RetroTINK Side by Side : 2X Pro vs 5X Pro - Updated For 2023 (5X Pro V3.0/Upgraded Cabling)

[@jaeman8]

Awesome video. Was looking to get either the 2x or 5x just for playing my PS2 and N64 and your thoughts sold me on getting the 2x. Also saves me money lol.

[@theblowupdollsmusic]

This video was an absolutely incredible deep dive into these devices. Thank you so much for taking the time to put all this information together. I'm excited to see your review of the 4K version when it comes out.

[@RetroBoost]

Thank you so much! I’m very much looking forward to the RetroTINK 4K as well, that’ll be awesome!

[@RetroBoost]

Thanks everyone for watching! It has been an interesting and educating journey making content. One thing I've come to learn is the impact KZbin's Compression can have on the footage from all these Retro Enhancement Devices. Keep in mind that some detail is always lost with compression. My commentary is in response to what I've experienced from playing on my TV and watching the Raw Capture Files. I've added this info to the description of videos going forward, but wanted to post this comment to all the videos prior to that change. Thanks again for watching, I really appreciate it!

[@DaveyBlade13]

I was trying to see the difference because I was planning on getting the 2X but heard about the 5x and wanted to see the difference this was perfect. It’s clear that that image of 5x is way more defined. The color on the 2X (I know the 5X can be adjusted ) seems to be a lot brighter and more over looks a lot more like how I remember the games looking. That said further down the line I might get the 5X. Thank you!

[@RetroBoost]

Thanks! The color can definitely range depending on the cabling or the source, but the 2X usually has the brighter color by default.

[@zenusss]

That's some great cable management you have going there!

[@RetroBoost]

Thanks! I spent so long constantly adding in new cables to play around with that the 2.0 set up was just cabling chaos. There is still plenty of room for improvement with this version, I’m going eventually to add some bars to run the cables on so they can approach the Extron switches at a better angle.

[@Sorrow366]

Glad I found your channel, been looking to upscale my PS2

[@RetroBoost]

Thanks! I have a video I did a few months back about the picture settings I use for my consoles via the 5X Pro. This video shows 1080p Fill, I’ve also played around with 2560x1440p from the 5X Pro for PS2 Content after seeing a video by Wobbling Pixels; that output mode really does work for a lot of content from the PS2. That video on settings I made is in need of an update, much like this topic was, with that said. I go back and forth, it’s the kind of console where one setting won’t work for every game, but both the 2X and 5X Pro are great for the PS2.

[@Sorrow366]

@@RetroBoost thanks I will check it out. Still on the fence about the 5x pro as it is quite expensive. Been looking at alternatives on Amazon and AliExpress more or less just to have something to play with that wont set me back several hundred dollars haha

[@TheMoises1213]

@@Sorrow366 ordered it? I did I should be getting it later this week or next week

[@jrudymorganclark2072]

What I need is a composite to component converter because my CRT TV doesn't have component jacks only composite, I don't care about HDMI ports only composite and components.

[@gnydsmelt2215]

Thank you for this video! Great quality production and informative! Have my sub!

[@RetroBoost]

Thank you so much! Glad it could be helpful!

[@RetroBoost]

And thank you for the sub! Really appreciate that!

[@AstralFrost]

That's quite the setup you have! Sure would like a RetroTINK 5X Pro!

[@RetroBoost]

Thanks! I’ve put a lot of work into it over the last two years.

[@djm9937]

My goodness ! the difference between the two at 49:52 is incredible !

[@RetroBoost]

Yeah, the revolutions from the console are very very different there. In a way, it’s a fair comparison, but on the other hand, this is showing what each device is capable of with the Xbox. The 2X Pro M would fall in the middle, since it can take 480p and pass it through. The 5X Pro can handle all the different output modes of the Xbox though, which can output 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i.

[@Hobojoe4464]

11:27 Mike Chi in the RetroRGB video for the 3.0 firmware at the 1 hour mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnyUfoGYZ82cqcU that they aren't making the 2x pro M because they are missing a key part to make it. "So I don't see it coming back in the foreseeable future" The first Tink device I bought is the Multiformat, it doesn't get much use since I have the 5X pro now, but it's good for what it does for 6th and 7th Gen consoles.

[@RetroBoost]

Thanks for the info, that makes sense. It really is awesome for the consoles from those generations. I’ve had a few experiences where I’ve preferred the 2X Pro M’s picture over the 5X Pro. Certain games for certain consoles. Skyward Sword on Wii is one such example. Mostly I’ve been all 5X Pro like yourself with that said.

[@erickl8810]

Great job

[@RetroBoost]

Thank you!

[@cheesevisstv4426]

at the moment i'm using retrotink 2X M, people told me it sucks for 240p games but i'm okay playing my snes games with it, the bilinear filter is not a big deal for snes games.

[@RetroBoost]

The 2X Pro M is great, probably the most flexible device for the money, in it’s time at least, the prices now are probably insane. If I’m recalling the specs correctly too, the 2X Pro M had an improved performance for composite sources, with less artifacts and issues like that than the 2X Pro under the same conditions.

[@user-zk3cr5sr8r]

Highly considering just going for the 2x-Pro for my Snes/N64 and backwards compatible PS3. The 5X is great but not in the budget for me. Enlighten me if this would help PS1/2 games on my PS3?? Going this route because a CRT is almost double if not more cost wise.

[@RetroBoost]

I don’t think it’s possible under normal circumstances to use the 2X Pro with a PS3. Checking my PS3’s video output settings, the lowest resolution it goes down to is 480p, which the 2X Pro isn’t compatible with; 480i is the limit for the 2X Pro. You’d need something that can at least take 480p, but again I’d have to imagine the existing hdmi out option is superior. I currently use my 5X Pro with the PS3, mainly just for the fun of it. I haven’t done a comparison, but I would assume that the PS3’s hdmi output at 1080p will be better than the 5X Pro taking either 720p or 1080i and scaling it further. The main thing would be the control over softness and other things like CRT Simulation that the 5X Pro would be bringing to the table (which to your point could be interesting to use with the PS1/PS2 Games).

[@niallmclarney]

Great video Mike, I'm of the mindset that RGB scart is head and shoulders above the rest and no matter where in the world you are and if your retro consoles can support it then use it but if not mod your consoles to support RGB if you can.im in Ireland and RGB is all I've ever known but after seeing comparison videos on various consoles on KZbin and through your videos I don't know how people managed without it especially in NTSC regions. Component composite and S video seem so blurry. I guess we were spoilt in Europe with scart.

[@RetroBoost]

Yeah we here in the NTSC were all Composite and Component. The funny thing is that I only recall ever using Component for my Wii, and always used composite for everything else growing up, even in the HD era. I didn’t get an HD Tv to play PS3 on until like 2012. I have vivid memories of struggling to play Mass Effect 2 prior to that because the text was unreadable on screen haha. SCART has been cool to mess around with. It’s my preferred method for PS1, and I’m starting to come around to it for all things SNES now too.

[@chchris25]

RGB and Component are practically identical. The RT5X internally converts the RGB signal to Component.

[@kamerynhaynes7076]

Brilliant Video! I was wondering if i could ask an opinion. I plan on purchasing a retrotink msinly for my ps1, ps2 and my dreamcast (not as much my xbox and wii) Based on watching, some ps1 and ps2 games don't have a HUGE difference between picture quality. Do you think that the difference between the 5x snd 2x pro is different enough to justify the price difference if you’re only using ps1/ps2/dreamcast mainly? (Based on your experience in realtime) Thank you! New subscriber!

[@RetroBoost]

Thanks so much! It would depend on how much you want to invest, whether all at once or over time. The 2X Pro will get you good image improvement for all those consoles vs a generic solution or direct into a tv. The 5X Pro will allow for some additional options though. For PS1, you can use RGB Scart to the 5X Pro, which is way way better than composite for the PS1. For PS2, you can run some games in 480p, plus you’d have more options for customizing the experience. Then for Dreamcast you’d be able to use those new RetroGamingCables Component Cables to get 480p out of that system to the 5X Pro, which again, is a noticeable gain (I did a side by side a couple of months ago). So basically, if you want the convenience of HDMI and a bump in performance, the 2X Pro is great, it’s what I started with. I’d recommend getting S-Video for the PS1 and Component for the PS2, but remember that the 2X Pro cannot accept 480p, so it’s not the ideal solution for consoles like the Wii or Xbox, but to be honest native 480p already looks pretty fine on most modern screens. If you want to squeeze as much as you can from the original hardware, go for the 5X Pro. It can handle all game consoles in a collection, since it can take composite, component, s-video, and scart. Couple that with upgraded component or RGB cabling and you get a pretty amazing experience from SNES, Genesis, and PS1.

[@kamerynhaynes7076]

@Retro Boost Thank you SO SO much for this! Looks like I'll have to get the 5x Pro! 🌸

[@chchris25]

The RT5X internally converts the RGB signal to Component. Just adds greater user compatibility.

[@RetroBoost]

That’s interesting to know. When the source is RGB Scart, I notice a different flavor of image vs Component for the same consoles. SNES and N64 look softer to me with component, and sharper or more “digitized” when Scart. That’s why the 5X Pro is so awesome though, you’ve got so many options, sampling modes, etc.

[@RetroBoost]

I’ve also grown to really love the SNES when using RGB SCART, with that said. The RAD2X is currently my favorite way to enjoy RGB via N64.

[@niallmclarney]

I think direct RGB scart from console to TV instead of component is the only way to play that generation of consoles and I'm in a pal region. I've used component, composite and RGB Scart and even little Scart RGB to Component adapters and for me RGB scart is the only way

[@RetroBoost]

Very true. Component had a weird release in the US. Lots of home theater technologies were quick to utilize it, but for gaming it was weird. Nintendo stopped making their GCN Component Model because the adoption rate was so low on 480p usage. Then right after, Xbox and PS3 had support for HDMI. As a kid, I only ever used component for my Wii. It’s cool that component is now an option for consoles like the SNES, but to your point, RGB via Scart is the original and best way to go up from composite/ s-video. Component looks awesome, but I like the flavor and sharpness that a Scart Source gives.

[@chchris25]

When playing on a CRT or professing monitor, yes RGB will be the purest signal. This is because all CRTs produce colors in RGB by the electron gun. In fact all CRTs convert RF, Composite, S-Video, and Component to RGB. Connecting a direct RGB signal to the CRT will be the purest because you bypass the conversion. However, when playing on modern displays we no longer have an electron gun to take advantage of the RGB signal. In fact, all of these analog signals get digitally converted and scaled. The difference is how they get converted and scaled. Most modern displays do a horrible job in their conversion. That’s why we use scalers such as the RT5X to properly handle this conversion.

[@spartankilltacular]

was the snes 2 chip or 1chip?

[@RetroBoost]

I’ve never opened it up, but the SN starts with UN2, so it can’t be a 1Chip model.

[@RetroBoost]

I now have a 1 Chip SNES. Did a video on it with my 5X Pro comparing the 1 Chip to my 2 Chip system. Working on similar videos for the RAD2X and the 2X Pro.

[@TheMoises1213]

I wonder why there’s no 4k

[@RetroBoost]

The 5X Pro had a 4K output mode, it was removed in a firmware update though, but you can always roll back to a version with it I guess. It was 4K at 30fps, as long as the Frame Lock setting was enabled for a 60fps source. Otherwise it would be 24 or 25fps. With all that said, Mike Chi is working on a legit 4K RetroTink, there is some info already out about it, some people with early access to the builds or parts have said good things.

[@OwtDaftUK]

Jak and Daxter has poor image qaulity so i'd not use that game to determine what's best for PS2 as a whole.

[@RetroBoost]

I agree, I really love that game so that’s why picked it, but you are correct 100%. the PS2 library isn’t one that I’m super familiar with since I didn’t grow up with it. If you have recommendations for games you know are great looking that make the system shine, please share! That Tony Hawk game is literally one of only two 480p compatible games, Jak 2 is one of the other ones, but I wanted to have something bright and something more normal.

[@RetroBoost]

And to your point, there are other games that look way better, none of these examples represent the consoles as a whole. With devices like RetroTINK, some games will always look better than others. Great example is the Wii. Skyward Sword is so much better looking on the 2X Pro M to me than the 5X Pro. For whatever reason that game’s dithering becomes so aggressive on the 5X Pro. To date, that’s the only Wii game I’ve found that isn’t as good on the 5X Pro. I’ve got other videos on the channel that show MGS2 and Hot Wheels World Race via the 5X Pro, they look great.

[@lukeautosymbol2668]

@@RetroBoost I recommend Shadow of the Colossus. It's super aesthetic and probably the peak of the PS2's graphical performance (at the expense of frame rate). SotC can display in 480p. Gran Turismo 4 is also fantastic and can actually display in 1080i! You can activate 1080i in the game's settings. And fun fact about GT4: the car models in 4 are so good, they were reused in 5 on the PS3. Tekken 4 & 5 also look great on PS2; 5 is technically better looking, but the look of 4 is really interesting.

[@SLICK8116]

Cholo mike😅😂

[@Ichabod_Jericho]

I couldn’t stop noticing the difference in color and smoothness!! I have both of these units coming in the mail. I personally don’t need dozens & dozens of dials, just want the image to fill the screen as smooth & blur free as possible, but the 2X just seemed to provide better contrast and depth of color. I’m sure the saturation can be adjusted in the 5X pro tho right? Either way your cable management is beautiful and commendable 🫡

[@RetroBoost]

Thanks so much! The 5X Pro does have internal picture settings such as Saturation, it’s referred to as “Color Boost.” Really handy when combined with Scanlines and HDR. The other big thing you can do is make sure you are using the best cables you can manage (S-Video or Component above composite). That’ll go a really long way, whether it’s the 2X Pro or the 5X Pro.