Welcome!

Welcome to the docs for Cathode Retro.

The most recent version of Cathode Retro's source code can be found at the Cathode Retro GitHub repository.

Features

Emulate composite and S-Video NTSC signals
- Using any RGB source
- At arbitrary resolutions (not limited to standard NTSC limitations)
- Built-in scanline timings to emulate NES/SNES and PC Composite (320- and 640-wide) displays, but flexible enough to emulate any timings
- Noise, picture instability, and ghosting for that "my TV has bad reception" feel
- Tint/Saturation/Brightness/Sharpness "knobs" controls, like a TV had!
- Has correct emulation of NTSC composite artifact colors
Emulate an image being displayed through a CRT monitor
- Flat or curved screens, with optional edge and corner rounding
- Supports emulation of shadow mask, slot mask, and aperture grille TVs
- With or without visible scanlines
- Approximation of CRT diffusion (the light from the TV refracting through imperfections in the glass face)
Best at 1080p resolution and higher (great at 4k!)

Screenshot from Mop of Destiny, click for full-sized version

Image of Amarelo tileset by Adam Saltsman, click for full-sized version

Image of Kyst tileset by Adam Saltsman, click for full-sized version

Screenshot from an old, unreleased brick-breaking game, click for full-sized version

If you're interested in how the whole thing works at a high level, check the How It Works page.

If you're interested in using the C++ helpers to integrate the Cathode Retro effect into your codebase, here's a guide to getting started with the C++ helpers and the C++ API reference.

If, instead, you want to use the shaders directly, here's a guide to getting started with the shaders and the shader reference.