Effects — Retro
CRT / VHS effect
Add scanlines, RGB shift, vignette and noise for the look of an old CRT monitor or a worn VHS tape.
- Status
- Live
- Category
- Retro
- Settings
- 4
What is the CRT / VHS effect?
Cathode-ray tube (CRT) televisions drew pictures line by line, leaving visible scanlines and slight colour fringing. VHS tapes added soft detail, noise and colour bleeding. Together they define the 1980s and 1990s home-video look.
This effect combines four ingredients: scanlines, an RGB shift that separates the red, green and blue channels, a vignette that darkens the corners like a curved screen, and noise that mimics tape and signal grain. Use them lightly for a subtle nostalgic feel or push them for a heavy analogue look.
CRT / VHS settings
- Scanlines
- RGB shift
- Vignette
- Noise
Best photos for it
- Portraits and street photography with a nostalgic mood
- Neon-lit city shots
- Music, gaming and streaming thumbnails
Tips for better results
- Tip 01
Keep the RGB shift small. A little goes a long way.
- Tip 02
Increase noise and scanlines together for a worn-tape look.
- Tip 03
Pair with Glitch for a corrupted signal.
Common questions
What is the difference between CRT and VHS?
CRT describes the glass display with scanlines and curved edges. VHS describes the tape with its colour bleed and noise. This effect blends both.
Similar effects
- GlitchCorrupt your photo with shifted bands and RGB splits for a digital glitch look. A seed value lets you repeat or vary the result.Available
- Film grainAdd realistic film grain with an amount control and a seed for repeatable results.Available
- VignetteDarken the edges of a photo to draw the eye inward, with amount and size controls.Available
Also searched as: VHS filter, CRT filter, Scanline effect, Retro TV effect.