No, you generally should not use interlaced video in modern Resident Evil games.
Are you pondering over visual settings in your favorite Resident Evil title? You might be wondering should you use interlaced in RE games, especially when messing with older display options. It can seem tempting but its effects are probably not what you are hoping for.
Interlaced video was designed for older television tech and it can create visual artifacts on modern monitors. These artifacts can detract from the game’s graphics, causing a shimmering or blurring effect. Therefore, it’s best to stick with progressive scanning.
Should You Use Interlaced in RE Games?
Let’s talk about something that might sound a little techy but is actually pretty important for how your games look: interlaced video. You might have seen this setting in your game options, especially if you’re playing older games or using older equipment. But what exactly is interlaced video, and should you really be using it when playing Resident Evil (RE) games or any other game for that matter?
Understanding Interlaced and Progressive Scan
Before we dive into whether interlaced is good or bad for RE games, we need to understand what it is. Think of your TV screen like a canvas that gets painted very quickly. The way it paints can be either interlaced or progressive.
What is Interlaced?
With interlaced video, the screen doesn’t draw the entire picture at once. Instead, it draws half the picture, all the odd-numbered lines first, and then it comes back and draws all the even-numbered lines. It does this so quickly that our eyes usually don’t notice it, and we see a complete picture. It’s like quickly drawing all the horizontal lines of the letter “E” in one pass, then drawing the remaining in another pass. This method was invented to make pictures appear smoother with less information being sent, back when technology wasn’t as good as it is now. Think of older TVs and the way they used to draw the image. Interlacing was used in the past with standard definition TVs. It’s the “i” you see in “480i” or “1080i” resolutions.
What is Progressive Scan?
Progressive scan, on the other hand, paints the entire picture at once, one line after the other, from top to bottom. This is like drawing the entire letter “E” in one go, line by line. This method is used by most modern TVs and monitors. It’s the “p” you see in “720p,” “1080p,” or “4K” resolutions. This gives a much clearer and more stable image, especially during fast motion.
Why Interlacing Was Used
Interlacing was a clever trick back in the day. It allowed older TVs to display smooth motion without needing as much bandwidth to transmit the signal. It helped prevent flicker and made the picture look good enough for the time. Remember, older TVs had different technology, and they needed methods to keep up with the picture. It was the standard way to broadcast for many years.
The Problems with Interlacing in Modern Gaming
While it served a purpose in the past, interlacing can cause issues when you try to use it for modern gaming. Here are some reasons why:
- Flickering: Because the screen isn’t being drawn all at once, but in alternating lines, it can sometimes create a flickering effect, particularly if there is a lot of motion or detail on the screen. This can be especially noticeable and annoying to the eye, making it hard to see details in the game.
- Motion Artifacts: Fast-moving objects can look blurry or have a sort of “comb” effect, where you see the individual lines being drawn at different times. This happens when an object moves between those alternating lines, creating a strange visual anomaly.
- Reduced Resolution: While the technical resolution might be the same, the perceived clarity is less because each frame only has half the lines being displayed at any one time. The end result is that the picture doesn’t look as sharp and detailed as it would with progressive scan.
- Input Lag: Some systems and displays that process interlaced video can introduce delays in the signal, causing your game to feel less responsive to your inputs. This lag can be very disruptive, especially in games like RE that rely on fast reflexes.
- Compatibility Issues: Modern monitors and displays are designed to handle progressive scan, and trying to force them into displaying interlaced video can cause them to behave oddly, which can result in black screens, or other display issues.
Resident Evil Games and Interlacing
Many older Resident Evil games, particularly those on older consoles like the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and early Xbox were designed to output in interlaced formats. This is because TVs at the time used interlaced video, and the game hardware was optimized to display in this format. When you play these games on modern displays, you are likely to notice the drawbacks of interlaced video.
Here’s a small example of how interlacing can appear:
| Visual Feature | Interlaced Display | Progressive Display |
|---|---|---|
| Motion | Often blurry or with “comb” effect. | Smooth and clear. |
| Image Clarity | Less sharp, less detailed. | Sharper, more detailed. |
| Flickering | Can have noticeable flickering. | No flickering. |
Why Some Might Consider Interlaced for Retro RE Games
Some people who enjoy playing older RE games might prefer the look of interlaced video because it is how the game was originally intended to be seen. This is because:
- Authenticity: Some purists want to experience the games as they were when they were originally released, even with the flaws of interlaced video. This way, they feel like they are capturing the original experience.
- Nostalgia: Many people grew up playing games on old TVs with interlaced signals. Seeing those old motion artifacts can remind them of their childhood and make the gaming experience more nostalgic.
- Low Input Hardware: If playing on the original older console hardware, it is possible the interlaced output might cause less latency.
Why Progressive Scan Is Almost Always Better
For the vast majority of gamers, progressive scan is the better option. Here’s why:
- Clearer Picture: Progressive scan gives you a much sharper and more detailed picture with no distracting flickering. This allows you to focus better on the game and spot things you might have missed in interlaced mode.
- Smoother Motion: Motion looks much smoother without any of those odd motion artifacts that come with interlaced video. This means your game will look more fluid.
- Better Responsiveness: With a progressive signal, you are less likely to experience any input lag, making games feel more responsive to your actions.
- Modern Compatibility: Progressive scan is the standard for all modern displays, so you won’t run into compatibility problems or weird display issues.
The differences can be pretty significant, especially on a large screen. Progressive scan allows you to fully enjoy the game with great visuals, just like you would enjoy watching any modern movie or tv show.
How to Check and Change Your Display Settings
If you suspect your game is using interlaced video, here are some ways to check:
In-Game Settings
Many modern games that have remasters and ports of older games might have a setting to toggle between interlaced and progressive display options. Check the video or graphics settings menu of the game to see if such an option is available. If you have the choice, it is always best to choose progressive.
Console Settings
If you are using an older console or an emulator, it might be beneficial to check the video output settings on the console itself or the emulator settings. Modern consoles often default to progressive output, but some older consoles might need adjusting.
Display Settings
Your TV or monitor settings might also be affecting how your games look. Many modern TVs will automatically de-interlace a signal, but you might want to check your TV manual for advanced display options. If you have an option to choose progressive, then it is almost always the best option.
Emulator Settings
If you’re using an emulator, check the emulator’s video settings. Most good emulators will let you select either interlaced or progressive output, and also allow upscaling the game to higher resolutions. If the emulator uses rendering techniques to upscale the game, it is best to run the game in progressive scan.
Should You Choose Interlaced For RE Games?
In almost all cases, the answer is no. Progressive scan is the superior method for modern gaming, offering a clearer picture, smoother motion, and better responsiveness. While you might find a little nostalgia in the interlaced look for older RE games, that benefit is outweighed by the downsides of flickering, motion artifacts, and lower resolution. If you are playing a RE game on an older system that is outputting an interlaced signal, it is better to use a display or upscaler that is able to de-interlace the signal, or an emulator that is able to output in progressive scan. The end result will be a better and more visually pleasing gaming experience.
Special Cases and Exceptions
There are always exceptions, of course. Some specific cases might slightly change the answer.
Retro Gaming on Original Hardware
If you are using an old CRT display with your original RE console, interlaced video is probably your only option. In this case, that’s how the game is intended to be seen, and trying to force a progressive signal might result in black screen or other issues.
Specific Visual Preferences
A small number of gamers might actually prefer how the interlaced video looks. If you do, that’s fine, but it is important to be aware that the majority of people will prefer progressive video over interlaced video. When possible, you should choose progressive video when playing games.
So, when given the choice between interlaced and progressive scan, always pick progressive if possible. It will provide you the best visuals and a much better gaming experience.
Interlaced vs. Progressive Scan – 1080i vs. 1080p
Final Thoughts
Interlaced video presents visual artifacts, making it a less preferred choice for retro gaming. Progressive scan displays clearer images without the noticeable lines. Modern displays mostly handle progressive content better.
‘should you use interlaced in re games’ then? Usually, you should avoid interlaced mode. Progressive scan must provide a superior and smoother experience. Stick with progressive when possible for optimal visual fidelity.
