Games

Revive Retro Consoles on Modern TVs: Cables & Upscalers

Almost Like Old Times: Connecting Vintage Consoles to Modern TVs

Many modern TVs have dropped the wide array of analogue inputs once standard, leaving older game consoles seemingly incompatible—yet it’s absolutely possible to display their classic visuals on a 4K set. This guide explains how you can achieve the best possible image quality, from simple cable choices to advanced upscaling devices like the Retrotink 4K or the Open Source Scan Converter (OSSC).

Why Old Consoles Don’t “Just Work” on New TVs

  1. Fewer Inputs
    Older systems often rely on SCART, S-Video, Composite (Cinch/RCA), or even an RF (antenna) cable. Modern televisions typically offer only HDMI (and maybe USB), so a direct connection is impossible without an adapter or specialist hardware.
  2. Upscaling and Lag
    When connecting a low-resolution retro console, you might rely on the TV’s internal upscaler. However, some TVs add significant latency and produce blurred images at higher resolutions. An external upscaler can yield sharper, more responsive video.
  3. Signal Standards
    Retro consoles sold in Europe (PAL region) often output 576i or 576p at 50 Hz, whereas Japanese or North American units (NTSC) operate at 480i or 480p at 60 Hz. You’ll need to ensure your upscaler and TV accept the specific format of your console.

The Key Upscalers: Retrotink 4K and OSSC

Retrotink 4K

  • What It Is
    A versatile upscaler from Mike Chi. It accepts composite, S-Video, RGB/SCART, YPbPr/Component, and even HDMI inputs, outputting up to 4K@60 or 1080p@120.
  • Why It’s Great
    • User-friendly on-screen menus.
    • Profiles exist for many consoles, automatically optimising parameters.
    • Very low latency—often better than your TV’s built-in scaler.
    • Deinterlacing flattens out flicker from interlaced signals.
  • Cost
    €720 plus shipping from the USA (for the full 4K model). A cheaper CE version (€456) is planned for early 2025, retaining most features but with some limited filters and a simpler deinterlacer.

OSSC (Open Source Scan Converter) V1.8

  • What It Is
    An open-source linedoubler that reads composite/RGB via SCART, VGA, or YPbPr component, and outputs up to 5x line multiplication for 1080p or similar.
  • Advantages
    • Very low latency (just a few lines).
    • Typically cheaper than the Retrotink 4K, around €140–€180.
    • Highly customisable for advanced users.
  • Drawbacks
    • No native composite or S-Video—requires an add-on like the Koryuu transcoder (~€100).
    • Deinterlacing is simplistic, so 576i signals often flicker.
    • Setup can be more complex, with fewer community profiles for PAL consoles.

Six Example Consoles (Plus a VHS Recorder)

Below, we illustrate cable choices and upscaler settings for multiple systems in the European PAL region. The same principles can be applied to many other consoles with similar outputs.

  1. Sega Master System 2: Outputs only via RF (coaxial antenna cable). Use your TV’s aerial input or pass through a VCR or stand-alone demodulator, then feed a composite signal into the Retrotink 4K. The OSSC would need a transcoder (like Koryuu) for composite.
  2. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Outputs composite via RCA ports. Directly connect to the Retrotink 4K’s front input or feed it to the OSSC via the Koryuu transcoder.
  3. Amiga CD32: Outputs S-Video (and composite). S-Video can go into the Retrotink 4K’s front input. On the OSSC, you’d need a transcoder.
  4. Sony PlayStation (PS1): Best with an RGB SCART cable. Plug SCART directly into the Retrotink 4K or the OSSC.
  5. Sega Dreamcast: Best with VGA if you have a compatible VGA box accessory. Then connect to the VGA port on the Retrotink 4K or the OSSC.
  6. Nintendo Wii: Outputs component or composite; for best image, use component (YPbPr). Connect to the Retrotink 4K or the OSSC, using five RCA plugs for video plus two for audio.

Note: A VCR can demodulate certain consoles’ RF signals (like Master System 2) into composite.

See also

Retrotink 4K Setup Summary

  1. Connect your console’s preferred best cable (composite/S-video/SCART/YPbPr/VGA) to the relevant Retrotink port.
  2. Select the Input on the remote (e.g. front composite, SCART RGB, or VGA).
  3. (Optional) Load a Profile from the included SD card (community or built-in) for your console.
  4. Adjust Scaling in the on-screen menu: to 1080p, 4K, or a custom mode.
  5. Manage Audio in “Advanced Settings → Acquisition → Audio Input” if needed (especially if you want “mono to stereo” duplication).

OSSC V1.8 Setup Summary

  1. Connect your console’s best possible output. For composite or S-Video, an external transcoder is required.
  2. Switch Inputs with the remote:
    • Key 1 = SCART (RGBS)
    • Key 2 = Component (YPbPr)
    • Key 3 = VGA (RGBHV)
  3. Load or Create Profiles for specific resolutions/framerates in the on-screen menu.
  4. (Optional) Use “line multiplication” (2×, 3×, 4×, 5×) to produce a higher resolution if your TV supports it.
  5. Audio typically uses a 3.5 mm input, so you may need a 2×Cinch (RCA) to 3.5 mm cable.

Examples of Cable Best Practices

  • RF (antenna): Trickiest, poor quality. A direct tuner on the TV or a VCR can convert to composite.
  • Composite: NES is a key example. If your console supports only composite, connect it directly to Retrotink 4K or to an OSSC with a transcoder.
  • S-Video: Improves over composite by separating luminance/chrominance; Amiga CD32 is a prime example. Retrotink 4K has a front S-Video port. The OSSC requires a transcoder.
  • RGB SCART: A favourite in Europe. Many consoles (PS1, Mega Drive, SNES, Saturn) look best over RGB SCART. Works directly with either upscaler.
  • VGA: Dreamcast can output crisp 480p or 576p via a VGA box. Plug into the Retrotink 4K’s VGA port or the OSSC’s VGA port.
  • Component (YPbPr): The Wii supports 480p over component. Connect to the Retrotink 4K or OSSC’s YPbPr input.

Conclusion

Reviving classic consoles on a modern 4K TV is absolutely feasible without resorting to bland, lag-prone eBay/Amazon HDMI converters. With a quality upscaler or linedoubler, you can enjoy the sharper, low-latency visuals that the original developers intended. Whether you go for the feature-rich Retrotink 4K (and perhaps its cheaper “CE” variant) or the more budget-friendly OSSC V1.8, your retro-gaming sessions can stay authentic and vibrant. Just pick the right cables or transcoding solutions for your console’s best analogue signal, and let the upscaler deliver crisp, satisfying retro goodness for your next nostalgia night.

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