Trebors PRO Palettes and Colors Guide with Conversions

Trebor · October 12, 2023

*UPDATE* - TREBORS ATARI PRO PALETTES V3

TREBORS_ATARI_PRO_PALETTES_V3-DISTRO.zip

What Is New [Differences from TREBORS_ATARI_PRO_PALETTES_V2]:
1. Calibrated sets of palettes where the luminance ramp is properly calibrated per CPS 7800 Diagnostic Test
Cartridge. Ensures all intended graphic details, difference in shading, and color distinction is visible.
2. Uncalibrated raw palette sets.

Utilization:

\\(1) Region\(2) Video Settings\(3) Display Type Color Simulation\(4) Palette Temperature

Palette information is presented in three ways:
1. RGB triplet in *.pal format.
2. RGB triplet in *.css format.
3. Hexadecimal in *.css format.

Providing a variety of formats allows for easier incorporation under emulators, flashcarts, and FPGA simulations.

Details And Examples:

An uncalibrated, raw RF Atari 7800 console signal usually provides a resulting brightness value of approximately negative 8 percent. Other items factor into the picture though, such as features found with 'PanaBlack', 'Trinitron', or allocation of 'Dynamic' black levels and other video generating circuitry, especially with late model CRTs, that result in auto adjustments to the image brightness. Video modifications to the console can also create differences. Last, but not least, we have user preference with manual adjustments being performed on the display.

Nonetheless, there are some practical, and relatively easy to follow reference guideline examples that can assist with calibrating the picture brightness properly, noted below. This research also led to the attached archive of palette files, at the top of this post, that are technically sound and accurately configured, which promote images with proper calibrated video output, as well as provide an uncalibrated raw set.

Example 1: CPS 7800 Diagnostic Test

Example 2: Dig Dug

Example 3: Dark Chambers

Example 4: Commando

Example 5: NTSC Palettes Cool, Warm, Hot

Example 6: PAL Palettes Cool, Warm, Hot

While the first example, "CPS 7800 Diagnostic Test", is not available for PAL consoles, the sited game examples provide the same key points for either NTSC or PAL systems. Calibrated palettes ensures all intended graphic details, difference in shading, and color distinction remains intact.

Trebor · June 30

*UPDATE* - TREBORS ATARI PRO PALETTES V4

TREBORS_ATARI_PRO_PALETTES_V4-DISTRO.zip

What Is New [Differences from TREBORS_ATARI_PRO_PALETTES V3]:
1. Added MODIFIED set for modern tv targets.
2. Simplified palette temperature variety and eliminated wrong colors palettes.

Utilization:

\\(1) Region\(2) Luminance Setting\(3) Palette Temperature

Palette information is presented in three ways:
1. RGB triplet in *.pal format.
2. RGB triplet in *.css format.
3. Hexadecimal in *.css format.

Providing a variety of formats allows for easier incorporation under emulators, flashcarts, and FPGA simulations.

UNCALIBRATED = Raw luminance values.

Setup Condition: Tap, unmodified RF Video observations.

CALIBRATED = Calibrated luminance per official calibration and diagnostic tools.

Setup Condition: CRT display viewing.

MODIFIED = Modified luminance for modern TV displays, accounts for picture processing features.

Setup Condition: Modern TV viewing.

Enjoy!

*EDIT: It has been discussed that the Stella emulator, and by extension anything that utilizes it, significantly decreases the gamma value of palette data provided.

Attached below in the archive zip is a "Gamma Increased" folder, which contains a stella.pal file that accounts for the darkening difference, which should be utilized in lieu of the standard values and files provided under TREBORS ATARI PRO PALETTES v4. It also includes the respective gamma increased hex values for both NTSC and PAL palettes.

Trebor_Stella_TIA_Palette_Update_V4-DISTRO.zip

Additionally, for convenience, and should Stella no longer implement automatic gamma darkening of the palette data it is provided, there is a "Gamma Normal" folder, which contains a stella.pal file that lacks the gamma brightening adjustment. It too includes the corresponding gamma normal hex values for both NTSC and PAL palettes.

Trebor · August 11

*UPDATE* - TREBORS ATARI PRO PALETTE V5

TREBORS_ATARI_PRO_PALETTES_V5-DISTRO.zip

What's New??? (Updates from TREBORS_ATARI_PRO_PALETTES_V4-DISTRO):
1. Fixed configuration issue with "CALIBRATED" and "UNCALIBRATED" PAL region palettes.
2. Added "SUPER" palette set.
3. Added "5200", "2600", subfolders and files.

4. "Emulators" folder created with respective files for the "Stella" and "A7800" emulators.

LAYOUT:

\\(1) System\(2) Region\(3) Luminance Setting\(4) Palette Temperature

The above palette information is presented in three ways:
1. RGB triplet in *.pal format (2600/7800) or *.act (5200).
2. RGB triplet in *.css format.
3. Hexadecimal in *.css format.

All 2600 PAL region palette data is sorted in the order demonstrated by the TIA chip.

Combining a variety of formats in addition to the below scenarios, allows for easier understanding to incorporate under emulators, flashcarts, and FPGA simulations:

UNCALIBRATED = Raw luminance values.
Ideal Setup Condition: Tap, unmodified RF Video observations.

CALIBRATED = Luminance calibrated per official utility and diagnostic tools.
Ideal Setup Condition: CRT display viewing.

MODIFIED = Modified luminance for modern displays, accounts for some picture processing features.
Ideal Setup Condition: Modern display viewing.

SUPER = Superior luminance and saturation.
Ideal Setup Condition: Showcase and Showroom viewing.

The Stella emulator folder contains *.pal files which conform to the emulator's specifications, providing three region (NTSC, PAL, SECAM) formats in one file. The *.pal files are sorted within the Stella folder under subfolders for the above scenarios. Additionally, there is a folder labelled "!HYBRID". The "!HYBRID" folder presents the two most dominant selected 2600 palette temperatures from each region, NTSC - Warm and PAL - Hot, in one *.pal file.

The A7800 emulator folder contains hex data text files, structured according to its (MAME) standard.

Below screenshots are presented for the console platforms: 2600, 5200, 7800.

All three temperatures (COOL, WARM, HOT), are represented by a respective color chart for each scenario. In-game captures follow, utilizing the most dominant console temperature, demonstrating all four scenarios.

The scenarios are presented in the following order: CALIBRATED --> MODIFIED --> SUPER --> UNCALIBRATED.

ATARI 2600 NTSC:

Spoiler

COOL: