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''Note: This data is preliminary and still being reviewed.''
Unlike many other game consoles, the NES does not generate RGB or YUV and then encode that to composite.
Instead, it generates '''NTSC video''' directly in the composite domain, which leads to interesting artifacts.


==Basics==
==Scanline Timing==
NTSC Master clock is 21.47727273 MHz and each PPU pixel lasts four clocks; PAL master clock is 26.6017125 MHz, and each PPU pixel lasts five clocks. $xy refers to a palette color in the range $00 to $3F.
The NTSC master clock is 21.47727273 MHz and each PPU pixel lasts four of these clocks: 186ns. (PAL is different. See [[PAL video]].)
 
The values in this section are measured in PPU pixels, with 341 total per scanline.
 
The video output of the PPU is delayed by 1 pixel clock; this means that cycle 0, scanline 0 according to the [https://www.nesdev.org/wiki/File:Ppu.svg PPU Frame Timing Diagram] is marked by the black pixel.
 
The start times of each entry are thus relative to cycle 0, taking into account the delay. Timings based on Breaking NES Wiki reverse engineered horizontal<ref>[https://github.com/emu-russia/breaks/blob/master/BreakingNESWiki_DeepL/PPU/hv_decoder.md#h-decoder Breaking NES Wiki article on H counter decoder]</ref> and vertical <ref>[https://github.com/emu-russia/breaks/blob/master/BreakingNESWiki_DeepL/PPU/hv_decoder.md#v-decoder Breaking NES Wiki article on V counter decoder]</ref> decoder functions.


==Scanline Timing==
[[File:Ntsc video timing.png|right|frame|A visualization of the tables to the left, starts with cyan for horizontal sync]]
Values in PPU pixels (341 total per scanline).


Rendering scanlines (n=240):
Rendering scanlines (n=240):


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! name || start || duration || row || notes
! ■ || name || start || duration || row || notes
|-
|-
| short sync || 280 || 25 || 0-239 ||
| style="color:#00ffff" | ■ || horizontal sync || 277 || 25 || 0-239
|-
|-
| black (back porch) || 305 || 4 || 0-239 ||
| style="color:#0000ff" | ■ || back porch (black) || 302 || 4 || 0-239
|-
|-
| colorburst || 309 || 15  || 0-239 ||
| style="color:#ffff00" | ■ || colorburst || 306 || 15  || 0-239
|-
|-
| black (the rest of back porch) || 324 || 5  || 0-239 ||
| style="color:#0000ff" | ■ || back porch, continued (black) || 321 || 5  || 0-239
|-
|-
| pulse (background color in grayscale) || 329 || 1  || 0-239 ||
| style="color:#00ff00" | ■ || pulse ([[Glossary#B|backdrop]] in grayscale) || 326 || 1  || 0-239 || one scanline earlier
|-
|-
| left border (background color) || 330 || 15  || 0-239 ||
| style="color:#7f0000" | ■ || left border (backdrop) || 327 || 15  || 0-239 || one scanline earlier; 14 pixels on end of row 261 for odd frames, if either background or sprite rendering is enabled
|-
|-
| active || 4 || 256  || 0-239 || if background rendering is disabled, border will be rendered instead
| style="color:#ff0000" | ■ || active || 1 || 256  || 0-239 ||  
|-
|-
| right border (background color) || 260 || 11  || 0-239 ||
| style="color:#7f0000" | ■ || right border (backdrop) || 257 || 11  || 0-239
|-
|-
| black (front porch) || 271 || 9 || 0-239 ||
| style="color:#ff8000" | ■ || front porch (black) || 268 || 9 || 0-239
|}
|}


Line 34: Line 40:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! name || start || duration || row
! ■ || name || start || duration || row || notes
|-
|-
| short sync || 280 || 25 || 240-241
| style="color:#00ffff" | ■ || horizontal sync || 277 || 25 || 240-241
|-
|-
| black (back porch) || 305 || 4 || 240-241
| style="color:#0000ff" | ■ || back porch (black) || 303 || 4 || 240-241
|-
|-
| colorburst || 309 || 15 || 240-241
| style="color:#ffff00" | ■ || colorburst || 306 || 15 || 240-241
|-
|-
| black (the rest of back porch) || 324 || 5 || 240-241
| style="color:#0000ff" | ■ || back porch, continued (black) || 321 || 5 || 240-241
|-
|-
| pulse (background color in grayscale) || 329 || 1 || 240-241
| style="color:#00ff00" | ■ || pulse (backdrop in grayscale) || 326 || 1 || 240-241
|-
|-
| bottom border (background color) || 330 || 282 || 240-241
| style="color:#7f0000" | ■ || bottom border (backdrop) || 327 || 282 || 240-241 || VBlank flag is set on scanline 241
|-
|-
| black (front porch) || 271 || 9 || 240-241
| style="color:#ff8000" | ■ || front porch (black) || 268 || 9 || 240-241
|}
|}


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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! name || start || duration || row
! ■ || name || start || duration || row
|-
| style="color:#00ffff" | ■ || horizontal sync || 277 || 25 || 242-244
|-
| style="color:#0000ff" | ■ || back porch (black) || 303 || 4 || 242-244
|-
|-
| short sync || 280 || 25 || 242-244
| style="color:#ffff00" | || colorburst || 306 || 15 || 242-244
|-
|-
| black (back porch) || 305 || 4 || 242-244
| style="color:#0000ff" | ■ || back porch, continued (black) || 321 || 5 || 242-244
|-
|-
| colorburst || 309 || 15 || 242-244
| style="color:#007f00" | || vertical blanking region (black) || 326 || 283 || 242-244
|-
|-
| black || 324 || 297 || 242-244
| style="color:#ff8000" | ■ || front porch (black) || 268 || 9 || 242-244
|}
|}


Line 68: Line 78:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! name || start || duration || row
! ■ || name || start || duration || row
|-
|-
| long sync || 280 || 318 || 245-247
| style="color:#ff00ff" | || vertical blanking pulse || 277 || 318 || 245-247
|-
|-
| black (sync separator) || 257 || 23 || 245-247
| style="color:#007f00" | ■ || vertical sync separator (black) || 254 || 14 || 245-247
|-
| style="color:#ff8000" | ■ || vertical sync separator (front porch, black) || 268 || 9 || 245-247
|}
|}


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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! name || start || duration || row || notes
! ■ || name || start || duration || row || notes
|-
|-
| short sync || 280 || 25 || 248-261 ||
| style="color:#00ffff" | ■ || horizontal sync || 277 || 25 || 248-261
|-
|-
| black (back porch) || 305 || 4 || 248-261 ||
| style="color:#0000ff" | ■ || back porch (black) || 303 || 4 || 248-261
|-
|-
| colorburst || 309 || 15 || 248-261 || 14 columns on end of row 261 for odd frames, if either background or sprite rendering is enabled
| style="color:#ffff00" | ■ || colorburst || 306 || 15 || 248-261
|-
|-
| black || 324 || 297 || 248-261 ||
| style="color:#0000ff" | ■ || back porch, continued (black) || 321 || 5 || 248-261
|-
| style="color:#007f00" | ■ || vertical blanking region (black) || 326 || 283 || 248-261 || VBlank is cleared on scanline 261
|-
| style="color:#ff8000" | ■ || front porch (black) || 268 || 9 || 248-261
|}
|}


For a total of 262 scanlines.
This amounts to a total of 262 scanlines.
 
In standard NTSC, a scanline is 227.5 subcarrier cycles long (equivalent to 341.25 NES pixels), and each field is 262.5 scanlines lines tall. Vertical sync "serrations" or "equalization pulses" use a brief period of 31kHz horizontal sync to be able to start vertical sync half-way through a scanline, which makes the TV draw the next field one half scanline higher, resulting in ''interlaced'' video.
 
The video timing in the NES is non-standard - it both generates 341 pixels, making 227 1/3 subcarrier cycles per scanline, and always generates 262 scanlines. This causes the TV to draw the fields on top of each other, resulting in a non-standard low-definition "progressive" or "double struck" video mode sometimes called [http://junkerhq.net/xrgb/index.php/240p_video 240p].
 
Some high-definition displays and upscalers cannot handle 240p video, instead introducing artifacts that make the video appear as if it were interlaced. Artemio Urbina's [http://junkerhq.net/xrgb/index.php/240p_test_suite 240p test suite], which has been [https://forums.nesdev.org/viewtopic.php?p=157634#p157634 ported to NES] by [[User:Tepples|Damian Yerrick]], contains a set of test patterns to diagnose problems with decoding 240p composite video.
 
Note that emulators usually crop the top and bottom 8 lines from the picture, as most televisions will hide at least part of the picture in a similar way. See: [[Overscan]]


==Brightness Levels==
==Brightness Levels==
Voltage levels used by the PPU are as follows - absolute, relative to synch, and normalized between black level and white:
The [[PPU palettes|NES's PPU's palette]] holds a set of 6-bit numbers, one for each simultaneous color displayable. In this section, we divide each palette entry into two halves, $xy. $x controls the brightness, and $y mostly controls the hue.
{| class="wikitable"
! Type || Absolute || Relative || Normalized
|-
| Synch || 0.781 || 0.000 || -0.359
|-
| Colorburst L || 1.000 || 0.218 || -0.208
|-
| Colorburst H || 1.712 || 0.931 || 0.286
|-
|Color 0D || 1.131 || 0.350 || -0.117
|-
|Color 1D (black) || 1.300 || 0.518 || 0.000
|-
|Color 2D || 1.743 || 0.962 || 0.308
|-
|Color 3D || 2.331 || 1.550 || 0.715
|-
|Color 00 || 1.875 || 1.090 || 0.397
|-
|Color 10 || 2.287 || 1.500 || 0.681
|-
|Color 20 || 2.743 || 1.960 || 1.000
|-
|Color 30 || 2.743 || 1.960 || 1.000
|}


$xE/$xF output the same voltage as $1D. $x1-$xC output a square wave alternating between levels for $xD and $x0. Colors $20 and $30 are exactly the same.
$xE/$xF output the same voltage as $1D. $x1-$xC output a square wave alternating between levels for $xD and $x0. Colors $20 and $30 are exactly the same.
Line 123: Line 122:
When grayscale is active, all colors between $x1-$xD are treated as $x0. Notably this behavior extends to the first pixel of the border color, which acts as a sync pulse on every visible scanline.
When grayscale is active, all colors between $x1-$xD are treated as $x0. Notably this behavior extends to the first pixel of the border color, which acts as a sync pulse on every visible scanline.


These levels don't quite match the standard levels.
=== Terminated measurement ===
Ideally, the composite signal is 1000 microvolts from peak to peak (1.0 Vp-p) when loaded with a 75 Ω output impedance.
(Unloaded levels may be twice that amount.)
Levels are commonly measured in units called IRE.<ref>[https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/app-notes/index.mvp/id/1184 Tutorial 1184: Understanding Analog Video Signals]</ref><ref>[http://www.ni.com/white-paper/4750/en/ Analog Video 101]</ref>


Standard video (not NES) looks like this:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Type || IRE level || Voltage (mV)
! Type || IRE level || Voltage (mV)
Line 141: Line 138:
| Blanking || 0 || 0
| Blanking || 0 || 0
|-
|-
| Colorburst L || -20 || -14.3
| Colorburst L || -20 || -143
|-
|-
| Sync || -40 || -286
| Sync || -40 || -286
|}
|}
Unlike PAL, NTSC has a "setup", or a difference between blanking and black level.
 
The following [http://forums.nesdev.org/viewtopic.php?p=159266#p159266 measurements by lidnariq] into a properly terminated (75 Ω) TV have about 10 mV of noise and 4 mV of quantization error, which implies an error of ±2 IRE:
{| class="wikitable"
! Signal || Potential || IRE
|-
| SYNC || 48 mV || -37 IRE
|-
| CBL || 148 mV || -23 IRE
|-
| 0D || 228 mV || -12 IRE
|-
| 1D || 312 mV || ≡ 0 IRE
|-
| CBH || 524 mV || 30 IRE
|-
| 2D || 552 mV || 34 IRE
|-
| 00 || 616 mV || 43 IRE
|-
| 10 || 840 mV || 74 IRE
|-
| 3D || 880 mV || 80 IRE
|-
| 20 || 1100 mV || 110 IRE
|-
| 0Dem || 192 mV || -17 IRE
|-
| 1Dem || 256 mV || -8 IRE
|-
| 2Dem || 448 mV || 19 IRE
|-
| 00em || 500 mV || 26 IRE
|-
| 10em || 676 mV || 51 IRE
|-
| 3Dem || 712 mV || 56 IRE
|-
| 20em || 896 mV || 82 IRE
|}
US NTSC is supposed to have a "setup", a difference between blanking and black level. Japanese NTSC does not. This means the exact same console will display slightly darker and with greater contrast on a US TV set than on a Japanese TV set.
 
Levels are commonly measured in units called IRE.<ref>[https://www.analog.com/en/resources/technical-articles/understanding-analog-video-signals.html Tutorial 1184: Understanding Analog Video Signals]</ref><ref>[http://www.ni.com/white-paper/4750/en/ Analog Video 101]</ref>


==Color Phases==
==Color Phases==
Line 161: Line 199:
  -CCCCCC-----
  -CCCCCC-----


The color generator is clocked by the rising ''and'' falling edges of the ~21.48 MHz clock, resulting in an effective ~42.95 MHz clock rate. There are 12 color square waves, spaced at regular phases. Each runs at the ~3.58 MHz colorburst rate. On NTSC, color $xY uses the wave shown in row Y from the table. NTSC color burst (pure shade -U) uses color phase 8 (with voltages listed above); PAL color burst is believed to alternate between 6 (-U+V) and 9 (-U-V), so hue is rotated by 15° from NTSC. [[wikipedia:PAL|PAL]] alternates the broadcast sign of the V component, so on PAL every odd scanline will use the appropriate opposite phase—e.g. phases 5-C are respectively replaced with C-5.
The color generator is clocked by the rising ''and'' falling edges of the ~21.48 MHz clock, resulting in an effective ~42.95 MHz clock rate. There are 12 color square waves, spaced at regular phases. Each runs at the ~3.58 MHz [[wikipedia:colorburst|colorburst]] rate. Color $xY uses the wave numbered with Y in the table immediately above. NTSC colorburst (pure shade [[wikipedia:YUV|-U]]) is the same phase as phase 8.
 
PAL specifics are on [[PAL video]].
 
=== Differential Phase Distortion ===
The output is subject to a [[wikipedia:Differential phase|differential phase distortion]] effect<ref>[https://forums.nesdev.org/viewtopic.php?p=287241#p287241 Re: In search of a PAL region reference palette] - Explanation of the differential phase distortion of the NES.</ref>. This causes a rotation of the NTSC signal's effective hue, proportional to the voltage, causing more shift for brighter colors. Current estimates approximate about 2.5° (2C02E) or 5° (2C02G) of additional rotation for each row of the palette.
 
The reason for this distortion is that the output impedance of the PPU is dependent on the signal level. When combined with the board's capacitance, it slows level transitions, causes the edges at high signal levels to be less steep. The high frequency chroma signal is sensitive to this, and the delay to its phase causes the hue rotation.
 
A [[PAL video|PAL NES]] is affected by the same differential phase distortion, but because of the alternating-line mechanism of PAL, the effect is mostly cancelled out on consecutive scanlines.
 
=== Color Artifacts ===
Though it takes 12 clocks of the color generator mentioned above to complete a color cycle, an NTSC pixel is only 8 clocks wide, and a PAL pixel is 10 clocks wide. This means that the effective resolution of color is lower than the pixel resolution, and some color information has to be shared with a neighbouring pixel. This produces color errors at horizontal edges where the color changes. These errors are known as artifacts. They are especially noticeable as "shimmering" when the screen scrolls slowly.<ref>[//forums.nesdev.org/viewtopic.php?t=24294 Effect of skipped dot on the picture] - Forum thread with commentary and diagrams on the nature of color artifacts, and the skipped dot.</ref>
 
The phase alignment of each pixel to the color cycle changes on every scanline, and this affects the hue of each color artifact. E.g. if the "red" part of the cycle is outside the pixel, its error artifact will be a distortion of the red color.
 
An NTSC NES scanline is 227⅓ color cycles long, causing the alignment to shift by 4 clocks on each line. This creates a pattern of alignments that repeats every 3 lines. A vertical line may be seen to have a "rainbow" pattern of red, green, blue, red, green, blue... etc. The starting phase depends on a random alignment of the PPU to the picture which is determined on reset. (The scanline is shorter than standard NTSC, which has 227½ color cycles per line.)
 
A PAL NES scanline is 284⅙ color cycles long, instead causing the alignment to shift by 2 clocks on each line, with an additional temporary -3 clocks every second line to provide the phase-alternating-line mechanism. This creates a [[:File:PAL signal 6538 53.2MHz.png|pattern of alignments]] that repeats every 6 lines. (The scanline is longer than standard PAL, which has 283¾ cycles per line.)
 
Each frame of the NTSC NES picture also starts from a changing alignment. Normally every odd frame is 1 dot shorter than every even frame, resulting in 59560⅔ color cycles on odd frames, and 59561⅓ on even frames. This creates a 2-frame repeating pattern, shifting by 8 clocks after an odd frame, then by 4 after an even one. The missing dot may be suppressed if rendering is disabled during the pre-render scanline, so some games which force blank through the top of the frame (e.g. Battletoads) advance the color phase alignment by 4 clocks every frame. In this case, it creates a 3-frame repeating pattern, which creates a more noticeable shimmering. See: [[PPU frame timing]].
 
PAL and Dendy instead have an even number of color cycles per frame, so the color phase alignment does not change from frame to frame.


==Color Tint Bits==
==Color Tint Bits==
There are three color modulation channels controlled by the top three bits of $2001. Each channel uses one of the color square waves (see above diagram) and enables attenuation of the video signal when the color square wave is high. A single attenuator is shared by all channels.
There are three color modulation channels controlled by the top three bits of [[PPUMASK]]. Each channel uses one of the color square waves (see above diagram) and enables attenuation of the video signal when the color square wave is high. A single attenuator is shared by all channels. It is active for 6 out of 12 half-clocks if one bit is set, 10 half-clocks if two bits are set, or all 12 if all three bits are set.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! $2001 || Active phase || Complement
! PPUMASK || Active phase || Active diagram || Complement
|-
|-
|| Bit 7 || Color 8 || Color 2 (blue)
|| Bit 7 || Color 8 || <tt>-----888888-</tt> || Color 2 (blue)
|-
|-
|| Bit 6 || Color 4 || Color A (green)
|| Bit 6 || Color 4 || <tt>444------444</tt> || Color A (green)
|-
|-
|| Bit 5 || Color C || Color 6 (red)
|| Bit 5 || Color C || <tt>-CCCCCC-----</tt> || Color 6 (red)
|}
|}


When signal attenuation is enabled by one or more of the channels and the current pixel is a color other than $xE/$xF (black), the signal is attenuated as follows (calculations given for both relative and absolute values as shown in the voltage table above):
When attenuation is active and the current pixel is a color other than $xE/$xF (black), the signal is attenuated.


<tt>relative = relative * 0.746</tt>
For example, when PPUMASK bit 6 is true, the attenuator will be active during the phases of color 4.
This means the attenuator is not active during its complement (color A), and the screen appears to have a tint of color A, which is green.


<tt>normalized = normalized * 0.746 - 0.0912</tt>
Note that on the Dendy and PAL NES, the green and red bits swap meaning.


For example, when $2001 bit 6 is true, the attenuator will be active during the phases of color 4.
[http://forums.nesdev.org/viewtopic.php?p=160669#p160669 Tests performed on NTSC NES] show that emphasis does not affect the black colors in columns $E or $F, but it does affect all other columns, including the blacks and greys in column $D.
This means the attenuator is not active during its complement (color A), and the screen appears to have a tint of color A, which is green.


Note that on the Dendy and PAL NES, the green and red bits swap meaning.
The terminated measurements above suggest that resulting attenuated absolute voltage is on average '''0.816328 times''' the un-attenuated absolute voltage.
attenuated absolute = absolute* 0.816328


==Example Waveform==
==Example Waveform==


This waveform steps through various grays and then stops on a color.
This waveform steps through various grays and then stops on a color.
 
[[File:Composite_waveform_example.gif|center|frame|The composite signal steps through 6 gray colors ($0D, $0F, $2D, $00, $10, $30) then continues through with color $11. ]]
<pre>
1.0              +--+
0.9              |  |
0.8              | |
0.7            +--+  | +-+ +-+
0.6           |    | | | | |
0.5            |    | | | | |
0.4        +--+    | | | | |
0.3      +--+        | | | | |
0.2      |          | | | | |
0.1      |          | | | | |
0.0 . +--+ . . . . . +-+ +-+ + . .
-0.1 --+
    0D 0F 2D 00 10 30   11
</pre>


The PPU's shortcut method of NTSC modulation often produces artifacts in which vertical lines appear slightly ragged, as the chroma spills over into luma.
The PPU's shortcut method of NTSC modulation often produces artifacts in which vertical lines appear slightly ragged, as the chroma spills over into luma.
[[File:NTSC video ragged box.png|right|frame|Generation and demodulation of a red corner]]
[[File:NTSC video ragged box animated.gif|right|frame|Generation and demodulation of a red corner]]
<br clear="all"/>
<br clear="all"/>


== Composite decoding ==
Normal composite video encodes chroma and luma information into one composite analog signal. In order to convert composite into an RGB signal, it firsts needs to be decoded into YUV, before converting the resulting YUV into RGB.
The NES PPU does not encode anything into composite; instead, directly drawing the composite waveform itself. In order to convert the NES's composite signal into an RGB signal, it is decoded under the "assumption" that it was encoded under YUV.
YUV in this article refers to and will continue to refer to the equiband encoding of composite video as Y, b-y and r-y respectively. YIQ refers to the '''non-equiband''' encoding of composite, which has much more additional considerations regarding bandlimiting.
In practice, YIQ decoding is not used by any modern TV receiver and composite decoder, instead using YUV decoding as it is much simpler and less mathematically intensive to decode.<ref>[https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BT.1700-0-200502-I/en S170m-2004.pdf: Composite Analog Video Signal NTSC for Studio Applications. Page 17.]</ref><ref>[https://pub.smpte.org/latest/eg27/eg0027-2004_stable2010.pdf SMPTE EG 27-2004: Supplemental Information for SMPTE 170M and Background on the Development of NTSC Color Standards. Page 5.]</ref>
=== Decoding composite video into YUV ===
Although encoding composite is somewhat standardized, the methods of decoding composite may vary from TV to TV. This article shows one way to decode composite.
==== Decoding luma information (Y) ====
To get the luma (Y) component, the base signal is filtered by a lowpass or comb filter. Some TVs use more complex methods to decode luma, some TVs do not filter at all.
==== Decoding chroma information (UV) ====
Decoding chroma information requires a subcarrier reference sine wave to determine the hue, whose phase is "locked" (or aligned as best as possible) to the colorburst of the composite scanline.
The subcarrier reference is used to demodulate the U component. A copy (or a phase offset) of the reference is delayed by 90 degrees, which is then used to demodulate the V component.
The U/V component is demodulated by multiplying the subcarrier reference to the composite waveform. The resulting waveform is then filtered typically by a lowpass filter. A comb filter can also be used if desired.
Since demodulation involves multiplying each chroma component by sin(2π·Fsc·t) and the integral of sin(2πx)² over a cycle is 0.5, a factor of 2 must be applied to the demodulator to achieve correct chroma amplitudes and therefore saturation.
=== Converting YUV to signal RGB ===
To convert YUV to signal RGB, we multiply the components to the following inversed matrix:
R =  Y + V*1.139883...
G = (Y - R*0.299 - B*0.114) / 0.587
B =  Y + U*2.032062...
Or, in terms of YUV only:
R = Y + V*1.139883...
G = Y - U*0.394642... - V*0.580622...
B = Y + U*2.032062...
The matrices above are derived from the NTSC base matrix<ref>[https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BT.1700-0-200502-I/en S170m-2004.pdf: Composite Analog Video Signal NTSC for Studio Applications. Page 4.]</ref> of luminance and color-difference:
  Y =  R*0.299 + G*0.587 + B*0.114
B-Y = -R*0.299 - G*0.587 + B*0.886
R-Y =  R*0.701 - G*0.587 - B*0.114
Which, when applied with the approximate color reduction factors 0.492111 and 0.877283 for B-Y and R-Y respectively<ref>[https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BT.1700-0-200502-I/en S170m-2004.pdf: Composite Analog Video Signal NTSC for Studio Applications. Page 16.]</ref>, results in the definition of the linear RGB to YUV matrix equation:
Y =  R*0.299 + G*0.587 + B*0.114
U = (-R*0.299 - G*0.587 + B*0.886) * 0.492111
V = ( R*0.701 - G*0.587 - B*0.114) * 0.877283
In YIQ, the IQ component's chroma hue is just the UV component's chroma hue rotated by 33 degrees<ref>[https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BT.1700-0-200502-I/en S170m-2004.pdf: Composite Analog Video Signal NTSC for Studio Applications. Page 17.]</ref>. Note that this is not precisely the same as properly decoding YIQ with '''different bandwidths''' for the I and Q component.
The following conversion is optional, and might match the look of other composite decoders:
U = (Q * cos(33 deg)) - (I * sin(33 deg))
V = (I * cos(33 deg)) + (Q * sin(33 deg))
==== Normalizing signals ====
After decoding, it is important to normalize the decoded RGB signals within the range of [0, 1].
Most TVs use the range 7.5 IRE to 100 IRE for normalizing the signal:
C  = R, G, or B channel
signal_black_point = <voltage level $0F> + (7.5 / 140.0)
signal_white_point = <voltage level $0F> + (100. / 140.0)
C -= signal_black_point
C /= (signal_white_point - signal_black_point)
The 100 IRE white point may be substituted with voltage level $20 because on analog CRT TVs, the luma voltage does not strictly clip at a given level, with only the luminosity of the phosphors being the upper limit.
signal_white_point = <voltage level $20>
Similarly, some TVs do not use the 7.5 IRE setup black level, instead directly using the blank level.
signal_black_point = <voltage level $0F>
Finally, the signals must be clipped or normalized to [0, 1] to avoid values outside of the valid range.
C_raw  = R, G, or B channel
C_clip = clipped or normalized R, G, or B channel
C_clip = max(0, min(1, C_raw))
=== Converting signal RGB to display RGB ===
The final step is to convert signal RGB into the output colorspace, typically sRGB for most monitors.
==== Signal RGB into sRGB ====
Assuming no colorimetry involved, the resulting R, G and B values can directly be quantized into 8 bits per channel:
C'    = R, G or B signal
C8bpc = quantized R, G, or B channel
C8bpc = (int)(C' * 255)
However, if the signal RGB is assumed to be fed a reference display with different color primaries, then a correction matrix must be applied to the signal before quantization.


==Emulating in C++ code==
==Emulating in C++ code==
For efficient, ready to use implementations, see [[#Libraries|Libraries]] below. The following is an illustrative example.


Calculating the momentary NTSC signal level can be done as follows in C++:
Calculating the momentary NTSC signal level can be done as follows in C++:
Line 221: Line 372:
float NTSCsignal(int pixel, int phase)
float NTSCsignal(int pixel, int phase)
{
{
     // Voltage levels, relative to synch voltage
     // Terminated voltage levels
     static const float black=.518f, white=1.962f, attenuation=.746f,
     static const float levels[16] = {
         levels[8] = {.350f, .518f, .962f,1.550f, // Signal low
        0.228f, 0.312f, 0.552f, 0.880f, // Signal low
                    1.094f,1.506f,1.962f,1.962f}; // Signal high
        0.616f, 0.840f, 1.100f, 1.100f, // Signal high
         0.192f, 0.256f, 0.448f, 0.712f, // Signal low, attenuated
        0.500f, 0.676f, 0.896f, 0.896f  // Signal high, attenuated
    };


     // Decode the NES color.
     // Decode the NES color.
Line 231: Line 385:
     int emphasis = (pixel >> 6);  // 0..7  "eee"
     int emphasis = (pixel >> 6);  // 0..7  "eee"
     if(color > 13) { level = 1;  } // For colors 14..15, level 1 is forced.
     if(color > 13) { level = 1;  } // For colors 14..15, level 1 is forced.
    auto InColorPhase = [=](int color) { return (color + phase) % 12 < 6; }; // Inline function
    // When de-emphasis bits are set, some parts of the signal are attenuated:
    // colors 14 .. 15 are not affected by de-emphasis
    int attenuation = (
        ((emphasis & 1) && InColorPhase(0xC))
    ||  ((emphasis & 2) && InColorPhase(0x4))
    ||  ((emphasis & 4) && InColorPhase(0x8)) && (color < 0xE)) ? 8 : 0;


     // The square wave for this color alternates between these two voltages:
     // The square wave for this color alternates between these two voltages:
     float low  = levels[0 + level];
     float low  = levels[0 + level + attenuation];
     float high = levels[4 + level];
     float high = levels[4 + level + attenuation];
     if(color == 0) { low = high; } // For color 0, only high level is emitted
     if(color == 0) { low = high; } // For color 0, only high level is emitted
     if(color > 12) { high = low; } // For colors 13..15, only low level is emitted
     if(color > 12) { high = low; } // For colors 13..15, only low level is emitted


     // Generate the square wave
     // Generate the square wave
    auto InColorPhase = [=](int color) { return (color + phase) % 12 < 6; }; // Inline function
     float signal = InColorPhase(color) ? high : low;
     float signal = InColorPhase(color) ? high : low;
    // When de-emphasis bits are set, some parts of the signal are attenuated:
    if( ((emphasis & 1) && InColorPhase(0))
    ||  ((emphasis & 2) && InColorPhase(4))
    ||  ((emphasis & 4) && InColorPhase(8)) ) signal = signal * attenuation;


     return signal;
     return signal;
Line 261: Line 418:
         // Optionally apply some lowpass-filtering to the signal here.
         // Optionally apply some lowpass-filtering to the signal here.
         // Optionally normalize the signal to 0..1 range:
         // Optionally normalize the signal to 0..1 range:
         static const float black=.518f, white=1.962f;
         static const float black=0.312f, white=1.100f;
         signal = (signal-black) / (white-black);
         signal = (signal-black) / (white-black);
         // Save the signal for this pixel.
         // Save the signal for this pixel.
Line 290: Line 447:
         int begin = center - 6; if(begin < 0)    begin = 0;
         int begin = center - 6; if(begin < 0)    begin = 0;
         int end  = center + 6; if(end  > 256*8) end  = 256*8;
         int end  = center + 6; if(end  > 256*8) end  = 256*8;
         float y = 0.f, i = 0.f, q = 0.f; // Calculate the color in YIQ.
         float y = 0.f, u = 0.f, v = 0.f; // Calculate the color in YUV.
         for(int p = begin; p < end; ++p) // Collect and accumulate samples
         for(int p = begin; p < end; ++p) // Collect and accumulate samples
         {
         {
             float level = signal_levels[p] / 12.f;
             float level = signal_levels[p] / 12.f;
             y  =  y + level;
             y  =  y + level;
             i i + level * cos( M_PI * (phase+p) / 6 );
             u u + level * sin( M_PI * (phase+p) / 6 ) * 2.f;
             q q + level * sin( M_PI * (phase+p) / 6 );
             v v + level * cos( M_PI * (phase+p) / 6 ) * 2.f;
         }
         }
         render_pixel(y,i,q); // Send the YIQ color for rendering.
         render_pixel(y,u,v); // Send the YUV color for rendering.
     }</nowiki>
     }</nowiki>


The NTSC decoder here produces pixels in YIQ color space.
The NTSC decoder here produces pixels in YUV color space.


If you want more saturated colors, just multiply <code>i</code> and <code>q</code> with a factor of your choosing, such as 1.7. If you want brighter colors, just multiply <code>y</code>, <code>i</code> and <code>q</code> with a factor of your choosing, such as 1.1. If you want to adjust the hue, just add or subtract a value from/to <code>phase</code>. If you want to see so called chroma dots, change the begin and end in such manner that you collect a number of samples that is not divisible with 12. If you want to blur the video horizontally, change the begin and end in such manner that the samples are collected from a wider region.
If you want more saturated colors, just multiply <code>u</code> and <code>v</code> with a factor of your choosing, such as 1.7. If you want brighter colors, just multiply <code>y</code>, <code>u</code> and <code>v</code> with a factor of your choosing, such as 1.1. If you want to adjust the hue, just add or subtract a value from/to <code>phase</code>. If you want to see so called chroma dots, change the begin and end in such manner that you collect a number of samples that is not divisible with 12. If you want to blur the video horizontally, change the begin and end in such manner that the samples are collected from a wider region.


The YIQ colors can be converted into sRGB colors with the following formula, using the FCC-sanctioned YIQ-to-RGB conversion matrix. This produces a value that can be saved to e.g. framebuffer:
The YUV colors can be converted into sRGB colors with the following formula, using the YUV-to-RGB conversion matrix mentioned previously. This produces a value that can be saved to e.g. framebuffer:


  <nowiki>
  <nowiki>
Line 312: Line 469:
     auto clamp    = [](int v) { return v>255 ? 255 : v; };
     auto clamp    = [](int v) { return v>255 ? 255 : v; };
     unsigned rgb =
     unsigned rgb =
         0x10000*clamp(255.95 * gammafix(y + 0.946882f*i +  0.623557f*q))
         0x10000*clamp(255.95 * gammafix(y + 1.139883f*v))
       + 0x00100*clamp(255.95 * gammafix(y + -0.274788f*i + -0.635691f*q))
       + 0x00100*clamp(255.95 * gammafix(y - 0.394642f*u - 0.580622f*v))
       + 0x00001*clamp(255.95 * gammafix(y + -1.108545f*i +  1.709007f*q));</nowiki>
       + 0x00001*clamp(255.95 * gammafix(y + 2.032062f*u));</nowiki>


The two images below illustrate the NTSC artifacts.
The two images below illustrate the NTSC artifacts.
In the left side image, 12 samples of NTSC signal were generated for each NES pixel,
In the first image, 12 samples of NTSC signal were generated for each NES pixel,
and each display pixel was separately rendered by decoding that 12-sample signal.
and each display pixel was separately rendered by decoding that 12-sample signal.
In the right side image, 8 samples of NTSC signal were generated for each NES pixel,
In the second image, 8 samples of NTSC signal were generated for each NES pixel,
and each display pixel was rendered by decoding 12 samples of NTSC signal from the
and each display pixel was rendered by decoding 12 samples of NTSC signal from the
corresponding location within the scanline.<br clear="all" />
corresponding location within the scanline.<br clear="all" />
<table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
<tr><td colspan=2>[[File:nes_ntsc_perpixel.png|left|frame|Per-pixel rendering: 12 samples of NTSC signal per input pixel; the same 12 samples are decoded for each output pixel]]</td>
<td colspan=2>[[File:nes_ntsc_perscanline.gif|left|frame|Per-scanline rendering: 8 samples of NTSC signal per input pixel; 12 samples are decoded for each output pixel]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[File:nes_ntsc_perpixel_small.png|left|frame|Same as above, but rendered at 256x240 without upscaling]]</td>
<td>[[File:nes_ntsc_perpixel_small_bw.png|left|frame|Same in grayscale (zero saturation). This illustrates well how the different color values have exactly the same luminosity; only the chroma phase differs.]]</td>
<td>[[File:nes_ntsc_perscanline_small.gif|left|frame|Same as above, but rendered at 256x240 rather than at 2048x240 and then downscaled]]</td>
<td>[[File:nes_ntsc_perscanline_small_bw.gif|left|frame|Same in grayscale]]</td></tr></table>


The source code of the program that generated both images can be read at [http://bisqwit.iki.fi/jutut/kuvat/programming_examples/nesemu1/ntsc_test.phps]. Note that even though the image resembles the well-known Philips PM5544 test card, it is not the same; the exact same
<div style="display:flex; flex-flow:row wrap;">
[[File:nes_ntsc_perpixel.png|left|frame|Per-pixel rendering: 12 samples of NTSC signal per input pixel; the same 12 samples are decoded for each output pixel]]
[[File:nes_ntsc_perscanline.gif|left|frame|Per-scanline rendering: 8 samples of NTSC signal per input pixel; 12 samples are decoded for each output pixel]]
</div>
<div style="display:flex; flex-flow:row wrap;">
[[File:nes_ntsc_perpixel_small.png|left|frame|Same as above, but rendered at 256x240 without upscaling]]
[[File:nes_ntsc_perpixel_small_bw.png|left|frame|Same in grayscale (zero saturation). This illustrates well how the different color values have exactly the same luminosity; only the chroma phase differs.]]
[[File:nes_ntsc_perscanline_small.gif|left|frame|Same as above, but rendered at 256x240 rather than at 2048x240 and then downscaled]]
[[File:nes_ntsc_perscanline_small_bw.gif|left|frame|Same in grayscale]]
</div>
 
The source code of the program that generated both images can be read here: [https://bisqwit.iki.fi/jutut/kuvat/programming_examples/nesemu1/ntsc-small.cc ntsc-small.cc]. Note that even though the image resembles the well-known Philips PM5544 test card, it is not the same; the exact same
colors could not be reproduced with NES colors. In addition, some parts were changed to better test NES features. For example, the backgrounds for the "station ID" regions (the black rectangles at the top and at the bottom inside the circle) are generated using the various blacks within the NES palette.
colors could not be reproduced with NES colors. In addition, some parts were changed to better test NES features. For example, the backgrounds for the "station ID" regions (the black rectangles at the top and at the bottom inside the circle) are generated using the various blacks within the NES palette.


==Interactive Demo==
Later, Bisqwit made a generic [http://forums.nesdev.org/viewtopic.php?p=172329#p172329 integer-based decoder in C++]. This takes a signal at 12 times color burst and can be used to emulate other systems that use shortcuts when generating NTSC video, such as Apple II (where ''every'' color in <code>HGR</code> is an artifact color) and Atari 7800 (whose game ''Tower Toppler'' seriously exploits artifact colors).
 
==Libraries==


The following C source code implements the above described algorithm and displays it on screen with interactive mouse control of phase using [http://www.libsdl.org/index.php SDL].
* [http://slack.net/~ant/libs/ntsc.html blargg's nes_ntsc library]
* [//forums.nesdev.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=11947 blargg's NTSC demo windows executable]
* [//forums.nesdev.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14338 Forum thread]: New NTSC decoder with integer-only math (short C++ code) -  by Bisqwit
* [https://github.com/LMP88959/NTSC-CRT/ LMP88959 (EMMIR)'s NTSC decoder]


* [http://www.io.com/~greens/temp/nes_ntsc_waveform.c nes_ntsc_waveform.c]
== See also ==
* [http://www.baisoku.org/nes_ntsc_waveform.zip Windows executable (requires SDL.dll)]
* [[Cycle reference chart]]
* [[Media:Nes_ntsc_palette.c|nes_ntsc_palette.c]] - a sample NTSC palette generator program
* [[PAL video]]
* [[PPU palettes]]


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />

Latest revision as of 07:55, 6 April 2024

Unlike many other game consoles, the NES does not generate RGB or YUV and then encode that to composite. Instead, it generates NTSC video directly in the composite domain, which leads to interesting artifacts.

Scanline Timing

The NTSC master clock is 21.47727273 MHz and each PPU pixel lasts four of these clocks: 186ns. (PAL is different. See PAL video.)

The values in this section are measured in PPU pixels, with 341 total per scanline.

The video output of the PPU is delayed by 1 pixel clock; this means that cycle 0, scanline 0 according to the PPU Frame Timing Diagram is marked by the black pixel.

The start times of each entry are thus relative to cycle 0, taking into account the delay. Timings based on Breaking NES Wiki reverse engineered horizontal[1] and vertical [2] decoder functions.

A visualization of the tables to the left, starts with cyan for horizontal sync

Rendering scanlines (n=240):

name start duration row notes
horizontal sync 277 25 0-239
back porch (black) 302 4 0-239
colorburst 306 15 0-239
back porch, continued (black) 321 5 0-239
pulse (backdrop in grayscale) 326 1 0-239 one scanline earlier
left border (backdrop) 327 15 0-239 one scanline earlier; 14 pixels on end of row 261 for odd frames, if either background or sprite rendering is enabled
active 1 256 0-239
right border (backdrop) 257 11 0-239
front porch (black) 268 9 0-239

Post-render scanlines (n=2):

name start duration row notes
horizontal sync 277 25 240-241
back porch (black) 303 4 240-241
colorburst 306 15 240-241
back porch, continued (black) 321 5 240-241
pulse (backdrop in grayscale) 326 1 240-241
bottom border (backdrop) 327 282 240-241 VBlank flag is set on scanline 241
front porch (black) 268 9 240-241

Post-render blanking scanlines (n=3):

name start duration row
horizontal sync 277 25 242-244
back porch (black) 303 4 242-244
colorburst 306 15 242-244
back porch, continued (black) 321 5 242-244
vertical blanking region (black) 326 283 242-244
front porch (black) 268 9 242-244

Vertical sync scanlines (n=3):

name start duration row
vertical blanking pulse 277 318 245-247
vertical sync separator (black) 254 14 245-247
vertical sync separator (front porch, black) 268 9 245-247

Pre-render blanking scanlines (n=14):

name start duration row notes
horizontal sync 277 25 248-261
back porch (black) 303 4 248-261
colorburst 306 15 248-261
back porch, continued (black) 321 5 248-261
vertical blanking region (black) 326 283 248-261 VBlank is cleared on scanline 261
front porch (black) 268 9 248-261

This amounts to a total of 262 scanlines.

In standard NTSC, a scanline is 227.5 subcarrier cycles long (equivalent to 341.25 NES pixels), and each field is 262.5 scanlines lines tall. Vertical sync "serrations" or "equalization pulses" use a brief period of 31kHz horizontal sync to be able to start vertical sync half-way through a scanline, which makes the TV draw the next field one half scanline higher, resulting in interlaced video.

The video timing in the NES is non-standard - it both generates 341 pixels, making 227 1/3 subcarrier cycles per scanline, and always generates 262 scanlines. This causes the TV to draw the fields on top of each other, resulting in a non-standard low-definition "progressive" or "double struck" video mode sometimes called 240p.

Some high-definition displays and upscalers cannot handle 240p video, instead introducing artifacts that make the video appear as if it were interlaced. Artemio Urbina's 240p test suite, which has been ported to NES by Damian Yerrick, contains a set of test patterns to diagnose problems with decoding 240p composite video.

Note that emulators usually crop the top and bottom 8 lines from the picture, as most televisions will hide at least part of the picture in a similar way. See: Overscan

Brightness Levels

The NES's PPU's palette holds a set of 6-bit numbers, one for each simultaneous color displayable. In this section, we divide each palette entry into two halves, $xy. $x controls the brightness, and $y mostly controls the hue.

$xE/$xF output the same voltage as $1D. $x1-$xC output a square wave alternating between levels for $xD and $x0. Colors $20 and $30 are exactly the same.

When grayscale is active, all colors between $x1-$xD are treated as $x0. Notably this behavior extends to the first pixel of the border color, which acts as a sync pulse on every visible scanline.

Terminated measurement

Standard video (not NES) looks like this:

Type IRE level Voltage (mV)
Peak white 120
White 100 714
Colorburst H 20 143
Black 7.5 53.6
Blanking 0 0
Colorburst L -20 -143
Sync -40 -286

The following measurements by lidnariq into a properly terminated (75 Ω) TV have about 10 mV of noise and 4 mV of quantization error, which implies an error of ±2 IRE:

Signal Potential IRE
SYNC 48 mV -37 IRE
CBL 148 mV -23 IRE
0D 228 mV -12 IRE
1D 312 mV ≡ 0 IRE
CBH 524 mV 30 IRE
2D 552 mV 34 IRE
00 616 mV 43 IRE
10 840 mV 74 IRE
3D 880 mV 80 IRE
20 1100 mV 110 IRE
0Dem 192 mV -17 IRE
1Dem 256 mV -8 IRE
2Dem 448 mV 19 IRE
00em 500 mV 26 IRE
10em 676 mV 51 IRE
3Dem 712 mV 56 IRE
20em 896 mV 82 IRE

US NTSC is supposed to have a "setup", a difference between blanking and black level. Japanese NTSC does not. This means the exact same console will display slightly darker and with greater contrast on a US TV set than on a Japanese TV set.

Levels are commonly measured in units called IRE.[3][4]

Color Phases

111111------
22222------2
3333------33
444------444
55------5555
6------66666
------777777
-----888888-
----999999--
---AAAAAA---
--BBBBBB----
-CCCCCC-----

The color generator is clocked by the rising and falling edges of the ~21.48 MHz clock, resulting in an effective ~42.95 MHz clock rate. There are 12 color square waves, spaced at regular phases. Each runs at the ~3.58 MHz colorburst rate. Color $xY uses the wave numbered with Y in the table immediately above. NTSC colorburst (pure shade -U) is the same phase as phase 8.

PAL specifics are on PAL video.

Differential Phase Distortion

The output is subject to a differential phase distortion effect[5]. This causes a rotation of the NTSC signal's effective hue, proportional to the voltage, causing more shift for brighter colors. Current estimates approximate about 2.5° (2C02E) or 5° (2C02G) of additional rotation for each row of the palette.

The reason for this distortion is that the output impedance of the PPU is dependent on the signal level. When combined with the board's capacitance, it slows level transitions, causes the edges at high signal levels to be less steep. The high frequency chroma signal is sensitive to this, and the delay to its phase causes the hue rotation.

A PAL NES is affected by the same differential phase distortion, but because of the alternating-line mechanism of PAL, the effect is mostly cancelled out on consecutive scanlines.

Color Artifacts

Though it takes 12 clocks of the color generator mentioned above to complete a color cycle, an NTSC pixel is only 8 clocks wide, and a PAL pixel is 10 clocks wide. This means that the effective resolution of color is lower than the pixel resolution, and some color information has to be shared with a neighbouring pixel. This produces color errors at horizontal edges where the color changes. These errors are known as artifacts. They are especially noticeable as "shimmering" when the screen scrolls slowly.[6]

The phase alignment of each pixel to the color cycle changes on every scanline, and this affects the hue of each color artifact. E.g. if the "red" part of the cycle is outside the pixel, its error artifact will be a distortion of the red color.

An NTSC NES scanline is 227⅓ color cycles long, causing the alignment to shift by 4 clocks on each line. This creates a pattern of alignments that repeats every 3 lines. A vertical line may be seen to have a "rainbow" pattern of red, green, blue, red, green, blue... etc. The starting phase depends on a random alignment of the PPU to the picture which is determined on reset. (The scanline is shorter than standard NTSC, which has 227½ color cycles per line.)

A PAL NES scanline is 284⅙ color cycles long, instead causing the alignment to shift by 2 clocks on each line, with an additional temporary -3 clocks every second line to provide the phase-alternating-line mechanism. This creates a pattern of alignments that repeats every 6 lines. (The scanline is longer than standard PAL, which has 283¾ cycles per line.)

Each frame of the NTSC NES picture also starts from a changing alignment. Normally every odd frame is 1 dot shorter than every even frame, resulting in 59560⅔ color cycles on odd frames, and 59561⅓ on even frames. This creates a 2-frame repeating pattern, shifting by 8 clocks after an odd frame, then by 4 after an even one. The missing dot may be suppressed if rendering is disabled during the pre-render scanline, so some games which force blank through the top of the frame (e.g. Battletoads) advance the color phase alignment by 4 clocks every frame. In this case, it creates a 3-frame repeating pattern, which creates a more noticeable shimmering. See: PPU frame timing.

PAL and Dendy instead have an even number of color cycles per frame, so the color phase alignment does not change from frame to frame.

Color Tint Bits

There are three color modulation channels controlled by the top three bits of PPUMASK. Each channel uses one of the color square waves (see above diagram) and enables attenuation of the video signal when the color square wave is high. A single attenuator is shared by all channels. It is active for 6 out of 12 half-clocks if one bit is set, 10 half-clocks if two bits are set, or all 12 if all three bits are set.

PPUMASK Active phase Active diagram Complement
Bit 7 Color 8 -----888888- Color 2 (blue)
Bit 6 Color 4 444------444 Color A (green)
Bit 5 Color C -CCCCCC----- Color 6 (red)

When attenuation is active and the current pixel is a color other than $xE/$xF (black), the signal is attenuated.

For example, when PPUMASK bit 6 is true, the attenuator will be active during the phases of color 4. This means the attenuator is not active during its complement (color A), and the screen appears to have a tint of color A, which is green.

Note that on the Dendy and PAL NES, the green and red bits swap meaning.

Tests performed on NTSC NES show that emphasis does not affect the black colors in columns $E or $F, but it does affect all other columns, including the blacks and greys in column $D.

The terminated measurements above suggest that resulting attenuated absolute voltage is on average 0.816328 times the un-attenuated absolute voltage.

attenuated absolute = absolute* 0.816328

Example Waveform

This waveform steps through various grays and then stops on a color.

The composite signal steps through 6 gray colors ($0D, $0F, $2D, $00, $10, $30) then continues through with color $11.

The PPU's shortcut method of NTSC modulation often produces artifacts in which vertical lines appear slightly ragged, as the chroma spills over into luma.

Generation and demodulation of a red corner


Composite decoding

Normal composite video encodes chroma and luma information into one composite analog signal. In order to convert composite into an RGB signal, it firsts needs to be decoded into YUV, before converting the resulting YUV into RGB.

The NES PPU does not encode anything into composite; instead, directly drawing the composite waveform itself. In order to convert the NES's composite signal into an RGB signal, it is decoded under the "assumption" that it was encoded under YUV.

YUV in this article refers to and will continue to refer to the equiband encoding of composite video as Y, b-y and r-y respectively. YIQ refers to the non-equiband encoding of composite, which has much more additional considerations regarding bandlimiting.

In practice, YIQ decoding is not used by any modern TV receiver and composite decoder, instead using YUV decoding as it is much simpler and less mathematically intensive to decode.[7][8]

Decoding composite video into YUV

Although encoding composite is somewhat standardized, the methods of decoding composite may vary from TV to TV. This article shows one way to decode composite.

Decoding luma information (Y)

To get the luma (Y) component, the base signal is filtered by a lowpass or comb filter. Some TVs use more complex methods to decode luma, some TVs do not filter at all.

Decoding chroma information (UV)

Decoding chroma information requires a subcarrier reference sine wave to determine the hue, whose phase is "locked" (or aligned as best as possible) to the colorburst of the composite scanline.

The subcarrier reference is used to demodulate the U component. A copy (or a phase offset) of the reference is delayed by 90 degrees, which is then used to demodulate the V component.

The U/V component is demodulated by multiplying the subcarrier reference to the composite waveform. The resulting waveform is then filtered typically by a lowpass filter. A comb filter can also be used if desired.

Since demodulation involves multiplying each chroma component by sin(2π·Fsc·t) and the integral of sin(2πx)² over a cycle is 0.5, a factor of 2 must be applied to the demodulator to achieve correct chroma amplitudes and therefore saturation.

Converting YUV to signal RGB

To convert YUV to signal RGB, we multiply the components to the following inversed matrix:

R =  Y + V*1.139883...
G = (Y - R*0.299 - B*0.114) / 0.587
B =  Y + U*2.032062...

Or, in terms of YUV only:

R = Y + V*1.139883...
G = Y - U*0.394642... - V*0.580622...
B = Y + U*2.032062...

The matrices above are derived from the NTSC base matrix[9] of luminance and color-difference:

  Y =  R*0.299 + G*0.587 + B*0.114
B-Y = -R*0.299 - G*0.587 + B*0.886
R-Y =  R*0.701 - G*0.587 - B*0.114

Which, when applied with the approximate color reduction factors 0.492111 and 0.877283 for B-Y and R-Y respectively[10], results in the definition of the linear RGB to YUV matrix equation:

Y =   R*0.299 + G*0.587 + B*0.114
U = (-R*0.299 - G*0.587 + B*0.886) * 0.492111
V = ( R*0.701 - G*0.587 - B*0.114) * 0.877283

In YIQ, the IQ component's chroma hue is just the UV component's chroma hue rotated by 33 degrees[11]. Note that this is not precisely the same as properly decoding YIQ with different bandwidths for the I and Q component.

The following conversion is optional, and might match the look of other composite decoders:

U = (Q * cos(33 deg)) - (I * sin(33 deg))
V = (I * cos(33 deg)) + (Q * sin(33 deg))

Normalizing signals

After decoding, it is important to normalize the decoded RGB signals within the range of [0, 1].

Most TVs use the range 7.5 IRE to 100 IRE for normalizing the signal:

C  = R, G, or B channel
signal_black_point = <voltage level $0F> + (7.5 / 140.0)
signal_white_point = <voltage level $0F> + (100. / 140.0)

C -= signal_black_point
C /= (signal_white_point - signal_black_point)

The 100 IRE white point may be substituted with voltage level $20 because on analog CRT TVs, the luma voltage does not strictly clip at a given level, with only the luminosity of the phosphors being the upper limit.

signal_white_point = <voltage level $20>

Similarly, some TVs do not use the 7.5 IRE setup black level, instead directly using the blank level.

signal_black_point = <voltage level $0F>

Finally, the signals must be clipped or normalized to [0, 1] to avoid values outside of the valid range.

C_raw  = R, G, or B channel
C_clip = clipped or normalized R, G, or B channel

C_clip = max(0, min(1, C_raw))

Converting signal RGB to display RGB

The final step is to convert signal RGB into the output colorspace, typically sRGB for most monitors.

Signal RGB into sRGB

Assuming no colorimetry involved, the resulting R, G and B values can directly be quantized into 8 bits per channel:

C'    = R, G or B signal
C8bpc = quantized R, G, or B channel

C8bpc = (int)(C' * 255)

However, if the signal RGB is assumed to be fed a reference display with different color primaries, then a correction matrix must be applied to the signal before quantization.

Emulating in C++ code

For efficient, ready to use implementations, see Libraries below. The following is an illustrative example.

Calculating the momentary NTSC signal level can be done as follows in C++:

// pixel = Pixel color (9-bit) given as input. Bitmask format: "eeellcccc".
// phase = Signal phase (0..11). It is a variable that increases by 8 each pixel.
float NTSCsignal(int pixel, int phase)
{
    // Terminated voltage levels
    static const float levels[16] = {
        0.228f, 0.312f, 0.552f, 0.880f, // Signal low
        0.616f, 0.840f, 1.100f, 1.100f, // Signal high
        0.192f, 0.256f, 0.448f, 0.712f, // Signal low, attenuated
        0.500f, 0.676f, 0.896f, 0.896f  // Signal high, attenuated
    };

    // Decode the NES color.
    int color = (pixel & 0x0F);    // 0..15 "cccc"
    int level = (pixel >> 4) & 3;  // 0..3  "ll"
    int emphasis = (pixel >> 6);   // 0..7  "eee"
    if(color > 13) { level = 1;  } // For colors 14..15, level 1 is forced.

    auto InColorPhase = [=](int color) { return (color + phase) % 12 < 6; }; // Inline function

    // When de-emphasis bits are set, some parts of the signal are attenuated:
    // colors 14 .. 15 are not affected by de-emphasis
    int attenuation = (
        ((emphasis & 1) && InColorPhase(0xC))
    ||  ((emphasis & 2) && InColorPhase(0x4))
    ||  ((emphasis & 4) && InColorPhase(0x8)) && (color < 0xE)) ? 8 : 0;

    // The square wave for this color alternates between these two voltages:
    float low  = levels[0 + level + attenuation];
    float high = levels[4 + level + attenuation];
    if(color == 0) { low = high; } // For color 0, only high level is emitted
    if(color > 12) { high = low; } // For colors 13..15, only low level is emitted

    // Generate the square wave
    float signal = InColorPhase(color) ? high : low;

    return signal;
}

The process of generating NTSC signal for a single pixel can be simulated with the following C++ code:

void RenderNTSCpixel(unsigned x, int pixel, int PPU_cycle_counter)
{
    int phase = PPU_cycle_counter * 8;
    for(int p=0; p<8; ++p) // Each pixel produces distinct 8 samples of NTSC signal.
    {
        float signal = NTSCsignal(pixel, phase + p); // Calculated as above
        // Optionally apply some lowpass-filtering to the signal here.
        // Optionally normalize the signal to 0..1 range:
        static const float black=0.312f, white=1.100f;
        signal = (signal-black) / (white-black);
        // Save the signal for this pixel.
        signal_levels[ x*8 + p ] = signal;
    }
}

It is important to note that while the NES only generates eight (8) samples of NTSC signal per pixel, the wavelength for chroma is 12 samples long. This means that the colors of adjacent pixels get mandatorily mixed up to some degree. For the same reason, narrow black&white details can be interpreted as colors.

Because the scanline length is uneven (341*8 is not an even multiple of 12), the color mixing shifts a little each scanline. This appears visually as a sawtooth effect at the edges of colors at high resolution. The sawtooth cycles every 3 scanlines.

Because also the frame length is uneven (neither 262*341*8 nor (262*341-1)*8 is an even multiple of 12), the color mixing also changes a little every frame. When rendering is normally enabled, the screen is alternatingly 89342 and 89341 cycles long. The combination of these (89342+89341)*8 is an even multiple of 12, which means that the artifact pattern cycles every 2 frames. The pattern of cycling can be changed by disabling rendering during the end of the pre-render scanline; it forces the screen length to 89342 cycles, even if would be 89341 otherwise.

The process of decoding NTSC signal (convert it into RGB) is subject to a lot of study, and there are many patents and different techniques for it. A simple method suitable for emulation is covered below. It is not accurate, because in reality the chroma is blurred much more than is done here (the region of signal sampled for I and Q is wider than 12 samples), and the filter used here is a simple box FIR filter rather than an IIR filter, but it already produces a quite authentic looking picture. In addition, the border region (total of 26 pixels of background color around the 256-pixel scanline) is not sampled.

    float signal_levels[256*8] = {...}; // Eight signal levels for each pixel, normalized to 0..1 range. 
Calculated as above.

    unsigned Width; // Input: Screen width. Can be not only 256, but anything up to 2048.
    float phase;    // Input: This should the value that was PPU_cycle_counter * 8 + 3.9
                    // at the BEGINNING of this scanline. It should be modulo 12.
                    // It can additionally include a floating-point hue offset.
    for(unsigned x = 0; x < Width; ++x)
    {
        // Determine the region of scanline signal to sample. Take 12 samples.
        int center = x * (256*8) / Width + 0;
        int begin = center - 6; if(begin < 0)     begin = 0;
        int end   = center + 6; if(end   > 256*8) end   = 256*8;
        float y = 0.f, u = 0.f, v = 0.f; // Calculate the color in YUV.
        for(int p = begin; p < end; ++p) // Collect and accumulate samples
        {
            float level = signal_levels[p] / 12.f;
            y  =  y + level;
            u  =  u + level * sin( M_PI * (phase+p) / 6 ) * 2.f;
            v  =  v + level * cos( M_PI * (phase+p) / 6 ) * 2.f;
        }
        render_pixel(y,u,v); // Send the YUV color for rendering.
    }

The NTSC decoder here produces pixels in YUV color space.

If you want more saturated colors, just multiply u and v with a factor of your choosing, such as 1.7. If you want brighter colors, just multiply y, u and v with a factor of your choosing, such as 1.1. If you want to adjust the hue, just add or subtract a value from/to phase. If you want to see so called chroma dots, change the begin and end in such manner that you collect a number of samples that is not divisible with 12. If you want to blur the video horizontally, change the begin and end in such manner that the samples are collected from a wider region.

The YUV colors can be converted into sRGB colors with the following formula, using the YUV-to-RGB conversion matrix mentioned previously. This produces a value that can be saved to e.g. framebuffer:

    float gamma = 2.0f; // Assumed display gamma
    auto gammafix = [=](float f) { return f <= 0.f ? 0.f : pow(f, 2.2f / gamma); };
    auto clamp    = [](int v) { return v>255 ? 255 : v; };
    unsigned rgb =
        0x10000*clamp(255.95 * gammafix(y + 1.139883f*v))
      + 0x00100*clamp(255.95 * gammafix(y - 0.394642f*u - 0.580622f*v))
      + 0x00001*clamp(255.95 * gammafix(y + 2.032062f*u));

The two images below illustrate the NTSC artifacts. In the first image, 12 samples of NTSC signal were generated for each NES pixel, and each display pixel was separately rendered by decoding that 12-sample signal. In the second image, 8 samples of NTSC signal were generated for each NES pixel, and each display pixel was rendered by decoding 12 samples of NTSC signal from the corresponding location within the scanline.

Per-pixel rendering: 12 samples of NTSC signal per input pixel; the same 12 samples are decoded for each output pixel
Per-scanline rendering: 8 samples of NTSC signal per input pixel; 12 samples are decoded for each output pixel
Same as above, but rendered at 256x240 without upscaling
Same in grayscale (zero saturation). This illustrates well how the different color values have exactly the same luminosity; only the chroma phase differs.
Same as above, but rendered at 256x240 rather than at 2048x240 and then downscaled
Same in grayscale

The source code of the program that generated both images can be read here: ntsc-small.cc. Note that even though the image resembles the well-known Philips PM5544 test card, it is not the same; the exact same colors could not be reproduced with NES colors. In addition, some parts were changed to better test NES features. For example, the backgrounds for the "station ID" regions (the black rectangles at the top and at the bottom inside the circle) are generated using the various blacks within the NES palette.

Later, Bisqwit made a generic integer-based decoder in C++. This takes a signal at 12 times color burst and can be used to emulate other systems that use shortcuts when generating NTSC video, such as Apple II (where every color in HGR is an artifact color) and Atari 7800 (whose game Tower Toppler seriously exploits artifact colors).

Libraries

See also

References