Retro-Bit Prism Review: My New Favorite HDMI Solution For GameCube!

[@ArchadesGames]

If you want to check out the Prism for yourself you can find it at CastleMania Games! Use the discount code ARCHADES to save 10% off most items. Prism (affiliate link): castlemaniagames.com/collecti...​ The Retro-Bit Prism is a new GC Video 3.0e based HDMI solution for the Nintendo GameCube. Most modern displays don't have the component or composite connections needed to run older systems like the GameCube but the ones that do are plagued by poor image quality and input lag. Thanks to the GameCube's ability to natively output a digital signal we can easily hook it up to our modern displays with HDMI and enjoy the benefits of cleaner lag-free gaming from Nintendo's compact cube. While Retro-Bit's Prism doesn't offer anything new on the audio and video front it does have a quality of life improvement that puts it firmly at the top of my list for GameCube HDMI solutions!

[@soundwave1405]

Have you by chance tried updating to 3.1 firmware with usb c ? I haven’t had luck doing it.

[@dferas5535]

Would you still consider the prism as the best hdmi upscaler for the gamecube?

[@ArchadesGames]

Can't go wrong with a Prism or a Carby!

[@dferas5535]

@@ArchadesGames thanks, I'll get the prism then

[@LordDiscord]

@ArchadesGames Would this fit with solderless modes like the gcloader or FlippyDrive? As in case you firmware update through swiss or do you have to plug it into the PC to update

[@baldvergil820]

I work at a retro store in Texas and we just got these little guys in. You were the first person I saw for a review and man did you answer all my questions! Very quick and informative, thank you! Picking one up right now :)

[@ArchadesGames]

Thanks for checking it out! We have been using the Prism practically everyday since we got it and it is so much fun!

[@baldvergil820]

@@ArchadesGames You sir, just got yourself a new subscriber!

[@ArchadesGames]

Appreciate it and thanks for popping by the stream!

[@dragonknightkx]

@@baldvergil820 where exactly? I want to get one, but don't want to have to get it off the internet.

[@yusofplayed]

What store? I wanna visit!

[@mikehawk669]

Thank you so much for touching on GBA games through GBI you were the only Creator I found that talked about it and made me pull the trigger on getting a Prism!

[@ArchadesGames]

GBI is life!!

[@Sirotaca]

Good review. I'm honestly shocked it took so long for someone to stick a USB firmware programmer in one of these.

[@ArchadesGames]

Right!

[@ocramocram1]

Thanks for the review. I was surprised to hear that this device will also transmit audio. I thought it was video only.

[@ArchadesGames]

Thanks for watching! And yes video and audio making it very easy to use!

[@tyrannosaurus62]

Hell yeah! Thank you for the info! I just bought me one. 🥳

[@russellmarsden6316]

Yeah those loss of synch blackouts in SW Rouge...are annoying on my 4K screen,hopefully they'll update that problem soon.

[@zaneiken07]

They're completely eliminated when sending it through a RetroTINK 4K.

[@JesusisLord1130]

Other than sharpening the edges and taking away the jaggy edges does it brighten the picture a bit??? Last question. I see you like it better without the mclassic but in your opinion what exactly did you notice was the difference with the mclassic plus the prism and minus the mclassic???? Thank you for answering my questions.

[@LukeThomasNY]

Where do I point the remote? I see the remote sync button but I'm not sure where the ir receiver on the unit actually is. Please help!

[@NewGabeOrder]

5:25 Don't forget Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 on the GameCube has 240p output, but only for the FMV cutscenes. Not to mention Animal Crossing, as NES games output at 240p unless Progressive Scan gets enabled.

[@virtual-adam]

Great video, very well structured and to the point.

[@ArchadesGames]

Thanks for watching :)

[@sixtocortescastaneda4169]

Hey, this is an odd question related to the Prism, but does anyone else experience gray bars gradually appear on your display when using this tning and running a GameCube game?

[@YarolCAM]

Hi, i want to use a retrobit + hyperlink or retrobit + mclassic, but what is the best option to have a better color, image and resolution output 1080p palyin n64 and gc

[@SMWiz]

That's a bummer about the signal drops when transitioning between video formats. I understand it isn't the Prism's fault.

[@ArchadesGames]

It shouldn't be a big deal if it isn't connected to a cap card TBH

[@snoredizzle]

Now if i could get the audio to sync with OBS id be set. Been stuck for a Week any advice?

[@mannygonzalez7987]

So I have the LG CX and I’m using the this HDMI by retro bit. And I notice audio lag. When playing for 5 minutes the audio starts to lag. An example would be when playing smash and i hit an opponent the sound would lag for a second. I’ve tried it on a tv that has hdmi and other video ports from 2008 the Sony Bravia and on that one is worse. Sound is gone for a whole second. Any suggestions this was really pricey almost $90 bucks :/. And I’ve tried different hdmi cables and the result is the same.

[@kevinvandorst]

I ordered this for my PAL NGC because I want it to have better picture quality on my 4k 65" TV. But now Im confused.. will it work for PAL consoles or not? Also I keep reading about needing "swiss" .. Do I still need that when I have this?

[@ArchadesGames]

If you want to take full advantage of it on a PAL GameCube you need swiss to force progressive video modes. Otherwise it's just outputting the standard interlaced signal over HDMI. line doubling should be enabled by default which will help out picture quality but Swiss will really make it shine.

[@MaxundMarco]

Hi, how can i change the resolution in the menu? Or does the resolution depend on the input of the source? But why then showing a „In“-and „Out“-information in the menu (right of the Exit-Option)?

[@ArchadesGames]

It outputs the resolution the GameCube sends it

[@MaxundMarco]

@@ArchadesGames Thank you for the fast reply. So when using Swiss and changing the resolution in the Swiss options the adapter then should also change it?

[@ArchadesGames]

Yes

[@dngdnf4862]

i still cant belive an 20 year old console, the original xbox , supported freaking 720 and 1080i.

[@LumbyMcGumby]

I want to get this and use it with my mclassic but I'm afraid the mclassic will be too heavy for the hdmi adapter

[@ArchadesGames]

You can use the HDMI extender that came with the mclassic if you're worried about the weight.

[@LumbyMcGumby]

@@ArchadesGames good thinking. I have the prism on preorder product looks great and it's in my budget

[@ArchadesGames]

It does a fantastic job and with it's USB-C port should be a breeze with future firmware updates!

[@goose1752]

Real question is where do I plug in the mClassic’s USB cable?

[@Spritual_Gangster]

@@LumbyMcGumby 5 months later what do you think about the prism?

[@Linkz1485]

The Original GameCube (DOL-001) won't display anything at the TV when is turned on. The Retro-Bit Prism has the red light on, but nothing displays the TV. What should I do to solve this problem?

[@ArchadesGames]

Contact Retro-Bit customer service

[@Linkz1485]

@@ArchadesGames I managed to display on TV but only for about 15 seconds before it goes black. Tried another HDMI cable and same result. Do i need a higher Gold HDMI Cable High Speed?

[@ArchadesGames]

Contact Retro-Bit customer service

[@Rocky712_]

Hey, how did you achieve proper 3:2 aspect ratio for the GBI Gameboy Advance gameplay with the RetroBit Prism at 8:00? Mine is a bit more strechted horizontally than it is supposed to be. I tried a lot around with video settings, but it just does not show up properly.

[@ArchadesGames]

Are you loading into a GBi preset for the Prism?

[@Rocky712_]

@@ArchadesGames I am using the default option. I usually use GBi SR for my purposes, but I cannot achieve 3:2 in any of the three GBi software. I also switched to the latest Swiss and GBi software versions in my attempt to make it work. It neither worked on the old nor the latest versions. And it might be of interest, it´s a PAL DOL-001 model, but with swiss.

[@ArchadesGames]

Use one of the CLI files for the HDMI adapters to get the proper settings

[@Rocky712_]

@@ArchadesGames Thanks, that worked.

[@ArchadesGames]

Happy gaming!

[@jonbotonetheredshirtreview902]

Is there a way to fix the pixilation

[@ArchadesGames]

Emulate the system

[@monchopr3511]

There are 3rd party 3D printed supports for the Prism. I got one for my Japanese Gamecube and works great. Btw, I find strange that many people seems to prefer the Carby over the Prims. Is there anything special about the Carby that makes a difference vs the Prism?

[@ArchadesGames]

They output the same quality image so just a preference thing from what I can tell.

[@monchopr3511]

@ArchadesGames thanks for the response. :)

[@HKT-4300]

For me the image seems slightly too narrow, only when i turn off Fix resolution in the advanced settings do i get proper 4:3, which is a problem as some games don't display without that option marked. Kind of frustrating, it was on by default too, i'm a stickler for perfect aspect ratio's so i admit i'm probably nitpicking but it really does look more 1:1 than 4:3 The games that just straight up didn't work without it turned on were all Donkey Konga games.

[@ufoguy]

I love all retrobit stuff

[@ArchadesGames]

They have been doing great work and bringing cool stuff out!

[@baldvergil820]

Same here, I loved their Tribute 64 controllers. Way more affordable than an actual Hori controller.

[@ArchadesGames]

Ain't that the truth! I can't wait to try out the wireless version

[@rworden96]

Is there lag? And how does it compare to the original eon one ?

[@Cedalus]

Have you experienced the same gradual audio desync issues that I'm having? I know the gamecube's digital audio line is slightly off spec but there isn't enough space to use the analog audio at the same time. Just wondered if you had a solution

[@Cedalus]

By the way, I know sample rate hack fixes the desync, but then it makes the audio cut out every 30 seconds or so.

[@rogelioregalado2032]

If I save some settings on the prism and disconnect it do they stay or do I have to redo them every time

[@ArchadesGames]

They stay

[@mega77]

I'm late to the party, but how does it compare to the more expensive Eon MK2? To me the prism have more options on its OSD, and has a remote controller integrated. But the Eon seems more robust thanks to it's double plugged system. I also find really cool it has a jack out, has I play with headphones next to my PC monitor.

[@ArchadesGames]

All of the HDMI options run on the same GC video firmware and have negligible differences in quality. Prism and Carby are far less expensive because they remove Component output. Prism and Carby are plenty strong in the Digital port but bracers can be added if desired.

[@angrypig2076]

Does this only work with the NTSE version or with the PAL as well

[@ArchadesGames]

It works with an GameCube that has the digital port regardless of region :)

[@alexrivera3377]

If for example I have a 48in 4k TV, will the prisim allow the game to be displayed fully? Or will it shrink it down to the dimensions that is preferred?

[@ArchadesGames]

What do you mean by fully? Like stretch it?

[@alexrivera3377]

@@ArchadesGames yea, will it stretch it automatically? Or will it automatically go to the dimensions mentioned in the video?

[@ArchadesGames]

The default aspect ratio is up to the display itself. It's seems pretty even on respecting the original or automatically stretching it. You can enable the 16:9 option in the GC Video menu if it is in 4:3 by default otherwise you can stretch it using the display.

[@alexrivera3377]

@@ArchadesGames I see, thanks! That answers my question.

[@nopenop1495]

I can't seem to access the Line Doubler feature, any advice?

[@ArchadesGames]

Email [e-mail] for troubleshooting

[@finnhaverkamp]

Dumb question -- 16:9 stretches the image, right?

[@ArchadesGames]

Yes it does. The GameCube has a number of anamorphic widescreen titles but that is still just stretching a 4:3 frame.

[@JoshxButcher]

Is this only really used for NTSC does it work well on a PAL gamecube?

[@davidgill7412]

It requires the digital output port from the U.S. or Japanese GameCube.

[@mega77]

Yes absolutely, PAL gamecube also have a digital out port (the latest revisions don't though, so check your console if it has 2 ports). Also you should consider modding your console to launch Swiss and force 480p to have a cleaner image

[@wertywerrtyson5529]

I thought about getting one of these but since PAL GameCube doesn’t support 480p I think I’ll still get a better picture on my CRT with SCART RGB rather than on my OLED with HDMI.

[@mega77]

No, with Swiss you can force PAL gamecube and games to run at 480p, it quickly patches the game before launching it

[@ACobraFumante-th5lb]

Do you know if it works for Nintendo 64 as well?

[@ArchadesGames]

Nah, N64 doesn't have a GameCube Digital AV port.

[@ACobraFumante-th5lb]

Thank you for your reply. Was hoping to find a good not too expensive option that would work with both my N64 and GC. Hoping not to have to splash out the cash for one unit per console.

[@-finalboss]

Hi! great video Is this a plug and play or do I need to change settings from game to game? I'm very untechnical and just want to play my Gamecube games in HD :)

[@ArchadesGames]

Plug and play!

[@HighIvan]

I have the newer GameCube. It won’t fit

[@ArchadesGames]

Sadly not without a mod

[@JesusisLord1130]

Does the prism plus the Mclassic make the games looked even better or I can just use a prism and I'm fine? Basically any difference adding a mclassic with the prism? Have you tried them together?

[@ArchadesGames]

I like it better without the mClassic personally

[@JesusisLord1130]

Other than sharpening the edges and taking away the jaggy edges does it brighten the picture a bit??? Last question. I see you like it better without the mclassic but in your opinion what exactly did you notice was the difference with the mclassic plus the prism and minus the mclassic???? Thank you for answering my questions.

[@thesaltyeggoriginal4699]

I recently just pre order these from the website you linked how long do they take to be sent to you? It says pre order but I’m confused

[@ArchadesGames]

If it said pre-order they are just waiting on a restock. Shouldn't be too long until it ships.

[@jaym5118]

Why does everybody use the phrase "Quality Of Life" in reviews lately?

[@OriginalSithMonkey]

Wow, nice paid advertisement. SMH

[@ArchadesGames]

This was paid? Can you show me where the money is?