The CRT Hype Train Might Be Out of Control... - CRT vs OLED
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Check out the Game On AMD Sales Event at amd.ryukyu Should you spend your hard-earned money on an HD display from 2003? CRT had some interesting final days that not a lot of people experienced or even remember and we're going to find out what your retro games look best on. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 1:30 Why? 3:16 Infamous 6:21 Marvel vs Capcom 2 8:13 Power Stone 2 9:55 Sonic Adventure 2 12:00 FFX Remaster 13:28 Super Mario World 15:20 Ape Escape 17:05 Cross Code 18:36 Conclusion 20:11 Outro
The video dives into the ongoing debate between CRT displays and modern OLED/LCD panels, especially in the context of retro gaming. The host starts by acknowledging the CRT hype and explains why enthusiasts bid top dollar on vintage CRTs, highlighting characteristics like ultra low input lag, instantaneous pixel response, and notably high contrast ratios compared to later LCDs. The discussion foregrounds the claim that even 2003 era HD CRTs can rival or outperform current OLEDs in certain gaming scenarios, particularly for older console generations and 2D sprite-based titles. Throughout, the host emphasizes that CRTs offer a unique “magic” or sensory experience that is hard to replicate with modern tech, while also entertaining the practical drawbacks such as bulk, power consumption, and scalability issues. The segment transitions move from a broad assessment to targeted game-specific comparisons, including how classic games render on CRTs versus OLEDs, the role of upscaling and processing, and the effect of scanlines and other emulation tricks on perceived image quality. The narrative then shifts to real-world tests using systems like Dreamcast, PS3, and SNES, examining 480p/480i content, 1080p upscaling, and how different hardware chains impact color, sharpness, and texture fidelity. The host concludes with nuanced verdicts: no single display is best for all games, and the choice depends on the title, the desired aesthetic, and acceptable compromises, while also acknowledging the practical appeal of modern emulation when available. The sponsor segment wraps the video, offering a reminder that technology and gaming workflows extend beyond displays, and encourages viewers to explore IT management tools as a broader tech topic. Overall, the video positions HD CRTs as a viable, if niche, option for retro gaming enthusiasts who want authenticity and speed, while recognizing the superior brightness and modern conveniences of OLEDs for many other use cases.
Topics · technology · gaming · display technology · retro gaming
Questions answered
- What are the main advantages of CRTs for retro gaming according to the video?
- CRTs offer ultra low input lag, near instant pixel response, and very high contrast ratios, which together create a responsive and vivid image that many sprite-based and older games benefit from.
- Why might someone still choose an OLED or modern display over CRT for some games?
- OLEDs provide higher brightness, sharper modern upscaling, and better black levels in many scenarios, and modern emulation can improve compatibility and image quality for a wide range of titles.
- How does processing or scaler usage affect CRT versus OLED image quality in the tests?
- Processing can introduce additional delay on CRTs, but turning off processing reduces lag to levels similar to OLED; this demonstrates that image quality and latency can be tuned, depending on whether the priority is authentic CRT look or modern clarity.