In this episode, we look to Add More Inputs to our RetroTink 5x Upscaler with the 6×2 SCART & Component Video Switch.
0:00 – Intro
1:45 – Device Overview
3:47 – Case Issues
5:40 – Testing Super Famicom (Super Mario Collection)
8:10 – Testing Sharp Famicom Twin (Legend of Zelda)
9:57 – Testing Sega Genesis (Earthworm Jim)
12:44 – Final Thoughts
It never fails, just when I get everything hooked up in my gaming system I have to connect another device I hadn’t accounted for. Or sometimes I get an awesome way to connect a device and I want to put more devices through there. This has happened to me more times than I’d like to count, and most recently I ran into this issue after upgrading to the RetroTink 5x. See, prior to the 5x, I ran my retro gaming consoles through a RetroTink 2x Pro, a RetroTink Multiformat, a RetroTink SCART, and, oh yeah, through my OSSC. Now, I have been able to consolidate all of that into one device, but the problem is how am I going to connect all these systems into it? The answer is the RGB SCART 6×2 Manual Switch that you see here.
There are a number of similar devices to this, some which only do SCART In/SCART Out. Some do SCART and Component & Composite as well. That is the version I opted for, as I had planned on connecting my Super Famicom Jr, TurboGrafx 16, JVC X’EYE and Sega Master System via Insurrection Industries RGB SCART cables into this device. I had also intended on connecting my Sega Saturn via HD Retrovision Component Video Cables and my Sharp Famicom Twin via a Composite to SCART Adapter. From all these inputs, I intended on connecting to the SCART input on my RetroTink 5x, using the manual switch box to move from one to the next to the next. With this in mind, I placed my order and waited. After about 2 weeks, I was happy with what I received. Mostly.
The build quality is very good on this switch box. The push buttons are very clicky and precise, the SCART & RCA Jacks all seemed like they were quality constructed and securely mounted inside the switch, and the optional plexiglass case was really nice. I did run into an issue with the case however, as both the SCART cable I bought to connect to my RetroTink 5x and the SCART to Composite adapter had issues with the outer casing. They just couldn’t reach the ports on the board, the openings were too small and the case slightly too tall. I ended up removing the top of the case, and once done I didn’t have any further issues, however this does reduce the need to buy the case in the first place.
As I said, my intention was to use a combination of Component and SCART cables with this switch, however I discovered early on that this just wasn’t possible. The way the switch is wired, you have to use the same output connection as the input for SCART or Component. The reason why this isn’t an issue with Composite is that there’s in integrated Composite to SCART converter built into the switch itself, and that handles and eliminates any signal issues. There just isn’t the Component to SCART or vice versa built into this. If I didn’t have my Psyclone 4-port component video switcher I may just use this for everything, but then again it doesn’t have quite enough inputs for all that.
Once I had all my Insurrection Industries cables connected, I was blown away at the quality of the video and the responsiveness while playing. There was no noticeable lag or delay introduced by this setup, regardless of the original system connected. Even playing my Sharp Famicom Twin via either the SCART to Composite adapter or going into input #6 via RCA jacks, it just worked wonderfully. In the end, this was almost precisely what I wanted, I just needed to replace the Component cables for the Master System and Saturn with SCART cables and I was ready to play.
Why it RoX:
– Adds 6 inputs to your gaming setup
– RGB is truly beautiful
– Good construction
– Selector switches are very positive feeling
– Can input or output via Component or SCART
– Power supply not required
– Under $125 with priority shipping
What could be improved?
– Enclosure openings aren’t large enough for all SCART connectors
– Cannot output Component via SCART or vice versa
Should you buy one?
If you need to add more devices to a SCART or Component video input, this is a great device to do just that. I was disappointed that my SCART Cables and adapter didn’t fit thru the case, and also bummed that I couldn’t output component video via RGB SCART, but these are minor gripes of an otherwise terrific device. This is something that will be a permanent fixture in my gaming setup and I am thankful that it simply works so very well.
#SCARTSwitch #RetroTink5x #RGB #RetroGames #VideoSwitchBox
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCznAOWQLsiCAMNRq9fzQJpw/join
The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:
Order the 6×2 SCART RGB Switch by visiting https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002564316700.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.419c4c4dM5dYO5
Follow Us on Social Media!
Instagram – @RoXolidProductionsGK
Twitter – @RoXolidStudios
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RoXolidProductions/
Get early access to our videos and support RoXolid Productions for as low as a dollar a month through our Patreon page, https://www.patreon.com/RoXolid
Looking for some RoXolid Merch? Check out our T-Spring store for shirts and swag at https://teespring.com/roxolid-productions-official-s
Would you like to have your products featured on RoXolid Productions? Do you have Questions? Comments? Email us at RoXolidMail@Gmail.com!!
Thanks for the review Gary. It would be interesting to know how the image looks like when you have several (RGB) scart and component cables conntected (one console running at the same time). I hope the image remains the same and don't become noisy because of interferences.
I thought that switch looked familiar, it's a shame that the top cover didn't come flush with the scart plugs, but that's half the cost of other scart switches with a similar number of inputs!
Love it, I did a gcomp for my crt but still I need something like this for hdmi. Aside from an stereo receiver, what is the best hdmi splitter solution these days?
Why not warn us of the site so we don’t fall victim to long wait times and canceled orders?
Good device, thanks for the video
I've ordered two switches from Otaku Games and yeah they took their time, but dealing with Rhea dude, 3DO USB guy, Japan proxies, etc I've come to terms with this is how retro works.
THAT SAID, 100% vouch for Castlemania Ryan. Amazing customer service.
Thank you for the review. The one you got doesn't convert either way, right (SCART to comp or the other way round)?
Poor puppy.
I already bought a gComp from Castlemania games about a month ago to avoid this headache. I'm getting tired of my manual 3 in 1 out Component Switches that are daisy chained together and causing component on my Wii, especially with Skyward Sword, to have heavy graphical issues or otherwise horizontal or vertical jailbars. I have got some great stuff from that site. Still waiting for the gcomp to ship though, I understand the shortages, but a more accurate estimate would be welcome.
Another thing to note about the 5X is that if you use a Family Edition Wii or RVL-101 (Not sure if this behavior is on the RVL-001 or Launch Model Wii as well) and have to use Y-Cables on your retrotink 5x for audio, the hot audio from the Wii on component, even on the latest firmware will cause it to immediately have audio distortion. I've tried two different pairs of Y-cables, one of them the highest quality that I could find and even that exhibited some distortion, tinny audio and crackling on occasion. Currently the only ways to fix this are, run the cables directly to the Retrotink and plug in the audio from the Component Source when needed or the S-Video/Composite Source when needed. The other resolution is to route component audio through an empty input on a manual AV switch and switch audio between the S-Video Sources (Video + Audio) and the Component Audio Only using 1 Audio output, from the AV Switch, to the Tink 5X.
I think the way around the plexiglass issue is to use the Open-Source SCART Coupler that's for sale at Castlemania Games. Add it to your SCART cable and then plug it in.
I'm sure you could dremel out that entire set of slots since they are just small thin pieces, and you could just have that square of scart space open while having everything else covered. It's good to know this option exists. I've only ordered once off Aliexpress (Rg351V) and it was a quick and simple transaction. I definitely won't bother with Otaku lol for them to call it "blackmail" for saying it will be your last time shopping there if they don't compensate based off poor service…that's laughable imo. It's really them helping to make you whole for not keeping up with the expectations they gave for the transaction. Their margins will definitely take more of a hit thru word of mouth. All you asked was for communication.
Another great video thank you Gary!
Bought the autoswitching model from otaku games. Took 4 months to arrive and was dead on arrival. Couldnt be bothered getting in touch for a refund so desoldered the scart sockets to make some scart to rgbs adapters and bought some extron crosspoint switches. Cannot reccomend then enough. If you wanna use scart you will need the adapters that cost maybe 5 bucks each with minimal soldering but will give you the most options and the best quality output. Not to mention you can get more inputs and outputs for the same price if you shop around
That's a shame that you got the shaft from Otaku Games. Thanks for sharing your story so I can avoid them. I was tempted to replace my Extron with it for a smaller footprint, plus I didn't want to shell out almost $300 for a gcompsw. A shame the one on AliExpress is almost 50 dollars more than Otaku, though. I'll probably just stick to my Extron Crosspoint.
3:10 I get that I cannot use both SCART & YPbPr at the same time or mix/match those signals, but the 2 output is a little confusing. Some weird freak such as myself would like to split either or signals (or in my case, just component) to route to a TV and another to a capture card.
Also, some freaky weirdo like me would reserve one input to an old DVD player that's always on just to display a screensaver or play Naked Gun 33 1/3 on repeat, so something like this or even the gcompsw would have issues with that (I think?)