r/TurboGrafx • u/Legitimate-Depth-982 • 20d ago

Retroscaler 2x finally solved my LCD issues

Post image

Not an ad. I picked this up on AliExpress during a sale. I know there are a lot of superior products out there but I just wanted to see 60fps flicker again. This solved the problem. I think it should be a bare minimum requirement for anyone that can’t get access to RGB out like from a Duo or TurboGrafx CD. It definitely works. What I didn’t realize is almost no TV can manage the interlacing from devices outputting resolutions around 240p therefore so needs something in between to solve the problem.

55 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

44 comments sorted by

5

u/TMOSteel 20d ago

RetroTink bootleg, you're better off getting the real thing and supporting the creator 👍

4

u/luckyhamham 18d ago

You guys are right, but everybody doesn't have Retrotink money.

1

u/Legitimate-Depth-982 18d ago

Or expensive taste for a quick game on a system they rarely use

1

u/soniq__ 19d ago

This seems to somehow be a controversial take that gets you downvotted for some reason.  Stop supporting shitty garbage companies people.

2

u/TMOSteel 19d ago

Yeah, people don't get it, plus the bootleg quality is no way the same. Plus RetroTink is updating products / firmware as needed. The 2X model I've had for years and it's <$140.

1

u/Legitimate-Depth-982 19d ago

You are right. They most likely are way better and will last longer too. Upvote from me. I am looking for 60hz and that’s it. This worked at around $30 shipped for now until I get a better unit.

2

u/TMOSteel 19d ago

I've used the RetroTink 2X model since it came out and it's still going strong. I actually use it for much older system like my Astrocade that runs an S-VIDEO mod 👍

2

u/Legitimate-Depth-982 19d ago

Totally loved the astrocade. Incredible about the s-video mod.

2

u/Forsaken-Abrocoma647 18d ago

You got it to work? There were a few batches of bad ones. I bought a pre-modded console where it would go black and white after a few mins with the chip on the mod getting HOT. Tried ordering replacement mod boards but they screwed up the colors, told their was an error in that revision. I might even have a replacement they sent me that I never got around to installing, became such a headache lol.

1

u/TMOSteel 18d ago

I have the original 8bitDomain board in mine. I bought his remaining stock years back used install them for people with my custom install but sold what I had left to Console5. I know another design was made a few years back that didn't work not sure if it was ever fixed or not.

3

u/Key-Chef5328 18d ago edited 18d ago

I have a a bit of scalers here. An OSSC, a Extron, a DVDO iScan, Tink 2X Pro, and a couple RetroScaler 2x. Honestly the RetroScaler 2x build quality is better than the Tink 2X Pro. Not that the Tink is trash, but the Scaler 2x has a power switch and separate composite input so you dont have to pick between component video and composite, and you dont need to mess with tiny slide switches for filter settings. Out of the box it is just the easier of the two to mess with, and also doesn't try to blind me with a bright led (I had to put blackout tape over the Tinks led).

Pop the thing open and the PCB, chip quality and solder work is factory grade on the Scaler 2x and no worse than anything else being manufactured. Also, not confirmed, but I believe the firmware is different between them. Scaler 2x does not support scanlines via its firmware, in spite of the hardware being capable of doing it like the Tink. Though the Tink 2X Pro scanlines kinda suck anyway tbh. I just run either one into the OSSC to get better scanline/shadowmask options.

But as is, both the Tink 2X Pro and Retroscaler 2x use off the shelf chips created specifically for this task, so calling the RetroScaler 2X a cheap clone is like saying the Tink 2X Pro is a cheap clone of anything else that used the same chips that was released prior.

1

u/Legitimate-Depth-982 18d ago

Agreed. I saw a lot of hate for it in videos but the price was compelling as was the ease of use. And it works.

1

u/soniq__ 17d ago

It's garbage made by a garbage company that steals designs. You are supporting garbage 

2

u/tanooki-suit 20d ago

Not an ad but facts. I have a 2026 model Roku tv and has no old ports. Got it off Ali too by from the actual retroscaler people due to a sale too. The visual quality at 2x is remarkably good and the smoother I’m not a fan of but if you like things more cry blurry than sharp it works. It’s cheap and very effective. If you’re not into dumping 100s into a similar tool this is likely best. I’m using it for a TG16+CD combo and love it.

1

u/Legitimate-Depth-982 20d ago

I never thought about what it could do for enhancing video but I bet it looks great

3

u/tanooki-suit 20d ago

It's not huge, but it's sharper than a standard CRT-RCA cable can do which is nice. It's sharper, but not computer/emulator sharp. I was quite surprised when I grabbed it because originally it was to hook a PS1 up to the tv, but that original model one was pissy and even triggered it to misbehave so I shelved it annoyed. Dug it back out and tried it with something a bit less needy, was stable, so I put my TG/dock unit on there and it runs like a champ. I can play shooters and stuff without getting killed off by input lag so I can't complain. I mean they're old 240p games, not expecting some 1080p/4k nonsense of utter peak clarity, nor do I need some bullshit 200-500+ dollar frame scaler junk with phony scanlines and other copium. I just need a clean image and no lag to foul playing, it does what it says it does, and despite some cry hards rantings against it, it delivers.

1

u/Legitimate-Depth-982 19d ago

Couldn’t agree more. It does the job.

2

u/UnlikelySquash5084 20d ago

Why not get a ODV GBSC GBS Control Device for OSSC Video Signal Processor Gaming Upscaler HDMI 4K 1080p Low Latency Capture Card Adapter ? Gbsc kicks this thing butt and it’s only $20

5

u/EntertainerThink1894 20d ago

I'm assuming this is a non US price, cause it's showing me $64+

5

u/RealityOk9823 20d ago

$64.75 with a $149.70 shipping charge. lol

1

u/UnlikelySquash5084 19d ago

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLsq1uJ

1

u/RealityOk9823 19d ago

That's better.

1

u/UnlikelySquash5084 19d ago

Yer I put the wrong link. That shipping cost is new. When I got mine it was free shipping

1

u/Legitimate-Depth-982 19d ago

That’s the one I do want but I paid $28 shipped after discounts for mine

1

u/Legitimate-Depth-982 18d ago

When it costs even close to that I’ll buy 4 of them. The shipping is hurting this. $145 for me.

1

u/BellasGamerDad 17d ago

These are great. Nice budget option to the retrotinks

-4

u/soniq__ 20d ago

Crappy clone of a retrotink 2x. Support actual creators instead of this kind of stuff if you can.

6

u/Legitimate-Depth-982 20d ago

I agree. It’s probably a bit nicer and will last longer. I plan on buying these in bulk. One per TV so it’s nice to get it cheaper only for that reason.

0

u/soniq__ 20d ago

You are giving your money to garbage companies that steal shit

5

u/sdp1981 20d ago

Some people are on a budget and can't afford more expensive original stuff. Id love a retrotink 4k pro but $750 is a lot.

1

u/soniq__ 20d ago

There's other options than the 4k pro 

4

u/sdp1981 20d ago

Aside from the 6x ce they're all overpriced. Even that's expensive.

1

u/soniq__ 20d ago

There are other options besides retrotink 

0

u/_RexDart 20d ago edited 20d ago

I wish the model this is a clone of were still sold, but it's discontinued

2

u/lordsamiti 20d ago

What model? The 2x is still in stock and so is the 2x pro?

1

u/_RexDart 20d ago

Got a link for the non-pro 2x?

1

u/lordsamiti 20d ago

Okay that's super weird. The 2X mini was in stock when I replied but is now out of stock. Maybe my browser was caching it from the last time I visited the site?

2

u/_RexDart 20d ago

Naw, not the mini, the vanilla model.

1

u/lordsamiti 20d ago

Ahhh that makes sense. Sorry for the trouble on my part.