NTSC & PAL Palettes - Tint, "Pot", Saturation Variances & More

[Trebor]

Short and Sweet version...

The most complete and diverse palettes available; including not only "tint/hue" but internal console "pot adjustments" as well which in part accounts for variances between systems and displays. A range of brilliance and saturation levels are included too.

 

Grab the complete set with below description and explanation here: GCCFINALXX_20130624.zip

 

*UPDATED 6/24* - Additional color logic/decode for neutral "pot" palettes and improved naming convention.

 

Detailed version...

The GCCFINALXX palettes offer a robust range of settings with much diversity regarding color control. It includes "tint" adjustment (as typical found on a display's end-user controls) as well as "pot" adjustment (Color tuning found inside the 7800 console). Additionally, there is a range of color brilliance and saturation settings from the raw/base levels to extreme levels.

 

Here is a typical file name: "NTSC_GCCFINAL1G_XTRBRT_LOWSAT.pal"

 

It describes the palette in the following four areas:

 

I. Region

II. Palette Family Pot and Tint/Hue Setting

III. Brilliance Setting

IV. Saturation Level

 

I. REGION:

The region difference is noted by either NTSC or PAL in the file name.

 

II. PALETTE FAMILY POT / TINT SETTING

The difference respecting the "pot adjustment" is noted by either number 1, 2, or 3 in the file name:

 

1 = More Blue to Red, Less Blue to Green.

2 = Neutral

3 = More Blue to Green, Less Blue to Red.

 

The difference respecting the "tint/hue setting" is noted by either a letter G, N, or R.

G = More Green

N = Neutral

R = More Red

 

Complete Color Base line:

GCCFINAL1G = TINT is more green / POT is more blue over red, less blue over green

GCCFINAL2G = TINT is more green / POT is neutral

GCCFINAL2G-ALT = TINT is more green / POT is neutral (Alternate color logic)

GCCFINAL3G = TINT is more green / POT is more blue over green, less blue over red

 

GCCFINAL1N = TINT is neutral / POT is more blue over red, less blue over green

GCCFINAL2N = TINT is neutral / POT is neutral

GCCFINAL2N-ALT = TINT is neutral / POT is neutral (Alternate color logic)

GCCFINAL3N = TINT is neutral / POT is more blue over green, less blue over red

 

 

GCCFINAL1R = TINT is more red / POT is more blue over red, less blue over green

GCCFINAL2R = TINT is more red / POT is neutral

GCCFINAL2R-ALT = TINT is more red / POT is neutral (Alternate color logic)

GCCFINAL3R = TINT is more red / POT is more blue over green, less blue over red

 

III. BRILLIANCE:

The level of color brilliance or brightness is noted using the following:

 

LOW = Base/Raw Level

MED = Average Level

XTR = Extreme Level

 

Complete Brilliance Line (Least to Greatest) = LOWBRT, MEDBRT, XTRBRT

 

IV. SATURATION:

The level of color saturation is noted using the following:

 

LOW = Base/Raw Level

MED = Average Level

XTR = Extreme Level

 

Complete Saturation Line (Least to Greatest) = LOWSAT, MEDSAT, XTRSAT

 

A few final thoughts...Keep in mind that your current display device (Computer monitor can have a slant/push) may result in you choosing a palette that could seem like an unlikely candidate or choice.

 

For example, have you ever read a review where they says the monitor has, not a red, but a "pink push", or "too much pink"? The actual issue may be there is a stronger than expected or accustomed to blue over red ratio. In that scenario, you may want to counter it with one of the GCCFINAL3X palettes depending on how strong the monitor's slant/push is of "pink".

 

Or if you have a display with a red push, you may want or/and need to counter it with one of the GCCFINALXG palettes. Then again, your current display may be perfectly color calibrated and it is the original 7800 system or device you play(ed) it on that leans or slants in a certain direction regarding colors as a result of the pot adjustment or television configuration. It's all factors to keep in mind when trying the select a palette that looks 'right' to you.

 

Please note too, one palette may look just right for one game and very wrong for another. A few titles there is little noticeable changes (I.E. Dig Dug) among a slew of different palettes. In other titles, each palette will make a obvious and distinct difference (I.E. Xenophobe).

 

ENJOY!

[Trebor]

Here are some of the palettes in action. All captures are labeled noting what palette is being utilized.

This is just a small sampling, but will give you an idea of what to expect.

 

For groups of captures highlighting different color bases this arrangement should be kept in mind:

 

For groups of captures highlighting difference of brilliance and saturation levels this arrangement should be kept in mind:

 

 

The first batch will demonstrate the range of pot and tint settings (color bases) using brilliance at low level and saturation at extreme levels under Choplifter!:

 

In this second group, it will demonstrate the range of pot and tint settings (color bases) using brilliance and saturation back to average levels under Commando. The blue to green differences is well seen here:

 

Note how much colors appearance can vary with just changing brilliance and saturation levels under the same color base palette of GCCFINAL2N under Desert Falcon:

 

Going back to the average brilliance and saturation setting, here is Midnight Mutants demonstrating the different color bases:

 

Again, you can have considerable color changes even within the same color base changing brilliance and saturation levels, here's Midnight Mutants again with GCCFINAL2N:

 

Showcasing the pot and tint adjustment factors again, best highlighting blue to red differences, here is Ms. Pac-Man from Pac-Man Collection:

 

Just a few more titles, demonstrating the different color bases:

[gambler172]

Hi Trebor

Which Palette should i use for PROSYSTEM Emulator?

greetings Walter

[Trebor]

Hi Trebor

Which Palette should i use for PROSYSTEM Emulator?

greetings Walter

 

Hi Walter,

 

Thanks for taking a look at these and for the question, I appreciate it.

 

All the palettes will work under the ProSystem emulator. The one you should use is one that begins will PAL for the PAL ROMs or NTSC for the NTSC ROMs.

 

Ideally, you should pick the one that looks "right" from your experience with the system.

 

For the most neutral tint option I would select among GCCFINAL1, GCCFINAL2, or GCCFINAL3. GCCFINAL2 is the most neutral regarding pot adjustment as well.

 

So, if you're looking for the most relatively neutral tint and pot adjusted palette along with nice brilliance and a well saturated image (But not too much) , I would suggest starting with PAL_GCCFINAL2N_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.pal (Located in the GCCFINAL2N\PAL folder) or PAL_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.pal (Located in the GCCFINAL2N-ALT\PAL folder) for any PAL ROMs and NTSC_GCCFINAL2N_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.pal (Located in the GCCFINAL2N\NTSC folder) or NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.pal (Located in the GCCFINAL2N-ALT\NTSC folder) for any NTSC ROMs.

 

If the palette is too brilliant or too saturated, try in the same folder one of the palettes with "LOWBRT" and/or "LOWSAT" depending on preference.

 

If the palette is not brilliant enough or saturated enough, try in the same folder one of the palettes with "XTRBRT" and/or "XTRSAT".

 

If the palette is too much "red" try one under the GCCFINAL2G folder (I.E. PAL_GCCFINAL2G_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.pal).

 

If the palette has too much "green" try one under GCCFINAL2R folder (I.E. PAL_GCCFINAL2R_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.pal).

 

My best advice is to experiment with one, and then whatever issue(s) you may have with it, select the next palette based on what would improve the issue you have with the current palette you selected based on the options and descriptions provided.

 

Let me know if you have any questions or need guidance in selecting or picking another palette if after the one you pick looks wrong and you're not quite sure which palette can accomplish what you are trying to achieve. Tell me what is wrong with it and I can offer alternative palettes to address the particular issue you are experiencing.

 

I am always more than happy to customize a palette for you with more/less contrast, brightness, saturation, etc. Feel free to ask.

 

UPDATED 6/24: Fixed palette suggestion names based on improved convention.

[gambler172]

Hi Trebor

thanks for info

greetings Walter

[KevinMos3]

Very nice. The NTSC_GCCFINAL2_LOWBRT_MEDSAT.pal is my new default.

[Trebor]

Very nice. The NTSC_GCCFINAL2_LOWBRT_MEDSAT.pal is my new default.

 

Cool...Glad you found one that is to your liking.

[Trebor]

Hi Trebor

thanks for info

greetings Walter

 

No problem. Looking back at what I wrote, I hope it helped more than made things further complicated.

 

Personally, after experimenting with different color bases and settings, I found the following palette matches the closest to what I am accustomed to on the monitor I primarily use at home:

 

NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_MEDSAT.pal

 

Here are a few captures:

 

 

However, NTSC_GCCFINAL2N_XTRBRT_MEDSAT.pal looks very close as well. It's a tough call...

 

I've compared both on a ASUS LED (Home) and an DELL LCD (Work) and those two come closest for what I have experienced with the real hardware, all things considered.

 

Here's a few captures from NTSC_GCCFINAL2N_XTRBRT_MEDSAT.pal:

 

 

 

The more I look it over, the more I see towards NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_XTRSAT.pal as being a better contender with NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_MEDSAT.pal.

 

Again, NTSC_GCCFINAL2N_XTRBRT_MEDSAT.pal is very close too, but NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_MEDSAT.pal & NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_XTRSAT.pal edges out to be the best ones for me.

 

Here's a few captures from NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_XTRSAT.pal:

 

 

So to give an order for my preference:

 

Tied for 1st place: NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_MEDSAT.pal & NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_XTRSAT.pal

3rd place: NTSC_GCCFINAL2N_XTRBRT_MEDSAT.pal

 

I did some testing on a Dell Vostro & Latitude and found the NTSC_GCCFINAL2N_XTRBRT_XTRSAT.pal looks better than the NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_XTRSAT.pal. To be fair, and cover that set as well, here are the captures for NTSC_GCCFINAL2N_XTRBRT_XTRSAT.pal:

 

 

It just goes to show again that everyone's display either on the real hardware or via emulation, will produce different results and preferences

[Trebor]

Here's some of the same game group captures that have been posted with the XTRBRT settings, utilizing the LOWBRT setting.

It balances out all those XTRBRT ones posted

 

Specifically, the set KevinMos3 mentioned liking (NTSC_GCCFINAL2(N)_LOWBRT_MEDSAT.pal):

 

 

 

Also, here is NTSC_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_LOWBRT_MEDSAT.pal:

 

[Trebor]

My apologies to PAL region users; first for the lack of screenshots from the region, and that the PAL_GCCFINAL2N-ALT palette had its brilliance and saturation settings completely applied wrong.

 

Here is the fixed PAL _GCCFINAL2N-ALT palette: PAL_GCCFINAL2N-ALT-FIXED.zip

 

NTSC users likely do not need this unless playing PAL ROMs or want to fix the complete set provided in the first post.

 

Any who want the entire GCCFINALXX set with the above fix in one download here it is: GCCFINALXX_20130630.zip

 

Here are some captures from PAL_GCCFINAL2N-ALT_XTRBRT_XTRSAT.pal:

 

 

Just as a last note for all in case it is not already understood, most games under the two different regions do not have all matching colors between them.

Some come extremely close or match for many colors (Dig Dug, Ms. Pac-Man), but usual colors selected for games under the NTSC region will have slightly to drastically different colors compared to their PAL counterparts.

[Trebor]

UPDATE... GCCFINALXX_20130815.zip

 

20130815 Changes:

-Normalized Contrast and Brightness levels providing a standardized grayscale and overhaul of all palette values

*Most noticeable visual changes are highest range colors no longer appear washed out

(I.E. Karateka and Donkey Kong flesh tones)

-Corrected and simplified palette structure - Back to 9 color bases - No more "alts"

-Fixed brilliance and saturation variety levels to fall within realistic reasonable specs.

 

Recommendation:

Start with your respective region's

'GCCFINAL2N_MEDBRT_MEDSAT' palette...

 

If overall too dark, then GCCFINAL2N_XTRBRT_MEDSAT.

 

If overall too bright, then GCCFINAL2N_LOWBRT_MEDSAT.

 

If colors too washed out, then GCCFINAL2N_MEDBRT_XTRSAT.

 

If colors too strong, then GCCFINAL2N_MEDBRT_LOWSAT.

 

If too much green, then GCCFINAL2R_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.

 

If too much red, then GCCFINAL2G_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.

 

If reds should look more 'pink' - lighter with more blue,

then GCCFINAL1N_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.

 

If greens should look more 'mint' - lighter with more blue,

then GCCFINAL3N_MEDBRT_MEDSAT.

 

If you have a combination of issues, just follow the palette guide charts posted earlier to this thread, to assist in reaching the best possible palette.

 

As always, feel free to ask here for assistance as well.