- The NES composite video output produces a wobbly or shimmering effect due to its unique internal timing and signal generation.
- Unlike systems like the Apple II or Sega Master System, the NES lacks a separate RGB video encoder; its PPU directly generates composite video without intermediate steps.
- The NES uses a 21.47727 MHz oscillator, leading to 227.33 colorburst cycles per scanline, creating a three-line repeating pattern instead of the typical two-line pattern in other systems.
- Ricoh engineers implemented a 'missing dot' technique, alternating scanline lengths to reduce the three-frame pattern to two, mimicking systems with proper 227.5 cycles per scanline.
- The 'missing dot' effect is disabled when rendering is turned off, as seen in games like Battletoads, which exploit this for faster VRAM access.