How to Get the Best Picture Quality for Older Video Games - Retro Bird
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- čas přidán 1. 02. 2024
- In this video, I cover how to make your older video games look better. This includes tips for various cables and equipment to use, as well as a handful of tips and tricks that anyone can do! I also discuss the pitfalls of obsessing over video quality too much, and ultimately make an argument for the most simple, effective suggestion I can give.
How to Improve the Picture Quality of Older Video Games - Retro Bird / Which Cables You Should Use For Retro Gaming / How to Hook Up Your Retro Consoles / How To Make Retro Games Look Better
If you'd like to gain access to my retro blog or just support the channel - you can find my Patreon here: / retrobird
New videos uploaded every Friday! Be sure to ring the bell if you subscribe!
Follow me on Twitter here: / retrobirdgaming
or on Instagram here: / retrobirdmatt
#retrobird - Hry
Just a heads up that this video focuses on consoles that came out before the Dreamcast. When discussing the Dreamcast and newer consoles, there are a lot more factors to consider. For example, some people even suggest HD CRTs to use for them. If you'd like to see a video where I address some of the factors to consider when choosing which consoles to hook up to a CRT TV, you can watch that here: czcams.com/video/6vHK2FE1kX8/video.html
Games played: Super Punch-Out!! (0:01), Rocket Knight Adventures (0:14), Contra III (1:12), Contra (3:50), Cannon Dancer: Osman (5:05), Banjo Kazooie (5:30), Super Mario World (6:25), Super Mario 64 (12:00)
Here's the video covering "Are CRT TVs Necessary for Retro Gaming?": czcams.com/video/am2qUPIlaXg/video.html
I use a Sony KV-32HS420 for my retro consoles. It runs Gamecube, Xbox and PS2 in 480p, with the games that support it. I use component cables for the Saturn, PS2, GameCube, Genesis and Xbox. I also works very well with the Analogue Duo, using the HDMI port.
one word easy answer to the title... emulation... done, hehe
Yep there they are! Thanks again!
What's the game around 7:47 to 8:20? Has a Strider look.
It would make a fun video for that 6th gen of consoles. HD CRTs are indeed perfect for that era, but you can get a superb picture on any CRT with component inputs. Gamecube is the hardest in that gen cause the component cable has a chip in it and is like $200+. the Dreamcast is the easiest since it can natively output through a VGA cable (which is cheap and generic) and looks great on any computer monitor, especially a CRT PC monitor.
Im a 45 year old grown man and this guy cracks me up. Thank you my good dude love the channel
I'm 1 year behind you and wholehearted agree!
Well yeah, we have dad jokes...
@@ArchangelRG09 more like Grandpa jokes 😬
"With retro bird come retro jokes" - Confucius, c. 516 BCE
I have reached the "Dad" area of the chat. 😆 We may be old, but we're young at heart, am I right?! ☺️
My favorite part was when you said "where you going? I got more cables to show ya " lmao good shit
I asked my wife: "Can you help me film something real quick?". We had fun capturing it :)
@@RetroBirdGaming Owww, you're a sweet couple))
Loved that part too!
Only Jesus Christ blood can cleanse us of are sins come to Jesus Christ today
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void.
The Holy Spirit can lead you guide and confort you through it all
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
Lmao your best work yet. “What’s sync? Something you don’t understaaaaaaaand!”
This is the absolute best
That retro cable hole he went down was legit one of the funniest things ive ever seen on a gaming channel 😂
“Where you going?, I still got more cables to show ya! “ a quote that sums up so much of my past lmao
Loved the Ace Ventura reference!!😅
Dumb and Dumber, not busting balls just being a dork.
It hits me how RB's mannerism is similar to Jim Carrie's comedy style in the 90's. :)
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
Do NOT go in there! Wheeewww!
I saw your community post letting us know the video went live and below it Google asked me how satisfied I was that they recommended your community post to me. I clicked "Very Satisfied", and it asked me why, so I checked "inspiring, informative, entertaining, calming, useful, and fun", because it is. It ain't much, but it's honest work. 🤠
I really appreciate that! It supports the channel more than people might think :)
We all know that off camera that "fruit platter" was really just an entire plate of nanners with everything else green screened in.
I guess I'm not as sneaky as I thought I was...
@@RetroBirdGaming Don't beat yourself up, it was a valiant effort.
I bought my real N64 a year ago; didn’t think about it not being able to work on my new 4k tv which I also had just purchased and sold my older one. So then after buying a super cheap hdmi converter, I bought the most expensive one because the picture quality was so lame. Works great but sooo dong expensive for 25 year old hardware. Now I’ve just Gotten a few cheap clone console with the “M cable”. Still expensive but also cheaper for hdmi set up. I could have kept going but I started to realize instead of just enjoying the games I had I was constantly judging how good they looked to others crazy expensive set ups. So decided to just sit back and enjoy what I had and be thankful I was playing the games at all.
For the 3D ones I like using emulation because they look so much sharper.
When my wife and I purchased our home 10 years ago, she was completely and totally adamant about getting rid of my Sony Trinitron CRT. She hated it due to the size and weight . We went at it like cats and dogs for days. It’s the perfect tv for retro gaming, it has 2 S-Video inputs, 2 component inputs, my Super Nintendo using S-Video has the most beautiful picture. Anyway, sorry for the long comment, but needless to say I won that argument and still have the tv.
I don't get why so many people get upset about the amount of space a CRT take up. Homes had them for more than 50 years and they were never a problem. What do people want these days, completely empty space?
@@retro-computing-gaming It's the minimalist life style that's been taking over everything these days.
Damn you won an arguement with your wife? How?
And yet people think 77" TVs above the fireplace looks good...
Nice, you still have the tv, but what about the wife? 😂
I use composite cables on my 20” Sony Trinitron, works for me!
That was exactly my experience down the video quality rabbit hole.
Love my CRT. Only way I play my old games. RF and composite baby! 🎉
i prefer emulation
@@mattalan6618 you mean your wallet prefers emulation. emulation is trash compared to the real thing
@@RideRedRacer dont care. i dont have a big house to show off these big huge collections. so yeah emulations works for me
RF for NES, just because those 8-bit chunky sprites need that extra pinch of softness, and composite for SNES, GEN & TGFX(+ PC Engine Duo-R) paired with a Sony Trinitron 27" CRT is what i like personally.
And I remember trying S-Video out on SNES with a few titles a while back, and I just didn't like the added sharpness or clearness. S-Video makes a dramatic, and much needed, difference over composite in regards to lets say Dreamcast & Gamecube, but for older consoles that are heavy on simpler sprite based titles, I actually prefer composite just because it creates a softer smoother image that makes sprites look a lot more blended together and cartoon-like.
These days, playing NES & even SNES games in 1080p+HDMI on Switch NSO is just rough, unless you apply that weird CRT filter. Without it, the razor sharp crystal clear looking sprites look artificial and lifeless, and fail to create that cartoony aesthetic that we all grew up with.
I think, for a modern set up. Pairing an Analogue HD console with a 'QD'-OLED is the best way to fly. They don't have them in smaller sizes, like 32" or 42" just yet though unfortunately. It's an expensive rabbit hole to fall into....Motion clarity will not be able to compete against CRT, and you'll still have at least 10ms of latency with a 4K HDTV.
CRT is a game changer and honestly imo a must have for retro gaming. i'm not a fan of RF but i prefer composite on most games of the 90s with some exceptions that really benefit from a sharper image. the dithering is just too vital to the look of those games.
Ace ventura reference got me
i'm so fkn ded man this video hit HOME
New Retro Bird video? Gotta drop everything I do and watch it!
same
@@admiralAlfonso9001not everyone lives in the same time zone
@@admiralAlfonso9001 …Canada has multiple times zones
@@Savannah_Simpson whaaaaaaaat that can’t be right
Congrats on 50k subs bud. Keep the videos coming but PLEASE always take care of yourself first.
He used to two videos a week, and I believe he skipped some weeks when he went on a trip, so I think he's finding a nice balance.
Will do and thanks!
lol nice ace ventura reference.
Soda drinking couch farter here! The main TV in my house is a mid 2000s plasma. Had it since new and refuse to buy a new fancy TV. Let me tell you I cleaned it the other day for the first time in god knows and holy cow am I now looking into that beautiful picture once again!!
Hey, congrats on the 50k milestone! I'm so happy for you!
I got an old radeon video card for $7 on ebay. Someone made a driver for old radeon cards called CRT Emudriver. The card outputs VGA, I converter box that to component, and display Retroarch to my Trinitron. This is a cheap and relatively easy option for people who care a lot about getting great quality video on their CRT but don't care a lot about using original hardware. This is definitely not going to be for everyone but I just wanted to share because it's something I recently figured out.
P.S. For N64 I don't emulate but use s-video on real hardware. I have never been satisfied with N64 emulation.
Buy a ed64... l use that and it's cheap you can have all games, that's easy l use. Like you said emulation for it is bad other then the big games.
Amazing coincidence. I just got my CRT today and was playing Contra 3, Pocky and Rocky, and Ocarina of Time. The games looks beautiful on the CRT! 😁
ah yes, the image quality rabbit hole. ive been down that rabbit hole myself, but eventually I just concluded that its more pure and simple to just use the best cable the system outputs natively. no mods. for most systems I use s-video and for NES I use composite. looks great to me on my Sony Trinitron.
Considering most of us played NES via RF, composite has always felt like sort of an upgrade to me.
@@RetroBirdGaming true! in my case I used to use RF for N64 when I was a kid 😅
@@RetroBirdGamingYep, I feel like this isn't touched on enough and I'm glad you did. Most consoles came with RF or composite and the idea of buying 'better' cables seemed ridiculous. Most TVs during this time didn't have component and few had S-Video either.
If you're going for authenticity, spray some Ecto Cooler on your TV, plug in RF, and get a CRT that occasionally requires a few whacks to the side to keep sync. You'll be happy you did... or maybe frustrated. But mostly happy.
Two additional things I could add, especially if the console of your youth supported RF output out of the box:
Get an eye exam, and if available, keep up with your prescription via glasses or contacts. Vision insurance helps a lot, but a lot of glasses places have exams that are affordable without insurance, and you can just walk right out without buying their glasses. Some poking around the internet should reveal really cheap glasses if you don't mind limited selection and long shipping times.
Second, much easier, if you already wear glasses, clean them! Some mild soap, running water, agitate slightly, rinse, and a soft lint-free cloth to dry and polish can work wonders even outside video games.
I'm not even 4 minutes in and I'm laughing with joy and frustration 🤣.
"Where ya going, I still got more cables to show ya!"
That whole scene of you running down the hallway with your hands full - I still have a box or two FULL of cables I refuse to get rid of.
Brilliant job man! 👍👍👍🤣🤣🤣
The way you present your captured gameplay is the best.
Love the overall message of "Just enjoy yourself" essentially. Great stuff as always bird!
The first 3 minute rant was amazing 😂
I've said it before with this guy. awesome. another great video. He puts other old school youtube gamers to shame. great content, humor, extra effort, and sharp insight.
keep it up, buddy.
Like who?
@@tonyp9313 lots.
The video quality rabbit hole is something I feel down awhile ago and only as of last year I was able climb out of.
I wasted SO much money on buying old TVs off of eBay and buying different adapters to see which ones worked the best for my systems (mainly my Wii).
But thankfully I was able to walk out of that war zone with the TV I was looking for!
To me, any CRT with composite is enough to scratch my nostalgia itch
Dude your whole spiel there for the first few minutes was literally every single thought I had about 2 years ago when I started researching all this madness lol. I have since learned the majority of what needed to be learned, and have learned how to solder, modded a couple consoles, and tried many options mentioned here. For me, the best result was getting a 20" Trinitron FV300 CRT and use Component cables for the majority of consoles. I also have a Retrotink 5X if I want to connect anything to my modern TV, but the CRT rules everything 👍To me, using component cables is the best route because it accommodates both a CRT or a modern TV.
I will also say that I picked up a 13" CRT for cheap a while back, and it only has composite inputs and consoles look excellent on it, because of the small screen. Definitely solid advice about that in this video 👍
Yeah! Small TVs for the win!
This is the best Retrobird video. Must've taken quite some time to put together and we all appreciate the effort. 👏🏾👏🏾
Smaller TV is a great tip, I started playing all my shoot-em-ups on a lil 14inch RF-only tube since it was small enough to fit on my desk ( unlike my 32inch Trinitron with svideo cables ) and I've come to prefer it -- for that genre at least; it's easier to keep track of everything visually at a glance on a smaller screen. Surely there are other genres that would benefit similarly too.
11:47 My heart was BROKEN last year when I celebrated Spyro the Dragon's 25th birthday by playing the original (via PS3's PSN version), and my 16 year old cousin in law said it looked ugly.
Getting a smaller display as said in this video did do the trick though, as she said it looked better when I grabbed my PSP (same PSN digital version installed) to show her. Then of course, I explained to her how the tv's back then displayed images differently from modern tv's.
I'm a very happy resident of Retro Gaming Jail as I find that the imperfections of older technology are part of their charm.
I had to check myself when I was spending more time in the rabbit hole than I was actually enjoying my games.
My best advice is to find a solid crt and use the best cables available to you and your budget. My gaming hobby got right back on track once I relinquished the insane thirst for the next best video output.
I use composite and a crt and don't mess with it any further, thats how i played as a kid and it still looks good like i remember so thats good enough for me to enjoy retro consoles. 👍
Just opened CZcams to find a newly posted video! Let's go!!
Dude you are laugh out loud -hilarious.- Classic video games, genuinely poignant questions with well-informed and holistic opinions interjected with relatable humor poking fun at our collective borderline obsessive pursuits? This is 1,000% my new favorite channel. Thank you for all the smiles and laughs, and keep up the incredible work!
The meatloaf burning got me real good. Bravo good sir.
As someone who went way down that rabbit hole, this is what I now recommend for anyone getting into the hobby:
1. Acquire CRT off Craigslist, preferably with composite inputs.
2. Play old consoles on said TV.
Honestly the retrotink 5x is a good middle of the road option. I use that with an older hd tv and it looks fantastic with my ps2, GameCube and Dreamcast. It’s about $250 so it’s by no means cheap but if space is a concern it’s a great option
I had one S-Video cable for my old gaming set up, but when a surveillance crew came over to install ours they spotted my gaming set up & said that would be perfect for this surveillance system. I was like, no it wouldn't, but my wife said otherwise. I keep saying: Happy wife, happy life. Been with Composite for a few years since now. My kids are like is there something wrong outside when I'm looking at our surveillance system. No just making sure everything still is working, while a tear comes down my eye. My system was a Transformer: More than meets the eye!
Story of my life when I start researching something that should be an easy project and ends up being complicated half way through.
I may not be a child but I am excited to check out what's new from that banana guy!
Nothing beats a CRT if you can sill find a good working one today!
I love my retro tink 2xpro, decent price point, hooks up nearly everything I own to my flat screen. I bought one in 2021 and still play on it!
I got the 5x and it was a game changer, literally. No more CRTs for me!
Like you said...Just play and Have Fun
Great video!
Since playing retro games is all about nostalgia for me I try to recreate the experience I had as a kid when I played these older games. A big part of that is screen size, I think the biggest TV I ever played anything N64/PS1 and earlier was a 21"
I went into the rabbit hole and came out with a PVM, but it broke shortly after. Its a dangerous place in there. Damn those scanlines!
Great channel and videos, and high light of my Fridays.
For real I am very grateful for this video. I feel like there is no clear or concise blueprint online for getting the best picture quality out of retro consoles on either CRTs or modern TVs
MyLifeInGaming on youtube. Their RGB series hits each console thoroughly, really good stuff.
Here in Europe most of 90s CRT had at least one RGB connection and the difference was quite impressive, specially with the Mega Drive/Genesis normal wire. It seemed like you were playing with other console, hahaha. Very good video, as usual ❤.
Thanks for these videos. Awesome work. Really appreciated.
This is my favorite video so far! Very informative and entertaining!
Want better image quality? Wash your TV! Bird, you are a genius.
I have same dilemma 18 years ago but I glad that you finally found that today.
Congrats on 50K subscribers!!! 🎉
Thank you!!
Just got my first S-Video cable thanks to you, Bird. Looks incredible. Thanks!
Glad you're enjoying it!
Quick little story for ya...
Believe it or not, I actually learned "How to solder" while installing a launch edition N64 Digital kit in my childhood N64.
The HDMI port offers AMAZING video quality! And has all kinds of different settings, scanline filters, slot masks etc. It even has RGB coming outta the A/V multi port now.
I don't mean to toot my own horn here. But I'm definitely proud of having been able to successfully install such a complex mod, with next to ZERO soldering experience. ☺️
while you.... Go on... 😂
Great job!
Love you, bro!
This is brilliant!
Keep the good content coming I stumbled across you and I've been nothing but informed plus entertained I totally can relate to you and absolutely I'm thinking the same way and I am glad that all your videos are just the information people want or need you are awesome and seriously going places with this channel
Not only is it great informative video, also funny as hell. Good shit sir 👍
This video spoke to my soul! HOW have I not found your channel until now?!?!? This was fantastic!
Your funniest video to date. Great work!
Thanks, as always, for another enjoyable discussion on retro gaming! I’ve played my childhood SNES with composite hook ups on an old LCD for years and enjoyed the heck out of it! I’ll upgrade to a CRT TV eventually, but I’m not going to wait until then to enjoy these wonderful old games!
Solid advice 👌 💯 👏 👍
First half made laugh multiple times and 2nd half got my full undisputed Gamer attention...
Well Done!
I love that you have given us this video. I just got a GameCube for Christmas, but I need a converter or some kind of special cable to make it work with my 4K UHDTV. This is helpful and welcome, as always. ❤❤❤❤
lol the first time i used composite, i was grounded from the NES and my parents took the RF cable, so i hooked composite up to the VCR (RF only on that tv). my parents weren't even mad because they couldn't even set the VCR let alone knew what those inputs were for lol
Another fantastic video, love the sense of humour🙂 50k subs very well earned!!
Best CRT gaming channel. I went through the Retro Gaming Video Quality Rabbit hole a few years ago. It was mostly fun for me buying the shit I never would've had in the 90s. But I gotta say, for anyone who is interested in CRTs just get a 13" with composite. There's a good charm in the slight blur of it for N64/PS1 vs looking razor sharp. Feels magical to play a 90s console on a 90s tv.
Red Cow Arcade brought me here. Subbed.
Good info! Funny as hell 😂
As a Brit scart looked fantastic especially if you can run games at 60hz. Pal games with a 60hz Pal mode and RGB was the best picture possible on Earth.
I love this channel 😀
Great video! Dust on TVs is so real 😂Also loved that ace Ventura bit! Wooo! Haha
This is awesome, thank you for this I never learned so much while laughing so hard.
that whole rabbit hole section is truly relatable - i think everyone's been there and it kinda turned me off playing games from before HDMI was standard for a short while.
picked up a nice upscaler i'm satisfied with and games look excellent, couldn't be happier :D
After seeing a total of 3 of your videos so far, you good sir, have earned a sub. You are absolutely hilarious. I look forward to seeing more of your stuff! (future and past)
8:51 that wind chime still making noise in the background cracked me up
A friend recommended me to this video. I didn't really learn anything new, because I have also ventured down the rabbit hole, but this dude is actually pretty awesome. Very funny, much laughs!
Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the channel!
Thank you for educating everyone. I went with composite on my SNES and Sega Master System, and a really good CRT - looks colourful and also the way I remember.
super funny! and yeah, quality i want to re create is what i remember seeing in my parent's old tv when i was 12 playing games without sound because it is school day and i am supposed to be studying.
That "then you find out "segment was hilarious!
The classic Jim Carrey Ace Ventura line from our favorite Retro Bird... DO NOT GO IN THERE......WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!👍👍🐦🍌🍌😎😎
Dude haven’t been here in a while! Happy to see your are kick butts and taking names!
Hey, it's great to see you! I was just thinking the other day how I needed to reach out and see how you were doing!
Great video!!!
S-video is highly underrated. I actually prefer it over RGB on my SNES, PS1, and N64 as to me it strikes the perfect balance between looking authentic while still reasonably sharp. Plus, all 3 consoles natively support it.
Yeah, how easy it is to get everything running in S-Video is a huge plus.
2:06 component video and composite are both present!😊
Also, the yellow cable can be plugged into the component one!!😊
Not sure if I missed what you were trying to say, but the intention was to show a TV that did indeed have component (as well as composite) inputs.
@@RetroBirdGaming oh!! I thought you said that the TV did not have them.
Have you tried using the yellow cable In the video input of the component?
@@user-dq6pm6sg8z
Certain HDTV's that still used component would allow the yellow composite cable to be plugged in the green component port to register as composite. My 2013 panasonic Plasma had this option, and ya, wasn't exactly doing the picture any favours. :p Composite on a 60" 1080p plasma is just a bad idea in general.
@user-dq6pm6sg8z
It's been awhile, however I believe you have to plug the yellow composite cable into a specific color of the RGB input of the TV (and only if the TV supports it).
I hope that made sense.
Man this video reminds me of all the reasons why I subscribed. Keep up the excellent work.
Thank you!
Nice video man I love how he makes his videos
This is a real life glimpse into my obsession.
Love your humor bro. You make me laugh every time
Glad to hear it!
When you decend down the rabbit hole of picture quality
LOL hilarious. Love your delivery.
The most hilarious retro games channel with great quality content at the same time. I'm loving it, you made my day today!