Getting the best picture from your old NES, SNES, Genesis, or PlayStation on a modern TV doesn’t have to be black magic. This guide walks you through adapters, mods, scalers, and displays—what actually works, what to avoid, and where to buy.
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Quick Picks (TL;DR)
- Best All-Round Scaler: RetroTINK 5X Pro — easy setup, great picture, minimal lag.
- Budget Plug-and-Play Adapter: Pound HDMI Cable (SNES/Genesis) — affordable, works on most TVs.
- Purist Choice: Sony PVM CRT Monitor — zero lag, authentic look, if you can find one.
- Best for Multi-Console Setups: Open Source Scan Converter (OSSC) — flexible but needs tinkering.
- Best HDMI Mod: N64 Digital HDMI Mod — crystal-clear video direct from the console.
Why You Need a Video Upgrade in 2025
Modern TVs are built for digital HDMI signals. Hooking up your Super Nintendo with a yellow composite cable to a 4K panel? It’s like blowing up a VHS tape onto an IMAX screen—muddy colors, input lag, and shimmering pixels everywhere. Retro consoles were designed for CRTs, and modern flat panels just don’t “understand” their signals without help.
That’s why video output solutions exist: to bridge the gap. From simple $20 HDMI adapters to professional scalers that rival studio gear, the right setup makes retro consoles look better than they ever did in the 90s.
Overview of Your Options
Let’s break down the four main categories of solutions:
- Plug-and-Play HDMI Adapters: Cables or small dongles that convert analog to HDMI. Cheap, easy, but often noisy or laggy.
- Upscalers/Scalers: Devices like the OSSC or RetroTINK that re-clock and scale the image. Higher quality, more settings, and more expensive.
- Internal HDMI Mods: Kits installed directly inside your console. Delivers the cleanest signal possible, but requires soldering or a pro installer.
- Authentic CRT Monitors: Old-school option. Still unbeatable for authenticity, but bulky and harder to source.
Each path has pros and cons. We’ll go deep into each below, with comparison tables and real-world tips.
Plug-and-Play HDMI Adapters (Budget Friendly)
If you want quick and dirty HDMI output without breaking the bank, these are the easiest entry point. Think of them as “training wheels” for modern retro setups. They won’t match the quality of mods or scalers, but for casual play they’re fine.
| Adapter | Consoles Supported | Picture Quality | Lag | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pound HDMI Cable (SNES/Genesis) | SNES, Genesis, Saturn | Decent, colors sometimes oversaturated | Low | $30–40 | Buy Now |
| Hyperkin HDTV Cable | N64, SNES, Genesis (varies) | Softer image, but works reliably | Low | $25–35 | Buy Now |
| Generic Composite-to-HDMI Dongle | Anything with yellow/red/white RCA | Blurry, worst option but universal | Noticeable | $15–20 | Buy Now |
Scalers: RetroTINK vs OSSC
This is where the magic happens. Scalers don’t just “make the signal fit”—they clean it, deinterlace it, and scale it to modern resolutions without adding lag. If you want your retro consoles to look amazing on a 4K OLED, scalers are your best bet.
| Scaler | Ease of Use | Picture Quality | Lag | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RetroTINK 5X Pro | Plug-and-play, auto-detects signals | Excellent, sharp, customizable filters | <1ms | $300–350 | Buy Now |
| OSSC (Open Source Scan Converter) | Requires tweaking, not all TVs compatible | Super sharp, true pixel scaling | Virtually zero | $180–220 | Buy Now |
| RetroTINK 2X Mini | Simple, basic scaling | Good, but limited to 480p | Negligible | $120–140 | Buy Now |
If you want easy and flawless results, get the RetroTINK 5X. If you love tinkering and don’t mind compatibility quirks, the OSSC is a fantastic, cheaper option.
HDMI Mods (Direct Digital Output)
HDMI mods bypass analog entirely, pulling a clean digital signal from the console’s guts. It’s the gold standard—but not for the faint of heart. Mods like the N64 Digital, Hi-Def NES, and DC Digital produce jaw-dropping clarity, but require soldering and usually professional installation.
Benefits include:
- Native HDMI at 480p/720p/1080p
- No added lag
- Optional scanline/gamma filters built in
Downsides?
- Costs $150–200 per console plus install
- Permanently alters the console (though usually reversible)
- Limited availability—kits sell out quickly
For collectors who want the best, mods are unbeatable. But for casual players, an external scaler is easier and cheaper.
What About CRTs?
CRT purists argue no scaler or HDMI mod can replicate the glow, scanlines, and zero lag of a proper tube. They’re not wrong. A good 20-inch Sony PVM or Trinitron makes 16-bit sprites look alive in a way no 4K OLED can fully reproduce.
The catch? CRTs are heavy, fragile, and increasingly rare. Prices have skyrocketed. A decent PVM that was $50 at a thrift store in 2015 can now fetch $500+ on eBay.
If you’ve got the space and don’t mind hunting, a CRT is still the authentic experience. For everyone else, scalers are the practical path.
Setup Tips and Troubleshooting
- Check cables first: A bad SCART or component cable will kill even the best scaler’s performance.
- Don’t cheap out on HDMI: Use a decent certified HDMI cable for consistent sync.
- TV settings matter: Turn off “motion smoothing” and game mode ON to reduce lag.
- Mix and match: You can pair an HDMI-modded N64 with a RetroTINK for filtering options, for example.
- Test resolutions: Some TVs choke on OSSC’s higher line-modes. Try 2x or 3x instead of 5x if you see “No Signal.”
Future-Proofing Your Setup
Retro gaming isn’t going away, and as TVs keep pushing 8K, the need for good scalers and mods will only grow. The good news: companies like RetroTINK and PixelFX keep iterating. Buying a solid scaler today is an investment—you’ll likely still be using it a decade from now.
Where to Buy
Next Steps
Once your video output is sorted, check out our guides on console cleaning and controller upgrades. A clear picture is only half the battle—make sure your hardware plays as good as it looks.