Older Systems and High Def TV's

[Paisa49]

I recently got an LG LCD TV, and I've hooked both my TG-16 and Sega Saturn up to it via a couple of RF switches. I've learned that these systems look terrible if the TV is kept in 16:9 ratio, so whenever I've played so far I've changed to 4:3. When I play my Saturn, and turn it off, the TV looks like it's in black and white. Only after I switch channels does the color come back. Could the Saturn or TG-16 have any adverse effect on the TV?

[Michael Helgeson]

Nope. I also suggest to stop using RF hookups though. Thats the worst of the worst, esp on such a new tv.

[guyjin]

Your TV should have a setting like "aspect" or "1:1" - these are preferable to whatever you're using now (probably "fullscreen".) also, AV cables would be better.

[Black Tiger]

It depends on the game. May wide resolution 16-bit console games look fine in wide screen. Forgotten Worlds CD is one.

It's usually the distortion from upscaling and refresh rates that ruin the image of older game systems.

[kid_rondeau]

Has anyone here had a problem with a video lag? I was playing China Warrior and there was a split second gap between pressing the buttons and the actual strike. It caused me to mess up all the bonus stages!!

[Arkhan]

Has anyone here had a problem with a video lag? I was playing China Warrior and there was a split second gap between pressing the buttons and the actual strike. It caused me to mess up all the bonus stages!!

Lol,isnt that just how that game plays...?

[Paisa49]

Nope. I also suggest to stop using RF hookups though. Thats the worst of the worst, esp on such a new tv.

Neither of my systems are modded. If I were to get both systems modded, how much would it run me, and what type of mod should I do (i.e. s-video, composite video, etc.)?

[gundarN]

You just need to buy a component cable for your TG-16 (assuming it's like a Core-Grafx II), I get a fantastic picture from mine on a Sony HD TV.
I think I use an S-Video cable on my Saturn and also get a great picture.

I don't tend to worry about the aspect ratio and leave everything on 16:9.

The picture quality I get now is much, much better than on my old CRT.

[Joe Redifer]

I don't tend to worry about the aspect ratio and leave everything on 16:9.

Ug.  I'd hate to play games or watch TV at your place.

[SignOfZeta]

You just need to buy a component cable for your TG-16 (assuming it's like a Core-Grafx II),

Except that there is no such thing. I think you mean composite, which is indeed a very good upgrade. I have a feeling he's playing with a TG-16 though since he's using RF.

I don't tend to worry about the aspect ratio and leave everything on 16:9.

Double what Joe Redifer said, because I'm double the a$$hole.


Anyway, while I think things will change, the fact is that just about any flat panel on the market today will make your old game systems look like utter crap unless you buy some $2000 box from Faroudja or somebody. I can only recommend keeping you CRTs around, assuming they are decent.

I recently hooked a series 2000 PSP to my friends otherwise fantastical 60" LCD. It looked terrible. Iron Man in Bluray though was amazing.

[Duo_R]

Zeta - I tested my Duo-R with Component Video today on my 47" Bravia 1080P, and I gotta say it actually looks nice!

Of course alot of work involved to get this - RGB Modded Duo, with Amp (better PQ) and a RGB to YUV converter.

But with the correct modding skills, and a box that can be purchased around $60, good PQ on a LCD is possible. I will be submitting a full review later, with tests of the component Video on 4 TV sets (2 HD, 2 CRT) with lot's of side by side photos of Composite VS Component!

There is one thing that Zeon pointed out to me that the LCD's have trouble with - correctly displaying shadows (I will display in the photo examples). However this is a minor annoyance, the picture really does look good. I do agree however that CRT's are going to be the best bet, but good PQ is possible on HD set.

[Duo_R]

some initial snaps of my Sony Bravia 47" HDTV 1080p (using RGB to component box):







Closeup:




This TV is really optimized for HD, the SD stuff never really looks good. However, I had a pretty good image coming from the RGB Modded Duo > Component Video box. Full review hopefully coming soon, with tests on high end and low end CRT's and LCD TV's (1080P and 720p).

Keep in mind these are snaps with a digital camera NOT screen captures. The images don't do full justice to how it looks on the TV.

[Black Tiger]

My newer 1080p Sharp Aquos LCD makes older systems like TG-16 look way nicer than my old LCD. Plus now the refresh rate is fast enough for them to be playable.

Still, I'll only play older consoles on it under special circumstances and it's not nearly as nice as a CRT.

[Tom]

The only thing that's missing is the faux scanlines 

[Golgo13]

I went and hunted down one of the last CRT's in production here, because I got so sick of my old school consoles looking like I was playing them on an Emulator.  I really worry about the future when we cant find CRT anymore.