I’ve discovered a method to enjoy scanlines on modern screens, despite my collection of CRT TVs.

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It’s been two decades since I traded my old CRT VHS combo for a sleek LCD screen, and I’ve been lamenting the absence of scanlines ever since. Even some of the best retro console remakes overlook this visual effect, which can alter the appearance of pixelated classics. So, I took matters into my own hands and invested in a device that allows me to add horizontal lines to everything, including the PS5 and Switch 2.

Let me explain why I decided to grab an HDMI Scanline Generator. I still have a few CRT TVs in my collection, and since I typically upscale my original consoles using an OSSC with built-in effects, I’m not exactly missing out on scanlines. My motivation to add horizontal lines to nearly everything else came from my attempts to create my own Analogue 3D using an N64 HDMI mod, as the ’90s system looks rough without pixel separation, even at 720p.

This HDMI Scanline Generator, priced at $31.99, adds a horizontal scanline effect to HDMI devices, making visuals resemble those on a CRT. It’s perfect for enhancing retro console graphics on modern displays without diving into the costly world of upscalers, but it also fits seamlessly into more complex setups.

The HDMI Scanline Generator is incredibly user-friendly; you won’t need to fiddle with menus or software to get it up and running. Simply connect your console to one end with an HDMI cable and your gaming TV to the other, then power it through the side USB port. Once set up, your chosen source will appear on screen with a faux CRT effect, similar to what you’d find in emulators or some plug-and-play systems.

It’s important to note that the pixel separation effect won’t make your modern TV look exactly like a CRT. The original tube visuals are more than just black horizontal lines; they’re a byproduct of the technology that game developers worked with. Real scanlines are the rows of pixels drawn by an electron beam to create a full frame, so adding blank space is merely a way to mimic the look, which also results in reduced brightness.

However, adding horizontal lines does help sprites and effects in classic games appear less blocky. This makes graphics look closer to the designers’ original vision, with more defined shading and clearer details. This is why some modern retro console companies invest heavily in CRT filters that replicate phosphor effects and shadow masked screens, as it arguably matters more than simply scaling everything up to 4K.

When compared side by side with a typical ’90s CRT, the HDMI scanline generator’s effect is noticeably different. My Philips screen relies on a shadow mask that, upon close inspection, reveals vertical lines of pixels rather than horizontal ones. The generator simply inserts black rows to create a faux look, but I still find it effective for achieving a traditional aesthetic.

Of course, a $35 device won’t provide the same effects as a high-end Analogue system. Yet, the Scanline Generator has exceeded my expectations, adding subtle pixel separation that significantly enhances older graphics. It features a toggle for switching between thick/thin and even/odd lines, along with red, green, and blue knobs for adjusting CRT-style vibrancy, but beyond that, it’s straightforward to use.

I know some of you might wonder why you’d need a standalone scanline generator when consoles and emulation devices often use software solutions. I’ve touched on this with my HDMI-modded N64 example, but I’ve also tested many systems that lack this option, like the Atari 2600+. While Hyperkin’s Retron GX for the PC Engine includes a setting, it currently produces a strange blur effect likely due to emulation quirks.

I have little self-control, so you can bet I’ve tried the Scanline Generator with the PS5 and Switch 2. I’m not saying you should play Mario Kart World with a CRT effect enabled, but doing so with a GameCube controller in hand brought back feelings I haven’t experienced since playing Double Dash on my 14-inch bedroom TV.

As a side note, this is the same gadget I recently spotted in the upcoming RetroBox faux CRT TV, which aims to revive ’90s VHS combo sets. I hope the startup behind the screens isn’t just planning to use an LCD display with one of these HDMI Scanline Generators inside, but I suspect we might see something based on the same tech in the final product.

If you’re looking for more than just subtle scanlines on non-HDMI devices, you’ll want to invest in a proper upscaler or hunt down an original CRT. However, this Scanline Generator is a hassle-free way to add pixel separation to most PC or console setups without relying on emulators, especially when the effect isn’t available.

Anyway, if you need me, I’ll be in my cave, admiring my precious scanlines. No, we’re not Gollum.