NES x Analogizer
8The Analogizer is a third party product for the Analogue Pocket which allows supported cores to output analog standard definition video through the Pocket's cartridge port. As the device comes shipped it supports RGB and Component Video (via Monoprice VGA to BNC RGB or Component cables). With the addition of an Active Y/C MiSTer converter many of the cores can also support S-Video and Composite video output. Not all cores support the Analogizer and there are several cores which have an Analogizer-specific version of its core, including the NES core used here.
I decided to test the output of the Analogizer and Active Y/C Converter against original NES composite video output (actually an AV Famicom is being used but its output is representative of all official Nintendo composite options). It is well-known that the NES cannot show higher quality video than composite video due to the Picture Processing Unit's (PPU) pinout. The PPU outputs composite video as mixed inside the chip die, by the time it gets to the pin luma and chroma cannot be cleanly separated. Mods like NESRGB, Lumacode and Hi-Def NES can pull a higher quality signal by tapping digital signals on the PPU but they require soldering and (except for Lumacode) desoldering. Krikzz' RGB Blaster recreates the PPU in an FPGA that sits between the cartridge and console.
As the Analogizer is outputting to a converter that was not designed solely for NES/SNES video, the output will not be the same as an original console. An Analogue Nt Mini's composite output was specially designed to replicate the NES's filtering but that FPGA console was built from the ground up to do that.
What I have done in this video is to record the "attract mode" screens of ten NES games with original hardware and the Analogizer. First I start with the original hardware recordings and then proceed to the Analogizer. I have tried to select games which have a fair amount of color instead of black or gray backgrounds for the most part.
You will some flicker with the Analogizer and blocks of solid dark colors. I do not recall seeing this when the Active Y/C adapter was plugged into an Analog I/O board with my MiSTer.
Timestamps (NES first set, Analogizer second set):
00:00 - Super Mario Bros.
00:24 - Ghosts 'n Goblins
00:41 - Snow Bros.
01:13 - Zanac
01:55 - Super C
02:21 - Little Samson
02:52 - Commando
03:14 - Castlevania
03:48 - Rush 'n Attack
04:40 - Adventure Island
05:52 - Super Mario Bros.
06:18 - Ghosts 'n Goblins
06:37 - Snow Bros.
07:06 - Zanac
08:06 - Super C
08:42 - Little Samson
09:12 - Commando
09:35 - Castlevania
10:02 - Rush 'n Attack
10:56 - Adventure Island