Retro Gaming CRT

There are many different monitors to choose from, depending on how you want to play your games:

• VGA Trinitron (Emulation) - If you want to emulate every single console/home computer using a laptop, an ODROID, or even a Raspberry Pi (using a VGA breakout); just grab any random VGA CRT Trinitron monitor.
• 30-85khz RGB & VGA Trinitron MultiScan (Amiga 1200/NeXT/Sun Workstation) - The Trinitron MultiScans are probably the best CRT monitors ever made, and have both VGA and RGB BNC input. However, they are only compatible with the higher 30-85khz signals, so only ACA Amiga 1200/4000 units are capable of operating with this monitor.
• 15khz RGB Computer Monitor (Apple ][GS / Amiga / Atari ST) - Analog RGB was standard on Motorola 68K computers, and these monitors make it possible to experience the colors the way they were meant to be seen.
• Sony Trinitron BVM/PVM (Retro Gaming - RGB) - "Once you've gone full RGB, you can never turn back." Analog RGB input is the absolute highest quality you can get on consoles and home computers from the 80's and 90's.
• Sony Trintron (Retro Gaming Conventional) - If you're OK with S-Video, component, or even composite input; any decent Trinitron CRT monitor should be fine.
  • FD Trinitron (Flat Screen) - All flat screens are great, thanks to the expiration of Sony's Trinitron patents.
  • Curved Screen - Look for any Sony Trinitron monitors at the junkyard, should be fine. Just avoid the ones with RF input.

VGA 30-85khz Monitors

These monitors are extremely common, as they use the standard VGA input still found on every modern PC. They are probably the best and most accessible monitors when it comes to pure quality (and if you want to do emulation).

Note: However, none of them can sync to the low 15khz signal used by retro consoles. You'll need an expensive XRGB upscaler to convert those old signals; so you might want to consider the monitors below first.

• Dell (Sony) Trinitron VGA Monitors - These dirt cheap CRTs with VGA output are the very best looking CRT units ever produced. They are specifically designed for clear text, and run at 31khz. Most of all, they work with any random PC without the hassles of BNC or RGB (and even the raspberry pi with the VGA shield), and you can use retroarch's many settings to make 15khz games look good at higher refresh rates. The downside is, of course, that no actual console supports VGA (without the overhead of active adapters), so this is for PCs with emulators only.

30-85khz Monitors

These unique monitors are the last great home computer CRT displays (for ACA Amiga 1200 and 4000, NeXTstations, and Sun Workstations), with vibrant colors and even RGB BNC input.

• Sony Trinitron MultiSync 200PS - This 17" monitor is my favorite, and what I currently use. It has both 1600x1200 VGA (in practice, only 1280x1024 VESA @ 85khz) and even RGB BNC input. The downside is that it doesn't support the lower 15khz sync, so no retro consoles or Apple ][GS systems. On the other hand, the higher 30-85khz sync rates are superior in any case and works for ACA-based Amiga 1200/4000 units (with a simple BNC adapter, no expensive XRGB/VGA ones needed).

Authentic Retro Gaming (Flat)

Flat screen CRTs were common at the end of the CRT's lifetime, had the best pictures of their day, have more options (such as S-Video and Component) and tend to be the easier to find than PVMs these days. However, they do sometimes have issues with lightguns.

• Sony FD Trinitron - Any Sony flatscreen Trinitron is perfect for retro gaming. Most have S-Video, and even component output. However, RGB-equipped models are not as common in the US, so look for Trinitron BVM/PVM instead if you're interested in that.

16-bit Analog RGB Computer Monitors (Curved)

These monitors have special Analog RGB plugs, and can sync down to 15khz for Amiga 500, Apple ][GS, and Atari ST systems. All of these monitors are compatible with any 16-bit Motorola 68000 system, as long as you find the right converters.

The Sony Trinitron monitors also double as awesome S-Video and composite monitors for retro gaming (if a little small at 13"). They even have the ability to sync on green.

• Sony Trinitron PVM-1390 - A 13-inch monitor almost identical to the KV-1311CR, but uses S-Video and BNC inputs. It also has a DB-25 port for RGB output instead, which is significantly easier to find or make, and can be used directly with Apple ][GS and Amiga computers. This monitor is the absolute best for authentic retro gaming on a budget.
• Sony Trinitron KV-1311CR (NTSC Colors) - This unique monitor has an Analog RGB port for 15hz input from an Amiga or Apple ][gs, and can also support all your other retro gaming needs with a composite and coaxial input. The Raspberry Pi seems to work great on it. It was showcased on LGR's Amiga review. It also came with the elusive IDC-34 Analog RGB ports that the ][GS and Amiga required; just in case I ever wanted to use them in full color in the future. Though the cables are hard to find, and probably have to be custom made (Redmond Cable is a good place to get one)...
  • It looks like Andy Selle has managed to get this monitor working with an Apple IIGS. He even made a custom PCB for it (I have to ask him for schematics!). Here's the results.
  • On Page 3.2 of this guide, there is a schematic showing exactly how to connect it's Analog RGB port to a ][GS. This monitor doesn't work well with the 80 character Apple ][, though; but that's why I kept the Apple ][ green screen monitor. There's also someone who wired it up with a Tandy CoCo.
  • The resident expert at Shmup Forums, 88mph/Matt, has some experience wiring these strange sockets up to RGB game consoles and home computers. He's unlikely to be still around, though.
  • I obtained this specific model since it was a nice fit with the Wheelwriter's design. Unfortunately, the TV was poorly packed and was delivered by rabid gorillas, so it arrived with it's tube smashed in... I am stil looking for another one.

Authentic Retro Gaming (Curved)

These 15-60khz televisions use Analog RGB BNC inputs, and were extremely common in broadcasting agencies, hospitals, and video production studios. They use the same tubes and inputs as arcade monitors, and are widely acclaimed to be the very best CRTs to use with Retro Game Consoles.

• Sony Trinitron BVM
• Sony Trinitron PVM
• Source: Ancient Electronics Blog

Getting RGB Output from Consoles

Now that you have an RGB monitor; you need to use adapters or modify your console to output it correctly. This can range anywhere from easy to very hard, so make sure you know what you're in for in your favorite console.

Neo Geo

The Neo Geo has native support for RGB, but one model has borked output and needs modding to fix the defect.

SNES Mini

The original SNES has washed out colors for it's RGB output. However, the SNES Mini has significantly clearer RGB output, which requires a simple soldering mod to enable.

Genesis/Mega Drive

The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive benefits the most from RGB Output, since it's composite output is terrible. Use a SCART to RGB BNC adapter with a 15khz television.

NES

Unfortunately, it is incredibly difficult to get RGB output on the NES. The easiest, but most expensive way would be to crack open a PlayChoice 10 arcade cabinet and rip out the RGB chip. But not only are you destroying valuable historical treasures, it is hard to find them in the first place.

Another option would be to build an FPGA to emulate the functions of the RGB chip. It was done by this man; but even though it works, he never made it small enough to fit an NES console, and the parts cost nearly $100. Still better than a PlayChoice cabinet though, so check it out if you're handy with electronics.