Hi-Def NES - HDMI for the Original Nintendo :: RGB303 / MY LIFE IN GAMING

We had some time with a Hi-Def NES (that's the HDMI mod kit for NES). This is the same technology used in the Analogue Nt's HDMI solution, so all features and results apply to the Analogue Nt as well! Is it worth an upgrade over RGB?
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My Life in Gaming makes documentaries, deep dives into retro console hardware, and more.

[@OfficialGaminGuys]

My god that picture at 8:23 is one of the cleanest I've ever seen

[@Daniel-it1dp]

what game is that?

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

Daniel C Kiwi Kraze on the NES. It’s more commonly known as The New Zealand Story, since it was only called Kiwi Kraze in America. In Europe, it was ported to about 5 billion different 8-bit Home Microcomputers. The NES port is fairly bad though, especially since the NES lacks good colour options for yellow. Some of the European ports were much better, especially the Amiga port if I remember rightly, however I expect the best way to play is just the original arcade game in MAME.

[@Coestar]

Great job again, guys!

[@troyBORG]

+Coestar Hey Coe! Yeah these guys have amazing info when it comes to Retro RGB stuff.

[@SuperDerek]

I've been a long-time viewer of the +GameTechUS channel, and watching Jason and Kevtris take this mod from concept to prototype to production has been really impressive, and I've been looking forward to this for a long time! Great overview guys! :)

[@8bitDNA]

This is my second "MLIG" vid with the first being Marshall's N64 ultra kit. I cannot say enough about how awesome your work is - especially the video comparisons (shame on the WiiU emulation - yikes!). I also love how you list the settings you used/preferred. This is my new favorite channel!!!

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] Wow thanks!

[@joebone3151]

Theirs one for 64. Shoot once I have my new job. That is Def a purchase. As I'm breaking out my 64 for my new gaming setup, So I was already gonna take it apart and clean it might as upgrade it. I will use the rca ports on my screen for my og xbox lmao.

[@edoneill6701]

you guys need a million subs... I sure hope that day comes, you deserve it

[@RobNoireGaming]

I want to really thank you guys for this video (among others). It really helped show the advantages and options we now have for old-school gaming, and gave me the knowledge I needed to upgrade my set up. You guys really are one of the best places to find out information on these kind of things. Can't wait until I can finally try out my own Hi-Def Nes.

[@ajrizzle]

Thank you for documenting and revitalizing the NES and other retro consoles! Subscribed!

[@KWKBOX]

Very informative. I really appreciate your attention to detail so I can decide on getting an HDMI mod for my NES. Keep up the great work!

[@mylifeingaming]

+KWKBOX [Try4ce] There's lots more features, but I focused on what seemed most important to me! If you want to hear from another source with details on a few other features, check out Retro RGB's article: www.retrorgb.com/hidefnes.html

[@SameNameDifferentGame]

Just got my Hi-Def NES-equipped AV Famicom back. Went back to this for help, and the 4x5 suggestion from Try is perfect. Thanks, guys!

[@itchyisvegeta]

Just got mine in the mail a few days ago, and finished installing it 20 min ago. So far this mod looks amazing on my TV. Testing out all the features now, but easily worth every penny. Not a mod for the beginners to install, that is for sure. Thank you Cory and Try for this vid, which inspired me to order and install it.

[@0NodMan0]

*_HDMI my Intellivision please._*

[@volo870]

Yes, a bad tasted remark has to made here: _HDMI my penis!_ P.S. Anyone into Yo Mama jokes?

[@Frog_Puppet]

More like H-D-MI penis.

[@BobofWOGGLE]

HDM'Intellivision

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

NodMan Yes! I want to see this!

[@MrNoFaceGuy]

Hdmi my tiger electronics game

[@MisterKee]

I finally got a Hi-Def NES. Thanks for the great video.

[@ChrisKewl]

I own one, it is beautiful. Kevtris did a great job! Props to game-tech.us for the installation as well!

[@8bitDNA]

+ChrisKewl I got one as well :) I picked up the "mint" toaster with blinking light win from game tech!

[@ChaseFace]

You guys are like the scientists of retro upscaling. Good stuff, dudes!

[@n64glennplant]

cant wait for you guys to do the new gamecube hdmi mod!

[@mylifeingaming]

+N64 Glenn Plant [Try4ce] You and me both! It's a bit outside what either of us could afford at the moment, but getting our hands on one to at least borrow is a priority right now.

[@VideogameBucko]

+My Life in Gaming I'm sorting it for you don't worry :) Been an awful day thanks to a certain payment provider but we'll get there.

[@Waifu4Life]

+Videogame Bucko Question remains, what will be more expensive, buying component cables for GameCube or buying the HDMI mod and having someone install it for you?

[@VideogameBucko]

+theimporter Price is similar either way, so in the end it's up to you. HDMI mod has some advantages over component cables especially if you're using a modern TV or a 31khz only display.

[@Waifu4Life]

+Videogame Bucko Thanks for the quick reply. How would you compare the HDMI mod Vs Component hooked to an XRGB-Mini?

[@RDJ134]

I realy love this show, learning so much every time.

[@SEEtheREPLAY]

guys, great work. I really like the show and the attention to detain. You've gained a subscriber.

[@xx_derpinator_xx7111]

Recently purchased an AV Famicom with the Hi Def mod. It was definitely worth the investment. Thanks MLiG!

[@crayelliott4894]

hi there guys! I recently bought a hi-def nes kit for my AV Famicom and this video helped me optimize my settings! thank you! Just wanted to let you know that v2.25 does indeed fix the interpolation bug, and turning it on while using non integer horizontal scale removes the shimmering in scrolling. A 720p native monitor with the hi-def nes in 4:3 horizontal stretching with interpolation and scanlines set to NES looked pretty authentic to me!

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] That's awesome! I'd love to try one again with the newest firmware.

[@diegocrusius]

this is just fantastic. I love when people go extreme to get what they want

[@sega.maniac]

I am truly enjoying your content ! 👍👍👍

[@superroastedturkey589]

These videos are great. Keep it up!

[@TLV-ee1sg]

I was looking for a video like this, Thanks

[@Deadite8593]

Another great episode guys! I already have an RGB modded NES so I don't think the high-def mod is for me, but I will definitely tell some friends about it. The biggest improvement for the average person is probably the 1080p scaling so that their TV doesn't induce all that horrendous lag when it upscales the image lol.

[@mikebigler807]

Another awesome video guys. Hope you have a great day!

[@StalinBrosef]

Incredible work, you guys. I really love the production quality and the content of your videos. How do you do the visual distortion effects in the intro?

[@avavii]

Way to go explaining integer scaling to everyone just along the way. Great job. Love you, guys.

[@mylifeingaming]

+Michael Wieczorek [Try4ce] Was definitely not my intention going into the episode, but it kinda just came out that way! (Definitely learned a good bit about how the Framemeister works along the way too.)

[@Rockmans1989]

The Dreamcast it's also getting an HDMI mod!

[@triple_lei]

+Rockmans1989 Nice!

[@8bitDNA]

+Rockmans1989 link??

[@Rockmans1989]

+8bitDNA watch?v=cNuqMp6eemI

[@electronash]

+Rockmans1989 Thanks for the mention. ;) Still working on it. It's not been easy. lol

[@omegarugal9283]

the Dreamcast already outputs 480p so not much of a problem... or use a TV with VGA and a VGA box..

[@CrankDatPikachu93]

The RCA DVD player is also getting a HDMI mod!!!

[@jmhecker]

I have semi-moderate soldering skills, which made the Hidef NES a bit tricky to install. But, with patience, I was able to get both chips removed from the nes and soldered I to the risers provided. A quick install of the ribbon cables to the HiDef NES board, and all was good. It was trickier than I wanted it to be, but it was well worth the efforts.

[@CommodoreFan64]

Awesome job as always guys :-)

[@walmartcartpusher]

Interpolation is usually used to pull frames of vertical pixel animation together with horizontal pixel animation. It's only useful when your tv/monitor lacks game mode and runs the refresh rate at 120+Hz or 30Hz rather than 60Hz.

[@gordyowl9455]

I'm here because of AVGN's Nintoaster, I mean yeah it's already fixed but I love to see you guys in your perspective

[@AaronH9111]

I just bought an NES Classic Edition The image quality looks great

[@mresturk9336]

Given how easy it is to mod more games into it and the NES version still supports SNES style Wii U gamepads the NES/SNES classics are both an excellent budgetware option if you just want something small & simple you can plug into your modern TV to play 8/16 bit era games.

[@mlivehd7552]

@@mresturk9336 I have both the NES and SNES Classic Edition! And with Hakchi, these are great options for retro gaming!

[@Waifu4Life]

Great video as always guys. So in short, if you already have an RGB setup with the XRGB-Mini, go with a cheaper RGB mod for your NES or Famicom. If all you plan to play are NES games, then it would be cheaper just to get the Hi-Def NES mod since an XRGB-Mini proscaler is more expensive.

[@mylifeingaming]

+theimporter [Try4ce] That's exactly what I'm thinking. Hi-Def NES does have a slight sharpness advantage, but considering I'm already all setup for RGB, if I ever add a Toploader NES to go alongside my AV Famicom (I don't want to mod my Frontloader), I'm leaning toward RGB instead of HDMI, especially because I want the scaling options.. However, in spite of my RGB setup, I'm definitely getting an Ultra HDMI ASAP!

[@Waifu4Life]

***** Ya, N64 is a different ballgame. That being said, I'm not enough of an N64 fan to justify a 2nd (expensive) mod on the system. The RGB mod was cheap and I was having my Famicom modded at the same time by the same guy, hence why I upgraded from S-Video.

[@RedWarriorGaming]

This is so awesome. I Can record nes gameplay now if I get this! :) you guys are awesome.

[@HelloComics]

Excellent video as always!

[@durphy]

Great visuals and a master presentation. I'm excited to see what the NES mini will bring to the table in terms of pixel-perfectness.

[@efwefwef4747]

Same shitty dark ports that are currently on the wii virtual console

[@Donatello97]

really? hopefully that's not the case...if so, be preparted to max the color on your tv, contrast, raise the back light AND brightness just a smidge. also, screw the frame meister.....$500 for a device that introduces 16ms/1 frame of input lag not including the present lag on an HDTV? count me out, the lagless Hi-def and NES AVS are much better options plus they're $300 cheaper.

[@N313GrayFox]

efwefwef I heard it was a newly developed emulator, meaning that it'll hopefully be better.

[@durphy]

Check out game xplain's side by side comparison of the new console and WiiU. It's not half bad.

[@efwefwef4747]

VERY impressed they clean it up. BUT one has to think this was their plan all along. Shit wii ports / better nes mini ports :)

[@Halbared]

This is such a brilliant vid.

[@8bitDNA]

Also, the NES HDMI mod is great for newer collectors who have not invested alot of money on RGB / Framemeister setups. You literally just plug in the NES via HDMI and you're done! Great one-stop solution without alot of fiddling!!!

[@prozacgodretro]

Crystalis!! So few people have playted that game. I was thinking " I wonder how this mod handles compatibility issues, like scrolling" - Crystalis was one of the game that cause grief to emulators early on. I figured it would be 100% compatible, but was thinking maybe there are some edge cases where it would get wierd.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] Crystalis plays just fine. I guess that game does have somewhat complex scrolling for an NES game. It can display junk at the edges, but that's normal behavior.

[@Zeaiclies]

I still remember hard wiring a Game Genie into my NES, so i would not have to put it on and take it off games. Plus it was just cool to have a stock looking NES and turn it on and there is the Game genie screen. lol

[@xXRenaxChanXx]

They should totally release one that supports the dotmatrix filter. I used it in Fusion (emulator) on my monitor using my laptop and dotmatrix was well, perfect. It felt like I was looking at the arcade machine. And didn't have those annoying lines or the blur.

[@user-nx9bh6rj1j]

Wow estos chicos son unos genios de los videojuegos retro el mejor canal en cuanto a como sacarle el mejor provecho a tu consola retro y mejorarlas aun más 💪😎🍻

[@soul2xzero]

Thumbs up for an awesome video but even more for using my favorite NES soundtrack. Shadowgate!

[@evilashxero]

Exciting times for retrogaming.

[@loganjorgensen]

Oh okay now I get why phonedork was wanting a 5X option. The 240 horizontal lines is actually more than we saw on most CRTs, the safe zone was 256x224 and title screens had to fit within 224x212. Although 240 scales better for HDMI.

[@mrbuckets1106]

Came for the video, stayed for the Shadowgate music

[@farhan_jiwani]

Wow this seems great! But since I already have a Framemeister I may as well use it. One day I'll get that RGB mod...

[@jaytomten3782]

I use the Framemeister to zoom the 1080p 4x5 mode, no shimmer. I could also use my TV picture zoom settings, but the Framemeister is much easier to turn on/off.

[@NESJohnny]

Thank you for making this video! I have the RF-only top loader and am torn between the HDMI NES or doing the RGB mod (already have a top-loader). I'm still torn! But at least I feel more informed.

[@mylifeingaming]

+NESJohnny [Try4ce] I also really want a toploader, and I'm very torn which mod I will get if/when I do so! I currently have an RGB-modded AV Famicom and an unmodded frontloader.

[@NESJohnny]

+My Life in Gaming You should definitely do the HDMI NES! You'll have an analog Fami and a digital NES. That would be perfect!

[@firisrozley5768]

Loved this episode. Any chance of making episodes on HDMI mods for SNES, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and/or PC-Engine/TurboGrafx? And of course, I would like to hear your thoughts regarding the latest Cyber Gadget's Retro Freak machine (it's like Retron5 + PC-Engine/TurboGrafx compatible & soon, a special adapter to play Game Gear & Master System).

[@mylifeingaming]

+Firis Rozley [Try4ce] I'm sure there are things in the works that I'm unaware of, but the only HDMI mods available or in the works that I know of are NES, N64, and Gamecube. I would love to see what people come up with for all those others, though! I'm sure someone is already thinking about them. We'd love to try out the Retro Freak machine. Last I recall, it was a bit more expensive than I expected. Not sure if availability has improved.

[@DannyCD]

I have my Hi-Def NES set to 1080p with 6X horizontal width and it looks absolutely gorgeous. No scanlines, no scaling, and the color palette is set to Beware's. I haven't had any complaints with those settings ever since I made them the default. This video is fairly old now and I have the latest 2.25 firmware and also the latest Hi-Def kit with the fixed HDMI port, so those could be contributing factors. It's absolutely amazing, I most certainly prefer it over the NESRGB mod. I don't own or ever plan on owning a PVM anyway.

[@mylifeingaming]

+Danny C. [Try4ce] I should have my own Hi-Def NES pretty soon, so I'm looking forward to trying the newest version.

[@zeroxdogma]

Awesome video. Can you compare nes mini vs nes hdmi mod?

[@NeedMoreMushrooms]

A very interesting topic to be honest. I prefer straight digital as it reduces chance of failure if I'm not mistaken.

[@VinchVolt]

I'm personally content with RetroArch, but I won't deny that this looks like a brilliant way to modernize the original hardware.

[@Michaelwave64]

your intro is awesome

[@amirjubran1845]

I would really like to get an RGB mod for my AV Fami for S-Video on my CRT, but want HDMI on my toaster for my HDTV... Thanks for this review. I learned so much. Once/if Kevtris adds 5x Vertical Scale for 1080p, the HiDef NES looks like it will be the ultimate solution. I really want to avoid buying the Framemeister because of the cost of RGB cables, no reliable/affordable RGB swichers, and added input lag.

[@mylifeingaming]

+Amir Jubran [Try4ce] I actually saw just last night a video of Kevtris's where he said he wanted to add 5X, but couldn't. I'm curious if there's a hardware limitation there. Of course, I hadn't seen that video yet when I had written and recorded the script.

[@amirjubran1845]

+My Life in Gaming Oh that sucks! You convinced me through your captures that 5x is so the way to go. I'm just going to wait things out then for new developments. For now I'll just RGB mod the AV Fami and enjoy that. Thanks for your reply!

[@guspaz]

+My Life in Gaming The hidef NES kit doesn't actually have any RAM chips onboard, so all he has to work with is the extraordinarily limited amount of memory built-in to the FPGA. He didn't have quite enough memory available to do the 5x scaling, and specifically mentioned needing to buffer 15-20 extra scanlines, which he didn't have room for.

[@DamianYerrick]

+Adam Zey is right. In the #nesdev channel on the EFnet IRC network, kev explained that 5x would need a much taller scanline buffer. A taller buffer can mean an extra frame of lag, and it would have meant a more expensive FPGA, making it even more than the $200 quoted in the video.

[@SkuldChan42]

I did the HD-Def NES mod myself :) - it wasn't too hard honestly.

[@ootwii]

that retron 5 looked sweet...im so glad i got a retron 5...though anlogue nt is suppose to benice...

[@rojovision]

Been enjoying going down the video quality rabbit hole with these videos, but I'm sorry. I zoned out when you started playing Shadowgate music. It's pretty great.

[@mikeclem1]

also a suggestion, could you do some rgb , or maybe just best possible videos on systems that you didn't get to like turbografx/cd, neo geo cd , jaguar , 3do, neo geo, neo geo cd , sega saturn , and dreamcast . I love this serious ans would love to see some videos on these even if some of them are only s-video . I saw a turbografx add on that was capable of rgb

[@DarDarBinks1986]

I'd like to see this for the Genesis. I tried buying a SCART cable and cheap SCART-to-HDMI upscaler and I couldn't get any picture on either of my TVs. I could get audio from the headphone jack (it's a Model 1) but other than that, there was just a black screen. I don't have the funds for a Framemeister, and HDRetrovision's Genesis and SNES component cables are taking too long to come out.

[@willjoyce5013]

Smoothing Scale 3X Mega Man looks both happier and like he had a stroke

[@TheBurleybrawler]

Currently going though all your video's and enjoying them. Can you please do a video on local lag eg CRT vs LCD Game mode; Native res vs non native res; lag of different upscalers; usb controller lag vs DB15 for example, how much is noticable to casual and pro gamers alike.

[@merlingt1]

I am really struggling between RGB and HDMI right now for my mod. My biggest problem with the HDMI mod is that I absolutely do not like the idea of cutting my NES. While the HDMI definitely looks better; the RGB mod can be done on my AV famicom while using the existing multiout port without having to cut the case.

[@ConnorTerrell]

merlingt1 Do you have an RGB display?

[@mikeman10]

If you still have or can get a decent SD CRT with component video you can get the Shinybow RGB SCART to Y/Pb/Pr transcoder. Costs $75 and you won't need to sell a kidney for a decent RGB monitor.

[@DadoSimicStudiostriver]

Nostalgia kill me gently. :)

[@CRoosa]

Hey I have that same shirt. Did you ever notice that the A & B buttons are backwards on it? GG Target.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] Ha, I knew that, but I completely forgot. It sort of annoys me how the buttons have no depth, too.

[@OrangeGeemer]

Do you have any plans to review an early version of the analogue mini nt??? I like to buy it, but I need your blessing :)

[@mylifeingaming]

+Pablo Romero [Try4ce] We would if we get the opportunity! We would like to if we can!

[@neonprismburst1164]

Love your work, I hope you can do a How to get best picture quality for Sega Saturn. Please consider that, thank you!

[@mylifeingaming]

[Coury] Over time, its our goal to cover every system possible. Unfortunately, based on how long each episode takes, some will come further down the line than others. But I do promise that Saturn is a priority and will be sooner rather than later in the whole scheme of things.

[@neonprismburst1164]

+My Life in Gaming okay, I see. I'm positive you both will have an interesting time doing an indepth analysis of the saturns graphics. For instance, the transparency effects. Thanks again for your excellent work, you two guys do exceptional videos

[@pferreira1983]

I'd be interested to see something similar for the Master System.

[@reginaldbauer5243]

You've neglected to mention that the hi-def NES has some video and audio issues: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHi2ZXSipN9_jLs kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGXNmalrrc-ofLM You can even detect the video problem I am alluding to in your own video here at 7:38 Specifically, the NES PPU outputs a random corrupted scanline every few seconds on half of the CPU-PPU alignments in a few very popular games, and on the other alignments you get "pixel speckling" (corrupted pixels that give a speckle effect). The speckling is due to the special mode the ppu needs to run in in order to get the digital information out from what I can tell. Worse still, the kit drops a frame randomly on every reboot or hard cycle which means your monitor needs to refresh taking 3 seconds or more. The RGB kit is pretty authentic in that it's much more minimal, but also suffers from a similar pixel speckling issue on some games from what I can tell, due to it using the same ppu mode. Its a problem with the ext pin on the ppu chip. normally this pin is grounded on a org nes but with the kits its used to output pixel data, its a fundamental problem and can't be fixed. The RGB doesn't do away with the problem either.

[@Nukle0n]

Also of note is that with the Hi-DEF nes you can play Famicom Roms from a PowerPak with extended audio on an NES and the audio will work.

[@tetsujin_144]

+Nukle0n 'cause the Hi-Def NES kit emulates all NES audio. It's actually one aspect of the Hi-Def NES that I've never been entirely happy with, personally.

[@iyatemu]

+Tetsujin Considering that the HDMINES was invented by the same person who invented the NSF format, I don't distrust the quality and accuracy of the sound hardware emulation. And I own a famicom-based NSF player boardset specifically so I don't have to emulate the sound hardware.

[@tetsujin_144]

***** It's not even a question of distrusting the emulation. I mean, why spend hundreds of dollars upgrading a 30 year old game system when we can just play the games on emulation? (And to be clear - I don't have a problem with emulation, but I've bought original systems and NESRGB mods to satisfy my preference for playing on original hardware when emulation could have done the job for free.) For me it's because I consider playing on the original hardware to be part of the experience. And I'm not playing on unmodified hardware (using NESRGB, so the PPU makes the picture but not the final video signals) but Hi-Def NES takes things further. How many pieces of the NES can we replace with emulation before it's not the original hardware any more? For me, emulating the sound hardware is going too far. The sound on these old systems is analog; analog circuits and their characteristic analog distortion. I don't particularly want to emulate that. (Though it's possible I might change my mind if I heard some unwanted noise in the analog audio... And I think Hi-Def NES does allow you to still use the original analog channels: they don't come out HDMI but the analog hardware isn't prevented from doing its thing. So in a sense it's a non-issue.) I dunno.I guess it's kind of silly to say "I'm OK with changing this but not with changing that"... But as much as I love NESRGB for instance, installing it did give me this sense that the whole thing was like some perverse Dr. Frankenstein affair, wiring up this ancient game system with modern tech, it's just kind of weird.

[@iyatemu]

First of all, what you call "emulation" isn't really that, because this is all hardware-based on an FPGA, not emulated in software. By that logic, flash cartridges would be emulation as well. The reason it "emulates" the audio is because the PowerPak and Everdrive don't do the job, and what they do, they do incorrectly. It's not replacing them for fun, it's doing what flash cart and some certain repro makers can't be assed to do. Half-done US MMC5 Just Breed repro? You get full audio now. Gimmick! repro with an AY-3-8910 instead of a YMZ or 2149? You've got that, too. The only thing the HDMINES is replacing is the expansion sound. The PPU and CPU are still doing all the video and signal processing, there are no built-in mostly-accurate emulator palettes like the NESRGB (it displays the real NES colors), and the cart mapper chips are still doing what they do. If you were replacing any of the parts, you wouldn't need them. There's a reason why it's been described as "an HDMI adapter" for the NES, because it takes the raw data from the PPU's EXT pins, generates a video signal from it, and outputs it to your TV. An added bonus to the cloned expansions (which are 100% accurate, by the way) is the hardware NSF player. Not many people are like me, willing to shell out the money for a player cart and multi-expansion board along with games containing every expansion chip. As someone who's done it, I can tell you that it's a fucking absurd thing to do. This is a way for sane people to get the same satisfaction I do, hearing NES music on the real hardware. The NES APU has been documented to death and back, as have chips like the Sunsoft 5B (being a YM2149 and all), FDS modulation emulation accuracy is at its peak, and the only issue with the VRC7 is that it hasn't been de-capped for its patches yet, other than that, it's a YM2413 through-and-through (minus the RHY channels). If you get one of these and decide to install it yourself, it's not NEARLY as destructive as the NESRGB, you know why? Because if you don't like it after install, you can take out the C/PPU and put them back in less than 2 seconds, and holy shit, if you really want to, you can sandwich the NESRGB in there, too (with minor modification). I really see no issues with this at all, other than the fact that it won't work with E-revision hardware.

[@iyatemu]

+Tetsujin excuse me if this sounds like a heated rant, by the way.

[@TheSoulOfMan21]

Wow! Really Good Video! Keep Up The Good Work Guys! Take Care & GOD BLESS!!! 🙏🙏❤️😍👍😃✌️👌🤟🙈👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🙏🙏

[@rodrigomolinsky]

Hey guys! How about the new FPGA NES models? The AVS HDMI NES from RetroUSB and the new Nt Mini from Analogue. How do you think these will perform? The AVS HDMI NES will output only 720p. Is this promissing?

[@mylifeingaming]

+Rodrigo Horta [Try4ce] We will be doing a video on the AVS in the coming weeks!

[@rodrigomolinsky]

Wow, that's fast! This was unexpected. :)

[@unfinishedgamer2153]

Sweet wish you could have talked more about the audio

[@earthboundfan15]

Woah can't believe that their was a hdmi mod for the Nes

[@mylifeingaming]

+earthboundfan15 [Try4ce] Crazy, right? Who knows, maybe all of our old consoles will support HDMI in due time...

[@medicwheat69]

It's something that was only released a few months ago. Like three or four months.

[@silfortytypex]

Can you PLEASE do an episode for getting the best picture out of the Commodore 64!

[@Ninja_Gaijin]

+1!

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

silfortytypex Don’t you just use the RGB output through a compatible TV? If I remember right it uses 240p, so you easily plug one into a Frameister or OSSC. I’m not sure if it has an analogue RGB output, a lot of old computers from that era only have composite or digital RGB output, which often has a limited colour gamut and requires a fancy RGB Monitor designed for computers. I think the RGB should just be as simple as using a SCART cable though, as I think it has analogue output.

[@0111pokemon]

+My Life In Gaming what ever happened to the adjusting geometry on a crt video that you said would be out in November? I really need help calibrating my PVM. Will the 240p test suite help?

[@mylifeingaming]

+AppleClassicGamer [Coury] Its coming - though its not going to be in the CRT and PVM episode. The subject was big enough to garner its own 300 level episode. The reason we decided to do that is because we didn't want it buried in the CRT & PVM episode (our next RGB episode) because thats already a huge episode and giant undertaking - it would get buried in there. I'm guessing Feb or March for Geometry. Sorry about the wait... I was sad to cut it, but it'd get lost in whats already looking like a 20 + minute episode.

[@RileySkye100]

I can't wait for you guys to cover the PS1 best picture quality. I do have an original PS1 console, but I also have a PS3. With the PS3, you have the option to have sharp pixels and smoothness on the PS1 games. I tend to find myself using the smoothing option since it's looks kind of better, but not to what I expect and at least they don't stretch the image. Also, can't wait for the Gamecube conversation.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] If everything goes well, we will be releasing our PS1 video in December!

[@RileySkye100]

Sounds wonderful. BTW, how do you capture your game footage? I'm using my Elgato capture for my retro console and I'm curious if it will work through the Framemeister.

[@mylifeingaming]

Is it the Elgato60? I've never used an Elgato, but they're well regarded. Anything that accepts 1080p/60 should be fine. We use AVerMedia ExtremeCap U3, it's a few years old.

[@someguy912]

ounce the mini nes comes out, you should should do a comparison between this and the mini nes.

[@johneygd]

I would like to play nes games with a smoothing filter . Regardless off analogue signal, the nes nes ia is purely analogue except the 5th channel ,so it has to be converted to digital before it can be proccesed digitaly,,but yes the rgb signal is taped from the installed rgb chip before it get's converted to analogue. I really would like such mod for all my consoles,but $200 is alot of money,i already bought a frame meister. Oh well let's hope that the frame meister will have a smoothing filter update.

[@gpturismo]

It's because true NTSC CRT's are a 512x512 resolution that can handle a 640x480 feed. Original NTSC screens were square, then stretched to the 4:3 size, because being anolog it never had a pixel, but a signal pass. Due to this, if anyone did video editing pre-hdef, you had a safe space within the 640x480 to put text or imagery that was mandatory in case the tv processing it cut it off. Now I feel old.

[@omegarugal9283]

NTSC actually had a theorical limit of 512x384...

[@tyrantcodex002]

I never saw it blurry but just dark. But my TV has a gaming settings and makes it brighter so i'm not furious about it.

[@kamcma1]

Sorry to surface kind of an ancient topic, but I was thinking about the Hi-Def NES, and the trade-off between integer scaling and aspect ratio. The mod offers 480p output, which I believe is a fixed 640x480 4:3 output. That's not an integer scale in the horizontal axis, but I wonder if a TV's softer scaling of 480p up to its native 1080p or 4K might mask the scrolling shimmer to a degree? Obviously at the expense of resulting sharpness. Or is that still not quite enough to hide it? (I ask because firmware v3 removed the initially-non-functional-but-then-fixed horizontal interpolation feature.)

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] I think it would be pretty shimmery still - I would suspect even worse! But I can't recall, it's been a long time since I tried 480p on it. While my preference is 4:3 with good interpolation, I'll take integer scaling at a slightly off aspect ratio before 4:3 with shimmering.

[@doomisforu]

You guys should do a video on the gamecube hdmi mod if you ever get one

[@mylifeingaming]

+doomisforu [Try4ce] We have had a chance to use one. :) We hope to release the video in the next few weeks!

[@MellowGaming]

Jesus. That comparison at the end really puts the Wii U Virtual Console to shame. I've only purchased one NES game on the Wii U (Street Fighter 2010 of course) and the blurring was pretty annoying, especially after playing Super Metroid and Advance Wars on the console and having great quality sharp image from them. This NES HDMI mod is quite outside my price range, and as I have a Retron 5 it's kinda less warranted, but I am keeping an eye on that hdmi mod for the N64.

[@tyrantcodex002]

+Mellow Gaming I don't see it blurry but just dark. But my TV has a gaming settings and it makes it brighter so I'm ok right now :P

[@AndresGP]

I like using both my NES Top and Toaster to record gameplay from my HDTV. I get kinda stingy with the slight noise that comes off of analog signal from my old RGB NES to the framemeister. The HDMI mod really shows how sharp and crisp the image coming off the NES looks. There are currently some game compatibility issues and oddities with the HDMI mod however. Blaster Master for example has some glitches that actually make it unplayable in some boss fights, and in the Super Mario games the fire sounds are a bit different (Probably due to the audio also being output as digital as well so it sounds less "muffled") Did you know that the HDMI mod also gives you the ability to overclock? Pressing select + up or down sets a clock speed for it. It's a great feature can reduce (and even eliminate) the slowdown on NES games due to the sprites on screen. Just make sure to set it to overclock the PPU that way the music stays on the same pitch level. Doing that to my NES certainly made my Contra Force co-op experience playable now haha. If you have an RGB NES connected to a CRT then I think that's a great enough setup as is. If you're more interested in playing on HDTV screens and getting more out of the NES, then the pure digital picture and audio clarity plus all of the bells and whistles it has are more than worth the upgrade. Especially if you're a NES junkie like me. :D

[@mylifeingaming]

+AndresGP [Try4ce] I actually tried to get Blaster Master footage for this episode, but my cart wouldn't even load properly. I had lots of corruption on the title screen. I chalked it up to just NES games being NES games, but I wonder if it had something to do with the system.

[@AndresGP]

+My Life in Gaming Both my HDMI top loader and toaster did show corruption near the top of the screen when I used a flash cart as well as the original to test them (Cleaning them beforehand as well). Then I gave them a try on my RGB NES and they did work flawlessly. It could be that it's just a small bug with kevtris' firmware. Master Blastin' will have to wait until another day I suppose. All in all though, I'm just glad I didn't have to blow on them..... as much. Lol.

[@Hostile_Design]

I feel that the HDMI mod has an upper hand, both in terms of quality on modern TVs as well as in convenience as you could just hook it into an input on any audio setup receiver along with anything else running HDMI. Keeps the clutter and number of remotes down. The downside being that there currently is no SNES HDMI mod to go along with the NES and N64. Now if one wanted to be overkill though, couldn't you pipe the HDMI output of a HDMI mod and/or an entire HDMI receiver/splitter through a Framemeister and get the benefits of both?

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] You could, although earlier this year I discovered that the Framemeister's HDMI passthrough does not work all that well. Even when set to not process at all, there is some sort of colorspace conversion or mismatch going on, so I try to avoid HDMI input on the Framemeister now.

[@TheMonyarm]

I suddenly want to make some NES homebrew specifically optimized for 1920x1080 stretching

[@viewtifuljoe99]

Saw a couple days ago that an hdmi solution has been made for the gamecube. Be cool if you guys ever could get a hold of that

[@mylifeingaming]

+viewtifuljoe99 [Try4ce] It's a top priority! We'd like to get one to own, but it looks like they're pretty expensive. Even if we just borrow one for the Gamecube episode though, we definitely have to at least get our hands on it.

[@RedRoninIX]

I'm just imagining Wind Waker...hnnngh.

[@8bitDNA]

+viewtifuljoe99 link??? OMG

[@aronlFB]

Great! I'll save this one for later. Have you considered doing a Playstation version? Maybe original psx hardware over rgb vs. running them on ps2 or ps3. I would love see the comparison.

[@mylifeingaming]

+aronlFB [Try4ce] We're planning to release the exact video you describe next month. :)

[@aronlFB]

+My Life in Gaming Great! Happy to hear it. Keep up the good work.

[@Agamemnon2]

+My Life in Gaming Fantastic! As someone with the first three Playstations all available, I'm curious as to which solution works the best there :D

[@RedArremer]

+My Life in Gaming I'd be happy to provide input on that video as well. I've got PS1 RGB-sync-on-Luma (thanks to Ste), as well as RGB and Yipper cables for the PS2. You could even cover the rare emulation issues of certain PS1 games on the PS2, like Castlevania SotN.

[@mjc0961]

+My Life in Gaming Looking forward to it!

[@ChrisEvans66]

Man. I dont know if I have the patience to install the HDMI kit lol

[@MoonSpiritChannel]

Man, my brain is melting with all these options I have to make the NES look better. Now to just find an NES first.

[@macronuttz]

www.lukiegames.com

[@sirleviatandoom]

The problem with focusing solely on the definition of the pixel is that it leaves aside the fact that the scan lines of the old tube screens were not only a limitation but were eventually used ingeniously as a tool, the visual aspect of the arts. they never had the intention of defining the pixels, on the contrary it was the design standard to achieve a smoother representation and that is where the Dithering effect is relevant but with the search for the "perfect pixel" it disappears and with it the very essence of the finish visual arts and its final aesthetics. someone think about dithering! 🤣

[@justinclark6304]

what was the game displayed at 10:20?? I only vaguely remember getting it for my birthday when I was a kid, and I have been trying to recall the name for years.

[@mylifeingaming]

+Justin Clark [Try4ce] I believe you're pointing to Conquest of the Crystal Palace, which I learned about from this video by the Gaming Historian! kzbin.info/www/bejne/enPQcoCspp51r6M Pretty interesting game! Though that time code briefly links to Power Blade, which is pretty great. But Power Blade 2 is unfortunately one of the most expensive games on the system.

[@justinclark6304]

+My Life in Gaming Thank you so much! Yes, it was conquest of the crystal palace. That has literally been bothering me for YEARS. Now to pick up a copy.

[@mechredd]

I would like to install this on my NES but I have so many old systems that I should probably go with a Retcon 5 just for practicality reasons.

[@Zeaiclies]

Retron 5 you mean

[@mechredd]

+Zeaiclies Yes. I have a spellchecker that I doesn't like the word "retron". It works with quotes but not by itself.

[@Zeaiclies]

So add to dictionary lol and no worries, I was just making sure if that is what you ment.

[@CesarSchrega]

framemeister and hidef nes upscalers are just... totally diferent. There isn't even a comparation between both. The diferences seems to relate to that, and not source being analog or digital. And the horizontal scrolling problem on sharper hd nes is just related to the algorithm that sharpens the image (which is not very good).

[@ChrisSpadanuta]

Have you guys managed to get your hands on an AVS from retrousb.com? I got the chance to see it in person yesterday and it sounds almost too good to be true. 100% accuracy and hdmi output (@ 720p) for under $200. It seems like it's going to sell out very fast once it's released if everything they're promising is accurate. I'm trying to decide if I should jump on the pre-order now while I have the chance.

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] We're hoping we'll be able to borrow one. If so, it will be a high priority episode!

[@Mario00064]

Try, when using 720p with the Hi-Def NES would 4x horizontal stretch give me square pixels? I believe you said you settled on 3x but that seems a little narrow for me. Thanks!

[@mylifeingaming]

[Try4ce] 4X would not be square, but you don't want square (that would be too narrow, as you say). But it would be an integer scale, which would give you smooth scrolling. I believe it would be really close to the proper ratio. You can't get the true proper ratio with a horizontal integer scale, but without some sort of smooth scaling (like the Framemeister examples, or the inherent blur of a CRT), the exact true NES aspect ratio cannot be recreated with an integer scale in both directions.

[@Mario00064]

Great thank you!