RetroTINK-5X Review - The Last Upscaler You'll Ever Need??

In 2020, Mike Chi hit a breakthrough with his newest creation; The RetroTINK-5X! Does it deserve the praise it has received? Let's find out!
If this video convinces you to purchase the device, use this link to the website:
www.retrotink.com/product-pag...
I am in no way affiliated with the product, and I don't endorse things like these unless they are really good.
If you think I've earned it, consider supporting the channel via Patreon: / juniornitro
Feel free to join my Discord as well: / discord

[@JuniorNitro]

Thank you guys so much for the feedback on this video! Stay tuned for a follow-up in the future, talking about my experience and the things I learned while using it. In the meantime, be sure to check out the rest of the content I have on offer! P.S. I don't stretch 4:3 anymore.

[@PixelShade]

For those looking for a budget upscaler I think the GBS-C does 98% of the job for ~60-70$. Previously you had to do a lot of manual labor with modding, soldering, adding VGA-to-hdmi converters etc, but nowadays you can find them as complete packages with HDMI out, VGA-, Component- and Scart-input. It requires a bit of manual settings fiddling to create profiles for each system. But it upscales to 1080p, it has ZERO-delay resolution switching, BOB- and motion adaptive de-interlacing. The only downside I have found is that it doesn't support 5x overscale... If you are playing 240p/480p content and want pixel perfect output you are stuck with 960p with black borders. What you are looking for is the flat, blue device with 4 knobs and an OLED display. You currently find them on the Chinese market.

[@genemachine02]

Super informative and entertaining video dude. Thanks for taking the time to make it!

[@8bitDNA]

Mad props for not dying of embarrassment for mentioning your mother at least 3 times as a grown adult

[@night377]

Wow your mom is the real MVP ❤️ I might get this when my taxes hit lol

[@yurykhalevitsky382]

Dude, I wish I had mom like yours! Usually I buy my mom presents.

[@mbe102]

Dude your Mom is awesome!!!!!!

[@JuniorNitro]

She's the best in the world!

[@WilliamEccleston]

The RetroTINK is only supposed to introduce a frame and a quarter frame MAX input lag if set to triple buffer mode, but it's variable and that's the max. Frame Lock mode caps the delay to a quarter of a frame. It's amazing.

[@davew1234]

Your mum’s awesome! ❤

[@MONSTROctr]

Thanks mom

[@JuniorNitro]

She truly is a legend

[@alparslanihtiyaroglu3195]

What kind of mom buys that gets a upscaler for their kids as something $300. I mean I love it…

[@adamgoodwin6041]

Best mom ever it looks like

[@Gamble333]

A mom that's getting her back blown out by her boyfriend and the boyfriend is giving her money to keep her son happy because he wants to continue to blow her back out

[@DarkPaladin001]

If I’m just looking for an upscaler for personal gameplay and not streaming, what picture quality benefits would I get with the 5x vs the 2x?

[@TheViper4Life]

Depends on what you're trying to play. I bought the 2X for my N64 so I could play it from my 4KTV. All the 2X does is what is called "Line doubling". Since the N64 was a 240p machine and my TV (and most modern TV's) don't accept 240p output, the 2X simply doubles the output to 480p so it can display on my TV and it works like a charm. However if you're trying to play something a little more recent it doesn't have 480p INPUT (only output) capabilities so it doesn't really do much else. The 2X is really for Gen 5 consoles and earlier. You'll want the 5X (which does support 480p inputs) which can actually upscale something like a PS2, to output in 1080p if you really wanted it to. However there is a RetroTINK 4K coming...but it's expected to be stupidly expensive (like $1000 range...not confirmed yet though).

[@wesleygriffin9071]

Hello. Nice vid. You said you could throw all those cables out. But I thought you still have to use the composite cable to run from the Gamecube in order to connect it to the Tink?

[@JuniorNitro]

No, I use S-Video for the GameCube. The 5-pin connector goes directly into the tink, while the rca jacks go into the switcher.

[@hanzobi1926]

A CRT user for 40 years and would never use anything else HD for old systems from 1977-2005. RT5x Pro has taken over all my 20 retro systems on a 1440p monitor.

[@Supersayainpikmin]

If you don't mind me asking, what do you mean Limited Range is "Starting to grow" on you? They look funcionally identical, as long your monitor and capture card also match.

[@JuniorNitro]

"Limited" helps me see certain areas in games that are otherwise really dark, or hard to see.

[@Supersayainpikmin]

@@JuniorNitro I'm guesing you have a limited range display than; when you have it set at Full in the video I can see the blacks are crushed, which makes sense why it would be hard to see.

[@JuniorNitro]

@@Supersayainpikmin Correct

[@VenomBroly]

Hi, docyou know if the retrotink 5 pro can play the japanese comsole playdia

[@meatbunftw]

I ain't going to lie to you and say it will definitely work but it should work fine. Mine works great with a Japanese Super Famicom, N64 , and PS2. The only problems I've seen come up are from people using retro computers.

[@123doomdoom]

Does the HD retrovision ps2 cable have a brightness switch like on snes?

[@JuniorNitro]

It does not.

[@123doomdoom]

@@JuniorNitro Thanks for answering man. Asked around and no mofo wants to respond. My CRT TV over blows the black levels with component, making dark scenes darker. A brightness switch could have helped. I guess I'll be sticking to s video as it does not have this problem and looks good enough on a crt.

[@samfake233]

Hello JuniorNitro, I got two quick questions to ask (if you can)… 1) What kind of 1x2 HDMI Splitter brand device do you have? (That bypass the PS3 HDCP issue & as well where to get it?) 2) Where did you get your Cyclone PSP component cable?

[@JuniorNitro]

1. The splitter is from a company called SANOXY. You can find it on Amazon. 2. I found them on ebay.

[@samfake233]

​@@JuniorNitro Thanks for replying back. Also, Does SANOXY 1x2 splitter support 4K resolution (aka v2.0) as well? (Forgor to ask that part)

[@JuniorNitro]

@@samfake233 The one I bought only supports up to 1080p.

[@MikeyDunksMusic]

How would you hook up older consoles like NES, SNES, Genesis, PS1, Saturn, and N64?

[@ParadoxialParodies]

Well depends on the capture card you have for this since that would change up the setup and software used for this

[@rjdelo9515]

May I know how can we ship this product for free in the Philippines ? Thanks

[@rebornreaper194]

Do you have a list of the cords you use? I get overwhelmed with all of it, and thought a list for reference would help me. Great vid btw 👍

[@JuniorNitro]

PS2 - Component via HDRetrovision Wii - Component via Nintendo PSP - Component via Psyclone Gamecube - S-Video via Retro Gaming Cables PS3/4/5, Xbox 360/One, Wii U/Switch, and RetroTINK are all HDMI. Hope that helps.

[@rebornreaper194]

@@JuniorNitro Thanks!

[@JuniorNitro]

@@rebornreaper194 No problem!

[@shortyorc121]

How are the scan lines?? It's the main reason I still love playing on my crt.

[@JuniorNitro]

They're alright. I'm not a fan, but it is nice that they included the feature.

[@sunflash2]

They do look really good. Hopefully youtube let's me share this link to retrorgb in them. www.retrorgb.com/retrotink-5x-firmware-v-198.html

[@heymufti7526]

Whatever compression or encoder settings you're using for this video wipes out the quality comparisons imo.

[@renzorosciano7617]

What brand was that HDMI Selector?

[@JuniorNitro]

Kinivo

[@renzorosciano7617]

@@JuniorNitro thankyou

[@JuniorNitro]

@@renzorosciano7617 No problem.

[@qboycorvi]

I'm curious what kind of conversations you had with your mom which prompted her to buy you a Retrotink 5x. For research purposes of course.

[@JuniorNitro]

It was a Christmas idea that I gave her while showing her what it was. I didn't think I was actually gonna get it.

[@Moshugaani]

"Limited (RGB color space) is starting to grow on me" Uh, it shouldn't really. It's source and monitor dependent which you should use. If your source can only do only Limited or Full, then you should choose the corresponding setting on your monitor. Or vice versa. If your source is set to Full but your monitor is set to Limited, then the image will appear crushed and you will lose detail in the dark areas. If your source is set to Limited but your monitor is set to Full, then the image will appear washed out. This is because a monitor that's set to Limited cannot display all of the detail and range that the Full input offers (crushed blacks), and a monitor set to Full will have unused range that the Limited input does not provide (washed out or grey blacks). Maybe Limited looks better to you because your monitor is set to Limited as well? As a side note, some monitors or TVs have the setting labeled differently. Instead of reading "RGB Range" it could be name "HDMI Black Level" or "Dark Level" or "Color Range" or some such.

[@TheFrenchy82]

"more option than the framemeister " .. the framemeister is old news (and I used to have one...) Now it's retro tink or an OSCC. ... or emulation...

[@JuniorNitro]

I agree. They're more readily available and affordable as well.

[@GADG3Tx87]

Really good video, dude. I've been thinking about getting one of these and I'm torn between the 2xPro and the 5x. I'll be only using it for the PS2 with HDRetrovision Component cables. The thing that bugs me about the 5x is that it will supposedly be forced to use 720/1080p (over) on PAL region games. I would have preferred to fill the screen so I might just get the 2xPro, not sure yet. With the 2xPro I won't get any better than 480i with smoothing. Just not sure which way to go.

[@sunflash2]

Look at the videos from Wobbling Pixels here on KZbin. He has setup video per console for the 5x with both NTSC and PAL. No you don't have to use 720/1080 with pal. And the 2xPro does not like 480p and up.

[@RedLine_Renesis]

MY MOM

[@alessandrosurdo2870]

Retrotink 5x CRT OFF lindo 👁👌😀 AV2HDMI cego ON composite ruim LED

[@anthonyd4309]

Let's hope the games are less blurry than this video lol. It's giving me a headache haha.

[@nothere6991]

2x and 5x look the same 😂

[@Anth369]

My experience with Mike the creator of this product was awful. I checked the shipping price of the smaller 2x to Au and it was a whopping $60 USD! That’s nearly $90 Australian, and near half the price of the product. When I asked why the shipping was ridiculously priced and impractical, he replied to my email with a picture of a clown (calling me a clown is my best guest). I wouldn’t ever deal with anyone with such a condescending and rude attitude. I don’t care how great this products are, rude creators who have no people skills don’t get my money. Try again Mike.

[@AmbientAnalogue]

@@ryanvetter5091 Also probablybworth mentioning that he isn't manually deciding how much shipping should be, its the cost of import fees too I imagine

[@Zombified-]

I mean you just said the shipping is "ridiculously priced and impractical" and you don't even know why. 🤡😆

[@ArturGlad]

🤡

[@halo3odst]

🤡

[@tonikroosassistingyousince5973]

🤡