Expectations for NTSC only Televisions

[Jason125]

Hey everyone, thank you for all the incredible information. I have learned so much over the past few months from your posts!

As stated in other posts, I have two type of CRTs I am working with in my quest for near-native quality. First is a collection of NTSC-only Sony Trinitron TVs with component inputs, connected to a TC1600 transcoder, and VGA-DVI adapter on the PC, connected to an ATI HD 4650. The second option is an SVGA 22-inch CRT monitor, connected directly to the VGA-DVI adapter.

When I have connected the television directly, running GroovyMAME 148u5 and trying the various NTSC crt spec lines, I have interlaced displays for the Windows desktop at 640x480. GM does a decent job displaying resolutions around 240 lines, which I can get centered and look reasonable. Depending on the TV, I think the focus may need to be adjusted, as the images are not very sharp. But running any image which is interlaced (480 lines), or above 244 lines (like R-type or MK) result in various levels of "acceptable loss", where the number of lines must be cut off equally on top or bottom, or adjusting the service menu controls to shift the picture up or down.

I have had excellent results using the SVGA monitor and the suggested specs provided by Calamity to double frequencies. This has allowed me to display ANY game (horizontal or vertical) perfectly on the SVGA CRT, with hardware scanlines, and all perfectly centered. It is SO refreshing not to be tinkering with spec lines and disappointment from the NTSC TV. They take up so much space, and I do feel disappointed they don't have the flexibility of SCART or PAL/NTSC televisions posted by others here.

So my question is whether others have solved the dilemma with NTSC-only TVs to their satisfaction? If you are using an NTSC-only TV for your cabinet (or just on the desk), how are you adjusting your specs or other means to compensate for the line / geometry limitations on these sets?

Thank you!

[Calamity]

Hi Jason,

When you say NTSC-only TVs, do you mean they won't accept any PAL signal (something around 50 Hz)? I have no experience with any of those, just curious.

If that's the case, and those TVs crop anything above 240 lines, there's not much we can do, except forcing GM to stretch anything above 240 lines over a 480i resoltion (it won't look good I'm afraid).

[Jason125]

Calamity,

Yes, I wanted to make sure I have tried everything possible for an NTSC television which does NOT have PAL (50 Hz) capability. I have tried many, many times to use the information in the forums to achieve native resolutions like the others who have PAL / NTSC televisions. It appears those of us in the United States who are not using an arcade monitor or have access to a PAL television may not have many options.

The purpose of this post was to set the correct expectations for others who may be trying to use NTSC only televisions. If the only games you want to play are 240 lines or so, you may have good results. But otherwise, expect to see many interlaced displays, or accept the fact you may play 256-line modes with portions cut off.

In my situation, I have a 22-inch SVGA monitor if I really want to see native resolutions (using the workaround you posted previously). However, I decided to reinstall my PC with Windows 7 64-bit in the meantime and connect a larger LCD screen. Not a native display, but using Cools' HLSL settings posted elsewhere I am having good results.

Can't wait to hear about the Windows 7 CRT_Emu drivers!