Is there any advantage of using RF connections?

[gbpxl]

Is there any less lag with RF versus composite or S? I can't think of any real advantage of using RF whatsoever besides being the most readily available considering all the RF adapters that are floating around out there. Besides nostalgia, is there any real purpose to still be using it if your TV allows composite?

[jb143]

Is there any less lag with RF versus composite or S? I can't think of any real advantage of using RF whatsoever besides being the most readily available considering all the RF adapters that are floating around out there. Besides nostalgia, is there any real purpose to still be using it if your TV allows composite?

The only reason to use RF is if that's all the TV has. In RF, the video and audio is on the same signal and needs filtered out. Then the video signal was further filtered into the RGB signals to drive the electron guns. This causes interference rather than lag, or if it did cause lag it would completely imperceivable. A little bit of the audio signal is mixed in with the video, a little of the red is mixed in with the green, etc... So it doesn't look or sound as clear as it could.

For composite the audio is on a separate signal so it's going to look better but the TV still has to filter out the RGB into separate signals. At this point it's up the set. I've got a late model Trinitron that has one of the best comb filters I've ever seen and looks just as good as S-Video on other sets. Most aren't going to look quite that good, especially budget TVs, but it's still a step up from RF.

S-Video further separates the video signal so there's even less interference. And then RGB (or component) give you pure signals for the best image.

But lag really only comes into play for digital. It's takes time to process a digital signal while analog happens pretty instantaneously.

As far as using RF though, if it's an older system that uses a switch box, get an "F" adapter instead. It will get rid of a lot of the noise you often see on older systems, Atari 2600, Intellivision, and the like.

[Greg2600]

Intellivision has really good RF output, as does the Commodore 64. Most others do not. However, if you don't wish to mod your old Atari systems let's say, then go with RF.

[gbpxl]

The only reason to use RF is if that's all the TV has. In RF, the video and audio is on the same signal and needs filtered out. Then the video signal was further filtered into the RGB signals to drive the electron guns. This causes interference rather than lag, or if it did cause lag it would completely imperceivable. A little bit of the audio signal is mixed in with the video, a little of the red is mixed in with the green, etc... So it doesn't look or sound as clear as it could.

For composite the audio is on a separate signal so it's going to look better but the TV still has to filter out the RGB into separate signals. At this point it's up the set. I've got a late model Trinitron that has one of the best comb filters I've ever seen and looks just as good as S-Video on other sets. Most aren't going to look quite that good, especially budget TVs, but it's still a step up from RF.

S-Video further separates the video signal so there's even less interference. And then RGB (or component) give you pure signals for the best image.

But lag really only comes into play for digital. It's takes time to process a digital signal while analog happens pretty instantaneously.

As far as using RF though, if it's an older system that uses a switch box, get an "F" adapter instead. It will get rid of a lot of the noise you often see on older systems, Atari 2600, Intellivision, and the like.
I just got a Trinitron that was sitting outside my dumpster. All I can tell you is it has S, composite, RF. I'm wondering if we have the same model. This one is a KV-27S26

[jb143]

I just got a Trinitron that was sitting outside my dumpster. All I can tell you is it has S, composite, RF. I'm wondering if we have the same model. This one is a KV-27S26

I got mine free off craigslist. I don't remember the model number but I was a bit bummed out it didn't have S-video. Until I saw just how clear the composite image was.

It didn't really end up mattering anyways since I modded it for RGB to use as an arcade monitor.



Intellivision has really good RF output, as does the Commodore 64. Most others do not. However, if you don't wish to mod your old Atari systems let's say, then go with RF.

Even for Intellivision using an "F" adapter is recommended for a cleaner signal.

[gbpxl]

I just played my NES using S video. Looked great. Only problem I have is that the overscan gets cut off. I wonder if there's anyway to shrink the picture so I can see every pixel

[jb143]

I just played my NES using S video. Looked great. Only problem I have is that the overscan gets cut off. I wonder if there's anyway to shrink the picture so I can see every pixel

You can get into the service menu and adjust that stuff. I don't remember the exact procedure but it's in the service manual which you can find online by searching for the model number. You do need the remote though. It's just a sequence of button presses. And if you change anything be sure to write down what it was first so you can put it back.

Edit...
There's also videos on youtube that show how to do it. Here's the first one I ran across that seems to do a decent job explaining what to do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrMqRI-OhUQ

[gbpxl]

I really feel like if one wants to relive that true 90s experience, the game has to be played on a tube TV, and I'll even go one step further and say, no modding, no everdrice or third party controllers. Nothing beats that feeling for me. I know I'm in the minority here but I've always been a purist. I play partly for nostalgia but also because the games were designed for 80s and 90s TVs. I don't believe the manufacturers really expected people to still be playing those cartridges 30 years later. This is evidenced in the fact that games had a 90 day warranty as well as the claim that the battery in the game paks should last several years.

I've never gotten used to seeing the 8 bit graphics on a 4K TV and it frankly looks like crap in my opinion, even with the scanlines added in. The best one can do is shrink the picture, add scanlines and turn the sharpness down, and it looks ok at that point

[gbpxl]

I followed the tutorial and was able to make the picture somewhat better. I was able to zoom out so I can see the entirety of the lower brick in Super Mario Bros. as well as some of the overscan. Unfortunately I can't zoom out enough to see the whole picture including the sky above "Mario" and "score."

The settings are very confusing and they all seem to do something slightly different. The Framemeister is a lot easier to work with.

[gbpxl]

I can't seem to correct the angle of the picture either. Somewhat annoying. Wish the Framemeister could output analog signal

[gbpxl]

They say one can rotate the picture by adjusting the yoke. Hmmm sounds dangerous

[Rickstilwell1]

I really feel like if one wants to relive that true 90s experience, the game has to be played on a tube TV, and I'll even go one step further and say, no modding, no everdrice or third party controllers. Nothing beats that feeling for me. I know I'm in the minority here but I've always been a purist. I play partly for nostalgia but also because the games were designed for 80s and 90s TVs. I don't believe the manufacturers really expected people to still be playing those cartridges 30 years later. This is evidenced in the fact that games had a 90 day warranty as well as the claim that the battery in the game paks should last several years.

I've never gotten used to seeing the 8 bit graphics on a 4K TV and it frankly looks like crap in my opinion, even with the scanlines added in. The best one can do is shrink the picture, add scanlines and turn the sharpness down, and it looks ok at that point

To me, generated artificial scanlines look absolutely nothing like a real tube tv. Real tube tvs are bright and clear. They don't look like they have a darkened blanket of lines over them. It's a silly special effect that I never use in emulation.