Nintendo 64 Video Static

[Blades]

Even years ago, I noticed that emulators on PC don't produce the video noise a real N64 does. At the time, I chalked it up to my old, at the time, TV but still something didn't make sense.

We've all heard about the N64's blurry texturing ability, but emulators reproduce these textures as well. In fact, even the Wii VC does not reproduce this video noise, ONLY a real N64.

What is this noise? Look at this video of an RGB capture of SF64's intro. The reason I know this is off a real N64 is because of the clear noise from 0:08 to 0:16.



All emulators do not produce that static. A Wii doesn't either. Nothing does except a real N64. So what is it? Sloppy N64 video output? I doubt that if it shows up in RGB also.

[TrekkiesUnite118]

I think it's just signal noise and depends on things like the cable you're using. I get it with my Saturn and Genesis too.

[Blades]

It's really not. It's very characteristic and only happens with specific lighting situations. Not to mention it happens in RGB as clearly as composite.

[Black_Tiger]

It's really not. It's very characteristic and only happens with specific lighting situations. Not to mention it happens in RGB as clearly as composite.

That's just the dithering it does to blend things together. Emulators are using filters beyond the capabilities of real N64 hardware and aren't a faithful representation.

If you pay attention while playing real hardware, you'll also begin to notice little holes in the models.

[Blades]

Thank you for explaining.

I wonder why the N64's dithering seems so pronounced.

[Black_Tiger]

Thank you for explaining.

I wonder why the N64's dithering seems so pronounced.

It gets filtered, which those AA hacks fix, but that's nothing compared to the bluriness of the poor video output of stock hardware. An RGB mod just lets you see what the graphics really look like, while Nintendo was banking on the video output masking all of the dithering.

[Soulis]

I'm pretty sure some plugins do emulate this effect. Both GlideN64 and Angrylions do.

Edit: Seems GlideN64 does have a slight noise but it's more subtle and not as noticeable. The Angrilion plugin is accurate though. So it should be just a visual effect.