any resolution and still look equally good. That was one of their biggest strengths, you could tailor the resolution to the application/game. They don't have a native resolution.

yeah if you are playing on original hardware, like original SNES, n64, ps2 ect. but if you are outputing from a modern computer using an hdmi converter then there are no longer infinite resolutions but only the ones supported by the converter. this is where it becomes a pain in the ass.

[phaginator]

CRT's are a meme especially if you plan on emulators.

[MisquePhaggot]

Just cant beat the motion of a CRT

[JustiNtense]

Just buy a Steam Deck. You can play all the games, your entire steam library, and then you can download emustation and emulate every game system on your Steam Deck.

[pyrogen]

[mgftp]

LoL@ Retrocels

[latverian41]

Just make sure you don't try and open it up and tinker with it. Even unplugged CRTs can kill you.

What type of retro gaming was you wanting to play on a crt?

[JUSA]

Nostalgia is a helluva thing.

[FallOutBrah]

any good CRT tvs you can recommend? want to use for super nintendo and n64. maybe nes too.

[rocketfish]

any good CRT tvs you can recommend? want to use for super nintendo and n64. maybe nes too.

sony trinitron's are the best in the business, but the most money because even the resellers know they go for a pretty penny. Best thing to do is hit up garage/yard sales and try to find an unaware mom/grandma/grandpa to sell you it for $5-10

other manufactures used sony's panels so you can also get some of the best from them you just gotta do a little research, for example I have a Dell CRT that has a sony trinitron panel. Its flat doesn't have that curved tube glass look.