Connected MiSTer to 4:3 CRT via HDMI to Composite

[NML32]

Just for fun and curiosity, I connected my MiSTer to my CRT via an HDMI to Composite cable. The video and sound quality was surprisingly good except for parts of the screen being cropped off. I recorded the video with video setting #6 - 640x480@60. After recording the video I went back and tried #2 - 720x480@60 and I think it may have fit the screen a bit better but not perfect.

https://youtu.be/_DFcNxaS4G0

ao486 - #6 - 640x480@60 (left and bottom cut off)

640x480.JPG

ao486 - #2 - 720x480@60 (bottom cut off)

720x480.JPG

[Sorgelig]

HDMI timings are standard. Probably it's the HDMI to composite converter issue.
MiSTer allow to use custom video mode on HDMI, so you can try to modify the video with hsync/vsync shifted.

[NML32]

I'm trying to figure out the samples in the MiSTer.ini but so far I don't understand all the settings.

[NML32]

I went into the TV’s service menu and adjusted the VSize and Hsize and now I can see the full image. By making the above adjustments, I created another issue. Video bowing, I hear this can be a problem with flat CRTs. Besides the overscan and bowing issues, I'm impressed with the retro video look and feel.

I’m still trying to figure out how to configure the custom HDMI video mode.

Anyone know the values for 720x480@60Hz? I'd like to try Sorgelig’s suggestion.

Thanks

[Sorgelig]

I've tried to translate "bowing" to my language and still didn't understand what's that I understand the bowing man, but what is bowing video?

Anyone know the values for 720x480@60Hz?

720x480@60 belongs to CEA-861-E standard. Just find the standard description.

720,16,62,60,480,9,6,30,27

[NML32]

I've tried to translate "bowing" to my language and still didn't understand what's that I understand the bowing man, but what is bowing video?

The edges of the screen bow in or out.
Here are some screenshots that might help. These were taken after I adjusted VSIZE (D03) and HSIZE (D04) in my TV's service menu to reduce the overscan.

Looks good

MsPacman.JPG

DOS.JPG

Bowing

Acorn.JPG

Minimig.JPG

KQ1-VGA.JPG

I think or at least from what I read online this type distortion is worse with Flat CRTs.
I'm not too worried about this, I was more curious how the MiSTer would look connected via composite. For the most part, I like it. I think this would work for anyone that wants to have the old school retro look and can't get their hands on an RGB monitor.

[Sorgelig]

barrel effect has no relation to MiSTer.
It's how your CRT TV works. Probably because it's old, the components parameters are out of specs and thus you see these distortions.

[NML32]

barrel effect has no relation to MiSTer.
It's how your CRT TV works. Probably because it's old, the components parameters are out of specs and thus you see these distortions.

Agreed
I think I read on a few AV forums this is more noticeable on flat CRTs vs. curved CRT screens when adjusting overscan.

[Sorgelig]

I don't know how old are you, but it seems not so old
When i've got my first home computer color TV set was not affordable for my family, so i've used monochrome TV. That time if you see the whole computer screen it was already acceptable. Straight edges? No one knew what is that

[Newsdee]

Where I used to live as a kid the power was often unreliable. That translated to my monochrome screen having waves that would slowly go from top to bottom of the screen. Since it was pretty slow it was still usable, at some point you just got used to it and ignored it...

[NML32]

Don't get me wrong I'm happy with the display; I was just stating that after I adjusted the overscan via the TV's service menu, some flaws became more visible with the TV, not the MiSTer. I guess that's why the images are overscanned in the first place.

On the plus side, it's nice to have the old school look of a CRT and have the benefit of proper orientation in the arcade games.