A few things about this review - For reference i purchased my own unit and i didn't go over some features like downscaling to CRTs, simply because this features is not of any particular interest to me. If you want a much more comprehensive review that covers all features of the RetroTINK 5x Pro - I recommend Retro RGBs here - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nwNrqIjxBaA.html
Hi - great review. Just to flag, the PS2’s higher resolutions didn’t work over SCART as the 5X can’t support RGsB over SCART. (It only does RGBs.) The only way you’ll get the higher resolutions is to use 1) a Component cable or 2) the SCART cable via a GSCART which will convert the RGsB to RGBs.
Appreciate the honesty here. In regards to the shortcomings mentioned (1080i, 50 Hz) I wouldn't be surprised if a firmware update comes out in the near future to remedy those. All of the RetroTINK products get pretty nice firmware update support from what I see, so maybe a few updates in I'll grab one of these. I've owned a Framemeister for a few years, so at the moment I'm not needing an upscaler upgrade.
The fact there is a solution to the HDMI dropout during Res switches is a big deal for me but its still not a Full replacement for my OSSC+Frameister setup sadly Definitely the way to go now for people just starting to get old systems up and running on new tvs though.
@@kickflipdemon you can't do 1080i over av (compositre nor s video) cables, this is by design. It needs coponent cables or scxart, not an isue with retrotink.
@@snintendog you can't do 1080i over av (compositre nor s video) cables, this is by design. It needs coponent cables or scxart, not an isue with retrotink.
Just a general comment, that I'm posting on this video because it's the newest one: As a software engineer with an interest in all things retro-game-related, the things you do on this channel are really inspiring to me. I really look up to you. Thanks for all of the great videos, and keep being awesome.
MVG starts off my weeks great with a new vid as I wake up and have breakfast before work. I look forward to your videos every monday, no matter what you're talking about. Excellent as always!
Honestly, the Neo Geo footage OSSC vs 5X was night and day in this video, but I understand it doesn't always appear that way on your display while you're playing.
Something like this can absolutely be down to one "capturing better". And on some displays there may be very little difference. But i think the X5 is going to be my next purchase.. Its instant rez adaption is insane.
@@wishusknight3009 For original RE2 players that could be a game changer. I've seen a few videos where the creators ultimately went with emulation to record gameplay because RE2 constantly switched resolutions and messed with their capture cards.
@@grn1 It is honestly going to be a help for vintage PC work too. Seeing post screens that flash by in less than a second while my screen is blanking out playing with wingnuts isn't good.
He is using Generic 4:3 profile on OSSC while using 1080p Over profile on 5x (and probably a Neo Geo profile). Obviously 5x is gonna look sharper, but the same sharpness can be obtained from the OSSC if he used a perfected timing profile.
One thing that I notice is a yellowish tint, you can see better in GT4 white menu and when MVG zooms in Art of Fighting menu, the SNK logo has a bit of yellow to it.
@@TheAfroman The RetroTINK-5X is capable of both RGB Full & Limited, while OSSC is only Full. My guess is MVG forgot to set the RetroTINK-5X to Full when showing the noise comparison at 6:32.
Instant resolution switch is a game changer. Motion adaptive deinterlacer is nice too: you should be able to just use it and forget, half-framerate high-res games shouldn't suffer from it as they do from bob, and full-framerate hi-res games would get clearer ui elements.
Been waiting for the OSSC Pro but the quick resolution switching of the RetroTINK 5X is really tempting as it may finally remedy the dreaded CronoCross menu switching
He is right for those that got the OSSC and Framemeisters this is a hard sell but i would recommend this over those 2 just on Price alone and availability as well at least for Real hardware junkies otherwise the Mister is shaping up very well might wait until the cores are finished or if a "project mister2" on a stronger FPGA comes out.
@@Clay3613 yes but so does the retrotink 5 your point? and if you actually read what i wrote i said OSSC+Frameister they cover what the other lacks and that combo is what i am basing the argument over the Retrotink 5. the OSSC right now is 170 USD before shipping and the RT5 is 275 before shipping for reference. If it was just the OSSC vs RT5 the RT5 wins hands down for versatility and deinterlacing but for us that have BOTH it is a hard ass sell for a sidegrade the next retrotink will most likely sell to us as a major upgrade. and even then i have a feeling the need for linedoubling alone is gonna stay for the ossc. As it is the res switching is a MAJOR deal for us but with the amount of money placed into our setup already it makes it feel the need to have a bit more to justify the buy and with the lack of the HDMI in for the digital adapter we have for a few consoles it cant replace our Frameister yet. The way most people have their consoles right now is↓ Console RGB/COMP/Digital HDMI mod IE GCHD Eon/Xbox Chimeric HDMI>OSSC for LineDouble>Framiester for HDMI cleanup(alot of tvs suck at seeing nonstandard res or timings)>TV OR Console>Composite/Svid/Scart RGB or COMP Interlaced and progressive>Framemeister for Scaling The RetroTink 5x can handle the Second one Handily but falls to the purely digital out we have on more of the not quite retro systems.
@@snintendog The OSSC literally costs half as much and is currently in stock, so not sure what you mean when you say the 5x beats it on price and availability... Also the mister isn't even a de-interlacer, it's an emulator.
Even though you're joking, you stumbled onto the reality of these dirt bags. They're all a bunch of scam artists feeding each other. You know baldie actually stole Switch input code and tried to pass it off as his own until he got caught, right? He's a charlatan.
As usual, great video! Man, I've been on the fence about getting this since I'm pretty happy with my Retrotink 2x pro, but that N64 composite comparison might've sold me on it. After all, my CD-I's composite output deserves the best.
Yeah for the pound sterling equivalent of what the Retrotink 5X Pro cost I was able to buy an Xbox One X. With Developer Mode enabled it will actually emulate a lot of the things here and also can back compat in regular mode for X360/original Xbox. Still a neat device if you are a retrothusiast gamer with deep pockets though, for sure.
@@dummymannequin7272 honestly don't get upscaling in most scenario's. I play on the original console so I don't have lag and everything works like it should've when it was released. Old consoles like nes up to gc I play on a CRT. To get the most real picture the developers had in mind when making the game. Since they where actually made on a CRT. If you want to play in 4k, just use emulation it's honestly probably better than upscaling a fuzzy game 5 times. I guess some people just don't really like CRTs with i get, but why just not play emulator than. The only reason would be nostalgia factor and ease of use i guess.
The one thing that I do hope will be added via Firmware update is the smoothing filter. Useful for Composite & S-Video signals for 3D games, it's a shame to see it missing here when it's present on all of the much cheaper RetroTINK devices. I am very curious to know why it was omitted on the 5X.
@@ericvisser5253 Very true, lets hope that our generation in charge of executive positions in electronic manufacturers push this idea through as a standard, obviously until something else takes over! 🤓👍
I'm glad we have more options than the Framemeister these days, I remember back when that thing came out I thought it was the coolest piece of tech ever.
Mine is ordered and awaiting to be shipped. I'm super pumped to get it. Mike absolutely killed it with this product. This review just confirmed my decision to buy one. Awesome video MVG.
Interesting video. I was testing mine a few days ago and it worked with every PAL game that I tried through a SCART RBG-cable from RetroGamingCables (CSYNC Cables, all of them, PS2/WII/Gamecube). BUT, I had this issue running some of my Wii Virtual Console games that were running in 240p (A link to the Past, for example). The ones running in 480i were fine though...
That's good to know that it works with retro gaming cables, I was wondering whether their was a compatibility issue with sync. Do you use a switcher? I'm getting a gscartsw and wondering which cables to get with a combination gscartsw and retrotink 5x
This is a fantastic video! Waiting for mine to come in the mail. I don't bother with Amiga or anything 50hz (all my consoles are NTSC)... So I think the two major problems you touched on there aren't going to affect me too much. You really put it through its paces though!! I'm stoked to see what this thing can do
I remeber being like 5-6 y/o, my parents got me my very first own console, a PS2, in 2008, and connected to my old CRT TV, for me, at those times, it looked like this upscaler, such sweet times
Well, I think the thing is that lots of videophile retro gamers in the US have "taken" SCART as a common and de facto standard way of using RGB signals from consoles, since the US never had a consumer RGB standard of its own, so when you spend all your time thinking about SCART as a way of using RGB video, I can see how its easy to forget about foreign video standards (or how its not just an RGB standard).
@@The2808erik It looks a lot better than 480i still, and it should look decent on most TVs. If you want a sharper image then you can upscale through the OSSC, 5x, or Mclassic (Mclassic’s biggest strength is 480p, I’m not recommending it as an alternative to the others in most situations).
Hum, I missed the opening of the pre-orders by about 5mins and didn't manage to get one. Seeing your review now with the 50Hz stuff puts me on the back foot. I have some 50Hz PAL consoles which I was hoping to run through this via composite, until I can get RGB out of them. It appears like that wouldn't have worked anyway, for now at least. That is a shame. Still, great review and great product too.
I told my friends about this. but I already have several retrotinks AND an ossc. If I didn't already have retrotinks, or an OSSC I would get this. it's great, and I recommend it to all my friends who are looking for upscalers as an option among many. but at this point, I myself don't need anything higher than even 720p and that's rare. Yeah, If it goes on sale, or if someone better comes along i'll probably get it. At this point... I don't need it myself. that fast resolution switching is amazing, but i had that covered with a DVD0 VPx in my chain... but retrotink 5x is definititely a better solution
Chalk me up as another OSSC user really unhappy with the bob deinterlace. It'd be awesome if we could like mod it to have extra deinterlace modes or something. My TV does decent deinterlacing but it adds a TON of input lag.
I wonder if its just the Amiga or 50 htz systems in general that have the issue? I have also always wondered why Europe is 50 htz? But thats a topic for another time. A big hunk of retro PAL gaming is 50 htz lol. I am pretty sure Mike will fix those issues in firmware updates. I hope you guys across the ocean get the 50 htz issue resolved. But in the grand scheme of things, if Gran Tourismo, and the Amiga are the only gripes, then that's not bad for a brand new seamless resolution changing device. Great, honest review!
The only thing that is missing from Retro Tink 5x is a HDMI input for HDMI devices that way you could use something like a Nintendo switch to boost resolution upto 1440p
Motion Adaptive de-interlacing really is magical. The Retrotink5x-Pro box just looks plain sick. Too bad the it doesn’t seem to have the optimized PSP mode that the OSSC has: that feature is a game-changer for me. Great vid MVG!
@@ians_parks Somebody can correct me if I'm misremembering, but it de-letterboxes PSP game content (you can see how the PSP letterboxes game content if you plug its component/AV cables directly into your TV), line doubles it to 960p, and then fits that to your entire display area (so fullscreen PSP games, baby!)! Been a pretty sick feature paired up w my PSPGo that can use DS3 controllers via bluetooth :)
@@vladimirmlotschek3265 The retrotink5x definitely doesnt fill the screen for psp games, its still letterboxed for games but fullscreen for the home menu although Mike said something to me on twitter about potentially adding a zoom feature via a firmware update. I imagine alot of the issues people find with these early units are going to be gradually ironed out by firmware updates being that its FPGA based now.
Sounds great and despite the high cost, seems like a good value compared to modding a bunch of classic systems. I hope you'll get some composite and/or component video cables for your PS2 for a future video to see how that looks. It'd also be great if you could do the same with a composite/component switch to see how that affects things. Thanks for the review =)
The problem for me with replacing my OSSC with another scaler is, every year that goes by I actually end up reducing the number of systems that use analogue video by modding them with an HDMI kit or replacing them with an FPGA alternative. I now connect my Dreamcast, Gamecube, and PS1 via HDMI kits or adapters and will soon do the same with the N64Digital. I also no longer even use my original NES, Turbo Duo, Sega CD, SNES, Genesis or Master System consoles but instead opt for an FPGA alternative. That pretty much leaves the Saturn and PS2 connected to my OSSC via Scart, but Citrus300PSI is working on a PS2 digital, and I'll definitely be looking into that when it arrives.
wow it's pretty impressive ! OSSC here.... RetroTINK 5x Pro is a rather stable product right now... i guess it can be improved .... Sure the OSCC pro is coming (350 / 400 EURO ?? ouch.....) Since I have already an existing solution, I'll wait for the OSSC pro... and compare with this product.... But pretty cool to have a nice "plug and play" scaler, easy to use !!!
Definitely get the component cables for the PS2 and run GT4 in 1080i. There are some videos on RU-vid that show how amazing it looks. You could easily mistake it for the PS3 updates.
Is the 1080i mode even worth using in Gran Turismo 4/Tourist Trophy? I thought it rendered at the same resolution internally for all modes (512x448) and just upscaled it for the output. You're better off using 480p since there's no deinterlacing needed. 1080i support was probably added for projectors that supported 1080i but not 480p.
I don't know if someone did a comprehensive research, it may be a slightly different resolution like 540 vertically. In that case 480p or 1080i could look a bit better depending on your gear I guess but not a huge difference for sure.
So i did a quick test and 1080i is better indeed because it uses the same technique usually used in 480i on ps2: objects that aren't moving much receive analogue 2x vertical antialiasing of sorts since alternating fields is rendered at different positions. You can clearly see how this works this by comparing a screenshot to the live picture.
Very curious too! I need RGBHV in with VGA Port for my McWill modded Game Gear. OSSC Pro will also have downscaling via HDMI in. And screen rotation for Arcade Shoot em ups, which will be a big one!
I'll stick to small CRT as long as I can. Hoping that in few years there will be scaler available that got all pros of 5x, plus it does perfect emulation of CRT on LCD in the same time(scanlines, glow, curvature). All as lagless as possible.
@@kamilpotato3764 Yes! I tried the Framemeister a few years back, but it was too much hassle and I missed the true CRT-look :p I did not take a loss selling it to the next guy either, so theres that!
This is really cool. I just recently went down the rabbit hole of RGB on a PVM. Not quite ready to get into retrotink, but when I am I'm sure Mike will have the kinks ironed out.
Feels surreal seeing an MVG video where he talks about a new product that I already own. I love the RetroTINK 5X and will use it for further retro game console purchases.
I want to see captured OG Xbox Component to the RetroTink 5X and also coupled with mClassic. I’m interested but will only use it for the OG Xbox and maybe Wii.
Nice video man! I'm so fed up with trying the $30 price point PS2 to HDMI converters. I've tried Levelhike, Hyperkin, and the Amazon's choice one, and I've had either sound buzzing issues, or intermittent black screen issues with all three of them. I'm thinking about entering the RetroTink product line for my PS2 and the RetroTink 2X Pro looks like probably the smartest option. Aside from the RetroTink 2X Pro, what other cables/products would you recommend to complete the connection/setup with it? My tv has RCA inputs (red, yellow, white), and HDMI ports. But no component inputs.
You could get the RAD2X which is basically the same thing as the Retrotink 2x but it's just for one console (don't have to use SCART or any cable, it goes directly into the ps2 AV port and then you use a regular HDMI cable from the RAD2X to the tv; oh and also a micro usb cable to an usb port to power it). It was developed in collaboration with Retrotink so it's guaranteed to work exactly the same way (as if it included a Retrotink inside it) and it only costs 59£. The only downside is that it's made in the UK so if you live in the US you'll have to pay extra custom duties. And you'd have to get one for each console, so it's not the best solution if you want to link multiple consoles cause you'd have to buy 1 cable for each of them (in that case get the Retrotink 2x pro). Here's the link to their website: www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/RAD2X-CABLES
Are the 50Hz issues with the Amiga fixed in the latest firmware updates ? I don't own a RT5X but looking at the release notes it seems like 1.84 fixed similar problems ?
I've been patiently waiting for those native HDMI output mods to be available from black dog for PS1 and Wii. But as more years go by I'm starting to think maybe I will have to finally compromise and get an upscaler like this. But I hate compromising. Come on black dog you can do it.
Thank you so much for this MVG. As an avid Amiga user, I have been holding off buying a scaler for a very long time (with resolution switching being the main drawback for me not getting an OSSC). This seemed to be the perfect solution, but I guess I just have to wait until Mike fixes the 50Hz modes. Will you do an update if such a firmware would arrive? (if not an episode, perhaps a youtube story?)
Hi MVG. I believe that some of the 50Hz issues have been resolved in a later firmware update. I'm Australian and I'd be interested to know if that problem with the rolling video on the Amiga still exists with the latest firmware? many thanks 🙂
For the amount that it costs it better be. These are the prices I simply refuse to cough up especially since many Pound cables are very close to the same results but for the fraction of the price
Very nice overview but would have really liked to have seen how it performs with older machines that generate video signals that aren't 100% standards-compliant.
Even then the 5X has a surprising amount of settings as well, so it's suitable both for people who prefer plug-and-play and those who prefer heavy fine-tuning.
OSSC pro would be the more obvious comparison. But in the short term there are features and usability improvements by switching to the 5X clearly. The deinterlacer steals the show IMO - the smoothing options in future hopefully will make it even better.
hey MVG, when comparing 2 captures at once, maybe zoom in both captures, so its more noticable for people who watch this on a 1080p screen or even 4k, so we dont have to get up close to the monitor.
Just checked it. Now is actually $300 !! And if you are in the UK, than it says + $65 shipping + adding £50 for VAT ... Probably the same or similar for Europe . So at least a 400 $ device ! Looks like a good product, with a price that is beyond out of control . I don't want to be harsh at judging this as I have no idea how much do these cost to make, but its surely can not be THAT much 🤦♂
I've been using the original RetroTINK 2X to play my N64 with an S-Video cable on a 4k tv and it's been great. I recently got the 5X, and after switching back and forth between the devices, I cannot for the life of me see any upgrade in image quality using the 5X over the 2X. Can you recommend certain settings to check on? Thanks in advance!
I mean come on, it’s like the next Framemeister. It’s quite an amazing device, and Mike Chi said that he wanted to make the price a lot lower, but chip prices are skyrocketing and don’t seem to be going down anytime soon. For what it does, it’s well worth the money. I’m not sure what the other scalers coming out this year will have over this, and they will be well over $500.
The Framemister has the best picture quality, but the Retrotink 5x has less lag and hands resolution changes much faster. I still will be sticking with my Framemister for sometime.
Another thing the OSSC does that the 5x can’t is 360p support. If you use the Game Boy Player and GBI, the OSSC can upscale it to a letterboxed 1080p super sharp image.
My OSSC broke and the guy who sells them doesn't wanna take it and fix it because i am in Canada. He told me to "just buy another one bro" since it's not feasible to have it sent and returned even thought i offered to pay EVERY SINGLE CENT of the entire process. Never buy an OSSC, it is a TOTAL SCAM!
i wonder if its just me that wants something like this to hook up an old 2010 Digital Tv Box i found our old box records and playback free to air tv way better than the 2017 tv we have.
Are you sure you didn't have the screenshot labels reversed in the OSSC/Tink5x closeup shot? The Tink 5x uses compressed colors which appears to be the case with the shot labeled as OSSC. Are you sure you didn't get these shots mixed up? That or something with the settings may be different between the two scalers in that shot? The Tink 5X should definitely not be showing deeper colors than the OSSC in any situation that I can think of. Honestly tho, not enough reviewers are even mentioning the fact that the Tink 5X uses a compressed color space for it's output, an important bit of information I'd think.
Would have liked to see HDMI input support for Switch, Wii U, PS3, Xbox 360, etc. for older "HD" consoles on 4K TVs. I don't think my OSSC will be replaced until I see this included.
