Retrotink 4K (& Other Tink/Scaler) Discussion Thread

[TheMagicianLord]

Just migrated from a 5X to a 4K, partially nudged by the rotate feature for vertical shooters, auto-crop, ability to update firmware without losing profiles, front inputs for testing, and a few other features. Very solid device, highly recommend.

After my last main CRT died, and being left with only a couple small ones, I decided scaler + modern screen was the way to go as I had no further desire to invest time and energy into consumer particle accelerators. Been very happy with all the Retrotinks I've owned.

What's your mode of choice for gameplay these days: crt or scaler? Tink? OSSC? Morph? POS from Aliexpress?

 

[Heinz]

I bought an ossc off ebay and it's sitting in the box it came in so things are going well.

 

[zaneiken]

I alternate between a PVM, and a TINK4K/OLED combo.

 

[kernow]

I might look for something to replace the ossc I've been using for years one day. Just because it's a pain with the 3 billion settings, meh interface etc.

Not sure what I'd get but it needs to be simple with a scan lines option and good performance, it'll only be used with neogeo as lol retro gaming

 

[Burning Fight!!]

Retrotink 5x is good enough for me, it's really just missing a VGA header but what can you do. It handles every console I have just fine and doesn't goob up with the Neo dot Geo MVS. It's the only scaler so far that has been a true plug and play experience for me.

The only "issue" is the inflexibility with preset sampling rates for common consoles, but I don't have enough weird hardware to justify anything else. I'll pass on a $700 scaler, it's not for me.

RE: 4k tvs and sub 4k scalers, when I tried the Piss3 with Demon's Souls on my new OLED 4K (back when I still had a working ps3) the internal scaling of the TV was so SHIT it was unbelievable. But retro consoles through the 5k are fine on it, it might be a different case on a different TV but for me the video was as crisp as it gets, even switching between the 1080p modes and the hidden 1440p one.

 

[kernow]

Hmm, my TV only switches to game mode on 16:9 signals, but in 4:3 the lag is amongst the lowest. I've no way of connecting directly because no RGB scart input, obviously

 

[TheMagicianLord]

RT5X was super easy to setup, served me well for a long time. The RT4K wasn't bad to set up either, just more rabbitholes one can go down, which I've yet to really explore.

 

[kernow]

Dat price tho. Mmh

 

[Neo Alec]

I might look for something to replace the ossc I've been using for years one day. Just because it's a pain with the 3 billion settings, meh interface etc.

Not sure what I'd get but it needs to be simple with a scan lines option and good performance, it'll only be used with neogeo as lol retro gaming

The RT4K is the obvious choice. There's even a slightly cheaper version now. Money I'm sure will be no object for you.

RE: 4k tvs and sub 4k scalers, when I tried the Piss3 with Demon's Souls on my new OLED 4K (back when I still had a working ps3) the internal scaling of the TV was so SHIT it was unbelievable.

That could be because most PS3 games actually output at 720p instead of 1080p.The RT4K on the default setting on the HDMI input is actually perfect for this too. It's a no-nonsense 720/1080p > 4K upscale.

 

[kernow]

Not at that price, when it's just going to do what the ossc does, it's not a necessity innit

 

[kernow]

Not seen this one before

GBS Control GBSC Video Converter Retro Gaming Upscaler + Power supply Plug | eBay UK

1 x GBSC converter. SEE YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMONSTRATION OF THIS ITEM YOUTUBE CHANNEL RETRO ROY UK. Support RGBS, VGA, component and HDMI-compatible output. Support high-fidelity audio output. If you want to switch the video input signal (when you have multiple input video sources connected to the...

www.ebay.co.uk

Probably shite

 

[TheMagicianLord]

For anyone considering the 4K or new 4K CE, this is a list of features the new 4K CE model lacks:



$750 vs $475 for Pro vs CE

Image from: https://consolemods.org/wiki/AV:RetroTINK-4K#RetroTINK-4K_Pro_vs_RetroTINK-4K_CE

 

[Tarma]

Still using the Framemeister for "retro" consoles. It's been very dependable, and I've always liked the results although the quality of the RGB scart cables being used definitely plays a role, as does the quality of the TV. I always try to go with a good quality Panasonic set, because, fuck that Korean crap. All those who are using Samsung, LG, Hisense (which is Chinese), etc. - well, there's a big part of your problem right there, irrespective of your scaler.

I shall get a Tink 4K at some point, hopefully later this year, as I'd like to see how it performs with Laserdisc. My current LD setup uses a DVDO VP 50 Pro with a Darbee Vision. I'd try a Lumagen, but, yeah, fuck those prices. Makes the Tink 4K seem like a total steal.

 

[TheMagicianLord]

Not seen this one before

GBS Control GBSC Video Converter Retro Gaming Upscaler + Power supply Plug | eBay UK

1 x GBSC converter. SEE YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMONSTRATION OF THIS ITEM YOUTUBE CHANNEL RETRO ROY UK. Support RGBS, VGA, component and HDMI-compatible output. Support high-fidelity audio output. If you want to switch the video input signal (when you have multiple input video sources connected to the...

www.ebay.co.uk

Probably shite

Generally I find whatever something saves me in $ ends up costing me in time.

 

[Jag-Master]

Retrotink 5x is good enough for me, it's really just missing a VGA header but what can you do.

Found this the other day: https://www.retrorgb.com/vga-scart-adapter-for-the-retrotink-5x.html

 

[TheMagicianLord]

Found this the other day: https://www.retrorgb.com/vga-scart-adapter-for-the-retrotink-5x.html

Saw this the other day, too, seems like a pretty nice device. Although probably best for someone who already has a 5X. If you add it up, say $325 for 5X + $30 for 5X premium remote + $100 for vga scart adapter, you're already about at the 4K CE price.

 

[Burning Fight!!]

Not seen this one before

GBS Control GBSC Video Converter Retro Gaming Upscaler + Power supply Plug | eBay UK

1 x GBSC converter. SEE YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMONSTRATION OF THIS ITEM YOUTUBE CHANNEL RETRO ROY UK. Support RGBS, VGA, component and HDMI-compatible output. Support high-fidelity audio output. If you want to switch the video input signal (when you have multiple input video sources connected to the...

www.ebay.co.uk

Probably shite

It's good for weirdo hardware but it's too buggy and a pain in the ass to use and configure IMO. And usually what isn't a part of the original GBS-8200 hardware fails easily. I know because fiddling with that is what made me go for a Retrotink, the HDMI out crapped out real quick on mine and I had to rely on a VGA/HDMI adapter, plus there's a lot of instability, screen tearing (despite mods for it) and MVS is compatible if you don't mind resetting it infinitely to get it to sync up properly.

 

[Hattori Hanzo]

Avoid the GBSC with the built in composite. GBSC isn't bad at all but I mainly use mine for VHS & Laserdisc with an external composite adapter.

 

[NeoCverA]

Is there a dedicated thread to this? I’d like some insight on settings for PS2, mister etc. tink4k

 

[Neo Alec]

Not at that price, when it's just going to do what the ossc does, it's not a necessity innit

It's not even close though. I got the OSSC thinking it was going to be a Framemeister replacement. I used it briefly as my main upscaler for playing, but never for capturing. As soon as I looked into timing profiles for it, I noped out. The Retrotink 5X quickly replaced it for its ease of providing an integer scale for captures. My OSSC has sat unused since, and I need to give it to my brother or get rid of it.

Is there a dedicated thread to this? I’d like some insight on settings for PS2, mister etc. tink4k

If you plug the Mister into the HDMI port on the Retrotink 4K on the default settings it works beautifully. There's nothing else to it.

Still using the Framemeister for "retro" consoles. It's been very dependable, and I've always liked the results although the quality of the RGB scart cables being used definitely plays a role, as does the quality of the TV. I always try to go with a good quality Panasonic set, because, fuck that Korean crap. All those who are using Samsung, LG, Hisense (which is Chinese), etc. - well, there's a big part of your problem right there, irrespective of your scaler.

I still use my Framemeister for most of my 1080p captures because I like FBX's profiles for it. Mine still gets some use.

 

[TheMagicianLord]

Is there a dedicated thread to this? I’d like some insight on settings for PS2, mister etc. tink4k

I made this thread because I didn't find anything else in search. For specific console settings, the retrotink discord may be the best source.

 

[Neo Alec]

I made this thread because I didn't find anything else in search. For specific console settings, the retrotink discord may be the best source.

RetroTINK-4K

The RetroTINK-4K (commonly abbreviated as "TINK-4K" or "RT4K") is an advanced family of video scalers from RetroTINK LLC. Building on the functionality of the RetroTINK-2X and RetroTINK-5X, the RetroTINK-4K models offer high-end video scaling and processing at resolutions up to 4K60. There are...

consolemods.org

 

[TheMagicianLord]

RetroTINK-4K

The RetroTINK-4K (commonly abbreviated as "TINK-4K" or "RT4K") is an advanced family of video scalers from RetroTINK LLC. Building on the functionality of the RetroTINK-2X and RetroTINK-5X, the RetroTINK-4K models offer high-end video scaling and processing at resolutions up to 4K60. There are...

consolemods.org

Yeah, that's a good resource. I linked it above with the differences between Pro vs. CE. I just meant I didn't find any other threads on this forum.

 

[Burning Fight!!]

All those who are using Samsung, LG, Hisense (which is Chinese), etc. - well, there's a big part of your problem right there, irrespective of your scaler.

Samsung has some infuriating little flaws but it's fine. For some reason though it really hates some off-spec signals, like 1440p coming from Retrotink5x -> Elgato 4k60 mk2 -> TV, or MVS -> GBS-Control at any res

Like 3/4ths down the screen it will have screen tearing and other very weird issues. It feels like you're triggering some half baked debug or forgotten video mode no one could be assed to remove during production (people running 15khz RGB straight onto old ass LCD monitors know what I mean, it's exactly like that).

The other thing that bugs me on my samsung is the absolutely shit tier SOUND, I had to buy a soundbar to convince myself I was not going deaf, so bad the internal speakers and sound mixing are in that thing.

Maybe you're right but does Panasonic really manufacture their own tvs nowadays? I thought they were pulling a Philips (leasing the brand to random manufacturer).

 

[Tarma]

To the best of my knowledge Panasonic are still making their own TV's... well, I mean it's their electronic design, I sadly doubt that they're manufactured in Japan anymore.

But, y'know, I get it - most people going into Best Buy or wherever are probably not looking to spend big bucks on a TV for gaming. When you don't know anything about TV's and you see a 50" Samsung or Hisense for $300 or whatever, and you see a 32" Panny for the same price, your wallet is going to tell you to buy the larger, but electronically inferior TV.

The Panasonic I use with my Neo etc. is about ten years old now, but delivers an outstanding picture. It's only a 32" set, but that's great for my tastes, because I don't want to see Metal Slug blown up to 85" because, imo, it actually looks shit, and the games were never intended to be played at that scale. 32" is far more inline with the largest screens being used in arcades and homes in the mid-90s.