# Videoton TV Computer (TVC) Image Maker - Comprehensive User Manual

## Introduction
The Videoton TV Computer (TVC) Image Maker is a professional-grade tool designed to convert modern digital images into the native graphics format of the classic 8-bit Hungarian Videoton TV Computer (TVC). The tool accurately simulates the hardware limitations of the TVC, including its unique 15-color palette and anamorphic (2:1 aspect ratio) pixels.

## 1. Getting Started
To begin, load an image:
- Click the central **"Select image or drag here"** area.
- Alternatively, drag and drop an image file directly into the browser window.
Once loaded, you will see a real-time preview of the image in the TVC's restricted resolution and color palette.

## 2. Interface Overview

### 2.1. Composition & Positioning
The TVC screen consists of 128x240 pixels. These pixels are stretched horizontally (2:1 aspect ratio).

*   **Display Modes:**
    *   **Crop Fill:** Fills the entire area, cropping excess parts.
    *   **Letterbox:** Shows the entire image, filling edges with the background color.
    *   **Stretch:** Forces the image to the exact TVC resolution (may cause distortion).
*   **Zoom:** Adjustable between 10% and 600%. Use the slider or mouse wheel.
*   **Positioning:** Drag the image with your mouse or use the horizontal/vertical position sliders.

### 2.2. Image Adjustments
Fine-tune your source image for better conversion.
*   **Brightness:** Adjusts overall lightness.
*   **Contrast:** Enhances the difference between light and dark areas.
*   **Saturation:** TVC colors are vibrant; you may need to reduce source saturation.
*   **Gamma:** Controls the brightness of midtones.
*   **Auto-Tune:** Automatically optimizes settings.

### 2.3. Dithering
Since the TVC only supports 15 colors, the program simulates gradients using dithering.
*   **Methods:**
    *   **Modernist:** Balance between detail and clean colors.
    *   **Ordered (Classic):** Regular pattern dithering, 80s style.
    *   **Diffusion (Sierra/Stucki/Jarvis):** Natural, error-diffusion based methods.
    *   **Pattern TVC:** Optimized for TVC hardware.
    *   **Threshold:** No dithering, nearest color only.

*   **Dither Tuning:**
    *   **Dither Amount:** How "grainy" the image is.
    *   **Noise Level:** Adds random patterns to avoid banding.
    *   **Solid Snap:** Prevents dithering on solid color areas.

### 2.4. Background Color
Select one of the 15 fixed TVC colors to fill empty areas.

### 2.5. Export Options
1. **Save as BMP:** Standard Windows BMP file with TVC palette.
2. **Save as TVC bin:** Raw binary data for real TVC or emulator.

## 3. Tips
*   TVC pixels are wide; portrait images often look better rotated.
*   Use "Auto" if you don't know where to start.
*   Use "Native Preview" (eye icon) to see the final TVC look.