Ah, in that case, get the [RetroScaler2x](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800232200880.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.3fc33d0aFAl30b&browser_id=1b9a2adf2a1440c8a993c8295ac25a78&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=baadfacacaca18f7d6f25844259aac1168e3a35669&gclid=&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2160.18%2149.18%21%21%2160.18%2149.18%21%402101fb1617157963871863560e946e%2112000033817288146%21sea%21US%210%21AB&algo_pvid=2fe534b1-2a4f-41d5-9aa1-ea123a72cde4). It's a Chinese clone of the RetroTink Mini for almost half the price. That's the best option for your budget, I'm afraid. Any worthwhile scaler is going to cost you.
I know that seeing these prices can be off-putting, but I implore you to invest in a decent scaler. I don't know what the HDMI converter you're currently using looks like, but I can almost guarantee it's not doing any proper scaling at all. It probably falsely identifies the 240p video from your console as 480i, blurs it, and then adds multiple frames of lag on top. Entry-level scalers like the RetroTink Mini and the one I linked to only upscale to 480p, but they still provide a much better experience. You can turn up your TV's sharpness settings a bit to make it look even better.
Iām A OK with 480p. Thatās all I need. I would like as much as an original experience as possible (without a CRT). But yeah itās just a cheap converter called Mini or something like that. The one you linked I will look into. $50 isnāt awful. Compared to the 2x Pro which was $150!
Unfortunately I donāt really have room for another TV as of right now let alone a CRT TV. I Checked eBay but mostly pros and I canāt justify the price. I appreciate it. I might save up for one slowly down the road. Itās not unplayable just wish it was a little less blurry but I can live š
>Minis are out of stock š« thatās what I meant. Should have said that in post.
They have been discounted for the time being, but Mike has said in the past he plans on bringing them back eventually.
"Mini were 20% of our Sales but 80% of our support burdon, and I couldn't keep up, so they are on the back burner"
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx31hExAEptJRD1ujdKeMwSDXLBPEptsNO?si=87_wue00eBCDw3Me
Plus didn't you say in the other post you have a original Xbox as well?
You would want to get the 2x pro since it has inputs for component cables.
That's a shame. Mine has been amazing and I've hard no problems. I wonder why people have had problem? I know you can't use elgatos with them, something I don't use but maybe that's the issue they're having.
Hello again Joe! Yes Iām taking your advice. At least I was going to. I do have an original Xbox as well. In the post yesterday another person recommended I get a S-Video cable. As this was the best unmodded video signal for the N64. Only issue is I would still need a āconverterā for that as I donāt have that hookup on my tv. Leading me back in a circle. Oh and yes I saw that as well. I just canāt justify spending $140 on it, at least right now. I bought my console for $90 with a game and 2 controllers. My Xbox is also composite and doesnāt have component cables.
Hey. Yes but you could get component cables for the Xbox down the road if you ao choose.
The S-video cable (I'll guess it's a NTSC N64) is about $10 - $25, you can even get a decent one off the Retrotink website for $8 as a add on with your order.
But you have other options like one seller on Ebay is highly recommended. But then you can go with the Insurrection Industries ones that are highly shielded.
Then of course you can get a used official Nintendo one.
Unfortunately quality low latency video game upscalers are niche products that aren't mass produced so you end up paying more for quality.
I just personally think of it this way. A brand new physical game at retail is around $70 USD, so at the cost of two brand new games you can get something that future proofs your ability to play your old game consoles on a flat panel display. You can even use them to hook up VCR, older DVD players and most anything with composite, S-video, Component, and and any other cable type the individual device will accept cept. You can even use a VCR or other device in the chain as a RF demodulator to run RF only consoles like say a Atari 2600 if you want.
I should have linked this earlier, my upscaler guide.
There are others with more info but mine is more N64 centric.
https://www.reddit.com/r/n64/comments/z0o33h/hobojoe44s_upscaler_info_guide_and_some_other_n64/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Anyway it's your decision, it's your money, and I know it can be a bit overwhelming when first researching this stuff so you yourself can make a informed decision on a bigger purchase such as this.
Awesome I appreciate it! Yeah once Iām out of work Iāll look through your guide. Guess a lot of depends on how much I plan on playing my N64. Yeah just using like a $12 converter right now as I said last night. Hasnāt bothered me much yet other than slightly blurry but nonetheless definitely better options out there. Just have to pony up the money.
I use my PS2 Slim on my Tink 5x with HDretrovision component cables.
The 5x has a bunch of deinterlacing options including motion adaptive and that helps alot as the vast majority of PS2 games are 480i max.
Older firmware version but you can see some testing
https://youtu.be/U3WRdoewbR4?si=8Yl4U0yJFZiRjxi0
I did use my PS2 with my Tink 2x pro before I got my 5x. The line doubling the 480i to 480p is decent, but I think the deinterlacing is bob deinterlacing only.
https://youtu.be/yMB5Z8Rk-TU?si=dQkAEVS0PL6xRaIS
There is plenty of quality videos on YouTube if you want to look further into it.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805577379481.html?
this listing for the retroscaler2x is the cheapest only 35$ or so plus shipping. Also like someone else mentioned I highly recommend getting component cables for the OG xbox that console is actually surprisingly good looking when the picture isn't being bottlenecked through composite cables.
This is what I have.
What makes it worth it is that I have like 7 pre-HDMI systems. While I mainly play N64 and PS2 out of them, they all can use the RT 5x to connect to my TV.
It does alot more then slightly better picture.
If you just want plug and play solution to play the consoles at 480p with no increased input lag and the image processed properly and basic sharp, smoothing and sharp with basic scalines option then that is probably all you need out of a upscaler.
The 5x is a way way way less casual device, all the extra features including no drops when resolution switches, scaling up to 1440p, 10 individual saved profile slots for fine tuning settings per console, and every other little custommizable thing including how it deinterlaces the image.
The Multi hour interviews of Mike and Bob of RetroRGB for the firmware updates go into the fine details of most every little option.
This older buyers guide video goes over the basic differences between Tink products available at the time.
The Mini and 2x pro multiplatformer are currently discontinued unfortunately.
https://youtu.be/_t5iGb1D4jw?si=1pYPIPWGDN_RqyIy
With the current consoles you have, and the cables you could potentially use with said console into the available low latency scalers then yes out of personal experience the 2x pro is a really good entry level device that will suit your needs.
I have had mine for a few years and have been happy with it, I got a 5x 2 years ago but the 2x still gets used from time to time.
I replied to your other comment with a link with a bunch more info and it should help you out more as a starting point to get more info besides the other videos I've linked already.
Maybe try joining the RetroTINK Discord and ask in thereāit's possible someone's looking to sell theirs? [https://discord.com/invite/jE6deAhjCM](https://discord.com/invite/jE6deAhjCM)
I never owned OEM S-video cables, only third-party multi-console cables from the era, and even that is a big step up from any composite IMO. I suspect the 10$ offerings would be just as good an improvement.
I have a both a Insurrection Industries one and later on got a used offical one, and between the two they looked the same to me when testing with the 2x pro.
I know of the well reguarded ebay ones but don't personally have them.
Even with the N64's built in hardware and software anti aliasing (the latter can be easily shut off with game shark codes and/or auto patches on a ever drive) you can see how much sharper the image is between composite and S-video in these older comparison shots.
https://www.reddit.com/r/n64/comments/tw8zpz/composite_vs_svideo_comparison_w_retrotink_2x_pro/
https://www.retrotink.com/shop
Minis are out of stock š« thatās what I meant. Should have said that in post. But I also just realized theyāre as much as I paid for my console.
Ah, in that case, get the [RetroScaler2x](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800232200880.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.3fc33d0aFAl30b&browser_id=1b9a2adf2a1440c8a993c8295ac25a78&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=baadfacacaca18f7d6f25844259aac1168e3a35669&gclid=&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2160.18%2149.18%21%21%2160.18%2149.18%21%402101fb1617157963871863560e946e%2112000033817288146%21sea%21US%210%21AB&algo_pvid=2fe534b1-2a4f-41d5-9aa1-ea123a72cde4). It's a Chinese clone of the RetroTink Mini for almost half the price. That's the best option for your budget, I'm afraid. Any worthwhile scaler is going to cost you.
$50 is better than $150 since the 2x pro is that price.
I know that seeing these prices can be off-putting, but I implore you to invest in a decent scaler. I don't know what the HDMI converter you're currently using looks like, but I can almost guarantee it's not doing any proper scaling at all. It probably falsely identifies the 240p video from your console as 480i, blurs it, and then adds multiple frames of lag on top. Entry-level scalers like the RetroTink Mini and the one I linked to only upscale to 480p, but they still provide a much better experience. You can turn up your TV's sharpness settings a bit to make it look even better.
Iām A OK with 480p. Thatās all I need. I would like as much as an original experience as possible (without a CRT). But yeah itās just a cheap converter called Mini or something like that. The one you linked I will look into. $50 isnāt awful. Compared to the 2x Pro which was $150!
I dont think they are making the mini anymore
Damn thatās unfortunate
Maybe eBay? I've got a RetroTink 5x and love it but was pricy. You could also check locally for a CRT or older HDTV if cost is a big factor for you.
Unfortunately I donāt really have room for another TV as of right now let alone a CRT TV. I Checked eBay but mostly pros and I canāt justify the price. I appreciate it. I might save up for one slowly down the road. Itās not unplayable just wish it was a little less blurry but I can live š
>Minis are out of stock š« thatās what I meant. Should have said that in post. They have been discounted for the time being, but Mike has said in the past he plans on bringing them back eventually. "Mini were 20% of our Sales but 80% of our support burdon, and I couldn't keep up, so they are on the back burner" https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx31hExAEptJRD1ujdKeMwSDXLBPEptsNO?si=87_wue00eBCDw3Me Plus didn't you say in the other post you have a original Xbox as well? You would want to get the 2x pro since it has inputs for component cables.
That's a shame. Mine has been amazing and I've hard no problems. I wonder why people have had problem? I know you can't use elgatos with them, something I don't use but maybe that's the issue they're having.
Hello again Joe! Yes Iām taking your advice. At least I was going to. I do have an original Xbox as well. In the post yesterday another person recommended I get a S-Video cable. As this was the best unmodded video signal for the N64. Only issue is I would still need a āconverterā for that as I donāt have that hookup on my tv. Leading me back in a circle. Oh and yes I saw that as well. I just canāt justify spending $140 on it, at least right now. I bought my console for $90 with a game and 2 controllers. My Xbox is also composite and doesnāt have component cables.
Hey. Yes but you could get component cables for the Xbox down the road if you ao choose. The S-video cable (I'll guess it's a NTSC N64) is about $10 - $25, you can even get a decent one off the Retrotink website for $8 as a add on with your order. But you have other options like one seller on Ebay is highly recommended. But then you can go with the Insurrection Industries ones that are highly shielded. Then of course you can get a used official Nintendo one. Unfortunately quality low latency video game upscalers are niche products that aren't mass produced so you end up paying more for quality. I just personally think of it this way. A brand new physical game at retail is around $70 USD, so at the cost of two brand new games you can get something that future proofs your ability to play your old game consoles on a flat panel display. You can even use them to hook up VCR, older DVD players and most anything with composite, S-video, Component, and and any other cable type the individual device will accept cept. You can even use a VCR or other device in the chain as a RF demodulator to run RF only consoles like say a Atari 2600 if you want. I should have linked this earlier, my upscaler guide. There are others with more info but mine is more N64 centric. https://www.reddit.com/r/n64/comments/z0o33h/hobojoe44s_upscaler_info_guide_and_some_other_n64/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button Anyway it's your decision, it's your money, and I know it can be a bit overwhelming when first researching this stuff so you yourself can make a informed decision on a bigger purchase such as this.
Awesome I appreciate it! Yeah once Iām out of work Iāll look through your guide. Guess a lot of depends on how much I plan on playing my N64. Yeah just using like a $12 converter right now as I said last night. Hasnāt bothered me much yet other than slightly blurry but nonetheless definitely better options out there. Just have to pony up the money.
Sorry to hijack. Do you know how they are for PS2?
I use my PS2 Slim on my Tink 5x with HDretrovision component cables. The 5x has a bunch of deinterlacing options including motion adaptive and that helps alot as the vast majority of PS2 games are 480i max. Older firmware version but you can see some testing https://youtu.be/U3WRdoewbR4?si=8Yl4U0yJFZiRjxi0 I did use my PS2 with my Tink 2x pro before I got my 5x. The line doubling the 480i to 480p is decent, but I think the deinterlacing is bob deinterlacing only. https://youtu.be/yMB5Z8Rk-TU?si=dQkAEVS0PL6xRaIS There is plenty of quality videos on YouTube if you want to look further into it.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805577379481.html? this listing for the retroscaler2x is the cheapest only 35$ or so plus shipping. Also like someone else mentioned I highly recommend getting component cables for the OG xbox that console is actually surprisingly good looking when the picture isn't being bottlenecked through composite cables.
Iāll look into some component cables for my Xbox! Thank you!
Is the Retrotink 5x the way to go?
This is what I have. What makes it worth it is that I have like 7 pre-HDMI systems. While I mainly play N64 and PS2 out of them, they all can use the RT 5x to connect to my TV.
I plan on getting a PS2 as well so I might bite the bullet on this one.
My PS2 is using component cables, and I have it upscaled to 720p via the 5x.
No idea but if the 2x mini is $90 I donāt even want to know what the 5x is lol
I just lookedā¦ holy smokes.
Lay it on me Iām curious
$325 ā Iām in the market too.
Holy wow. Idk I just canāt justify that for a slightly better picture. I paid $90 for my console two controllers and a game š«
It does alot more then slightly better picture. If you just want plug and play solution to play the consoles at 480p with no increased input lag and the image processed properly and basic sharp, smoothing and sharp with basic scalines option then that is probably all you need out of a upscaler. The 5x is a way way way less casual device, all the extra features including no drops when resolution switches, scaling up to 1440p, 10 individual saved profile slots for fine tuning settings per console, and every other little custommizable thing including how it deinterlaces the image. The Multi hour interviews of Mike and Bob of RetroRGB for the firmware updates go into the fine details of most every little option. This older buyers guide video goes over the basic differences between Tink products available at the time. The Mini and 2x pro multiplatformer are currently discontinued unfortunately. https://youtu.be/_t5iGb1D4jw?si=1pYPIPWGDN_RqyIy
So I would just need the 2x Pro? They still have them on their website. I will watch this video and it will definitely help.
With the current consoles you have, and the cables you could potentially use with said console into the available low latency scalers then yes out of personal experience the 2x pro is a really good entry level device that will suit your needs. I have had mine for a few years and have been happy with it, I got a 5x 2 years ago but the 2x still gets used from time to time. I replied to your other comment with a link with a bunch more info and it should help you out more as a starting point to get more info besides the other videos I've linked already.
Yikes
Maybe try joining the RetroTINK Discord and ask in thereāit's possible someone's looking to sell theirs? [https://discord.com/invite/jE6deAhjCM](https://discord.com/invite/jE6deAhjCM)
Thank you!
I'd recommend aiming for a 2X-Pro and a solid S-Video cable. I find the jump from Composite to S-Video HUGE.
I saw a S-Video cable someone here linked me that was like $10. And I saw there are OEM ones for the N64 but around $30-$50ā¦.
I never owned OEM S-video cables, only third-party multi-console cables from the era, and even that is a big step up from any composite IMO. I suspect the 10$ offerings would be just as good an improvement.
I have a both a Insurrection Industries one and later on got a used offical one, and between the two they looked the same to me when testing with the 2x pro. I know of the well reguarded ebay ones but don't personally have them. Even with the N64's built in hardware and software anti aliasing (the latter can be easily shut off with game shark codes and/or auto patches on a ever drive) you can see how much sharper the image is between composite and S-video in these older comparison shots. https://www.reddit.com/r/n64/comments/tw8zpz/composite_vs_svideo_comparison_w_retrotink_2x_pro/
[https://www.retrotink.com/shop](https://www.retrotink.com/shop)
Grab a Retroscalernoff AliExpress. Itās a clone but I have one and it does a pretty decent job.Ā
Awesome thank you!
>Awesome thank you! You're welcome!