Please show off what crt shaders can do!

[CybeREX]

Plasma have vivid colours and own dithering (area of pixels can switch on and off on static image to produce more colours) but from normal seat-place it’s not visible. Plasma have better motion blur handling compare to QLED/OLED TV. But both have option to switch on Black Frame Insertion and motion interpolation.

But plasma have ghosting too… less visible but have. CRT produce clear motion image. With good signal it’s looks amazing. I test films via HDMI to RCA converter on CRT TV.

And fo 360p 720p content it’s easy watch on Plasma than on 4K QLED/OLED. Plasma scale image much better. But for 4K and HDR+ content all the way is QLED/OLED

So for retro gaming best is CRT TV, Plasma is best for films and 360p 720p 1080p content. QLED/OLED best for 4K HDR+ for my opinion.

Left Plasma, Right OLED

[Electrode]

Finally got some free time to test some things out and reply. Work takes up a lot of time lol.

I tried to see if I could get some workable settings with a smaller integer scale, that way I have a smaller screen size to work with and could further tweak mask 8 to look as good as I can get it.

Here are some screenshots of Resident Evil 2 with Mask 8 at 4x integer scaling. These screenshots seem to look quite dark.

Here are some more of Destruction Derby, with grade settings adjusted for PAL content.

I think Mask 8 does look better tweaked like this, and at a smaller integer scale. It doesn’t look as appealing with such a large screen size. Here are the settings if you would like to experiment (tweaked Grade for NTSC-J) (thanks for letting me know about </> btw).

shaders = "7"
shader0 = "shaders_slang/misc/grade.slang"
filter_linear0 = "false"
wrap_mode0 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input0 = "false"
alias0 = "StockPass"
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/crt-gdv-new/afterglow0.slang"
filter_linear1 = "false"
wrap_mode1 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input1 = "false"
alias1 = "AfterglowPass"
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/crt-gdv-new/pre-shaders-afterglow.slang"
filter_linear2 = "false"
wrap_mode2 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input2 = "false"
alias2 = "LinearizePass"
float_framebuffer2 = "true"
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/crt-gdv-new/avg-lum.slang"
filter_linear3 = "true"
wrap_mode3 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input3 = "true"
alias3 = "AvgLumPass"
float_framebuffer3 = "false"
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/crt-gdv-new/blur_horiz2.slang"
filter_linear4 = "true"
wrap_mode4 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input4 = "false"
alias4 = ""
float_framebuffer4 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer4 = "false"
scale_type_x4 = "absolute"
scale_x4 = "800"
scale_type_y4 = "source"
scale_y4 = "1.000000"
shader5 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/crt-gdv-new/blur_vert2.slang"
filter_linear5 = "true"
wrap_mode5 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input5 = "false"
alias5 = "GlowPass"
float_framebuffer5 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer5 = "false"
scale_type_x5 = "absolute"
scale_x5 = "800"
scale_type_y5 = "absolute"
scale_y5 = "600"
shader6 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/crt-gdv-new/crt-guest-dr-venom2.slang"
filter_linear6 = "true"
wrap_mode6 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input6 = "false"
alias6 = ""
float_framebuffer6 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer6 = "false"
scale_type_x6 = "viewport"
scale_x6 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y6 = "viewport"
scale_y6 = "1.000000"
parameters = "g_gamma_in;g_signal_type;g_gamma_type;g_crtgamut;g_space_out;g_hue_degrees;g_I_SHIFT;g_Q_SHIFT;g_I_MUL;g_Q_MUL;g_lum_fix;g_vignette;g_vstr;g_vpower;g_lum;g_cntrst;g_mid;wp_temperature;g_sat;g_vibr;g_satr;g_satg;g_satb;g_lift;blr;blg;blb;wlr;wlg;wlb;rg;rb;gr;gb;br;bg;LUT_Size1;LUT1_toggle;LUT_Size2;LUT2_toggle;PR;PG;PB;AS;sat;TNTC;CP;CS;WP;wp_saturation;GAMMA_INPUT;lsmooth;SIZEH;GLOW_FALLOFF_H;SIZEV;GLOW_FALLOFF_V;glow;bloom;TATE;IOS;OS;BLOOM;gamma_c;brightboost;brightboost1;gsl;scanline1;scanline2;beam_min;beam_max;beam_size;vertmask;scans;spike;h_sharp;s_sharp;csize;bsize;warpX;warpY;shadowMask;masksize;maskDark;maskLight;CGWG;mcut;mask_gamma;slotmask;slotwidth;double_slot;slotms;mclip;inter;interm;gamma_out"
g_gamma_in = "2.400000"
g_signal_type = "0.000000"
g_gamma_type = "1.000000"
g_crtgamut = "2.000000"
g_space_out = "0.000000"
g_hue_degrees = "0.000000"
g_I_SHIFT = "0.000000"
g_Q_SHIFT = "0.000000"
g_I_MUL = "1.000000"
g_Q_MUL = "1.000000"
g_lum_fix = "0.000000"
g_vignette = "0.000000"
g_vstr = "40.000000"
g_vpower = "0.200000"
g_lum = "0.000000"
g_cntrst = "0.000000"
g_mid = "0.500000"
wp_temperature = "7005.000000"
g_sat = "0.000000"
g_vibr = "0.000000"
g_satr = "0.000000"
g_satg = "0.000000"
g_satb = "0.000000"
g_lift = "0.000000"
blr = "0.000000"
blg = "0.000000"
blb = "0.000000"
wlr = "1.000000"
wlg = "1.000000"
wlb = "1.000000"
rg = "0.000000"
rb = "0.000000"
gr = "0.000000"
gb = "0.000000"
br = "0.000000"
bg = "0.000000"
LUT_Size1 = "16.000000"
LUT1_toggle = "0.000000"
LUT_Size2 = "64.000000"
LUT2_toggle = "0.000000"
PR = "0.140000"
PG = "0.140000"
PB = "0.140000"
AS = "0.080000"
sat = "0.100000"
TNTC = "0.000000"
CP = "0.000000"
CS = "0.000000"
WP = "0.000000"
wp_saturation = "1.000000"
GAMMA_INPUT = "2.400000"
lsmooth = "0.900000"
SIZEH = "4.000000"
GLOW_FALLOFF_H = "0.300000"
SIZEV = "4.000000"
GLOW_FALLOFF_V = "0.300000"
glow = "0.000000"
bloom = "0.100000"
TATE = "0.000000"
IOS = "0.000000"
OS = "1.000000"
BLOOM = "0.000000"
gamma_c = "1.140000"
brightboost = "1.000000"
brightboost1 = "1.100000"
gsl = "0.000000"
scanline1 = "15.500000"
scanline2 = "16.000000"
beam_min = "1.400000"
beam_max = "1.000000"
beam_size = "0.000000"
vertmask = "0.000000"
scans = "1.000000"
spike = "0.000000"
h_sharp = "3.000001"
s_sharp = "1.000000"
csize = "0.000000"
bsize = "600.000000"
warpX = "0.000000"
warpY = "0.000000"
shadowMask = "8.000000"
masksize = "1.000000"
maskDark = "0.350000"
maskLight = "1.600000"
CGWG = "0.450000"
mcut = "0.700000"
mask_gamma = "2.400000"
slotmask = "0.000000"
slotwidth = "2.000000"
double_slot = "1.000000"
slotms = "1.000000"
mclip = "1.000000"
inter = "350.000000"
interm = "3.000000"
gamma_out = "2.200000"
textures = "SamplerLUT1;SamplerLUT2;SamplerLUT3"
SamplerLUT1 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/lut/sony_trinitron1.png"
SamplerLUT1_linear = "true"
SamplerLUT1_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
SamplerLUT1_mipmap = "false"
SamplerLUT2 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/lut/sony_trinitron2.png"
SamplerLUT2_linear = "true"
SamplerLUT2_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
SamplerLUT2_mipmap = "false"
SamplerLUT3 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/lut/other1.png"
SamplerLUT3_linear = "true"
SamplerLUT3_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
SamplerLUT3_mipmap = "false"

[Electrode]

Finally, here is a screenshot of Alien Storm with my Mask 8 configuration posted above. Figured out why Genesis Plus GX wasn’t taking good screenshots (needed GPU Screenshot enabled lol, derp).

[boff]

Hello guys. I don’t know if this is the right place for my question, but …

Can you tell me what is the best shader for games of the 8bit and 16bit generation? I want to use the shader that best preserves the pixel art of this time. I will play on a 55-inch Full HD TV, brand AOC.

In the RA settings, I locked it at 4:3 for all games. Is that correct?

Thanks in advance.

[Nesguy]

Hoo boy…

There are just so many different parts to this conversation that it’s impossible to provide a concise answer.

There is no “best shader” for any particular era of content and different displays can also do different things with the same shader settings. It’s best to just start experimenting and figure out what the settings do. Guest-dr-venom is probably the “most complete” shader at this point, but if you want something easy, CRT-Hyllian or CRT-Geom DX are good options IMO. Starting with a calibrated display will save you some headaches.

I wouldn’t do 4:3 because it will result in non-integer scaling, giving you bad scanlines etc etc.

[Hyllian]

This is my updated preset called crt-super-xbr. It’s a combination of crt-hyllian with super-xbr (best of two worlds).

Some screens:

Preset:

shaders = "5"
shader0 = "shaders_slang/xbr/shaders/super-xbr/super-xbr-pass0.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/xbr/shaders/super-xbr/super-xbr-pass1.slang"
filter_linear1 = "false"
wrap_mode1 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input1 = "false"
alias1 = ""
float_framebuffer1 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer1 = "false"
scale_type_x1 = "source"
scale_x1 = "2.000000"
scale_type_y1 = "source"
scale_y1 = "2.000000"
shader2 = "shaders_slang/xbr/shaders/super-xbr/super-xbr-pass2.slang"
filter_linear2 = "false"
wrap_mode2 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input2 = "false"
alias2 = ""
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/interpolation/shaders/quilez.slang"
filter_linear3 = "true"
wrap_mode3 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input3 = "false"
alias3 = ""
float_framebuffer3 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer3 = "false"
scale_type_x3 = "source"
scale_x3 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y3 = "source"
scale_y3 = "0.500000"
shader4 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/crt-hyllian.slang"
filter_linear4 = "false"
wrap_mode4 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input4 = "false"
alias4 = ""
float_framebuffer4 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer4 = "false"
parameters = "XBR_EDGE_STR;XBR_WEIGHT;XBR_ANTI_RINGING;MODE;XBR_EDGE_SHP;XBR_TEXTURE_SHP;BEAM_PROFILE;HFILTER_PROFILE;BEAM_MIN_WIDTH;BEAM_MAX_WIDTH;SCANLINES_STRENGTH;COLOR_BOOST;HFILTER_SHARPNESS;PHOSPHOR_LAYOUT;MASK_INTENSITY;CRT_ANTI_RINGING;InputGamma;OutputGamma;VSCANLINES"
XBR_EDGE_STR = "2.000000"
XBR_WEIGHT = "1.000000"
XBR_ANTI_RINGING = "1.000000"
MODE = "2.000000"
XBR_EDGE_SHP = "0.400000"
XBR_TEXTURE_SHP = "1.000000"
BEAM_PROFILE = "0.000000"
HFILTER_PROFILE = "0.000000"
BEAM_MIN_WIDTH = "0.680000"
BEAM_MAX_WIDTH = "1.000000"
SCANLINES_STRENGTH = "0.680000"
COLOR_BOOST = "1.250000"
HFILTER_SHARPNESS = "1.000000"
PHOSPHOR_LAYOUT = "1.000000"
MASK_INTENSITY = "0.500000"
CRT_ANTI_RINGING = "1.000000"
InputGamma = "2.400000"
OutputGamma = "2.200000"
VSCANLINES = "0.000000"

BTW, if you prefer another crt shader, you just need to swap the last pass.

[Electrode]

I have to agree with Nesguy that there is no “best” shader when it comes to CRT shaders, and that different displays will also present these shader configurations differently. It really does come down to preference, and even if you do get landed on a specific CRT Shader, there are still so many parameters and configurations that you can have a setup that it can be initially overwhelming.

Because of this, the best question I can ask to further help you reach your goal is, what kind of look are you aiming for? Not only do modern displays differ, but CRTs also were manufactured differently and have many, many differences as well. Some people like the sharp scanline look of Sony PVMs and BVMs, some people like softer shadow-masks that came on consumer CRTs, and some people like the look of a Sony Trinitron with an Aperture Grill like the TV they grew up playing on. There really is a lot of preference at play here.

If you are using a 1080p display, you will want to have Integer Scaling Enabled. Even at 1080p, if you have it set to 4:3 with Integer Scaling set to ON, it will shrink the screen size so that it maintains the aspect ratio with proper integer scaling. You will get pillar-boxing on all sides, but that’s just the drawback of wanting to use a CRT shader on a 1080p display. If pillar boxing like that is a big issue for you, you can either set your integer scale to 5x (1600x1200). This will crop off the top and bottom of the image but it still remains within the safe area for CRT overscan. You can also use an overlay to somewhat “hide” the pillar boxing; I have a Sony Trinitron on-screen overlay that I use with 4x integer scaling on my 1080p TV, and it does make playing on the smaller screen size more bearable.

Due to the lower resolution, you will also be limited to what kind of mask would look best for you. You’ll probably be able to get away with using an Aperture Grill mask at 1080p and have it look quite decent; however, if you are aiming to replicate something along the lines of a 27" Consumer CRT with a shadow mask, you will need at least a 1440p or 4K (preferably) in order to have enough resolution for the mask itself.

I know this is a lot to take in, but hopefully, it will help with getting you started. This is what I personally have been using at 1080p. It is a configuration of the new version of CRT-Guest-Dr-Venom2 with an RGB Aperture Grill mask. Below are some screenshots of Streets of Rage 2 with these settings.

Of course, there are plenty of other CRT shaders out there that may or may not be more appealing to you, you just have to try them out and see what looks best to you. If you would like to try my configuration, here are the settings (you’ll need your shaders updated to the latest versions, as well as have the new version of CRT-Guest-Dr-Venom2 installed as well).

shaders = "7"
shader0 = "shaders_slang/misc/grade.slang"
filter_linear0 = "false"
wrap_mode0 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input0 = "false"
alias0 = "StockPass"
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/crt-gdv-new/afterglow0.slang"
filter_linear1 = "false"
wrap_mode1 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input1 = "false"
alias1 = "AfterglowPass"
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/crt-gdv-new/pre-shaders-afterglow.slang"
filter_linear2 = "false"
wrap_mode2 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input2 = "false"
alias2 = "LinearizePass"
float_framebuffer2 = "true"
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/crt-gdv-new/avg-lum.slang"
filter_linear3 = "true"
wrap_mode3 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input3 = "true"
alias3 = "AvgLumPass"
float_framebuffer3 = "false"
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/crt-gdv-new/blur_horiz2.slang"
filter_linear4 = "true"
wrap_mode4 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input4 = "false"
alias4 = ""
float_framebuffer4 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer4 = "false"
scale_type_x4 = "absolute"
scale_x4 = "800"
scale_type_y4 = "source"
scale_y4 = "1.000000"
shader5 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/crt-gdv-new/blur_vert2.slang"
filter_linear5 = "true"
wrap_mode5 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input5 = "false"
alias5 = "GlowPass"
float_framebuffer5 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer5 = "false"
scale_type_x5 = "absolute"
scale_x5 = "800"
scale_type_y5 = "absolute"
scale_y5 = "600"
shader6 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/crt-gdv-new/crt-guest-dr-venom2.slang"
filter_linear6 = "true"
wrap_mode6 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input6 = "false"
alias6 = ""
float_framebuffer6 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer6 = "false"
scale_type_x6 = "viewport"
scale_x6 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y6 = "viewport"
scale_y6 = "1.000000"
parameters = "g_gamma_in;g_signal_type;g_gamma_type;g_crtgamut;g_space_out;g_hue_degrees;g_I_SHIFT;g_Q_SHIFT;g_I_MUL;g_Q_MUL;g_lum_fix;g_vignette;g_vstr;g_vpower;g_lum;g_cntrst;g_mid;wp_temperature;g_sat;g_vibr;g_satr;g_satg;g_satb;g_lift;blr;blg;blb;wlr;wlg;wlb;rg;rb;gr;gb;br;bg;LUT_Size1;LUT1_toggle;LUT_Size2;LUT2_toggle;PR;PG;PB;AS;sat;TNTC;CP;CS;WP;wp_saturation;GAMMA_INPUT;lsmooth;SIZEH;GLOW_FALLOFF_H;SIZEV;GLOW_FALLOFF_V;glow;bloom;TATE;IOS;OS;BLOOM;gamma_c;brightboost;brightboost1;gsl;scanline1;scanline2;beam_min;beam_max;beam_size;vertmask;scans;spike;h_sharp;s_sharp;csize;bsize;warpX;warpY;shadowMask;masksize;maskDark;maskLight;CGWG;mcut;mask_gamma;slotmask;slotwidth;double_slot;slotms;mclip;inter;interm;gamma_out"
g_gamma_in = "2.400000"
g_signal_type = "0.000000"
g_gamma_type = "1.000000"
g_crtgamut = "1.000000"
g_space_out = "0.000000"
g_hue_degrees = "0.000000"
g_I_SHIFT = "0.000000"
g_Q_SHIFT = "0.000000"
g_I_MUL = "1.000000"
g_Q_MUL = "1.000000"
g_lum_fix = "0.000000"
g_vignette = "0.000000"
g_vstr = "40.000000"
g_vpower = "0.200000"
g_lum = "0.000000"
g_cntrst = "0.000000"
g_mid = "0.500000"
wp_temperature = "7005.000000"
g_sat = "0.000000"
g_vibr = "0.000000"
g_satr = "0.000000"
g_satg = "0.000000"
g_satb = "0.000000"
g_lift = "0.000000"
blr = "0.000000"
blg = "0.000000"
blb = "0.000000"
wlr = "1.000000"
wlg = "1.000000"
wlb = "1.000000"
rg = "0.000000"
rb = "0.000000"
gr = "0.000000"
gb = "0.000000"
br = "0.000000"
bg = "0.000000"
LUT_Size1 = "16.000000"
LUT1_toggle = "0.000000"
LUT_Size2 = "64.000000"
LUT2_toggle = "0.000000"
PR = "0.140000"
PG = "0.140000"
PB = "0.140000"
AS = "0.080000"
sat = "0.100000"
TNTC = "0.000000"
CP = "0.000000"
CS = "0.000000"
WP = "0.000000"
wp_saturation = "1.000000"
GAMMA_INPUT = "2.400000"
lsmooth = "0.900000"
SIZEH = "4.000000"
GLOW_FALLOFF_H = "0.300000"
SIZEV = "4.000000"
GLOW_FALLOFF_V = "0.300000"
glow = "0.000000"
bloom = "0.100000"
TATE = "0.000000"
IOS = "0.000000"
OS = "1.000000"
BLOOM = "0.000000"
gamma_c = "1.140000"
brightboost = "1.000000"
brightboost1 = "1.100000"
gsl = "2.000000"
scanline1 = "6.000000"
scanline2 = "13.000000"
beam_min = "1.400000"
beam_max = "1.000000"
beam_size = "0.000000"
vertmask = "0.000000"
scans = "1.000000"
spike = "0.000000"
h_sharp = "3.000001"
s_sharp = "1.000000"
csize = "0.000000"
bsize = "600.000000"
warpX = "0.000000"
warpY = "0.000000"
shadowMask = "6.000000"
masksize = "1.000000"
maskDark = "0.500000"
maskLight = "1.500000"
CGWG = "0.700000"
mcut = "0.700000"
mask_gamma = "2.400000"
slotmask = "0.000000"
slotwidth = "2.000000"
double_slot = "1.000000"
slotms = "1.000000"
mclip = "1.000000"
inter = "350.000000"
interm = "1.000000"
gamma_out = "2.200000"
textures = "SamplerLUT1;SamplerLUT2;SamplerLUT3"
SamplerLUT1 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/lut/sony_trinitron1.png"
SamplerLUT1_linear = "true"
SamplerLUT1_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
SamplerLUT1_mipmap = "false"
SamplerLUT2 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/lut/sony_trinitron2.png"
SamplerLUT2_linear = "true"
SamplerLUT2_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
SamplerLUT2_mipmap = "false"
SamplerLUT3 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/lut/other1.png"
SamplerLUT3_linear = "true"
SamplerLUT3_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
SamplerLUT3_mipmap = "false"

[boff]

Guys, I really appreciate the answers.

But, for sure, I’m going to copy some of your presets. I don’t understand anything about gamma correction, color temperature, apperture grill, integer scale, rgb, nothing… Much less how to calibrate a monitor.
And I don’t care if nothing appears on the sides of the screen. This is the least for me!

There is a shader I used and I really want your opinion: NNEDI3. I used [nnedi3-nns16-2x-luma.slangp].
It made the image very beautiful and only has 3 parameters. Good for me.
Please test it and tell me if the shader is good, ok?

And a question (probably stupid): Do games from that time that I mentioned earlier necessarily need scanlines (were they made with scanlines in mind)?

Thanks again for your attention guys!

[DevilSingh]

Gran Turismo 4 :

[hunterk]

Most of the folks in this thread prefer the look of old CRT TVs to the smooth/HD look of NNEDI3, xBR, hqx, etc., but that’s okay! There’s no right or wrong answer. Use what looks good to you.

Also, if you like the smooth look, check out ScaleFx. It’s another good one.

[Nesguy]

…or try Hyllians new crt-super-xbr! Looks like a happy medium.

@boff

[Hyllian]

I love the smoothness of it on a big plasma 1080p. A big smile in the face is guaranteed,

I like how perfectly rounded are circles and disks in the graphics. On pure crt shaders I can’t get it. Though it isn’t for everybody’s tastes, I agree.

[BendBombBoom]

It would be interesting to see a survey divided by age group with shaders. When I see the smooth xBR type of look I internally scream. I wonder if that’s because I have nostalgia blinders on and younger enthusiasts don’t suffer the same issue?

[Hyllian]

I think I’m an outlier here as I’m old and like both visuals.

[HyperspaceMadness]

Yeah I’m a bit the same, for stuff which was originally 240p I like the original 240p scanline-ish look as well as something like Hyllian’s latest where you have the smoothing but you also have mask and scanlines added.

I find the added scanlines and mask adds a "texture’ where your eye makes up for stuff underneath which might be too simple and smooth otherwise (for my taste). It feels a bit like it tricks your eye into feeling like there is more detail as well.

[c9f5fdda06]

I like the look of “scalefx9-aa-blur-hazy-ntsc-sh1nra358.slangp” on games that have ‘cartoonish’ graphics like Super Mario Bros 2.

[Electrode]

I’m 21 going on 22 and I prefer the older, sharper look of CRTs, don’t like the look of xBR, HQX, 2xSai, etc. I used to constantly upscale PS1 games, use advanced texture filtering methods and etc but I find that texture filter introduces major artifacts and does more harm than good imo. With CRT shaders my goal is to make each game look as good as possible while leaving all the rendering settings at default (with the expection of having dithering disabled for PS1 games). Even running a CRT through composite, the image still has quite a bit of clarity, even if the colors are off.

I’m trying to go after a good shadow mask look; one of the TVs I used to play PlayStation games on was a 27" Hitachi CRT and it looked very nice.

[Nesguy]

I think this is the sharpest you can make the scanlines in GDV without sacrificing too much brightness.

shaders = "8"
shader0 = "shaders_slang/misc/grade.slang"
filter_linear0 = "false"
wrap_mode0 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input0 = "false"
alias0 = "StockPass"
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/crt-gdv-new/afterglow0.slang"
filter_linear1 = "false"
wrap_mode1 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input1 = "false"
alias1 = "AfterglowPass"
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/crt-gdv-new/pre-shaders-afterglow.slang"
filter_linear2 = "false"
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/crt-gdv-new/avg-lum.slang"
filter_linear3 = "true"
wrap_mode3 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input3 = "true"
alias3 = "AvgLumPass"
float_framebuffer3 = "false"
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/crt-gdv-new/linearize.slang"
filter_linear4 = "true"
wrap_mode4 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input4 = "false"
alias4 = "LinearizePass"
float_framebuffer4 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer4 = "false"
scale_type_x4 = "source"
scale_x4 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y4 = "source"
scale_y4 = "1.000000"
shader5 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/crt-gdv-new/blur_horiz2.slang"
filter_linear5 = "true"
wrap_mode5 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input5 = "false"
alias5 = ""
float_framebuffer5 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer5 = "false"
scale_type_x5 = "absolute"
scale_x5 = "800"
scale_type_y5 = "source"
scale_y5 = "1.000000"
shader6 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/crt-gdv-new/blur_vert2.slang"
filter_linear6 = "true"
wrap_mode6 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input6 = "false"
alias6 = "GlowPass"
float_framebuffer6 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer6 = "false"
scale_type_x6 = "absolute"
scale_x6 = "800"
scale_type_y6 = "absolute"
scale_y6 = "600"
shader7 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/crt-gdv-new/crt-guest-dr-venom2.slang"
filter_linear7 = "true"
wrap_mode7 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input7 = "false"
alias7 = ""
float_framebuffer7 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer7 = "false"
scale_type_x7 = "viewport"
scale_x7 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y7 = "viewport"
scale_y7 = "1.000000"
parameters = "g_gamma_in;g_signal_type;g_gamma_type;g_crtgamut;g_space_out;g_hue_degrees;g_I_SHIFT;g_Q_SHIFT;g_I_MUL;g_Q_MUL;g_lum_fix;g_vignette;g_vstr;g_vpower;g_lum;g_cntrst;g_mid;wp_temperature;g_sat;g_vibr;g_satr;g_satg;g_satb;g_lift;blr;blg;blb;wlr;wlg;wlb;rg;rb;gr;gb;br;bg;LUT_Size1;LUT1_toggle;LUT_Size2;LUT2_toggle;bogus_afterglow;PR;PG;PB;AS;sat;bogus_color;TNTC;CP;CS;WP;wp_saturation;lsmooth;GAMMA_INPUT;bogus_glow;SIZEH;GLOW_FALLOFF_H;SIZEV;GLOW_FALLOFF_V;bogus_brightness;glow;bloom;gamma_c;brightboost;brightboost1;bogus_scanline;gsl;scanline1;scanline2;beam_min;beam_max;beam_size;vertmask;scans;spike;bogus_filtering;h_sharp;s_sharp;smart_ei;ei_limit;sth;bogus_screen;TATE;IOS;OS;BLOOM;csize;bsize;warpX;warpY;bogus_masks;shadowMask;maskstr;masksize;maskDark;maskLight;mcut;mask_gamma;slotmask;slotwidth;double_slot;slotms;mclip;bogus_interlacing;inter;interm;gamma_out"
g_gamma_in = "2.400000"
g_signal_type = "1.000000"
g_gamma_type = "1.000000"
g_crtgamut = "2.000000"
g_space_out = "0.000000"
g_hue_degrees = "0.000000"
g_I_SHIFT = "0.000000"
g_Q_SHIFT = "0.000000"
g_I_MUL = "1.000000"
g_Q_MUL = "1.000000"
g_lum_fix = "0.000000"
g_vignette = "0.000000"
g_vstr = "40.000000"
g_vpower = "0.200000"
g_lum = "0.000000"
g_cntrst = "0.000000"
g_mid = "0.500000"
wp_temperature = "7505.000000"
g_sat = "0.000000"
g_vibr = "0.000000"
g_satr = "0.000000"
g_satg = "0.000000"
g_satb = "0.000000"
g_lift = "0.000000"
blr = "0.000000"
blg = "0.000000"
blb = "0.000000"
wlr = "1.000000"
wlg = "1.000000"
wlb = "1.000000"
rg = "0.000000"
rb = "0.000000"
gr = "0.000000"
gb = "0.000000"
br = "0.000000"
bg = "0.000000"
LUT_Size1 = "16.000000"
LUT1_toggle = "0.000000"
LUT_Size2 = "64.000000"
LUT2_toggle = "0.000000"
bogus_afterglow = "0.000000"
PR = "0.140000"
PG = "0.140000"
PB = "0.140000"
AS = "0.070000"
sat = "0.100000"
bogus_color = "0.000000"
TNTC = "0.000000"
CP = "0.000000"
CS = "0.000000"
WP = "0.000000"
wp_saturation = "1.000000"
lsmooth = "0.750000"
GAMMA_INPUT = "2.400000"
bogus_glow = "0.000000"
SIZEH = "4.000000"
GLOW_FALLOFF_H = "0.300000"
SIZEV = "4.000000"
GLOW_FALLOFF_V = "0.300000"
bogus_brightness = "0.000000"
glow = "0.000000"
bloom = "0.100000"
gamma_c = "1.000000"
brightboost = "1.500000"
brightboost1 = "1.500000"
bogus_scanline = "0.000000"
gsl = "2.000000"
scanline1 = "0.000000"
scanline2 = "40.000000"
beam_min = "1.500000"
beam_max = "1.000000"
beam_size = "1.000000"
vertmask = "0.000000"
scans = "1.000000"
spike = "0.000000"
bogus_filtering = "0.000000"
h_sharp = "2.799999"
s_sharp = "1.000000"
smart_ei = "0.000000"
ei_limit = "2.000000"
sth = "0.500000"
bogus_screen = "0.000000"
TATE = "0.000000"
IOS = "0.000000"
OS = "1.000000"
BLOOM = "0.000000"
csize = "0.000000"
bsize = "600.000000"
warpX = "0.000000"
warpY = "0.000000"
bogus_masks = "0.000000"
shadowMask = "-1.000000"
maskstr = "0.250000"
masksize = "1.000000"
maskDark = "0.500000"
maskLight = "1.500000"
mcut = "1.150000"
mask_gamma = "2.400000"
slotmask = "0.000000"
slotwidth = "2.000000"
double_slot = "1.000000"
slotms = "1.000000"
mclip = "1.000000"
bogus_interlacing = "0.000000"
inter = "325.000000"
interm = "2.000000"
gamma_out = "2.400000"
textures = "SamplerLUT1;SamplerLUT2;SamplerLUT3"
SamplerLUT1 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/lut/sony_trinitron1.png"
SamplerLUT1_linear = "true"
SamplerLUT1_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
SamplerLUT1_mipmap = "false"
SamplerLUT2 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/lut/sony_trinitron2.png"
SamplerLUT2_linear = "true"
SamplerLUT2_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
SamplerLUT2_mipmap = "false"
SamplerLUT3 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/guest/lut/other1.png"
SamplerLUT3_linear = "true"
SamplerLUT3_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_border"
SamplerLUT3_mipmap = "false"

[DariusG]

That new Hyllian with curvature looks really good on my 4:3 1280*1024 LCD screen. I also like the look of this new Guest.r shader with nesguy presets, haven’t tried myself though.

[Hyllian]

Do you know why in some 4k LCD TVs the masks 1.0, 4.0 and some others there are bizarre Green, blue and magenta bleed inside White fonts outlined by Black pixels? I tested today Super Metroid and the fonts in options menu are all bleed with magenta and Green or blue.

At first I thought it was some defect unit TV. Then I put nomask (layout 0) and it didn’t bleed at all.