New CRT shader from Guest + CRT Guest Advanced updates

[RetroGames4K]

Here is my 4K HD settings and Images, if someone can help a bit you are welcome…

* shaders = "9"
* shader0 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/stock.slang"
* filter_linear0 = "false"
* wrap_mode0 = "clamp_to_border"
* mipmap_input0 = "false"
* alias0 = ""
* float_framebuffer0 = "false"
* srgb_framebuffer0 = "false"
* scale_type_x0 = "source"
* scale_x0 = "1.000000"
* scale_type_y0 = "source"
* scale_y0 = "1.000000"
* shader1 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/stock.slang"
* filter_linear1 = "false"
* wrap_mode1 = "clamp_to_border"
* mipmap_input1 = "false"
* alias1 = "StockPass"
* float_framebuffer1 = "false"
* srgb_framebuffer1 = "false"
* scale_type_x1 = "source"
* scale_x1 = "1.000000"
* scale_type_y1 = "source"
* scale_y1 = "1.000000"
* shader2 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/pre-shaders.slang"
* filter_linear2 = "true"
* wrap_mode2 = "clamp_to_border"
* mipmap_input2 = "false"
* alias2 = "PrePass"
* float_framebuffer2 = "false"
* srgb_framebuffer2 = "false"
* scale_type_x2 = "source"
* scale_x2 = "1.000000"
* scale_type_y2 = "source"
* scale_y2 = "1.000000"
* shader3 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/linearize-hd.slang"
* filter_linear3 = "true"
* wrap_mode3 = "clamp_to_border"
* mipmap_input3 = "false"
* alias3 = "LinearizePass"
* float_framebuffer3 = "true"
* srgb_framebuffer3 = "false"
* scale_type_x3 = "source"
* scale_x3 = "1.000000"
* scale_type_y3 = "source"
* scale_y3 = "1.000000"
* shader4 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/crt-guest-advanced-hd-pass1.slang"
* filter_linear4 = "true"
* wrap_mode4 = "clamp_to_border"
* mipmap_input4 = "false"
* alias4 = "Pass1"
* float_framebuffer4 = "true"
* srgb_framebuffer4 = "false"
* scale_type_x4 = "viewport"
* scale_x4 = "1.000000"
* scale_type_y4 = "source"
* scale_y4 = "1.000000"
* shader5 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/bloom_horizontal.slang"
* filter_linear5 = "true"
* wrap_mode5 = "clamp_to_border"
* mipmap_input5 = "false"
* alias5 = ""
* float_framebuffer5 = "true"
* srgb_framebuffer5 = "false"
* scale_type_x5 = "absolute"
* scale_x5 = "640"
* scale_type_y5 = "source"
* scale_y5 = "1.000000"
* shader6 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/bloom_vertical.slang"
* filter_linear6 = "true"
* wrap_mode6 = "clamp_to_border"
* mipmap_input6 = "false"
* alias6 = "BloomPass"
* float_framebuffer6 = "true"
* srgb_framebuffer6 = "false"
* scale_type_x6 = "source"
* scale_x6 = "1.000000"
* scale_type_y6 = "absolute"
* scale_y6 = "480"
* shader7 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/crt-guest-advanced-hd-pass2.slang"
* filter_linear7 = "true"
* wrap_mode7 = "clamp_to_border"
* mipmap_input7 = "false"
* alias7 = ""
* float_framebuffer7 = "true"
* srgb_framebuffer7 = "false"
* scale_type_x7 = "viewport"
* scale_x7 = "1.000000"
* scale_type_y7 = "viewport"
* scale_y7 = "1.000000"
* shader8 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/deconvergence-hd.slang"
* filter_linear8 = "true"
* wrap_mode8 = "clamp_to_border"
* mipmap_input8 = "false"
* alias8 = ""
* float_framebuffer8 = "false"
* srgb_framebuffer8 = "false"
* scale_type_x8 = "viewport"
* scale_x8 = "1.000000"
* scale_type_y8 = "viewport"
* scale_y8 = "1.000000"
* CP = "5.000000"
* TNTC = "4.000000"
* wp_saturation = "1.699999"
* vigdef = "0.500000"
* GAMMA_INPUT = "2.200000"
* intres = "1.000000"
* spike = "2.000000"
* SIGMA_HB = "0.400000"
* SIGMA_VB = "0.400000"
* bloom = "0.150000"
* mask_bloom = "0.500000"
* bloom_dist = "0.700000"
* halation = "0.100000"
* gamma_c = "0.760000"
* brightboost = "1.250000"
* brightboost1 = "1.250000"
* gsl = "1.000000"
* scanline1 = "5.500000"
* scanline2 = "20.000000"
* beam_size = "0.650000"
* scans = "1.400001"
* scangamma = "2.500000"
* shadowMask = "10.000000"
* maskstr = "1.000000"
* mcut = "2.000000"
* masksize = "2.000000"
* mask_gamma = "2.500000"
* slotmask = "1.000000"
* slotmask1 = "1.000000"
* slotwidth = "8.000000"
* double_slot = "3.000000"
* mclip = "1.000000"
* gamma_out = "2.499999"
* deconrr = "-1.250000"
* deconrb = "1.250000"
* deconrry = "-1.250000"
* deconrby = "1.250000"
* post_br = "1.100000"
* textures = "SamplerLUT1;SamplerLUT2;SamplerLUT3;SamplerLUT4"
* SamplerLUT1 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/advanced/lut/trinitron-lut.png"
* SamplerLUT1_linear = "true"
* SamplerLUT1_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
* SamplerLUT1_mipmap = "false"
* SamplerLUT2 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/advanced/lut/inv-trinitron-lut.png"
* SamplerLUT2_linear = "true"
* SamplerLUT2_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
* SamplerLUT2_mipmap = "false"
* SamplerLUT3 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/advanced/lut/nec-lut.png"
* SamplerLUT3_linear = "true"
* SamplerLUT3_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
* SamplerLUT3_mipmap = "false"
* SamplerLUT4 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/advanced/lut/ntsc-lut.png"
* SamplerLUT4_linear = "true"
* SamplerLUT4_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
* SamplerLUT4_mipmap = "false"

[Nesguy]

I mean it depends on what you’re going for. If you want it to look more realistic then you’ll want to kill the glow and bloom completely.

If you’re not that concerned with realism, then it looks fine as is.

[RetroGames4K]

I want realism, but I thought that bloom is for slotmask.

[Cyber]

Looks great! Just wanted to share a little tip concerning sharing presets.

You might want to select all the text and remove the “Bulleted List” formatting and instead select the entire block of parameters and click the icon to the right of the " which looks like a less than sign, then a forward slash, followed by a greater than sign. If you hover over it it will say “Preformatted text (Ctrl+Shift+C)”.

@RetroGames4K

I want realism, but I thought that bloom is for slotmask.

Realism is relative. It can be as realistic as you want it to be. I think what @Nesguy is referring to is accurate to the way a CRT generates the image and looks down to the phosphor level.

From a normal distance your preset might look virtually indistinguishable from a real CRT despite using “tricks” that were never present on a real CRT that on close inspection wouldn’t be seen anywhere on a CRT.

[RetroGames4K]

@Cyber

You might want to select all the text and remove the “Bulleted List” formatting and instead select the entire block of parameters and click the icon to the right of the " which looks like a less than sign, then a forward slash, followed by a greater than sign. If you hover over it it will say “Preformatted text (Ctrl+Shift+C)”.

You mean this?..

[Cyber]

@RetroGames4K

You mean this?..

I mean like this:

RetroGames4K Realistic Virtual Sanyo SlotMask CRT

shaders = “9”
shader0 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/stock.slang”
filter_linear0 = “false”
wrap_mode0 = “clamp_to_border”
mipmap_input0 = “false”
alias0 = “”
float_framebuffer0 = “false”
srgb_framebuffer0 = “false”
scale_type_x0 = “source”
scale_x0 = “1.000000”
scale_type_y0 = “source”
scale_y0 = “1.000000”
shader1 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/stock.slang”
filter_linear1 = “false”
wrap_mode1 = “clamp_to_border”
mipmap_input1 = “false”
alias1 = “StockPass”
float_framebuffer1 = “false”
srgb_framebuffer1 = “false”
scale_type_x1 = “source”
scale_x1 = “1.000000”
scale_type_y1 = “source”
scale_y1 = “1.000000”
shader2 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/pre-shaders.slang”
filter_linear2 = “true”
wrap_mode2 = “clamp_to_border”
mipmap_input2 = “false”
alias2 = “PrePass”
float_framebuffer2 = “false”
srgb_framebuffer2 = “false”
scale_type_x2 = “source”
scale_x2 = “1.000000”
scale_type_y2 = “source”
scale_y2 = “1.000000”
shader3 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/linearize-hd.slang”
filter_linear3 = “true”
wrap_mode3 = “clamp_to_border”
mipmap_input3 = “false”
alias3 = “LinearizePass”
float_framebuffer3 = “true”
srgb_framebuffer3 = “false”
scale_type_x3 = “source”
scale_x3 = “1.000000”
scale_type_y3 = “source”
scale_y3 = “1.000000”
shader4 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/crt-guest-advanced-hd-pass1.slang”
filter_linear4 = “true”
wrap_mode4 = “clamp_to_border”
mipmap_input4 = “false”
alias4 = “Pass1”
float_framebuffer4 = “true”
srgb_framebuffer4 = “false”
scale_type_x4 = “viewport”
scale_x4 = “1.000000”
scale_type_y4 = “source”
scale_y4 = “1.000000”
shader5 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/bloom_horizontal.slang”
filter_linear5 = “true”
wrap_mode5 = “clamp_to_border”
mipmap_input5 = “false”
alias5 = “”
float_framebuffer5 = “true”
srgb_framebuffer5 = “false”
scale_type_x5 = “absolute”
scale_x5 = “640”
scale_type_y5 = “source”
scale_y5 = “1.000000”
shader6 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/bloom_vertical.slang”
filter_linear6 = “true”
wrap_mode6 = “clamp_to_border”
mipmap_input6 = “false”
alias6 = “BloomPass”
float_framebuffer6 = “true”
srgb_framebuffer6 = “false”
scale_type_x6 = “source”
scale_x6 = “1.000000”
scale_type_y6 = “absolute”
scale_y6 = “480”
shader7 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/crt-guest-advanced-hd-pass2.slang”
filter_linear7 = “true”
wrap_mode7 = “clamp_to_border”
mipmap_input7 = “false”
alias7 = “”
float_framebuffer7 = “true”
srgb_framebuffer7 = “false”
scale_type_x7 = “viewport”
scale_x7 = “1.000000”
scale_type_y7 = “viewport”
scale_y7 = “1.000000”
shader8 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/hd/deconvergence-hd.slang”
filter_linear8 = “true”
wrap_mode8 = “clamp_to_border”
mipmap_input8 = “false”
alias8 = “”
float_framebuffer8 = “false”
srgb_framebuffer8 = “false”
scale_type_x8 = “viewport”
scale_x8 = “1.000000”
scale_type_y8 = “viewport”
scale_y8 = “1.000000”
CP = “5.000000”
TNTC = “4.000000”
wp_saturation = “1.699999”
vigdef = “0.500000”
GAMMA_INPUT = “2.200000”
intres = “1.000000”
spike = “2.000000”
SIGMA_HB = “0.400000”
SIGMA_VB = “0.400000”
bloom = “0.150000”
mask_bloom = “0.500000”
bloom_dist = “0.700000”
halation = “0.100000”
gamma_c = “0.760000”
brightboost = “1.250000”
brightboost1 = “1.250000”
gsl = “1.000000”
scanline1 = “5.500000”
scanline2 = “20.000000”
beam_size = “0.650000”
scans = “1.400001”
scangamma = “2.500000”
shadowMask = “10.000000”
maskstr = “1.000000”
mcut = “2.000000”
masksize = “2.000000”
mask_gamma = “2.500000”
slotmask = “1.000000”
slotmask1 = “1.000000”
slotwidth = “8.000000”
double_slot = “3.000000”
mclip = “1.000000”
gamma_out = “2.499999”
deconrr = “-1.250000”
deconrb = “1.250000”
deconrry = “-1.250000”
deconrby = “1.250000”
post_br = “1.100000”
textures = “SamplerLUT1;SamplerLUT2;SamplerLUT3;SamplerLUT4”
SamplerLUT1 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/advanced/lut/trinitron-lut.png”
SamplerLUT1_linear = “true”
SamplerLUT1_wrap_mode = “clamp_to_border”
SamplerLUT1_mipmap = “false”
SamplerLUT2 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/advanced/lut/inv-trinitron-lut.png”
SamplerLUT2_linear = “true”
SamplerLUT2_wrap_mode = “clamp_to_border”
SamplerLUT2_mipmap = “false”
SamplerLUT3 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/advanced/lut/nec-lut.png”
SamplerLUT3_linear = “true”
SamplerLUT3_wrap_mode = “clamp_to_border”
SamplerLUT3_mipmap = “false”
SamplerLUT4 = “shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/advanced/lut/ntsc-lut.png”
SamplerLUT4_linear = “true”
SamplerLUT4_wrap_mode = “clamp_to_border”
SamplerLUT4_mipmap = “false”

[RetroGames4K]

@Cyber

I mean like this:

Cita Ok Got it… I just Changed it…

[Cyber]

@RetroGames4K

Cita Ok Got it… I just Changed it…

It still has the * before each line, to remove those select the whole block of settings then click or tap on the “Bulleted List” formatting icon or users are going to have to delete all those * from the preset before they can use it.

[Cyber]

@Nesguy

kill the glow and bloom completely

I’m not sure about the Glow but doesn’t having Mclip at 1.000000 effectively kill all the bloom?

[nfp0]

@Cyber

Make a sweet NTSC de-dithering preset for Sega Genesis and you can enjoy colours that rival any other 16-bit console. Use that same de-dithering preset on a high res system like the Turbo Duo and say goodbye to any idea of legible text. Meanwhile at the same settings you can read the text clearly in any Sega Genesis game.

Yeah, I understand what you mean. And I’m aware that each piece of hardware had it’s quirks, CRT included. I admire how you guys go so deep into it and prepare very specific shaders and presets, but I don’t want to go down that rabbit hole. I really just want something barebones with minimum customization.

Guest’s slotmask presets already look great for me. A slotmask with visible triads and NTSC dedithering is all I need. The only thing that was bothering me was brightness and gamma tracking, which did not seem accurate to me. Then, as I kept experimenting to fix them, I shared those ringing problems here.

But in the end I believe I’ve arrived at a satisfactory result. I’ll make sure to share it later.

@Cyber

From the way you sound, I have a feeling Sony Megatron Color Video Monitor might be a really good fit for you, where accuracy and matching CRT qualities down to the phosphor are of paramount importance.

I wish I could, but I don’t have HDR on Linux yet, and increasing my TV’s brightness in SDR mode each time I open RetroArch is not practical. For now I’ll use Guest’s lovely shader

@guest.r

Nevertheless, i managed to add an anti-ringing option to the ntsc shaders which should mitigate the haloing quite significantly.

That would be lovely! I’ll try it as soon as you release it.

[nfp0]

And here it is. I believe I’m tracking gamma and saturation pretty accurately with this preset.

NTSC-Adaptive reference image:

My preset, based on Guest NTSC:

It’s not perfect. We can see that the darker column is a bit brighter than it should be, and the midrange should be ever so slightly brighter than it is, but I’m satisfied for now.

Furthermore, I had to raise Gamma Out a lot and I’m afraid of raising it more. I already had to reduce Glow to 0.01 because of that and I don’t know what else I might be breaking. What other parameters should I check because of such a big Gamma Out increase other than Glow?

Anyway, here’s the preset:

#reference "../crt/guest-advanced/crt-guest-advanced-ntsc.slangp"
quality = "0.000000"
ntsc_sharp = "-8.000000"
interm = "3.000000"
shadowMask = "12.000000"
maskstr = "1.000000"
slotmask = "1.000000"
slotmask1 = "1.000000"
slotwidth = "7.000000"
double_slot = "3.000000"
glow = "0.010000"
bloom = "0.800000"
halation = "0.050000"
brightboost = "1.000000"
brightboost1 = "1.000000"
mclip = "0.000000"
gamma_out = "2.800000"
post_br = "1.100000"

Oh, and Mario lost most of it’s exaggerated NTSC magical aura!

I’m open to criticism!

[RetroGames4K]

Ok Guys, this is the setting for the advanced version for the Mega Drive. If you like it, I’ll post the settings. Here are some pics …

[lfan]

@guest.r, If possible, incorporate the “glass” effect into your shader, as it’s an option that helps increase the realism of a CRT TV simulation.

I think it’s a very welcome addition.

Thanks.

[Cyber]

@lfan

If possible, incorporate the “glass” effect into your shader, as it’s an option that helps increase the realism of a CRT TV simulation.

I think it’s a very welcome addition.

You can get that today with HSM Mega Bezel Reflection Shader which uses CRT-Guest-Advanced as its default shader.

[guest.r]

New Release Version (2022-07-27-r1):

Notable changes:

• ntsc anti-ringing option added (reduces halo ‘auras’)
• hires version removed - is succeeded by HD version
• ntsc-fast version removed - standard ntsc version got about 50% faster in later releases, fast version was only 20% faster compared with normal
• afterglow effects added to HD version
• bloom/glow resolution improved with non-standard versions
• some small afterglow tweaks

Download link:

https://mega.nz/file/t4JlzISC#8FqqbBnVexxQDhk-o6THW_6US32zSun3cwfws7m2EbU

[ckf92]

thx very much for the release

[RealNC]

@Cyber

Actually, my (now possibly debunked) performance theory was kinda low on my priority list as to why I use Blargg NTSC. I mainly use it because I think it’s cool. Lol

It’s easy to test which is faster. In Settings->Frame Throttle, set Fast-Forward Frameskip to OFF and Fast-Forward rate to 0.0x, and then simply see which of the two cases give the highest fast-forward FPS while the game is paused in the same spot (best way to do this is to pause the game and do a save state that you then load to compare the different settings.)

[RealNC]

@guest.r

Edit: at least with my display the color bars (R,G,B) are clipped even without any shader

All steps of every color in that image are distinct on my display. So I would say either the gamma setting of your display is set wrongly, or you’re using some monitor preset that is not neutral (some displays come with “gaming”, “movies” etc presets that ruin the color accuracy.)

@guest.r

Yeah, but you can at least increase ntsc resolution scaling for SM(B) and save it as a game preset. You have the means.

Just in case people didn’t know, you don’t have to rely on how retroarch saves presets. After you save the core preset (for example for Snes9x it would be called Snes9x.slangp), and then a game preset where you only want a few settings to be different (for example 'Final Fantasy III (USA).slangp'), you can just edit the game preset to reference the core preset. My 'Final Fantasy III (USA).slangp' for example looks like this:

#reference "Snes9x.slangp"
overscanX = "21.000000"
overscanY = "16.000000"

This loads the Snes9x preset and only changes the overscan settings. This makes it much more convenient to have per-game presets, since you don’t have to update all your game presets when you change a setting that you want to be common for all games.

[RealNC]

@nfp0

Increasing NTSC resolution would ruin dedithering

It doesn’t “ruin” it. Yes, it doesn’t blend completely, but compare it to how it looks compared to the raw image. There’s still partial blending going on. Also, there’s photos of CRTs out there that do the same thing. They produce a sharper image that does look very similar to how this shader looks with increased NTSC res.

[nfp0]

@guest.r

ntsc anti-ringing option added (reduces halo ‘auras’)

I’ve tried this new feature but it does nothing to eliminate de halos that show up when raising Gamma Correct or Bright Boost Dark Pixels. I’ve also checked the code, but it’s stuff I don’t understand.

Regardless, I’m happy with the preset I’ve arrived at on my last post. It has minimal ringing.

Anyway, thank you for the new release!
Really looking forward for the stable release and documentation!

@RealNC

Just in case people didn’t know, you don’t have to rely on how retroarch saves presets. After you save the core preset (for example for Snes9x it would be called Snes9x.slangp ), and then a game preset where you only want a few settings to be different (for example 'Final Fantasy III (USA).slangp' ), you can just edit the game preset to reference the core preset. My 'Final Fantasy III (USA).slangp' for example looks like this:

Actually, that convenience is now built into RetroArch as well (not sure what version, but it was not too long ago). Just make sure “Simple Presets” is enabled in the menu where you go to save shader presets.
The newly saved preset will reference the current preset you’ve loaded, with just the changed parameters, as per your example. It’s very handy!

EDIT: Sorry, I misinterpreted. I get what you mean now. My bad!

@RealNC

it doesn’t blend completely, but compare it to how it looks compared to the raw image. There’s still partial blending going on. Also, there’s photos of CRTs out there that do the same thing

Wait, is that possible? I thought blending occurs because the NTSC signal has not enough horizontal color resolution to transmit that information. How can the TV reconstruct that information if it is not being transmitted?

If we look at NTSC-Adaptive, which I’ve been told is mathematically correct to the spec, it always blends, for example, the Sonic waterfalls.

Is my understanding of the NTSC signal wrong?