An upcoming RetroTink product has been teased for a while now, but today marks the day that it has been officially revealed. For those new to the RetroTink scene, it's simply a high-quality accessory for retro game consoles that converts your low-quality analogue video and upscales it accurately and reliably using an HDMI converter.
It doesn't use any form of emulation, just genius software that uses your original retro console and its cable to make it look as damn good as possible on your modern TV. Their most popular product was originally the RetroTink 4K, a 4K upscaler that was incredibly popular but was priced at a premium of $475 - $750 depending on if you went for the 4K Pro or 4K CE.
This was too expensive for some to afford, and for a small company like RetroTink, they had to price it like this due to the sheer ammount of work that went into it, alongside the manufacturing costs for something so advanced as this in small quantities. For years, their community has asked for something cheaper, and now they've answered.
RetroTink has officially revealed the all-new RetroTINK-6X CE, and it's available to buy today. It's a cheaper 1440p upscaler that's priced at just $230, far cheaper than its bigger brother, but comes packed with a wide range of features that will undoubtedly entice those who have been waiting for something more affordable in the space, even using the same 12-bit linear pipeline as the RetroTINK-4K.
What does it offer?
- Native 2560x1440p output designed to operate at the full 300 MHz maximum for HDMI 1.4b. Additional support for 1920x1080p120 as well as 3840x1080p60 ("quasi-4K" CRT mask mode).
- RT4K-class 12-bit linear light pipeline supporting the latest CRT simulation effects, including true HDR10, energy conservation scanlines, spatial redistribution masks and variable MPRT black frame insertion (BFI).
- Console-sharp profiles made by legends Wobbling Pixels, FirebrandX and the amazing Tink community, as well as the ability to cross-import RT4K profiles (like Kuro's meticulously calibrated HDR CRT model simulation profiles).
- Flexible output modes including 480p, 1080p, 1440p at various refresh rates (60/120/etc.) up to a 300 MHz pixel clock.
- Custom modelines possible via a text file on the SD card.
- Fully buffered video (drop-free on input changes), Gen Locked and Frame Locked sync modes.
- HDR10 output with full color correction to Rec. 2020.
- User selectable colourimetry (Rec. 709, Rec. 2020, sRGB, etc.)
- High frame rate output modes: 1080p120.
- Optional deep colour output for compatible displays.
The Inputs
- HD15/VGA:
- RGBHV
- RGBS
- RGsB
- YPbPr
- S-Video
- Composite
- SCART
- RGBS
- RGsB
- YPbPr
- S-Video
- Composite
- Rear RCA
- YPbPr
- RGsB
- Composite
- Front Composite
- Front S-Video
- Analog audio input up to 192 kHz/24-bit wth full gain control
- Optical TOSLINK audio input supporting 2-Ch LPCM or compressed surround
- Audio input can be independently selected of video source
What's missing?
To keep this remarkable device at an affordable price of $230, some corners had to be cut to create an entry-level RetroTink product, and the team has openly shared what's "missing".
- Maximum output pixel clock of 300 MHz, no 4K support. Overclocking or tricks like pixel doubling to go beyond this limit are not possible.
- Output modelines that operate at 120 Hz may be restricted to a maximum of 720p sources due to reduced memory bandwidth. Standard 60 Hz output modes can accept up to 1080p inputs, as usual.
- Only weave, bob and blend deinterlacing for 1080i sources due to reduced memory bandwidth. Standard definition interlaced signals have the same multi field look back motion adaptive deinterlacer as the 4K CE.
- No HDMI input. Please take note if your setup includes consoles like the GameCube or more modern systems like the PS3/Xbox360.
- No Inverse 3:2/2:2 Telecine for movies or 30 fps interlaced games (not present on the 4K CE but offered on the 5X).
- No mounting threads on the SCART port. As a side note, we strongly encourage considering HD15-type solutions for durability reasons.
- No USB serial port (SVS and peripheral control over the VGA’s serial port works as usual).
The good news, though, is that fulfilment starts on August 24th, and depending on volume, it may take a few days to two weeks to ship orders. Shipping will be from Asia, so expect it to take 5 - 10 days to arrive, depending on where you're ordering it from; Europe may take a little longer.
The RetroTINK-6X CE redefines what's possible in an entry-level retro gaming video processor. And for the RetroTink lovers, you may be wondering if a 6X Pro is coming if they've named this CE, and you'd be right! "There will be a RetroTINK-6X Pro, mirroring the 4K series! The 6X Pro, to be announced in the coming months, will be the true successor to the 5X. While the full details are not ready yet, we can say that it will have unique features not found in any other retro gaming scaler, and that if your use case goes beyond gaming and into legacy analogue media and preservation" states RetroTink.
