Controls Reference

Analog TV Simulator models the complete analogue broadcast chain from first principles. Every slider and switch corresponds to a real physical component or circuit. This reference explains the physics behind each control, how they interact, and how to verify they are working correctly.

How the pipeline works

The signal flows left to right through seven stages. Each stage degrades and transforms the picture in ways that are physically grounded — the artefacts are not stylised overlays. They emerge from the simulated signal itself, just as they did in real hardware.

01
Camera Tube

Photoconductor converts light to an electrical signal. Lag, bloom, halo and burn-in are modelled from manufacturer datasheets (Plumbicon, Vidicon, IO, Newvicon).

02
Composite Signal Encode

Luma and chroma are combined into a single composite waveform. Colour subcarrier, Y/C bandwidth and interleaving artefacts (dot crawl, Hanover bars) emerge here.

03
VCR Tape

The composite signal is recorded to tape. Bandwidth is limited, colour-under subcarrier is heterodyned down, dropout events are scattered, and the capstan introduces wow and flutter.

04
RF Transmission

VHF/UHF carrier. Multipath reflections create ghost copies. Mains hum couples onto the video signal. A distant transmitter beats as co-channel interference.

05
Audio

FM intercarrier audio subcarrier. Residual chroma energy cross-couples as buzz. Broadcast test tones and VCR audio track characteristics are included.

06
Receiver Decode

The composite signal is decoded by the simulated receiver. Saturation, hue, brightness, contrast and vertical sync lock are user-adjustable, as on the original set.

07
CRT Display

Electron beam raster-scans the phosphor layer. Phosphor chemistry (8 types), shadow mask or aperture grille, halation, curvature and convergence are all simulated with Metal GPU shaders.

Experience the real thing.

Every control in this reference reflects a physical component or circuit. Physics-accurate, from first principles.