RetroTINK (5X Pro and 4K), gcomp switch, and SCA-101: first impressions

[importaku]

Over the last couple of weeks i have thrown everything my PS1 collection has at it DDR, pop 'n muisc, beatmania, parappa & unjammer lammy, vib ribbon, both bust a groove games all the titles that rely there been no lag to the game not a single time have any of them been problematic both in lag or res switch dropout. To be able to play sensitive retro rhythm game stuff on a modern display again has been fantastic modern music titles have settings to change the latency but that stuff is rare in PS1 games so been able to play all my retro rhythm games again with a really nice image has totally revitalized my PS1 some people say it's aged terribly but i disagree with a decent scaler (i stress the word decent) it can look amazing as it did back in the day.

Still have to try with gamecube but it's already passed the PS1 gauntlet with flying colours made it enjoyable to play PS1 on my tv again, can't imagine it won't be just as amazing with gamecube too. It's been worth every penny unlike other scalers i could mention.

[briareos_kerensky]

Preview of the upcoming 2.53 firmware for the 5X, looks like another big update. Includes a QoL improvements, Sinden lightgun borders, 720p upscaling, and 720p downscaling to 240p and then re-upscaling to 1080p (think 8bit/16bit collections running on new consoles) among others.



The firmware is currently in beta and if you want you can already download it (it will delete presets though).

[importaku]

New firmware upgrade now live adds in some cool extra features as well as 4K scaling. On phone at moment so can’t post link but I’m sure you know where to already find it. I swear this thing keeps getting killer support, with each upgrade.

Edit: here we go hope this works

https://t.co/YxYOIjeB1s

[briareos_kerensky]

Mike Chi teased the TINK4K over Twitter. It's still way out, it'll be over $200, and will only output 4K. He did try 4K on the TINK5X but it was only able to squeeze out a 24p signal.

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[Yakumo]

Mike Chi teased the TINK4K over Twitter. It's still way out, it'll be over $200, and will only output 4K. He did try 4K on the TINK5X but it was only able to squeeze out a 24p signal.

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Before he does that (which isn't needed) I hope it makes it possible to name the saved profiles. Having to write down the profiles on a sheet of paper is silly.

[ZipZap]

Before he does that (which isn't needed) I hope it makes it possible to name the saved profiles. Having to write down the profiles on a sheet of paper is silly.

Agree this would be really helpful. He did make a point of highlighting that he will be continuing to support the 5X and that the 4K version wouldn't be appearing anytime soon, so hopefully there are still be some nice new features to come.

I doubt I will be upgrading. I tried the experimental 4K to see how it would look and I couldn't really see much difference. I guess it could help with the CRT filters, but I don't really use those anyway.

[Yakumo]

I doubt I will be upgrading. I tried the experimental 4K to see how it would look and I couldn't really see much difference. I guess it could help with the CRT filters, but I don't really use those anyway.

Same here. This is why I don't think a 4K version is all that important.

[Hirst]

The only legitimate reason I can think for a 4K scaler is I've heard a few 4K screens out there have minor lag when displaying in 1080p.

[dataDave]

Anyone outputting 240p content through a 1080p signal deserves all of their equipment confiscating anyway. 240 fits into 2160 (4K) precisely nine times as an integer, so that vertical line count will be lovely and uniform with zero compromise.

I have our MiSTer outputting at 720p for this very reason, despite it being able to go much higher. 240 x 3 = 720, then 720 x 3 (handled by the TV) for a perfect 2160/4K upscale.



Jizz. Everywhere.

I’ve literally no idea how best to handle 480i/480p stuff. I guess things went full 3D by that point anyway and less retro 16-bit scanliney, so the more lines you can throw at that the better I think.

[Yakumo]

Anyone outputting 240p content through a 1080p signal deserves all of their equipment confiscating anyway. 240 fits into 2160 (4K) precisely nine times as an integer, so that vertical line count will be lovely and uniform with zero compromise.

I have our MiSTer outputting at 720p for this very reason, despite it being able to go much higher. 240 x 3 = 720, then 720 x 3 (handled by the TV) for a perfect 2160/4K upscale.



Jizz. Everywhere.

I’ve literally no idea how best to handle 480i/480p stuff. I guess things went full 3D by that point anyway and less retro 16-bit scanliney, so the more lines you can throw at that the better I think.

I just run my Retrotink 5X in 720p. Look fantastic on my 4K panel.

[danstan21]

So I took the plunge and ordered a SCA-101

Hope you don't mind me bumping an old thread but was hoping to ask a couple of Q's about this as I'm in the market for a 10-input switcher. You mention you didn't need a mirrored output, but could you confirm whether the DIN output can be used as a second RGB out (whether simultaneous or not)? The fact it comes with a DIN-to-SCART cable suggests it can be. If so, does the unit need to be powered to use this? Additionally, does the JP/EU SCART select also need power to function?

[briareos_kerensky]

Nice wiki with some excellent examples for the current set of options in the 5X:

https://consolemods.org/wiki/AV:RetroTINK-5X_Pro

[briareos_kerensky]

Mike Chi casually teasing VRR for the 5X.

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[ZipZap]

Mike Chi casually teasing VRR for the 5X.

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It's funny reading his rant about the LG C1 because I have the same TV and when I first plugged the Retrotink 5X into it I couldn't figure out how the DF Retro or MLIG guys could possibly be raving about this screen.

I remember playing some SFC games on the first night and it was so dull and dark. I was so disappointed, a couple of days in I was on the verge of returning it. All SDR sources looked terrible....and then suddenly they looked good. I have no idea what happened. Did the TV brighten somehow? Had I somehow disabled a setting which was ruining the picture previously? Or did I just get used to it?

I could swear the picture I saw on that first night was not what I'm now seeing, but maybe it was? I certainly haven't been able to recreate those dull whites and washed out colours.

I love the picture now and would never swap it for my old TV. I understand why he's looking into adding an HDR flag to the Retrotink to artifically brighten the picture because that's how I would've felt, but I doubt I would use it now.

The user interface is still absolutely awful though. Terrible!

[importaku]

Seeing as the thread has come alive again, has anyone ever tried using the tink 5X with consoles that output HDMI? & if it's possible how would i go about it?

I don't even know if theres any way of converting HDMI to scart ot component, It would be nice if i could get certain mini consoles and also retro games on my switch that have garbage built in scanline options to be able to use the 5X instead to add scanlines onto them.