Retro How do you hook up your retro systems?

[TexMex]

So I've been re-buying my entire collection that I had to sell off years ago to make ends meet. It sucked - and seeing how much stuff is worth now that I sold for pennies on the dollar has turned my stomach.

That said - I did this before HDTV's were a real mass market thing so I always had a CRT. For those of you who still have your retro consoles hooked up - how do you have them hooked up to your modern displays without them looking like total ass?

I did go out and get a huge (50 inch) CRT - which is very nice. But man, takes two people just to lift it. The thing is a total beast so if I could make good use of some cheap 720p/1080p displays out there and still have my N64/Gamecube/etc not look terrible, I'd love to be able to.

Any tips?

 

[Any Major Dude]

I wanted to get a PS2 slim to work once, on a modern tv... I gave up. But I've still got a freemcboot memory card which I'm afraid to sell because i think it's got my ip and network details all entered into it, and that feels kind of risky heh

More on topic, i think there are converter boxes you can use to boost image, but you need things like an ideal tv make and special type of obsolete lan cable

 

[Max_Po]

it depends on the system.

I have, NES, SNES, Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast and NeoGeo NeoGeo CD.


for NES I modded mine with Hidef NES Kit
SNES, I don't have 1-chip so I just got Analogue's Super NT

Genesis, I have Analogue Mega SG but for original hardware you have to mod it with Triple By-Pass kit and then get a SCART RGB Cable.
NeoGeo Same ... Tweak/MOD RGB and then SCART to OSSC


Then scale them 4 to 5 Times the resolution for HDTV (240p x 4 or 5)

 

[Max_Po]

I wanted to get a PS2 slim to work once, on a modern tv... I gave up. But I've still got a freemcboot memory card which I'm afraid to sell because i think it's got my ip and network details all entered into it, and that feels kind of risky heh

More on topic, i think there are converter boxes you can use to boost image, but you need things like an ideal tv make and special type of obsolete lan cable

Serious ? you private IP Address ... R O F L .. no one gives a shit about your IP address.

 

[Any Major Dude]

Serious ? you private IP Address ... R O F L .. no one gives a shit about your IP address.

Well that's good, I'll sell it next time i want 5 bucks ha

 

[Komatsu]

My Dreamcast has its output going through a Berharbris Akura HDMI box - looks amazing on the big screen. My Nintendo 64 has the eon64 HDMI adapter, which is great. My Sega Saturn and Master System are hooked through an upscaler. The Saturn looks good, the Master System less so.

 

[TexMex]

My Dreamcast has its output going through a Berharbris Akura HDMI box - looks amazing on the big screen. My Nintendo 64 has the eon64 HDMI adapter, which is great. My Sega Saturn and Master System are hooked through an upscaler. The Saturn looks good, the Master System less so.

Looked up the Eon and not sure I want to drop 150 on an adapter, at least not yet (I've spent nearly a grand this week alone just buying the games) - any clue if these actually work?

Amazon.com: HDMI Cable for N64, Support 16:9/4:3 Conversion, N64 to HDMI Converter, Composite with N64/GameCube/SNES: Electronics

Amazon.com: HDMI Cable for N64, Support 16:9/4:3 Conversion, N64 to HDMI Converter, Composite with N64/GameCube/SNES: Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

[Bruno_Arrais85]

People talk good things about the Retrotink 2X. It might be the best solution for retro gaming on a HDTV or 4ktv

 

[Vier]

 

[HE1NZ]

I use RetroTink2X for PS2, N64 and Saturn. Plug component or S-Video into it and output to TV through HDMI. Zero input lag.

New version can pass through 480p so you can also use it with Xbox and Wii/GC (and 480p supporting PS2 titles), but my version is old one so I plug 480p consoles directly to TV, which has component input.

I tried plugging PS2 directly to TV to play 480i games and the added input lag is horrific. Picture isn't scaled correctly too, I think it has to do with PS2 running games at less than 480i internally. Through RetroTink2X it's fine except interlacing creates a little jitter, but that's nature of the beast.

 

[Komatsu]

Looked up the Eon and not sure I want to drop 150 on an adapter

Pricey, yes, but a lot better than the alternatives besides actually modding the console’s output and trust me, I have tried them all.

I have the cable you just linked and I thought the images it posts to be muddy. Not my cup of tea.

 

[cireza]

I haven't found a satisfactory solution to plug them on HD TVs. Always looks like ass by my standards, even with an upscaler. Scrolling is the main problem here. Movement blur kills it for me.

They are plugged to my CRT through SCART RGB.

 

[HE1NZ]

I haven't found a satisfactory solution to plug them on HD TVs. Always looks like ass by my standards, even with an upscaler. Scrolling is the main problem here. Movement blur kills it for me.

They are plugged to my CRT through SCART RGB.

Sounds like the issue is the TV.

 

[Goro Majima]

I use Hyperkin HDMI adapters for the Xbox, Dreamcast, and N64. I went with Hyperkin because it’s a lot cheaper than other solutions and it’s “good enough” for as often as play my retro consoles. The only one that doesn’t look great is the N64 but that’s probably my least favorite retro console

Then I’ve got a “WiiHD” HDMI adapter for the Wii for Wii and Gamecube games. The PS2 uses a component to HDMI adapter.

Finally I have the Super Retro Trio Plus clone console which does NES, SNES, and Genesis over HDMI. It’s not terrible but it doesn’t do high pitched music very well like some of the Chrono Trigger soundtrack which sounds distorted even to my ears.

Anyway, all that and my 360, PS3, and TG-16 mini are hooked up to two Kinivo HDMI 5 to 1 switches which are then connected to my two non 4K120hz ports.

I think this stuff is kinda like audio equipment where you can spend a ton of money having people solder stuff or buying very expensive HDMI adapters or buy huge and heavy CRT TVs for a premium since the market has caught onto this retro gaming thing.

Alternatively you can be cheap like me and recognize that you don’t need the absolute best picture because you don’t play retro consoles as much as you want to or think you will want to.

 

[cireza]

Sounds like the issue is the TV.

Maybe OLED TVs would give better results, but I don't have the room available to put such a huge panel.

I play on a 32 inches HD TV, and don't want to move to anything bigger. My current TV is a Samsung Frame, good picture, good colors. But there is a very noticeable doubling of the picture with fast scrolling. My previous TV was a Sony 32 inches, also a TV that has good reviews : scrolling was extremely blurry. Its BFI was a joke, picture was awful, duplicated and incredibly dark.

 

[HE1NZ]

Maybe OLED TVs would give better results, but I don't have the room available to put such a huge panel.

I play on a 32 inches HD TV, and don't want to move to anything bigger. My current TV is a Samsung Frame, good picture, good colors. But there is a very noticeable doubling of the picture with fast scrolling. My previous TV was a Sony 32 inches, also a TV that has good reviews : scrolling was extremely blurry. Its BFI was a joke, picture was awful, duplicated and incredibly dark.

I have a cheap 1080p Sony TV and don't get a lot of doubling. If I'm not mistaken these Frame TVs are more expensive.

You should check the settings, turn off every "enhancement", reduce sharpening and all that dumb shit.

 

[cireza]

You should check the settings, turn off every "enhancement", reduce sharpening and all that dumb shit.

I spent hours in the settings trying stuff, but I actually don't have many settings available. This doubling effect I see, it's simply like this on this TV, can't do anything about it. The 32 inches model has very few settings compared to the bigger models.

Will check again though, thanks.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I hook em up to a CRT.

I delved into the world of converters and SCART and upscalers and it's all really fancy, but in most cases exceeds the price of the games + gaming hardware.

 

[ReBurn]

I have a cheap 1080p Sony TV and don't get a lot of doubling. If I'm not mistaken these Frame TVs are more expensive.

You should check the settings, turn off every "enhancement", reduce sharpening and all that dumb shit.

I've noticed that the newer my TV's get the worse my older systems work with them. I suspect that most TV manufacturers today don't really care whether the process of upscaling the analog 256x240 output from my NES that was designed to drive the photon gun of a CRT to the 3840 x 2160 resolution of my modern TV that prefers to receive and display entire frames of digital image data at once works particularly well.

I tried external converters and signal processors and they actually work ok. But ultimately I found the best way to enjoy these old systems, pretty much everything up to PS2 anyway, was just to get a CRT for them.

 

[TLZ]

I've got rid of my CRT. Too bulky and takes too much space. Not worth it. Got a couple rad2x cables hooked up to my HDTV instead. Much better this way.

 

[P.Jack]

No mention of the OSSC? You might want to look into that OP, depending on which consoles you want to play. I’d say using a OSSC is the next best thing to a CRT. It only supports RGB, so PS1-2, Dreamcast, Saturn, SNES among others works on stock consoles with the right cables. But NES and N64 does not output RGB without modification, so if thats what you are looking for you might be better off with a RetroTINK. If you are just hooking up one or two consoles, check out the RAD cables for an easy solution. If display lag is important to you (it should be), I’d recommend you to avoid pretty much all other options.

The OSSC is a great device with lots of options and no lag. I highly recommend it and it is well worth the price. You wont regret buying a device like that.

 

[cireza]

The OSSC is a great device with lots of options and no lag

I have this. It does not help with movement blur though, which is inherent to our current TV technology.

Also, even if the OSSC integer scales the signal, this one is upscaled by the TV to fit screen, so you lose the integer scaling.

 

[P.Jack]

I have this. It does not help with movement blur though, which is inherent to our current TV technology.

Also, even if the OSSC integer scales the signal, this one is upscaled by the TV to fit screen, so you lose the integer scaling.

Well I always recommend pairing the OSSC with a monitor since those usually supports a wider range of resolutions.

As for the movement blur thats your display, it has nothing to do with the OSSC. I wouldn’t say it’s ’inherent to current technology’ at all. Maybe you should try hooking it up to your pc monitor if you have one?

 

[lyra-ixi]

i only have a PS2 and my current TV doesn't support it (LG CX).

I guess i could buy a HDMI converter but haven't bothered. i just hook my PS2 up to the old TVs which still have component/scart connections.

 

[cireza]

Maybe you should try hooking it up to your pc monitor if you have one?

Anything based on LCD has a lot of movement blur. PC Monitor can be good if it is OLED, I suppose (not even sure that they made any of these in the end). Or if it has some good black frame insertion tool. Some of these are covered on Blur Busters, and there aren't many that are satisfactory at all.

 

[P.Jack]

Anything based on LCD has a lot of movement blur. PC Monitor can be good if it is OLED, I suppose (not even sure that they made any of these in the end). Or if it has some good black frame insertion tool. Some of these are covered on Blur Busters, and there aren't many that are satisfactory at all.

Well I think our definition of problematic motion blur varies. There are good displays out there. And this has nothing to do with stuff like the OSSC, other than when compared to a CRT. Like I said, it’s the next best thing to a CRT.

 

[Enzo88]

Homebrewed Wii-U covers most of my retroconsoles in hdmi outside of the playstation stuff.
Xbox one covers the xbox family.
Homebrewed vita and hdmi adaptor for my japanese ps2 cover the playstation family up to ps2, portables included.

 

[Nitty_Grimes]

I’ve got a small 720p set (22 inch hdtv) with component, RGB scart and HDMI on it if I need it.

Wouldn’t try to set up anything PS1 or older on my new 55” 4K set, just not worth it in my opinion.

 

[cireza]

And this has nothing to do with stuff like the OSSC

Indeed, as I stated above. OSSC does not help in this topic, it is entirely related to the TV/monitor.

I have a CRT next to my HD TV, so the problem is pretty big to me. Most people don't have CRT anymore, so they don't remember the great motion clarity we had with these. I a way, it is better for them not to remember... I have been wanting to switch on HD TV for my old consoles, but still haven't found a good enough solution, sadly.

 

[Mabdia]

Well... i guess that the easiest way is having a modern console running a emulator.

Series S looks amazing do do it.

 

[sadmaker]

Dreamcast VGA box, xbox component cables both connected to LCD

Every other retro system through snes/genesis generation via emulator on the trusty Wii U

 

[EverydayBeast]

Classic games represent the hobby so I get mine everywhere (PS Store, Wii U store, dedicated TV etc.) my game room is loaded with classics.

 

[cireza]

As stated several times already, Wii U is a great console to emulate all these old machines and get HDMI out. Also fantastic for GBA with interger scaling x3 on the Gamepad.

 

[InfiniteCombo]

I use an upscaler. I have both an OSSC and a Framemeister. I bought the Framemeister back when they were available widely/easily -- I think it's out of "print" now, unfortunately. I have to say, even though it was NOT a cheap purchase, I have absolutely ZERO regrets of purchasing the Framemeister. One of the best gaming purchases I have ever made.

After that, I bought a SCART cables for my Super Nintendo and Saturn off of that store on eBay with that lady who makes all those cables. I forget the name of their eBay store, but the cables are high quality and made for a good price.

For Wii and PS2 I bought "D" cables (I guess the Japanese variant of Component?) off eBay.

I generally have only one console hooked up at a time. So right now it's the Super Nintendo hooked up to the Framemeister with RGB, and the Framemeister to my HDTV via HDMI. Image is beautiful, clean, and no lag that I can really tell (I usually test lag with fighting games and some of the tighter-timed platformers I like to play). I have found that OSSC can lose its signal to the the Super Nintendo specifically, when connected over RGB (this issue doesn't happen with other consoles). I haven't bothered to do too much research into it yet.