alt Hacker NewsThe proper way to scale pixel graphics is by using nearest-neighbor (integer scaling) + CRT shader. Some games implement these filters excellently (eg Black Jewel, Hammerwatch (only the very first part), Animal Well), while others do it poorly (eg Skald).
Old consoles can be connected to an LCD monitor using a device called RetroTINK, which can add this effect perfectly. For static images, software like Photoshop, Affinity Photo is sufficient, but the goal should always be a CRT effect rather than generic scaling or fancy blur.
The point is that OBJECTIVELY pixel art looks incomparably better on CRT monitors, which is why this effect is emulated.
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There's a couple of effects that CRTs make that simply cannot be reproduced on LCD as well, even with advanced filters. The pixel glow and deep blacks are just locked behind the glowing phosphor technology. High resolution OLED can come close, but those displays are still pretty expensive.
Retrotink isn’t a device. It’s a brand. There are several different scalers made by retrotink.
They’re also not the only high quality scalers made for retro gamers. There’s quite a number of different options available these days.
Your dogmatism is visible from space. Kindly knock it down a few notches please
> OBJECTIVELY pixel art looks incomparably better on CRT monitors
"Objectively" doesn't just mean a thing is a strongly held opinion or even widely held. This seems like a perfect example of a thing that is subjective, not objective. There is no objective metric for measuring the looks of pixel art. Or really any art in general.
Probably most people who care prefer this, but that doesn't mean it's objective.
This probably doesn't contribute to the discussion. But I have a personal peeve about people using the word "objectively" (and "demonstrably") when they really mean "significantly".
Carry on.