Configuring the RetroTINK 5X-Pro with Optimal Timings and Scaling Modes

Your Super Famicom looks like a smeared mess on your 4K OLED because the TV is treating a 240p signal as 480i video. The RetroTINK 5X-Pro stops that. It captures the analogue signal, line-doubles it, and outputs a clean HDMI image. The 5X-Pro uses a framebuffer, so it can crop, zoom, and run CRT simulation that actually looks like a CRT. The settings here come from Mike Chi's official firmware documentation and the RetroTINK user manual. The key to a good image is understanding that 240p and 480i are different formats. A scaler that treats them the same destroys the scanlines and adds combing artifacts. The 5X-Pro has presets for this. Use them.

Update the firmware from the RetroTINK website before you change anything. The firmware page lists the current version and what changed. The scaler has a menu system, profile saving, and CRT simulation filters. It accepts composite, S-Video, component, and RGB SCART. The output modes are 480p, 720p, 768p, 1080p, 1200p, 1440p, 480i, and 1080i. The ADC samples at 4:4:4 with 48 kHz audio. Lag in framelock mode stays under 0.25 ms, which is 0.25 scanlines at 1080p. In triple buffer mode, lag is 4 to 8 ms depending on the output refresh rate. Triple buffer mode exists for compatibility with non-standard refresh rates. Framelock mode is what you want for lag-free play. The ADC low-pass filter is adjustable from 0 to 4 levels.

Line Multiplication vs Framebuffer Scaling

The 5X-Pro has two scaling methods. Line multiplication repeats each scanline exactly with no processing. This is the purest method and has zero lag. But line multiplication cannot do non-integer scales. That is where framebuffer scaling comes in. Framebuffer scaling captures a full frame and resamples it. This enables rotation, zoom, and HDR filters. It adds a tiny amount of lag. The 5X-Pro uses framebuffer scaling because it needs to handle 480i content without flicker. The generic 4:3 mode is the starting point for 4:3 content. It outputs a 4:3 image at the chosen resolution.

1080p Fill vs 1440p Mode

The 1080p fill mode stretches the image to fill a 16:9 screen. This works on modern TVs but distorts the image. The 1440p mode is the 5X-Pro's native output. It gives you the most horizontal resolution for scanlines. If your display accepts 1440p, use it. At 1440p, you have more pixels to play with, so the horizontal mask is more detailed. At 1080p, the mask is coarser. The rule: 1440p for 240p consoles, 1080p for 480i content that needs deinterlacing, and 720p or 768p for displays that cannot handle higher resolutions.

How the CRT Simulate Filter Works

The CRT simulate filter is the headline feature. It is not a simple scanline overlay. It models the CRT electron beam, the shadow mask, and the phosphor pattern. The scanline filter has two components: horizontal mask and vertical mask. The vertical mask creates the dark lines between scanlines. The horizontal mask simulates the aperture grille or shadow mask. For a PVM look, set the horizontal mask to a fine pattern and the vertical mask to a moderate intensity. For a consumer TV look, increase the vertical mask and soften the horizontal mask. The CRT filter is subjective. The firmware documentation gives a starting point: set the mask to 50 percent and adjust from there.

Scaling Algorithms and Resolution Choice

The scaling algorithms are Sharp, Smooth, PVM, and CRT simulate. Sharp is for pixel-perfect viewing. Smooth reduces shimmer on moving sprites. PVM is a compromise. CRT simulate is the most intensive. It adds bloom and phosphor decay. The 1440p mode is the best way to see the CRT simulate filter because it has enough resolution to render the mask accurately. On a 1080p display, the mask looks softer. The ADC bandwidth and SDTV LPF settings affect how the signal is captured. The SDTV LPF filters out high-frequency noise from composite and S-Video signals. For RGB SCART, leave the LPF off.

The deinterlacing settings are critical for PlayStation 2 and Saturn games. The 5X-Pro has four methods: Bob, Weave, Blend, and Motion-adaptive. Bob weaves the two fields together. It is the fastest but adds flicker. Weave combines the fields into a single frame, which causes combing on motion. Blend averages the fields, which blurs motion. Motion-adaptive deinterlacing is the one you want. It reconstructs full resolution from 480i without flicker. The 5X-Pro uses a motion-adaptive algorithm that analyzes the image and interpolates the missing lines. Set this for PS2 games that run at 480i. Bob is only for when you need the absolute lowest lag and the game is mostly static.

Some PS2 games run at 240p, but the system outputs 480i until the game boots. The 5X-Pro detects the resolution change and switches modes. This is where frame lock speed matters. A slow lock means a blank screen for 2 to 3 seconds every time a game switches from a 240p menu to 480i gameplay. The 5X-Pro locks in under a second in most cases. If you see a black screen, check the display's input settings. Some displays renegotiate the HDMI handshake, which adds a delay. The 5X-Pro has a field pull-down option for 480i that detects the original film cadence and reconstructs the frame correctly. This matters for DVD playback and some PS2 RPGs.

Saving and Naming a Profile

Each input has its own profile. Save one for your SNES over RGB SCART, another for your PS2 over component, and a third for your N64 over S-Video. The profile stores the scaling mode, deinterlacing method, and CRT filter settings. To save a profile, hold the menu button for two seconds and select Save Profile. Name it by console and cable type. The 5X-Pro has 10 profile slots. If you use the same console with different cables, you need separate profiles. The PCE S-Video signal is different from the SNES RGB signal. The SNES has pre-emphasis on the red and green channels, which changes the colour. The 5X-Pro cannot correct for pre-emphasis automatically. You have to adjust the colour balance in the profile.

Per-Input Adjustments

For a Sega Saturn, use RGB SCART if you have it. The Saturn's RGB output is clean. The S-Video output is decent but less sharp. The profile saves the ADC low-pass filter setting. For S-Video, set the LPF to level 2 to reduce chroma noise. For RGB, set it to 0. The horizontal crop and zoom are per-input. If your SNES over SCART has black bars on the left and right, adjust the horizontal mask in the profile. The 5X-Pro remembers the crop for each input. The settings depend on your display and your cables.

The SNES RGB signal has pre-emphasis on the red and green channels. This is a hardware quirk of the console. The 5X-Pro cannot remove it. Adjust the colour balance instead. The SNES also has a known issue with a high-frequency whine on some RGB cables. The SDTV LPF setting can reduce this. The PCE S-Video signal is different from the SNES S-Video signal. The PCE has a darker image with a slight green tint. Adjust the brightness and hue in the profile.

Component video is the best consumer input. The HD Retrovision cables convert RGB to component for consoles that lack native component output. The Genesis and SNES work well with HD Retrovision cables. The 5X-Pro's component input accepts 240p, 480i, and 480p. The 480p mode is rare for retro consoles. The Dreamcast over VGA is a notable exception. The VGA input accepts 480p and 720p. The HDMI input is for modern consoles and the Dock. The optimal timings setup is different for each input. You cannot use the same profile for RGB SCART and component. The colour space is different.

Frame lock mode locks the output refresh rate to the input refresh rate. This eliminates judder on a 60 Hz display. The lag in frame lock mode is under 0.25 ms. Triple buffer mode is for displays that cannot handle a non-standard refresh rate. It adds a frame of lag but prevents tearing. For a PAL console running at 50 Hz, use frame lock. The 5X-Pro outputs 50 Hz over HDMI. Your display must support 50 Hz. Most Hong Kong displays do. The manual lists the supported input resolutions: 240p/288p, 480i/576i, 480p/576p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. The 288p and 576i modes are for PAL consoles. The 5X-Pro supports all of them.

If your display does not accept 50 Hz, enable triple buffer mode. The 5X-Pro converts 50 Hz to 60 Hz. This adds a small amount of judder but works on any display. The frame lock speed is measured in seconds. A slow lock means a blank screen for 2 to 3 seconds. The 5X-Pro locks in under a second. Triple buffer adds 4 to 8 ms of lag. This is fine for most games. Frame lock mode is better for rhythm games and fighting games. The 5X-Pro has a framebuffer, so the triple buffer mode is just a setting. The manual says to use triple buffer mode only if you see tearing or flicker.

Why does my 240p signal look like 480i?

Your display or capture card is misinterpreting the signal. The 5X-Pro detects 240p correctly, but some displays ignore the EDID and treat the signal as 480i. Force 1080p in the output resolution menu. This fixes the issue.

Should I use 1440p or 1080p output?

Use 1440p if your display supports it. It gives you the most detailed scanlines and a finer horizontal mask. The 1080p mode is fine for 480i content because the deinterlacer does the heavy lifting.

What is the best CRT filter setting?

Start with the PVM preset and adjust the horizontal mask to your taste. Set the vertical mask to 50 percent. The scanline filter works best at 1440p.

Can I use the same profile for SNES and Saturn?

Yes, if both are over RGB SCART. The colour balance might be slightly different. The 5X-Pro has a colour temperature setting. Adjust it once and save the profile.

Why is my PS2 game flickering?

You are using Bob deinterlacing. Switch to Motion-adaptive. The flicker disappears. If it does not, the game is running at 480i and the 5X-Pro is switching modes.

Does the 5X-Pro add input lag?

In frame lock mode, lag is under 0.25 ms. In triple buffer mode, it is 4 to 8 ms. The framebuffer adds a negligible delay. The scaler is considered lag-free.

How do I save a profile?

Hold the menu button for two seconds, select Save Profile, and enter a name. The profile saves all settings including crop, zoom, and filter.

SNES and Saturn

For a SNES over RGB SCART, set the output to 1440p, the deinterlacing to Motion-adaptive, and the CRT filter to PVM. Adjust the pre-emphasis by eye. The SNES has a slightly warm colour balance. If the image looks too red, reduce the red gain. The horizontal crop is usually 0. For a Sega Saturn over S-Video, set the LPF to level 2. The Saturn's S-Video output has a soft image. The scanline filter masks the softness. The PCE over S-Video needs a brightness boost. The PCE is darker than the SNES.

PS2 and N64

For a PS2 over component, set the deinterlacing to Motion-adaptive. The PS2's 480i games benefit the most from this. The 5X-Pro's motion-adaptive algorithm is comparable to a high-end TV's video processor. The PS2's output is clean over component. The scaling comparison shows that 1080p is the sweet spot for PS2. At 1440p, the image is sharper but the deinterlacing artifacts are more visible. For the N64 over S-Video, use the Smooth scaling algorithm. The N64's texture filtering is already soft. The Smooth algorithm prevents shimmering. The 5X-Pro is the best scaler for the N64.

The RetroTINK 5X-Pro suits the traveller who wants one clean HDMI output for every console. It suits the Hong Kong apartment gamer with limited space who needs one display for modern and retro consoles. The 5X-Pro fixes the smeared mess of 240p on a 4K OLED. It is the reference scaler for a reason. If you want a lag-free, feature-complete scaler and you are willing to read a manual, the 5X-Pro is the destination. It is not for someone looking to buy a pre-modded console as a plug-and-play gift with no interest in settings menus. That traveller should visit a local Hong Kong retro shop and pay for a configured solution. The 5X-Pro is also not for someone playing PC games. The scaler does not accept VGA from a modern GPU at 1440p. They should look at dgVoodoo2 or DXVK. And if you are playing on an OLED with motion blur, the 5X-Pro's scanline filter will not fix that. The scanline filter adds a mask, but the pixel response time of the OLED is still fast. They need display-side motion blur and VRR guides, not scanline generators.

• Product: RetroTINK 5X Pro
• Output modes: 480p, 720p, 768p, 1080p, 1200p, 1440p, 480i, 1080i
• Latency (framelock): <0.25 ms (0.25 scanlines at 1080p)
• Latency (triple buffer): 4-8 ms (varies with output refresh rate)
• Deinterlacing: Motion-adaptive, Bob, Weave, Blend, CRT simulate
• Scaling algorithms: Sharp, Smooth, PVM, CRT simulate
• Inputs: Composite, S-Video, Component, RGB SCART, VGA, HDMI