RetroTink 5X-Pro Video Converter (Analog to HDMI)

Bridge your classic consoles to modern TVs with the most advanced analog converter available

The RetroTink 5X-Pro is the flagship of the RetroTink series and represents a quantum leap in retro gaming connectivity. Whether you're playing on your NES, PlayStation, Dreamcast, or virtually any other classic console, this converter accepts any analog signal—even HD ones—and transforms it into pristine HDMI output for your modern display. What sets the 5X-Pro apart is its combination of cutting-edge technology with minimal lag, ensuring your gameplay feels just as responsive as it did on original hardware.

You'll love how easy it is to set up. Simply connect your retro console to the 5X-Pro using your preferred cable type (composite, S-Video, component, or RGB via SCART), plug the HDMI output into your TV, and you're ready to game. The included IR remote lets you navigate the intuitive menu system, while the automatic optimal phase algorithm ensures you get the sharpest possible image without spending hours tweaking settings.

Authentic CRT Experience on Modern Displays

One of the standout features of the RetroTink 5X-Pro is its ability to recreate that classic CRT look you remember from your childhood. With adjustable scanlines and CRT mask simulation (available in recent firmware versions), you can make your games look exactly as they appeared on those curved glass screens of yesteryear. With the regular 3.x firmware, the custom-developed motion-adaptive deinterlacing algorithm is available for 480i games, reducing flicker without additional processing lag. This isn't just upscaling—it's digital preservation of the retro aesthetic.

Here are two videos by Laserfights which show how well these CRT Mask / Scanline simulations work:

Technical Excellence

The RetroTink 5X-Pro introduces several landmark accomplishments for bridging retro consoles to modern TVs. It's the first high-resolution video scaler capable of handling virtually all analog inputs out of the box, from composite to RGB. The fully compliant CEA-861 standard 1080p modes maximize compatibility across displays and capture cards, while high-quality polyphase scaling ensures sharp pixels at both integer and non-integer factors without shimmer. Perhaps most impressively, it handles resolution switches seamlessly, so games that switch between 240p and 480i won't cause dropped frames or screen blackouts.

The device supports source resolutions including 240p/480i, 288p/576i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i, with output resolutions ranging from 480p all the way up to 1440p. With latency as low as 0.25 frames in Framelock mode, you'll experience responsive gameplay that rivals original hardware. The selectable low-pass filter helps reduce noise, while the high-quality comb filter minimizes composite artifacts for the cleanest possible picture.

Quick Start

Getting started with your RetroTink 5X-Pro couldn't be simpler. Plug in the microUSB power cable, connect the HDMI output to your TV, and attach your retro console using your preferred video cable. Select the correct input source using the remote, and you'll immediately see sharp, upscaled video on your display. If you're happy with the default image quality, you're done—just start gaming! For those who want to explore advanced features like scanlines, CRT masks, and custom scaling options, the comprehensive manual provides detailed guidance.

Firmware 3.98 vs 4.02: Which should you use?

Important: The RetroTINK-5X Pro has two alternative firmware branches. Not all listed features can be used at the same time. Deinterlacing, HDR output and CRT simulation in particular depend on the installed branch.

• Regular firmware 3.98 (3.x): Recommended for 480i/576i games and older video. Includes motion-adaptive deinterlacing (MADI), Bob, and 3:2/2:2 inverse telecine to recover original film frames. Also adds Smooth I/P for cleaner 240p/480i transitions, improved S-Video processing and adjustable scanline/CRT effects.
• Experimental firmware 4.02 (“CRT Simulation Edition”): Optimized for CRT-style image reproduction. Offers a 12-bit linear-light processing pipeline, true HDR10/HLG with Rec. 2020, enhanced RGB shadow masks, energy-normalized scanlines and new CRT presets. Basic Bob/CRT-style deinterlacing remains available, but motion-adaptive deinterlacing and inverse telecine are not included.

1440p and quasi-4K: The 5X Pro supports 1440p as an advanced output mode, which RetroTINK classifies as experimental. You may need to enable “Advanced Res”, and not all displays accept it. Firmware 4.x additionally includes experimental quasi-4K modes at 3840 × 960, 2880 × 1200 and 2880 × 1080 on compatible displays. These are not true 3840 × 2160 (4K UHD).

Hardware revisions: Some early Rev. A units (2021) may be unstable above 1080p with firmware 4.x. Rev. B units (before mid-2022) have reduced RGB shadow-mask quality. Rev. C (mid-2022 onwards) supports full RGB shadow-mask effects. Actual capabilities therefore also depend on the hardware revision.

Download instructions and official releases: regular 3.x firmware and experimental 4.x firmware. Updating firmware erases saved profiles and resets settings. Use only the manufacturer's official update tools.

Package Contents

Your RetroTink 5X-Pro package includes everything you need to get started: the RetroTink 5X-Pro unit itself, an IR remote control (2 AAA batteries not included), a microUSB power cord, a quick-start card, and a RetroTink sticker.

Important Compatibility Notes

For the best image quality, we recommend using high-quality video cables such as HD Retrovision component cables or fully shielded SCART RGB cables. The RetroTink 5X-Pro is a high-resolution video digitizer that will reveal any flaws in your signal chain, including poor quality cables or noisy power supplies. While the device works with virtually all retro consoles, please note that some Sega Master System and NEOGEO AES systems may experience sync issues. For RGB SCART connections, use 75 ohm sync-on-luma or sync-on-composite—avoid TTL CSYNC or sync strippers. Not all displays will support 1440p output mode, which uses CVT reduced blanking timings.