RetroTINK-6X CE – Flagship Processing, 1440p Price
The RetroTINK-6X CE is not a stripped-down compromise – it's a fully capable analog upscaler using the same 12-bit linear-light pipeline as the four-times-more-expensive RetroTINK-4K Pro. That means excellent color accuracy, true CRT effects via HDR10, and near-zero input lag – all in a compact device aimed at the entry-level market. If you own a 1440p monitor and play analog consoles, the 6X CE is simply the best value pick in the entire RetroTINK lineup.
Output Resolutions
The 6X CE outputs natively at 2560×1440p60, running at the full 300 MHz pixel clock ceiling of HDMI 1.4b. The 1440p signal is generated natively – no pixel doubling, no overclocking tricks. If you own a 4K TV, you can alternatively switch to 1920×1080p120 for black-frame insertion and improved motion clarity. There is also a 3840×1080p60 „quasi-4K“ mode that provides extra horizontal resolution specifically for detailed CRT aperture-grille masks and shadow masks.
CRT Simulation & HDR10
This is why retro enthusiasts buy these devices: the 6X CE simulates the look of a real CRT television – and goes far beyond simple scanlines. Thanks to true HDR10 output, the device can leverage the full brightness range of modern OLED and HDR panels to authentically reproduce CRT phosphor glow. On an SDR panel, that would require either dimming the image or blowing out highlights – HDR10 solves this.
- Energy Conservation Scanlines: Total brightness stays constant when scanlines are applied
- Spatial Redistribution Masks: Shadow mask and aperture-grille simulation (like Sony's classic Trinitron tubes)
- Variable MPRT Black Frame Insertion (BFI): Significantly sharper motion rendering
- Ready-made CRT profiles by community legends Wobbling Pixels and FirebrandX, plus compatibility with RT4K profiles (e.g. Kuro's meticulously calibrated HDR CRT model simulations)
Inputs & Compatibility
The 6X CE is an analog-only device – intentionally so. It supports virtually every analog video format imaginable: from composite signals of an Atari through SCART RGB of a SNES to YPbPr component of a GameCube or PS2. NTSC, PAL, PAL-60 and SECAM are all supported. If you need an HDMI input (e.g. for modern consoles or a Framemeister), you'll need the RetroTINK-4K CE instead.
- 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 with full gain control
- Optical TOSLINK audio input (2-Ch LPCM or compressed surround)
- Audio and video input can be selected independently
Image Processing in Detail
Under the hood sits a 12-bit linear-light pipeline – the same technology as in the RetroTINK-4K. This minimizes quantization errors during upscaling and enables precise color correction to Rec. 709, Rec. 2020 or sRGB. Additional features include VRR flag injection (VESA and Freesync), optional deep color output, Gen Lock and Frame Lock sync modes, and fully buffered video processing (no dropout on input changes). Motion-adaptive de-interlacing via FPGA completely prevents artifacts from interlaced sources like PS2 or DVD – far superior to cheaper solutions. Custom modelines are possible via a text file on the SD card.
Box Contents
- RetroTINK-6X CE unit
- SD card with pre-loaded software and profiles
- microSD to USB reader (Launch units only)
The user manual is hosted at the RetroTINK Wiki and is continuously updated as new features are added.
