Mr.Holub
As almost nobody owns CRT nowadays, we will devote to problems showing Atari 8bit composite output on modern LCD TVs and monitors.
Composite inputs disappears from modern TVs and were seldom on monitors anyway.
Although I can run my Atari on TV having composite input, what will I do when it fails?
The following text is the result of years-long gathering of various converters of composite signal to HDMI.
From technical perspective, such a conversion is very complicated process and the result is combination of:
Composite source (Atari 8bit in our case) + converter and its settings + Display unit and its settings + influence of connection cables + user’s impression.
If the display unit don’t have 4:3 ratio, the picture is stretched.
This can be fixed only if the display unit or converter can set 4:3 ratio.
Most of converters can’t set the ratio.
The following text describes tests of converters with Atari 800 XE/XL without modifications of composite output.
Quality shielded cables were used.
Only composite supporting inputs are listed, occasional other ones (S-VIDEO, RGB) are excluded.
Input: Cinch M
Output: HDMI M (connects directly to monitor/TV)
Power: 5V Micro USB
This is the cheapest of tested converters.
It is supposed to be plugged in HDMI input directly, however I’ve used a reduction as I was afraid that it might break up.
Display unit has to adjust aspect ratio.
Unless it is native 4:3 or it cannot set it, then the display is stretched.
Output can be adjusted to either 720p or 1080p.
Arrays with consistent color fill shows significant cross pattern, transitions are blurred.
Scrolling is bad, choppiness is obvious.
It doesn’t suffer HDMI signal loss during the change of the resolution and it displays something. Borrowing words of one unnamed bazaar owner, the price talks.
Input: Cinch F
Output: HDMI F
Power: 5V Mini USB
Another cheap converter.
It has an issue to sync the image properly when turned on, successfully fixed by repeatedly connecting/disconnecting cinches.
The image is same as with the model above, including choppiness.
Correct aspect ratio depends on the display unit.
Input: Cinch F
Output: HDMI F
Power: 5V Mini USB
Unfortunately I couldn’t get any picture from this one.
Not having more of these, cannot say whether it’s the malfunction or feature.
Input: Cinch F
Output: HDMI F
Power: 5V Mini USB
This converter may have metal casing, however positives ends here.
Picture is black-white and wiggly.
Not tested any further, unusable.
Input: Cinch F
Output: HDMI F
Power: 5V via included power supply.
Another disappointing metal cased converter.
Black-white picture with synchronization issues.
Input: SCART F
Output: HDMI F
Power: 5V included power supply.
Output can be adjusted to either 720p or 1080p.
Picture is sharp, however interpolation is not always good.
No cross pattern observed, just vertical.
Scrolling is choppy, no HDMI signal loss.
Aspect ratio depends on display unit.
Input: Cinch F
Output: HDMI F
Power: 5V Micro USB
Now we are getting to converters in range of thousands crowns.
I’ve seen purple horizontal lines with on blue (BASIC) screen, however I could solve the issue by enabling all inputs by using INPUT button and enabling 2X by using SMOOTHING MODE button, FIL may be enabled for corner smoothing.
Clean picture without obvious defects.
Scrolling is smooth.
Correct aspect ratio depends on display unit.
Only TV was able to detect the HDMI signal, neither of both monitors.
HDMI signal loss occurs during the change of the input resolution.
Input: Cinch F
Output: HDMI F
Power: 5V Micro USB
Clean picture without obvious defects.
Scrolling is smooth.
Correct aspect ratio depends on display unit.
Only TV and Fujitsu monitor (5:4) was able to detect HDMI signal.
Monitor Eizo was complaining regarding incorrect V frequency 49.9 Hz.
Input: Cinch F, SCART F
Output: HDMI F
Power: 5V Micro USB
We have reached the grand finale, highly praised RetroTink 5X.
Purchase price is significantly higher than any of other samples in this test.
Is it worth of it?
Luckily one nut has bought it, so we can dig in.
I have to say that I liked the output picture best, neither significant patterns nor sharp artefacts.
Color transition is clear, and its level can be adjusted.
The picture is perfect in case of HD resolution.
It looked significantly worse on Fujitsu 5:4, HD is obviously better for resampling.
Output resolution and many other parameters can be adjusted by using remote controller via OSD, I will focus on basics necessary fro Atari 8bit.
The issue with HDMI signal loss after changing input’s resolution can be fixed by switching in either Triple buffering or Gen lock (after firmware update).
I use output resolution 1080P FILL ( slightly bigger image)and aforementioned Gen lock.
Settings can be saved in several profiles.
This is the only converter in test allowing to set aspect ratio, so the most common type of display unit 16:9 don’t have to support switch in 4:3 aspect ratio.
Firmware is updated frequently, for example 4K resolutions are being added, however I cannot test that.
Input: SCART F
Output: DVI F, VGA F
Based on the description, this device is roughly on RetroTINK 2X-MINI level, including HDMI outage during the change of the input resolution. Authors prefers this solution, as interpolation in native resolution of display unit would be expensive and there would be issues with 50 Hz scrolling.
This description has been added for completion, I don’t have this device at disposal.
All cheap converters have an issue with choppy scrolling.
RETRO Scaler 2X a RetroTINK 5X don’t have scrolling issue, however there is a loss of HDMI signal during the change of resolution, which usually demos does.
RetroTINK 5X is regrettably totally best. I would point out only necessity of using remote controller for configuration tasks, older firmware allowed to use on-device buttons.
Above tests shows that if the display unit can’t set aspect ratio 4:3, or is not native 4:3, only RetroTink 5x can achieve reasonable results.
Ironically, cheapest converters performed better than more expensive metal cased desolation, which didn’t work at all with exception of Video Converter SCART/HDMI to HDMI 720P/1080P.
I’ve concluded multiple strategies based on particular life philosophy:
I wish to own only recent display unit (which ideally can’t do 4:3 aspect ratio) and still like to play middle class: It will not look good without RetroTink 5X (or something else supporting native resolution of the display unit). In case of financial problems improve your qualification, eventually change priorities and let go vacation at the sea, for example.
Hoarding is not stranger to me, crisis don’t affect me. I’d like to have RetroTINK 5X, yet can’t afford the thing: I’d suggest to hoard older LCD TVs, having even multiple composite inputs, people mentioned above gives these away even for free. These should have an option to set 4:3 aspect ratio, as this mode was not too far away at that time. It still takes less space than CRT. It is possible to achieve good picture and scrolling even without converter. If not, cheapest of the better ones is RETRO Scaler 2X, I guess you can survive HDMI signal loss in demos. LCDs with 5:4 aspect ratio can be also obtained at low price, if low space consumption or portability is required. LCDs with 4:3 aspect ratio are not very common and price will be very likely higher.
I don’t have any storage space and not even money: The conclusion has been written especially for you, serving as sort of motivation.
If you wish in 2022 run hardware discontinued officially in 1992, you need to add some resources.
8bit Atari can make a really good color vibrant graphic so it is a pity to show off with incorrect aspect ratio, bad color transition and artifacts. I’ve tried to choose converter’s names the way these can be looked up on the Internet. Unfortunately it is a jungle with the cheapest ones as same name is offered by multiple manufacturers. However, I can’t recommend these because of scrolling issues.
I will welcome any constructive discussion regarding this subject, either on discord (channel Atariklub.cz) or you can write me at mrholub@hotmail.com.