Hardcore fans of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things can now experience the show’s first season in a special VHS-style edition—a fitting tribute to the era in which the story takes place.
If you still happen to have an old CRT television from the 1980s tucked away in the attic, along with an HDMI-to-composite converter, you’re in for a particularly authentic experience. The VHS version of Stranger Things can be streamed directly through Netflix, making it possible to recreate the look and feel of watching television in the VHS era.
Naturally, the effect is most convincing on a vintage CRT set, but it also works on modern flat-screen TVs, tablets, and smartphones since it’s simply another version available on the Netflix streaming platform. On modern displays, however, you’ll notice the characteristic 4:3 aspect ratio with black bars on either side, and some of the nostalgic charm is inevitably lost. On the other hand, younger viewers now have the chance to see what television looked like for previous generations.
To recreate the original 4:3 presentation, Netflix has used pan-and-scan techniques to reframe the image. So, it might be time to head up to the attic—or visit your local thrift store in search of a classic CRT television. If you want the full retro experience, you’ll also need an HDMI-to-composite AV converter, which can be found online for just a few euros.
One word of advice if you decide to buy one: pay close attention to the specifications. Most inexpensive converters work in the opposite direction—from composite AV to HDMI. For this particular setup, you’ll need a converter that goes from HDMI to composite AV.