Displays

There are several displays you can use for emulation. Some are better than others at displaying older standard definition games.

Before diving in

The Analog Output Bottleneck in Software Emulation

Main article: Future of CRT simulation#Full Signal & Cable Emulation

Main article: Shaders on real CRTs

While solutions like CRT Emudriver, GroovyMAME, Clock Signal and RetroArch's SwitchRes provide some interesting approaches, most emulators do not inherently solve the the necessary approach to force a PC GPU into a 15kHz, or fix the rendering artifacts such as dithering, interlacing and mixed-mode res situation. The core issue is that modern emulation typically treats the video output as a static digital framebuffer rather than a dynamic analog stream.

To achieve an authentic CRT experience, an emulator requires either:

1. Direct Framebuffer Mapping: The ability to bypass the OS display stack to communicate directly with hardware-supported interlaced video modes. Most emulators render to a "canvas" managed by the OS (Windows/Linux) and modern APIs (Vulkan/DirectX). By the time the signal reaches a CRT, the emulator has already "flattened" the original console's interlaced fields into a single progressive frame. This prevents the CRT from physically drawing the fields in the alternating pattern intended by the original hardware.
2. Integrated Software Solutions: Blending and dithering algorithms baked into the emulator before the framebuffer stage, rather than as a post-processing filter.

Most developers focus on upscaling and modern display compatibility. Because low-level interaction with analog hardware requires specific driver support and creates significant "niche" codebases, the majority of interlacing and dithering issues are only partially addressed. These solutions often rely on "half-measure" workarounds, such as "No-Interlace" patches, or subpar algorithms like MAD, alongside high-latency post-processing filters.

See #Enhancements sections in each page for "Built-in custom resolution/CRTSwitchRes" support for emulators.

Because of this, users should not expect a VGA CRT, even when connected via a high-quality DAC to a modern GPU, to automatically resolve a console's native signal quirks and CRT tricks. Because most emulators do not communicate directly with the CRT unlike the original targeted system, the monitor remains a passive display for a signal that has already been digitally processed by the software emulator and "flattened" by the OS.

CRT TVs

CRT (or cathode ray tube) TVs including consumer SDTVs/EDTVs are the traditional displays that older consoles were designed for. They typically accepted signals with a 15.7kHz scan rate under NTSC or PAL standards. They are preferred for retro gaming due to superior motion clarity, near-instant response times, and zero input lag on analog models. CRTs have unique color reproduction and "scanlines" which help define the intended "look" of pixel art and reduce the harshness of low-resolution images.

Features

• Resolution Support: SDTVs handle up to 480i; EDTVs handle 480p; HDTVs handle up to 1080i.
• Response Time: Extremely fast (less than 1 µs), effectively eliminating motion blur compared to modern LCDs.
• Black Levels and Uniformity: CRTs achieve "true black" in a dark room because unlit phosphors emit no light, resulting in perfect black uniformity and deep black levels. However, this is not the same as having high overall contrast. Their simultaneous/ANSI contrast is actually limited by internal light scattering within the thick screen glass (halation), meaning bright objects will slightly illuminate adjacent dark areas. Additionally, the highly reflective screen glass means these deep blacks are easily washed out by ambient room light.
• Viewing Angles: Near-perfect viewing angles from any direction.
• Aspect Ratio: Usually 4:3, though later HD CRTs and some Pro monitors are 16:9.
• Unique Color Reproduction: This distinct "CRT look" comes from how they create images. Inside a CRT, an electron gun fires electrons onto a screen coated with phosphor materials. These phosphors, arranged in red, green, and blue dots or stripes, glow when struck by electrons, a process called phosphorescence. A shadow mask or aperture grille ensures each electron beam hits only its intended color phosphor. The slight glow of phosphors even after the electron beam moves on is crucial to the "CRT look." This method creates vibrant, saturated colors with a particular richness many find more "organic" than LCDs. You'll see incredibly smooth color gradients, avoiding the harsh banding sometimes present on digital screens. CRTs excel at producing "true" blacks because unlit phosphors emit no light, offering excellent contrast and making bright colors really pop. Unlike LCDs, which rely on a backlight that can leak light, CRTs achieve genuine darkness. The subtle "glow" or "bloom" around bright areas, a result of phosphor persistence, adds a pleasing effect to pixel-art games. Also, CRTs display a continuous image without a visible pixel grid, unlike LCDs, which can show individual pixels.

Mask Types

• Shadow Mask - The most common variety. It uses a metal sheet with holes (dots) or slots to direct electron beams.
  • Slot Mask: Common in consumer TVs (e.g., RCA, Magnavox, later Trinitron competitors).
  • Dot Mask: High-precision mask typically found in PC monitors and high-end professional displays.
• Aperture Grille - Sony's patented Trinitron design (also used by Mitsubishi Diamondtron). It uses vertical wires instead of a mask with holes. This allows for more electrons to hit the phosphors, resulting in a brighter, more vibrant image with distinct vertical "stripes."

Shadow (slot) mask vs aperture grille

Disadvantages

• Bulk and Weight: CRTs are inherently large, heavy, and bulky due to the vacuum tube and extensive glass required for their operation. This makes them difficult to move, transport, and takes up significant desk or living space.
• High Power Consumption and Heat Generation: CRTs consume considerably more electrical power than modern flat-panel displays (LCDs, LEDs, OLEDs) and, as a result, generate a significant amount of heat. This can contribute to higher electricity bills and warm up a room.
• Screen Glare/Reflectivity: The glass screen of a CRT is highly reflective, making it susceptible to glare from ambient light sources (windows, room lights). This can significantly wash out the image and reduce visibility, requiring use in dimly lit environments.
• Geometric Distortion and Convergence Issues: CRTs are prone to various geometric distortions (e.g., pincushion, barrel distortion, trapezoid effects), especially towards the edges of the screen. Color CRTs also suffer from "convergence" issues, where the red, green, and blue electron beams may not perfectly align, leading to color fringing or misregistration. While many CRTs have adjustment controls, achieving perfect geometry and convergence can be challenging and may degrade over time.
• Flicker (especially at lower refresh rates): CRTs draw images line by line, and at lower refresh rates (e.g., 60 Hz), the screen's phosphors decay before the next refresh cycle, leading to a noticeable flicker. This can cause eye strain, headaches, and general discomfort for some users, particularly during extended use compared to flicker-free driven by "pulse width modulation" (PWM) LCDs.
• Fixed Dot Pitch/Shadow Mask Degradation: The "dots" (phosphors) on a CRT screen have a fixed physical size. Over time, the phosphors can degrade, leading to reduced brightness, color accuracy, and overall image quality. The shadow mask (or aperture grille) inside color CRTs can also become magnetized or warp, leading to color purity issues or discoloration.
• Sharpness Limitations (Gaussian Beam Profile): CRTs praised for their lack of "native resolution", the electron beam that draws the image on a CRT has a Gaussian (soft-edged) profile. But this means that individual "pixels" on a CRT are not as sharply defined as the discrete pixels on an LCD, which can result in a slightly softer image, especially for text.
• Moiré Patterns: Color CRTs, particularly those with aperture grilles, can exhibit noticeable Moiré interference patterns, especially when displaying fine patterns or resolutions not perfectly matched to the tube's design. While some monitors include Moiré reduction, it rarely eliminates the patterns entirely.
• Health Concerns (Electromagnetic Radiation): CRTs emit various forms of electromagnetic radiation (electric, magnetic, and some very low levels of X-ray radiation). While extensive research has largely concluded that the levels emitted by modern CRTs are not harmful, concerns about potential long-term health effects (e.g., eye strain, headaches) persisted for some users and contributed to the shift towards LCDs.
• High Voltage and Repair Hazards: CRTs contain high-voltage components, particularly the flyback transformer, which can store a lethal electrical charge even after being unplugged for extended periods. This makes internal repairs extremely dangerous and should only be performed by qualified technicians. There's also a risk of implosion if the vacuum tube is damaged. CRTs contain hazardous materials, most notably lead (in the glass) and sometimes mercury, making their disposal environmentally problematic. Proper recycling is required, and they cannot simply be discarded with regular household waste.
• Susceptibility to Magnetic Fields: External magnetic fields (e.g., from speakers, other electronic devices, or even the Earth's magnetic field in some cases) can distort the image or cause color blotches on a CRT. While degaussing functions can help, severe or persistent magnetic interference can be problematic.
• Phosphor Decay Time (Motion Blur/Ghosting): While often lauded for their near-instantaneous pixel response (the electron beam activating the phosphor is extremely fast), CRTs are ultimately limited by the decay time of the phosphors themselves. After being struck by the electron beam, the phosphors continue to glow for a brief period before dimming completely. This "afterglow" or "persistence" can range from sub-millisecond to several milliseconds (commonly around 5ms for many standard CRTs, with variations depending on the phosphor type).[1] Over prolonged use, CRTs can experience "phosphor aging" or "burn-in" where certain areas of the screen have been illuminated more frequently or intensely. While burn-in is a separate issue (permanent discoloration), general phosphor aging can subtly affect the decay characteristics, potentially making persistence artifacts more noticeable or uneven across the screen on very old or heavily used units.

SDTVs and EDTVs

While professional monitors (PVMs) chase maximum clarity, consumer-grade SDTVs (Standard Definition) and EDTVs (Enhanced Definition) are often preferred for their ability to "glue" an image together. EDTVs (Enhanced Definition TVs) are a rare breed of CRT that occupies the space between standard sets and HD CRTs. They are specifically designed to handle a 480p (31kHz) signal natively. Unlike HD CRTs, which usually upscale 480p to 1080i (introducing lag and artifacts), a true EDTV displays 480p natively. This makes them the definitive choice for the GameCube, Wii, Dreamcast, and Original Xbox, as well as early Xbox 360 titles. You get the progressive scan clarity of a modern display but with the perfect motion clarity, zero lag, and "depth" of a CRT. They offer a sharper image than a standard SDTV for text and UI elements without the "clinical," overly separated look of a VGA CRT PC monitor.

• "TVL" (Television Lines): This refers to the horizontal resolution a monitor can resolve. While a BVM might have 600+ TVL, a standard 20-inch consumer set usually sits between 300 and 450. In retro gaming, a lower TVL count provides a "natural anti-aliasing" effect that higher-end monitors lack. On a High-TVL PVM, you see the individual dots, breaking the illusion. On a Low-TVL SDTV, the phosphors bleed just enough to blend these dots into a solid, intended color or a smooth transparency.
• Dithering Blending: Many 5th-gen games (PS1, Saturn, N64) used "dithering" (a checkerboard pattern of two colors) to simulate a color that the console couldn't natively produce or to create transparency effects (e.g., the fog in Silent Hill or the waterfalls in Sonic).
• Texture Smoothing: Early 3D textures were low-resolution. The softer "glow" of a consumer CRT masks the pixelation of these textures, making environments look more organic and less like "blocks with photos pasted on them."
• Masking 480i Flicker: For 6th-gen games that only support 480i (interlaced), the "comb" effect of interlacing is much more aggressive and distracting on a sharp professional monitor. The lower TVL and thicker phosphor pitch of a consumer set dampen this flicker, making it much easier on the eyes.

Professional Video Monitors (PVM & BVM)

Professional-grade CRTs—often called PVMs (Professional Video Monitors) or BVMs (Broadcast Video Monitors)—were built for television studios, medical facilities, and security hubs. They are considered "God-Tier" for retro gaming.

• High TVL (Television Lines): Unlike consumer sets, Pro monitors are rated by TVL. A higher TVL count (e.g., 600 to 900+ lines) means a much sharper image with very prominent, clean scanlines.
• RGB Inputs: Most pro monitors feature BNC connectors for native RGB and Component (YPbPr) signals, providing the cleanest possible signal without the color bleed of Composite or S-Video.
• Geometry & Control: They offer extensive "Service Menu" or physical knob controls to perfectly align the image geometry, convergence, and color balance.
• Notable Models:
  • Sony BVM/PVM: The industry standard. BVMs are modular and usually have the highest specs.
  • JVC (DT-V / TM-H series): Excellent alternatives, often using high-quality shadow masks.
  • Olympus & Ikegami: Often rebranded Sony tubes or high-end medical/broadcast alternatives.

HD CRTs and Digital CRTs

Introduced in the late 90s and early 2000s, these were the final evolution of CRT technology designed for the transition to HD (720p/1080i).

• Digital Chassis: Unlike SD CRTs, these sets use a digital processing board. They usually scale all incoming signals (including 240p and 480i) to a fixed output resolution, typically 1080i or 540p.
• Input Lag: Because they process the image digitally, they introduce input lag—often 1 to 3 frames. This makes them less ideal for "twitch" gaming compared to SD CRTs.
• 240p Processing: Most HD CRTs do not recognize 240p as a unique signal; they treat it as 480i, which results in "deinterlacing" artifacts and a loss of the classic scanline look.
• Pros: They are excellent for the 6th and 7th gen consoles (Original Xbox, PS2, 360, Wii) that support Component or HDMI output. Sony's Hi-Scan and Super Fine Pitch (e.g., KD-34XBR960) models are the most famous examples.

How to connect to a CRT TV

• Wii: One of the cheapest and easiest ways to get a high-quality 240p signal via Component cables on a CRT.
• Xbox 360: Early Xbox 360 models that include the analog AV port can connect directly to CRT televisions using Composite, S-Video, Component (YPbPr), or VGA cables. The lowest supported output resolution is 480i, meaning the console cannot output native 240p/15kHz signals. However, it is still an easy and inexpensive way to use a CRT for 7th-generation games, Xbox Live Arcade titles and Emulators on Xbox 360.
  • On SD CRT TVs, the console outputs 480i over Composite, S-Video, or Component.
  • On ED/HD CRT TVs, the console can output 480p, 720p, or 1080i over Component or VGA.
  • While not suitable for native low-resolution retro output, the Xbox 360 is a convenient option for playing modern and retro-style games on CRT displays without converters.
• Raspberry Pi: Using a "hat" like the PI2SCART or RGB-Pi to output 15kHz signals.
• PC / Emudriver: Using Soft15khz or CRT_Emudriver with an older AMD GPU allows a PC to output a native 15kHz signal to a CRT via VGA-to-Component or VGA-to-SCART transcoders. May need to buy or create your own specialized cables depending on the CRT you use. For CRT's that don't have RGB inputs, you can use a VGA/RGB to YPbPr transcoder (such as the Crescendo TC1500) to change the signal type to YPbPr component video without any scaling or latency, but they are very hard to find, especially on the cheap.
• HD CRT Connection: Most have HDMI or DVI which can accept as low as 31kHz (480p at 60Hz) from a PC.. They are best paired with a PC or modern console set to 1080i to bypass as much internal scaling as possible. They do not support 120Hz to force 240p resolutions while doing this.
• Transcoders: To get the best signal, use a transcoder (e.g., RGB to YPbPr) rather than a "converter" or "scaler." Transcoders change the signal type without adding lag.
  • An alternative to the above is to get a SCART to Component transcoder such as a CSY-2100 clone like this one and make a VGA to SCART adapter using this schematic, making sure to bridge pins 5 and 11 on the VGA side. The clones usually need colour adjustment, so pull up two NTSC test images (one on a colour-calibrated display, and one on the TV), open up the transcoder, and twist the knobs with a screwdriver until you get the picture you desire. You will be able to output a 240p image with this method. Use these modelines for the console that you are going to emulate, or use lrmc to generate new ones. These modelines are RandR modelines, so if you are using Windows, use WinModelines to apply them. If using GNU/Linux or *BSD, use xrandr. If you are using GNU/Linux, make sure you use the open-source graphics drivers and not the proprietary ones, some Intel iGPUs will work below 31KHz with the open source GNU/Linux driver, but even if they do, they do not support low dot clocks or interlaced resolutions. There is no need for any driver modifications like there is on Windows.
  • If using a PAL TV with RGB SCART (make sure it supports RGB and not just composite through SCART), use this schematic to build a VGA to SCART converter, and that is all you need to do. Keep in mind that this schematic does not apply to Japanese RGB JP-21. Use the appropriate pinout for JP-21 instead in that case, available here. It will work just the same. You can also buy a UMSA adapter if building your own converter is not an option.

Recommended Models

Sony Trinitrons are pretty easy to find, and they're on the high-end of consumer-grade CRTs. Sharp, Toshiba, and Phillips higher-end CRTs are pretty close in quality, so don't be afraid to pick one of those up. Make sure to test it before you buy and also check the back to see what ports it has. If you're in North America, coax and composite (red, white, and yellow ports) are the most common, but you'll get the best picture quality running your system through component ports (red, green, and blue video ports with red and white ports for audio). If a component is not available, look for S-video instead. It will look slightly worse than component, but since it is on a CRT, the picture will still look good.

If you are in a PAL region or Japan, look for a TV with RGB SCART or RGB JP-21 (same connector, but different signals). Note that just because a CRT has a SCART/JP-21 port, it doesn't mean that it supports RGB. It could just be composite through a different connector. If you are in Japan, you can also look for D-Terminal on the back, which uses YPbPr instead of RGB (similarly to the component cable in other NTSC regions). Just make sure to avoid "100Hz," widescreen (note: some European widescreen CRTs still can display native 15KHz, in which case, it is a good one to pick up), "high dot pitch," or "HD CRTs," as they tend to scale or distort the image in some way like modern HDTVs, with a few exceptions. This also applies to NTSC regions (minus "100Hz"). This does not apply to video monitors, as mentioned in the paragraph above.

You could also look for a 15KHz-compatible PC monitor (see below) or an arcade monitor, although you may have to adapt the input to work with it.

Consumer Models

• Sony Trinitron: Specifically the **KV-FV310** (noted for its high-voltage regulator) or any "Wega" series with Component inputs.
• JVC D-Series: Highly regarded for using a high-quality shadow mask and having excellent "organic" color.
• Toshiba AF Series: Reliable flat-screen CRTs with good component inputs.
• Panasonic Tau: A solid competitor to the Trinitron Wega line.

Recommended PRO Models

Sony's PVM/BVM series and NEC's XM/XP series are considered god-tier. If you cannot find those specific models, look for presentation monitors, professional monitors, or broadcast monitors from any brand. If you search for "video monitor" on craigslist, you may have luck finding one.

External links for CRT TVs

• /vr/ CRT pastebin (WIP)
• Reddit: CRTGaming Wiki

CRT monitors

CRT monitors are CRT displays that are intended to be used from a PC, typically being driven by an RGBHV signal with a 31kHz or higher scan rate through a 15-pin VGA cable.

21" Slot mask CRT TV vs 17" Dot mask CRT monitor

Comparison of resolutions on a common CRT monitor. From left to right: 240p - 480p - 960p

Features

• All the benefits of a CRT TV besides native inputs for actual hardware and native resolutions in most cases.

• Generally 31kHz (480p at 60Hz) horizontal frequency at minimum, unless the monitor is tri-sync (15kHz, 25kHz, 31kHz).
  • You can force 240p resolutions with 120Hz refresh rates. You can then use black frame insertion to get the effective refresh rate back down to 60hz.
  • There are also hacks, both software, and hardware, to allow 15kHz output. But the monitor must also support it, and most of them aren't written for modern OSs. Careful there.

• Larger resolutions available, often massive
  • Horizontal resolution is only limited by video bandwidth, so you can set it really high and scale output to fit, and the CRT will display it 4:3. This is useful for 240p modes where you can avoid having to have different custom resolutions for each game and not have any visible scaling issues due to individual horizontal pixels being smaller than your monitor's dot pitch.

• Large range of vertical refresh rates supported, often 50Hz to 160Hz, or even higher if you have a higher-end models, such as Pro 514 (see External links for VGA CRT section for more models). It's possible to display arcade games like R-Type and others with unusual refresh rates almost exactly the same as the real cabinet did, with perfect smooth scrolling. V-sync is still needed due to dot clock granularity and the fact the emulator frames need to be synchronized to the CRT's vertical retrace, otherwise, you will get some minor static tearing.
  • Keep in mind your vertical refresh rate and vertical resolution must stay within your monitor's horizontal frequency limits, e.g. if your monitor's limits are 31kHz to 70kHz and you are trying to set a display mode for PAL games, you will find that 480p at 50Hz is not possible as that is 25kHz, you will need to increase the vertical resolution to around 576p to make it 31kHz.

• Easier to connect to a personal computer compared to CRT TVs

• Rarely larger than 19"

• 4:3 Aspect ratio (with a few exceptions)

240p/480i

Custom Resolution Utility timings

Given the many advantages that CRT monitors possess, they make ideal displays for emulation, particularly for 5th-gen games and below. However, to get the most out of them, some extra steps may be necessary. For instance, some games used interlaced modes, which without a shader results in ugly deinterlacing artifacts. Also, even at 480p, games that ran at 240p and below look blocky and pixellated, not to mention correcting the aspect ratio for games using non-square pixels results in scaling artifacts, just as on an LCD. The scaling issues can be dealt with using a superwide 240p resolution, but that requires using 120hz with black frame insertion, and games that use 480i get downsampled to 240p, making it a less than ideal solution in those cases, although it does have lower latency due lower frame times between vsync.

To correctly display games that need both 240p and 480i resolutions, the solution lies in creating a custom superwide 3840x480 modeline, combining it with a shader that scanlines 240p content and interlaces 480i content, and using both through RetroArch, essentially turning your monitor into an extremely sharp CRT TV. On Nvidia cards, the custom modeline can easily be set within your graphics card's drivers. On AMD, it requires the use of third-party software, such as Custom Resolution Utility. Simply add a detailed resolution with the exact settings shown on the picture, restart your computer, and the monitor should now be able to make use of the new modeline. As for the shader, hunterk's interlacing.cg gives you black lines that will oscillate when given an image with 400 or higher vertical resolution, emulating the behavior of 15kHz displays. There are also some shader presets that combine the interlacing shader with tvout-tweaks and image-adjustment for accurate RGB signal emulation and colour controls, and also some that utilize Themaister's NTSC shader for composite/s-video emulation.

Once you have the new modeline set and have the shader in hand, open your RetroArch configuration file of choice, set the fullscreen resolution to 3840x480, aspect ratio to 8, aspect ratio index to 19, and windowed fullscreen to false. Adjust your monitor's image as necessary. It may be necessary to raise your monitor's brightness somewhat or increase colour intensity to deal with the loss of brightness from having pure black scanlines. Some monitors, such as the NEC/Mitsubishi SuperBright series, have settings that increase the monitor's brightness without compromising black level or colour temperature significantly.

A template for creating a resolution config file in RetroArch can be found here (for creating per-game/per-core overrides, use this) . Setting up separate configs per display mode in the /config directory allows you to use RetroArch's config loader to change display modes from within the menu or you can launch with shortcut by setting the target to retroarch.exe --config .\config\480p.cfg --menu

In GNU/Linux or *BSD, you would use gtf and xrandr to use custom resolutions. See here.

Recommended VGA CRT monitors

Please add to this list if you have a specific model CRT monitor that you recommend.

• Dell P1130
• Dell E771p - Very common CRT monitor. Able to boost colour level intensity, allowing 240p with black frame insertion or 480p with inserted scanlines to have vibrant colours despite 50% brightness. Capable of up to 1400x1050 @60Hz with custom resolutions, but disallows 1440x1080 for some reason despite being able to display other 1080p resolutions at 60Hz.
• Sony GDM-FW900 and HP A7217A
• Sony MultiScan CPD-E540/B and CPD-E530
• Sony GDM-F520, GDM-C520K, GDM-C520, CPD-G520
• Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 2070SB
• Iiyama Vision Master Pro 514 (HM204DT) and Pro 512 (HA202DT)
• Iiyama Vision Master Pro 454 (A902MT-v) and Pro 454 (HM903DT)
• LaCie Electron 22 Blue IV
• Diamondtron UWG RDF225WG
• HP P1230
• Samsung SyncMaster 1200NF, 1200N, 1100MB and 1100DF
• Philips Professional 202P4
• LG StudioWorks 995E (CB995BE), 995U (CB995BUSB), 795SC, 912U, 910SC, 221U

External links for VGA CRT

• VGA CRT Monitors Mega List (WIP)
• HardForum: Popular FW900 thread
• CRTDatabase

Plasma TVs

Recommended Plasma TVs

Please add to this list if you have a specific model Plasma TV that you recommend.

• Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-151FD
• Panasonic ST60

LCD monitors

All LCD monitors have a native resolution which all output must scale to, unlike CRTs.

High refresh rate displays with backlight strobing/BFI can display motion resolution and motion clarity at the almost on the same level as a CRT or OLED, see: Input Lag#Display response time section, Blurbusters or RTINGS: BFI page for more information about this technology.

There is extreme variance between panels in each section. The best of one is most likely going to be better than the worst of another. So in summary, always value input lag on a per panel basis. Do research through these websites or these section for input lag results.

TN panels

• Fast response times

• Cheap prices

• Most common for high refresh rate displays.

• Viewing angles WILL distort colours. Washing them out, inverting them, etc.

• Some monitors can be 'overclocked' to run at higher refresh rates.

IPS panels

• Vivid colours

• Good viewing angles
  • Though IPS glow will be far more visible and troublesome the farther you get from straight on

• Fairly long response times (will differ between panels), this causes motion blur, ghosting, and delay. Although higher-end recent ones has acceptable performance.

• Some monitors can be 'overclocked' to run at higher refresh rates.
  • But most cannot resolve every frame of such refresh rates due to response times

• IPS glow. A form of backlight bleed that varies with viewing angle. Affects dark areas. Generally makes IPS panels have terrible black levels.

VA panels

• Good black levels. Some rivalling CRTs, once properly configured.

• High contrast levels

• Vivid colours

• Acceptable viewing angles for recent ones. Colour shift varies by a panel. But nothing as severe as TN.
  • Some panels may have an issue called 'black crush' which darkens the panel when viewed straightforward.

• Generally mid-range response times (will differ between panels), Blur/ghosting and overshoot issues is the main knock on VA panels.

External links for LCD

• Lim's Cave: Monitor Reviews
• PCMonitors: Reviews
• RTINGS: Monitor Reviews
• RTINGS: TV Reviews
• TFTCentral: Monitor Reviews
• ApertureGrille: Monitor Reviews
• BlurBusters: List of Best Gaming Monitors

OLED TVs and Monitors

Although similar to LCD monitors, OLED monitors share many of the picture quality advantages of CRT monitors, but also have the advantage of being actively produced and sold by a wide range of manufacturers and vendors. One of the main disadvantages is the high price, although the price has come down over time (slowly) and is likely to continue to do so. Despite the many current drawbacks, OLED TVs and monitors are likely to become the most popular type of screen in general due to the clear benefits of the technology as the drawbacks are ironed out.

Do research through these websites or these section for input lag results.

Advantages over LCD

• Improved contrast ratio: OLED displays can produce true black levels because each pixel emits it's own light, whereas LCDs rely on a backlight that cannot completely prevent light from escaping. They can also be thinner and more efficient than LCDs.

• Faster response time: OLEDs have faster response times, which means smoother motion and less motion blur/display lag, making them ideal for fast-paced content such as games or video playback.

Disadvantages over LCD

• Burn-in and image retention: OLED displays can suffer from burn-in when static images are displayed for long periods of time. Pixels also degrade over time, resulting in reduced brightness and colour accuracy. LCDs generally have a longer lifespan.

• Text clarity issues. Many OLED displays have weird subpixel layouts - WBGR/RWBG/etc on LG OLEDs, triangular layout on QD-OLEDs.

• Expensive: Because they are still relatively new when you talk about the history of monitor technology, a lot OLEDs still cost around a $1000. Fortunately, this seems to be because most manufacturers include other premium features such as 4K resolution and 48-inch size, while special examples such as the Switch OLED are available for $350 the Steam Deck OLED for $550 for 512GB of storage and the LG UltraGear monitor for around $800.

• So few OLED monitors in the market at the moment, and also OLED screen sizes are too big for some users (especially competitive gamers). OLED TVs have a general size of 42–48 inches as their smallest sizes, while certain QD-OLED monitors have a size of 34 inches ultra-wide, with the LG UltraGear being 27 inch. Other than some of the older smartphones there are no <=1080P OLED display in the market, although the Switch OLED screen is 720p and the Steam Deck OLED is 800p.

External links for OLED

• Lim's Cave: Monitor Reviews
• PCMonitors: Reviews
• RTINGS: Monitor Reviews
• RTINGS: TV Reviews
• TFTCentral: Monitor Reviews
• ApertureGrille: Monitor Reviews
• BlurBusters: List of Best Gaming Monitors

MicroLED

Advantages over LCD (theoretically)

• Near-instantaneous pixel switching: Similarly to OLED, each pixel in a MicroLED panel is self-illuminating, allowing for incredibly fast transitions between colors and brightness levels. Measurements often fall in the microsecond (μs) range, significantly faster than LCDs. So no backlight response time. So in summary minimal motion blur: the fast pixel switching and lack of backlight response time contribute to excellent motion clarity, minimizing blur and judder even for fast-paced content.
• MicroLED displays achieve perfect black levels due to individual pixel self-illumination and significantly higher peak brightness levels, delivering a more vivid and lifelike viewing experience and superior contrast, especially in HDR content, compared to LCD which struggle with backlight leakage and blooming.
• Lower power consumption; while LCDs require constant backlight illumination, MicroLED pixels only consume power when lit. This can lead to overall lower power consumption, especially for content with dark scenes or static images.
• Improved viewing angles: MicroLED displays offer excellent viewing angles with minimal color or brightness shifts, unlike most of TN or VA panel LCDs which can suffer from color shift when viewed from off-axis angles.

Advantages over OLED (theoretically)

• Longer Lifespan: MicroLEDs are inorganic LEDs with a theoretically longer lifespan than the organic LEDs used in OLED displays. This translates to potentially longer display life before experiencing significant degradation.

Disadvantages over other display technologies

• Too early for mass production.

HDR

Main article: High dynamic range

Upscalers

Main article: Shaders, presets, and filters#Hardware scalers

See also

• Black frame insertion
• Input lag
• High dynamic range
• Computer specifications

External links

• TechAltar: The billion dollar race for the perfect display
• RetroRGB - Provides lots of info on displays
  
• 240p test suite - Test suite for properly configuring 240p. Designed mostly for CRTs, but will work with any monitor that supports 240p. Available as a homebrew program for several consoles.
• Batocera CRT Script – Wiki
• Notable videos about CRTs:

Three Reasons to Buy a CRT TV or Monitor by Tek Syndicate

Let's talk CRTs by EposVox

lost saves: CRT vs LCD vs OLED: Old Trash or Gaming Treasure?

Sony GDM FW900 by LTT

Is CRT Image Quality Really Better Than Any Modern Screen? by DigitalFoundry

Modern Games Look Amazing On CRT Monitors by DigitalFoundry