Hey there, these look really good 
, did you ever post the presets for these?
2 Likes
I’m focusing solely on what looks good on a plasma for the time being, so that means no masks.
I think this is as strong as the scanlines can get while getting the image as bright as possible and avoiding clipping. If anyone can figure out how to make it brighter and/or maintain brightness while increasing the scanlines (without introducing clipping), please let me know!
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 = "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 = "8005.000000"
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 = "0.003000"
bloom = "0.000000"
gamma_c = "1.000000"
brightboost = "1.700000"
brightboost1 = "1.699997"
bogus_scanline = "0.000000"
gsl = "2.000000"
scanline1 = "0.000000"
scanline2 = "40.000000"
beam_min = "1.500000"
beam_max = "1.500000"
beam_size = "1.000000"
vertmask = "0.000000"
scans = "0.500000"
spike = "0.000000"
bogus_filtering = "0.000000"
h_sharp = "3.800001"
s_sharp = "1.000000"
smart_ei = "0.000000"
ei_limit = "2.000000"
sth = "0.200000"
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 = "0.500000"
masksize = "1.000000"
maskDark = "0.500000"
maskLight = "1.500000"
mcut = "1.000000"
mask_gamma = "5.000000"
slotmask = "0.000000"
slotwidth = "2.000000"
double_slot = "1.000000"
slotms = "1.000000"
mclip = "1.000000"
bogus_interlacing = "0.000000"
inter = "350.000000"
interm = "1.000000"
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"
2 Likes
Yeah, I already posted the sets in here.
It’s still not satisfied with brightness and convergence, after re-visited the arcade place to look these CRTs. I noticed the SEGA arcade CRT’s brightness is pretty dim, it even ruined the black levels, and doesn’t even have such as halation, diffusion or bloom at all by closed look (29").
But the colors in sets are still get closed in the real SEGA CRTs I believed. And anyway, the sets now are outdated, which means there are a lot of work to do, since the forums being actively so quick recently, glad to see that.
Speaking of the CRT colors, I learned a lot after those days, SEGA all *City arcade machine CRTs are not the cheap or regular CRT TV ones, they were made by OEM named NANAO: NA-NA-O is romaji translated from kanji 七尾. NANAO changed the name to Eizo after 1996. Eizo used was the biggest OEM for arcade CRTs. And the tube itself used by Toshiba’s slot mask tube. Which it still makes me wonder since Eizo is mean to the highest-end monitors manufacturer, then why they dropped *tron tube, Eizo even dropped "tron tube for his highest-ed PC models (they use Hitachi’s shadow mask tube).
2 Likes
Turned “Scanline Weight” back to “0.3” from “0.2” in my previous post to let colors bleed more into the scanlines. (I suck at taking micro shots, lol!)
Source (5x integer res) :
1 Like
I have standard CRT TV 19", Plasma NEC 50" and QLED 4K TV 50". Best image colours and sharpens on Plasma for my opinion.
Here is preset that I use to take photo from LCD 1080p
shaders = "10"
shader0 = "shaders_slang/stock.slang"
wrap_mode0 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input0 = "false"
alias0 = "Reference"
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/blurs/kawase/linearize.slang"
wrap_mode1 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input1 = "false"
alias1 = ""
float_framebuffer1 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer1 = "true"
scale_type_x1 = "source"
scale_x1 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y1 = "source"
scale_y1 = "1.000000"
shader2 = "shaders_slang/blurs/kawase/kawase0.slang"
filter_linear2 = "true"
wrap_mode2 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input2 = "false"
alias2 = ""
float_framebuffer2 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer2 = "true"
scale_type_x2 = "source"
scale_x2 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y2 = "source"
scale_y2 = "1.000000"
shader3 = "shaders_slang/blurs/kawase/kawase1.slang"
filter_linear3 = "true"
wrap_mode3 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input3 = "false"
alias3 = ""
float_framebuffer3 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer3 = "true"
scale_type_x3 = "source"
scale_x3 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y3 = "source"
scale_y3 = "1.000000"
shader4 = "shaders_slang/blurs/kawase/kawase1.slang"
filter_linear4 = "true"
wrap_mode4 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input4 = "false"
alias4 = ""
float_framebuffer4 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer4 = "true"
scale_type_x4 = "source"
scale_x4 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y4 = "source"
scale_y4 = "1.000000"
shader5 = "shaders_slang/blurs/kawase/kawase2.slang"
filter_linear5 = "true"
wrap_mode5 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input5 = "false"
alias5 = ""
float_framebuffer5 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer5 = "true"
scale_type_x5 = "source"
scale_x5 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y5 = "source"
scale_y5 = "1.000000"
shader6 = "shaders_slang/blurs/kawase/kawase3.slang"
filter_linear6 = "true"
wrap_mode6 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input6 = "false"
alias6 = ""
float_framebuffer6 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer6 = "true"
scale_type_x6 = "source"
scale_x6 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y6 = "source"
scale_y6 = "1.000000"
shader7 = "shaders_slang/blurs/kawase/delinearize.slang"
filter_linear7 = "true"
wrap_mode7 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input7 = "false"
alias7 = ""
float_framebuffer7 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer7 = "false"
shader8 = "shaders_slang/blurs/kawase/screen_combine.slang"
wrap_mode8 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input8 = "false"
alias8 = ""
float_framebuffer8 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer8 = "false"
shader9 = "shaders_slang/crt/shaders/crt-hyllian-sinc.slang"
filter_linear9 = "false"
wrap_mode9 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input9 = "false"
alias9 = ""
float_framebuffer9 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer9 = "false"
parameters = "bloom_threshold;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"
bloom_threshold = "0.000000"
BEAM_PROFILE = "3.000000"
HFILTER_PROFILE = "0.000000"
BEAM_MIN_WIDTH = "0.500000"
BEAM_MAX_WIDTH = "1.000000"
SCANLINES_STRENGTH = "0.420000"
COLOR_BOOST = "1.800000"
HFILTER_SHARPNESS = "1.000000"
PHOSPHOR_LAYOUT = "4.000000"
MASK_INTENSITY = "0.900000"
CRT_ANTI_RINGING = "1.000000"
InputGamma = "2.400000"
OutputGamma = "2.200000"
VSCANLINES = "0.000000"
1 Like
That looks good. Are you using a 4K display? The camera might have a hard time picking up the subpixels if that’s the case.
1 Like
Tweaked a couple things and now it may be slightly better.
Changes to previous settings:
dark pixel bright boost 1.75
bright pixel bright boost 1.70
scanline dark 1.55
2 Likes
1080p monitor. Maybe its the phone camera I’m using, it has options to fine tune some settings but I have no idea what to do with them.
2 Likes
Looks nice regardless; I can see RGB phosphors/subpixels in some places. Probably just a matter of getting even closer to the screen.
1 Like
How about playing on crt vs plasma? Do you think motion is much better on real crt?
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
1 Like
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"
1 Like
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).
1 Like
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.
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.
1 Like
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.
14 Likes
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"
3 Likes
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!
1 Like
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.
5 Likes