Digital as fast as CRT?

[misterrocks]

I've used the MiSTer on several older flat panels and it seemed fine but I started using a CRT recently and can't imagine going back to digital. I only play shmups and I'm sensitive to lag and the CRT feels incredibly responsive. I'm using Reflex Adapt for input. Are there flat panels that feel just as fast as a CRT?

[thorr]

Every flat panel will have some delay due to input lag and how fast the pixels can update on the physical screen. Different people are more susceptible to this than others. There are very fast flat panels available that have lag that may be unnoticeable to you, but there will still be some lag. Another factor in the case of the MiSTer is you need to use the scaler when using a flat panel. This adds lag as well, in addition to any display lag. This is especially applicable if you are using the scaler to rotate the screen. It would have at least a frame of lag in that case. Short answer for me is, use a CRT and be happy about it. One way to compare CRT to LCD is hook them both up at the same time and take a picture and compare the frames.

[16Bittt]

I've used the MiSTer on several older flat panels and it seemed fine but I started using a CRT recently and can't imagine going back to digital. I only play shmups and I'm sensitive to lag and the CRT feels incredibly responsive. I'm using Reflex Adapt for input. Are there flat panels that feel just as fast as a CRT?

The infamous Dell 2007FPb 20” LCD monitor has low input lag, and most importantly 4:3 aspect ratio,1600x 1200 solution,fully rotatable (tate mode) and a built-in stereo soundbar, making it one of the best, if not the best, digital displays for MiSTer and retro games.

I use CRTs with MiSTer myself, but I acquired 3 of these Dells, and they’re excellent. They’re the only non-CRT option I’m happy with for retro gaming.and I've used many displayes (3 OLEDs and many IPS)

[Bristles]

The Dell 4:3 Monitors are ok, even as far back as the 2001fp. The main issue of these Dell 4:3 monitors, and I have 2 of them - the Mexico version, and the Czech IPS version, is that they have terrible backlight bleed. Both of mine bleed in the corners, with the IPS one bleeding in the bottom corner. Not noticable on bright images, but games like shooters, space games, etc.. all look terrible.
It's a shame they don't make 20" - 30"+ 4:3 OLED screens, with VRR, and G-Sync/Freesync support. I have a good few Sony PVMs, 14" + 20", and will never go back to LCD monitors, because it isn't just lag, it's also motion - and Sample-and-hold screens look awful.

[Retro-Nerd]

Every flat panel will have some delay due to input lag and how fast the pixels can update on the physical screen. Different people are more susceptible to this than others. There are very fast flat panels available that have lag that may be unnoticeable to you, but there will still be some lag. Another factor in the case of the MiSTer is you need to use the scaler when using a flat panel. This adds lag as well, in addition to any display lag. This is especially applicable if you are using the scaler to rotate the screen. It would have at least a frame of lag in that case. Short answer for me is, use a CRT and be happy about it. One way to compare CRT to LCD is hook them both up at the same time and take a picture and compare the frames.

LEDs yes, but not OLEDs. They have a response time of app. 0.1ms. And in VRR Low Latency mode there isn't more than 1-2ms lag, compared to a CRT. The Mister scaler doesn't add that much lag, it's very minimal with vsync_adjust=2 anyway. Only for vertical rotated games you will get a full frame of extra lag, additional to the normal display lag. Well, of course you could use the monitor itself rotated in 90 degree. But it's not a solution for your big screens (TVs).

[thorr]

LEDs yes, but not OLEDs. They have a response time of app. 0.1ms. And in VRR Low Latency mode there isn't more than 1-2ms lag, compared to a CRT. The Mister scaler doesn't add that much lag, it's very minimal with vsync_adjust=2 anyway. Only for vertical rotated games you will get a full frame of extra lag, additional to the normal display lag. Well, of course you could use the monitor itself rotated in 90 degree. But it's not a solution for your big screens (TVs).

Thanks! I covered that with the "There are very fast flat panels available..." statement, but still what you are saying sounds impressive. Is there a roughly 20" model that is recommended that fits these specs? My Surface Pro 11 has a 2880x1920 (1.5:1) OLED screen that is close to 1.333:1. It's too bad they don't make a monitor-only version of that.

[Retro-Nerd]

The smallest OLED monitor i've seen so far online was an Asus 21,6" model and of course not available in 4:3. I really hope that LG or another well known brand will produce 4:3 OLEDs at some point. But it's very niche. I'll don't expect it soon (if at all).

[thorr]

The smallest OLED monitor i've seen so far online was an Asus 21,6" model and of course not available in 4:3. I really hope that LG or another well known brand will produce 4:3 OLEDs at some point. But it's very niche. I'll don't expect it soon (if at all).

Edit: This might be a contender: https://www.amazon.com/Newsoul-Portable ... 0DHR73D1H/

[Retro-Nerd]

It's more like 3:2, not 4:3. The 500 nits are barely a good HDR performance for e.g BFI+CRT filter. And only 16 inch.

[thorr]

It's more like 3:2, not 4:3. The 500 nits are barely a good HDR performance for e.g BFI+CRT filter. And only 16 inch.

Yeah, I know the aspect is a bit off, but way better than 16:9. Here is a 4:3 AMOLED, but only 8". Might be a cool small option. No idea about the nits, VRR, etc. though. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805807519940.html Edit: in the pictures it has the specs. It is a 60Hz IPS panel with 473 nits.