Pixel-perfect emulation and artistic intent

[Erik_Twice]

If you read HG101 this was a very interesting topic I would like you guys to chime in:

http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2012/ ... reens.html


As I'm learning more and more about the topic I find it harder to accept emulation as a great solution. The Ninja Gaiden flickering problem is very common as is having round drawings become sharp. It just doesn't look right, it's like removing grain on old films.

Thoughts?

[AppleQueso]

I'm only bothered when screenshots for systems like SNES are shown in that weird narrow pixel perfect image. They're meant to be displayed in 4:3 dammit. I don't expect people to go all out and have like, CRT geometry distortion, scanlines, overscan, etc implemented in screens, but at least put them in the proper aspect ratio that the games were designed to be seen in.

[noiseredux]

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=35527&hilit=screen+shots

[Erik_Twice]

http://racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=35527&hilit=screen+shots

Curse you Noise!

[Aaendi]

Did all Genesis systems have ugly rainbow artifacts on dithered patterns?

[AppleQueso]

Did all Genesis systems have ugly rainbow artifacts on dithered patterns?

only ones with certain crummy video encoders

[isiolia]

As I'm learning more and more about the topic I find it harder to accept emulation as a great solution. The Ninja Gaiden flickering problem is very common as is having round drawings become sharp. It just doesn't look right, it's like removing grain on old films.

Thoughts?

I think it's less a matter of emulation not being a great solution, and more one of emulators still having room to improve.

Sharpness isn't necessarily a problem, IMO. While, yes, we wouldn't have actually seen games like that on older TVs, it is technically what's there. An increase in clarity will amplify problems in the source material. Some games will look all the better for it, others worse. Better video filters likely would help, but to me it's a lesser issue than something not being displayed, or being displayed wrong.

[Aaendi]

The blurriness of the screen never tricked me. Mario always looked like a cartoon character with rectangular body parts to me.

[Zing]

Did all Genesis systems have ugly rainbow artifacts on dithered patterns?

I'm not sure how this could be avoided. NTSC composite signals will always have rainbowing on thin lines, even with a great comb filter.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Did all Genesis systems have ugly rainbow artifacts on dithered patterns?

I actually kind of like the way it looks on waterfalls and such

They almost all had it except for some very specific models. I live with it for the amazing stereo audio. As I said, it doesn't really bother me and isn't noticeable really on anything but transparencies.