Your one-stop firmware shop for the entire family of RetroTINK devices
RetroTINK-5X Experimental Firmware
⚠️ CAUTION: Read carefully before proceeding ⚠️
Notice: Firmware updates erase saved profiles and reset the device to default settings.
THE FIRMWARE CONTAINED IN THIS DIRECTORY IS PRE-RELEASE. PROPER FUNCTIONALITY IS NOT GUARANTEED, AND FEATURES MAY STILL BE IN DEVELOPMENT.
Instructions️
Windows
Download the FTDI D2XX Drivers and install.
Download the RetroTINK Firmware update tool and install by unzipping and running RT_FWUP.
Download the appropriate HEX file for the desired version from the list below.
Plug your device into your computer’s USB port while holding down the ‘Menu’ button. The LED should be RED indicating update mode.
Run the RetroTINK Firmware Update tool. The installer will have left a shortcut on your desktop.
Hit ‘Search’. You should see ‘FT232R USB UART’ appear in the box.
Hit ‘Load HEX’ and point to the .hex file you downloaded.
Hit ‘Flash’. The update process should start. If the window freezes, that is okay - the update should complete after a minute or two. Just be patient.
Your device should reboot and be ready to use.
If you accidentally interrupt the process, just start over from step 4.
A talented developer (Ryan Mullen) ported the firmware update tool to Python.
This should work on Windows, Mac (including M1) and Linux.
Video
Big thanks to RetroRGB who was kind and generous enough to put this video together. Please do not contact him for technical support.
VIDEO
Version 3.94 (2024-04-02)
CRC-32: 524094267fd67f4b6aab2a8a61bfe92260c0b5456cd8649188787b5fee8f5681933fd21e
Changelog:
Signficantly improved Motion Adaptive Deinterlacer
Version 3.93 (2024-03-08)
CRC-32: A81280F16211a29e6c22e027655c3e55a59b5d9c18168236a251fa4249db4ef0646c5c20
Changelog:
Signifcant improvements in S-video quality
Improved H-PLL lock for VHS
Version 3.92 (2024-02-24)
CRC-32: 0915609Cc5cadbfadfa5c394f3b53ebb5d664ee503f8fe86a555332c5b21a640c49b10dd
Changelog:
Hard resolution changes (i.e. 240p <-> 480i) are detected and masked to provide a smoother experience
Version 3.91 (2024-02-20)
CRC-32: 4099333864efff77c46703e2a3804f64d39e32ef51e2c6dffd1ae05fc8b5cb71e183327c
Changelog:
Threshold for declaring no signal greatly increased.
ADC no signal color changed from Blue to Black
Possibly beneficial for games that switch resolutions and VHS
Version 3.90 (2024-01-30)
CRC-32: 85FBB9D8601298ff5ba81646660cbf2ae8a4c3f82d1f9fab5e3448adc1cb740bd3a33f11
Changelog:
Added “MA Smoother” to the Deinterlacer menu. This applies the smoothed-Bob instead of linear-Bob in the motion adaptive deinterlacer.
Rolled in the new RT4K Inverse 2:2 de-interlacer. Games with frame rate changes (such as FFX) may now be playable.
Version 3.699 (2023-09-09)
CRC-32: 9EC64D625cd7cae666c649d9319c42ed43b08932dc71e77df8285a57a621b17daf8ac06f
Changelog:
Lock to ‘50 Hz’ added
Improved IVTC 2:2
Eliminated glitch in image on some units (?)
Version 3.6969 (2023-09-04)
CRC-32: FEBED0EEbc53da13dbc71b9b94e20be0e896c3d9c7784344c9590032a4cd19a1659542c9
Changelog:
Added 2:2 Inverse Telecine
Touched up crops in 16:9 1080pOver
Increased NO SIGNAL threshold to hopefully (?) stop signal drops in PAL triple buffer
The lightgun border in 2560x1440 is not fixed. Currently do not have time to investigate
Version 3.69 (2023-08-30)
CRC-32: 41F3A8B37e23b8297377acb0cbae0b9a16293c5552704cfbe8cd2d907c976e7d97f2f411
Changelog:
Deinterlace and Vertical Interp. are now separate menus
Ported RT4K Inverse Telecine Deinterlacer
This should be used in conjunction with Frame Lock/Gen Lock/TBC to maintain the correct buffer order
Filter setting ranges from Low to Max. Low is for clean sources such as DVDs. Maximum is for noisy sources such as VHS
Adjusted default ADC clamps to minimize green tint
Shifted 16:9 SDP modes for 1080pFill to avoid glitch on left hand side
Added alternate S-Video input on Green/Blue RCA jacks
Version 3.65 (BETA) (2023-07-02)
CRC-32: 50E2DC52c9d32670611654ac67d0b1d49c37b6b1e755eb1d7a310777302fbbb86090fe2b
Changelog:
Gen lock converges at a slower rate for less abrupt frequency changes
Improved TBC control loop algorithm
Fixed remote control bug for 480i direct selection
Version 3.64 (BETA) (2023-07-02)
CRC-32: 6311200Fb67526405c1ebfb1c0f9921a62f637c500474a22a2c145b1e0e5c2229dccdd47
Changelog:
Improved algorithm for TBC frame rate filter and locking
Ported RT4K clock synthesizer control code for GenLock edge cases
Added support for play/pause on Disney remotes
Version 3.63 (BETA) (2023-06-30)
CRC-32: DAD7B657e84f7120d9ae0912d4f2453b13f8c7ffc7cfccc68b98aa5390ea42879bff8a8d
Changelog:
Uptime counter on the status page. aka Days without a green screen.
Fixed gain adjustment bug for GBI/1080i/720p
Added pause (mapped to AUX4 on the new remote)
Added TBC mode in addition to Frame Lock and Gen Lock. TBC acquires and outputs video using the stable frame rate of the source material while rejecting glitches. Avalible for all units that support Gen Lock (which is the vast majority of RT5Xs in the wild)
Version 3.62 (BETA) (2023-06-22)
CRC-32: F7D79C707a47433c8986a898e043dfb8ad5ced1e358ca92a82769590856f3cea49c12a1c
Changelog:
For anyone who has had persistent “green screen” or “garbled screen” issues
Version 3.61 (BETA) (2023-06-17)
CRC-32: 1FDE00171a5492373c966e5fddc4a208b7ff34b46094c4b8230d78fa793236d0269b39a7
Changelog:
Horizontal scale/adc sample rate saving fixed.
SDP chroma gain control fixed
Further SDRAM controller optimizations
Added support for next generation remote
New remote has partial compatibility with the “Disney DVD player” codes. Basic power, menu and quick profile load (numbers) should work.
Version 3.5 (BETA) (2023-06-13)
CRC-32: D0FFC6757428fd6e1bde9d84f287172a8c7194f342a33f7ec62511509a75a9e2a364cfe9
Changelog:
Fixed horizontal scaler bug
Improved SDRAM clock stability
Improved mode detection speed
Version 3.2 (BETA) (2023-06-12)
CRC-32: 929C828Ee34e15d4abcd8898847b063225d2de130ffc218c27ffe9ce044a8ff75ca61230
Changelog:
Added analog level gain controls for CP modes in the [Video ADC-2] menu
Gain control focuses on the channel that is being adjusted (Y, Pb or Pr) and dynamically highlights clipped pixels (min = blue, max = purple)
High light clipping is also shown for SDP brightness/contrast adjustments. Note: clipping for SDP adjustment occurs at 75% intensity for compatibility with SMPTE bars
LCD Frame blend simulation in the [Interp./Deint Menu].
Expanded adjustment range for ADC sample rate. This allows you to use the Gen 320 setting to create a 1:1 PAR mode for SNES sources
Ported over RT4K SDRAM controller to hopefully eliminate glitch out after long periods of no video signal (????)
MOAR speed on the SDRAM clock
Version 2.99969 (2022-12-13)
CRC-32: 48F98CCF92482034fe93a9a593f3222ba3985470ad0eddec6c7ac0daba1908e5c2b2def1
Changelog:
720p DS screen tearing fixed
BMD compatibility
Version 2.999 (2022-12-11)
CRC-32: BE299D89ae9141570aca05614ce691b7ce658e0414951329a59b05e5b311e981643530e9
Changelog:
All the residual screen tearing… gone… ?
Version 2.99 (2022-12-04)
CRC-32: BD5709B1fbc81e2b846cf4ecccc7970e731ae47d0f52557db05d16fe7d6db3c8bac09132
Changelog:
Various tearing issues should have been fixed
Improved latency in 576p -> 1920 x 1440p
Fixed CVBS auto-gain bug (?)
Speed of the save/load profile screens improved so you can move on to play the f—ing game
Version 2.98 - Early Thanksgiving and Black Friday Preview Edition (2022-11-21)
CRC-32: BB6AAADDf2100aa180b01d2dbcb22ece3c504edfa74f33ae0d9016b4047f0369c3ce7270
Changelog:
Ported RT4K buffer mode, making all resolutions ‘min-lag’.
Current buffer lag (assuming Frame Lock or converged Gen Lock) can be seen in the [Status] page.
Ported RT4K Gen Lock, improving overall stability.
240p output mode revived (for 240p, 480i, 480p and 720p inputs).
480i output mode added (for 240p, 480i, 480p and 720p inputs).
Downscaler behavior can be controlled in the [Interp./Deint.] menu. Ds Pass-Thru = No, forces all sources to the specified output (i.e. 480i is converted to 240p). DS Pass-Thru = Yes has the output resolution follow the input resolution.
Please be aware, that downscaling options are considered experimental and unsupported. We cannot provide support or guarantee proper operation with 3rd party HDMI -> analog dongles. You will need a converter that is capable of recognizing and generating the correct sync signals for 480i video.
4K24 and 1080p Min-Lag modes removed.
Profile naming added.
Version 2.72 (2022-05-28)
CRC-32: 42CE3F99fb6f9571ee94bce412b27daed263bfe1048aa453c6069c23c12c8662d882eab5
Changelog:
Fixed PAL PS1 Optimal 320 timing
Optimal timings for hi-resolutions (ADC sample rate > 2048) can have the H. Interpolation size adjusted downward for further tweaks
Recalibrated RGB/YPbPr inputs to 714 mV peak-to-peak standard
Increased active picture area for 480p sources by 16 lines
Version 2.7 (2022-04-19)
CRC-32: 7D9B71F6ca5af2216de21fa595e9953ff45c2558e90215e197e20a22ef8442996f9d1ed9
Changelog:
Shaved 500 microseconds in Min-Lag mode
Note: Glitching colors in 1440p
Version 2.69 (2022-04-17)
CRC-32: E33FE4BD96c11d5a1691d3edd222c8b30bf73b69fb084b088e169906242cc045ce39c00d
Changelog:
Press and hold remote control button to keep changing <> values
Added a 1080p (Min-Lag) mode that should achieve line-doubler latency (~1 ms) while keeping standard timings. available for 240p, 480i and 480p sources.
Added support for 2048 x 1536p (iPad screen) for 240p, 480i, 480p and 360p sources
Advanced resolutions are enabled by going into [OSD] -> Advanced Res option first to clarify that these modes are experimental and unsupported
Version 2.60 (2022-02-07)
CRC-32: B78A44A3b52936f356d96eed1824e653a9e80a464b1f9821a4abf1486344f0ffae94c4cf
Changelog:
No need to install unless the below items are of interest to you:
Frame lock now works for 4K
288P/576I frame locks to 25 Hz
240P/480I/480P frame locks to 30 Hz
480P to 4K crop fixed
The success rate here will be spotty since this pushes the clock to 260+ MHz. Triple buffer mode remains at 24 Hz for this mode as a safety fall back.
Version 2.59 (2022-02-06)
CRC-32: 470C98B52c966de1fc54b2f699591424a23a17f219df1fd9931ae8e6f7797e6460190cd9
Changelog:
Usual disclaimers for experimental builds apply.
240P/480I, 480P can be scaled to 4K24
288P/576I can be scaled to 4K25
Optimal sampling available for RGB/YPbPr sources
Leave in triple buffer
May be best to get stable signal from console before entering 4K
Version 2.58 (2022-02-05)
CRC-32: F84DA0E9db4f7a13a38d0735645570b592cd5b28a005fd6183762d81b560f87fda5ccfdb
Changelog:
Same disclaimers as 2.57 apply, not retyping it. No need to apply this firmware unless the items below matter to you:
9x Scaling for GBI to 2560 x 1440
2560 x 1440 output timings changed slightly to match mClassic and PC
CSC (Limited Full) bug on startup might (?) be fixed (I have no way of replicating)
720p now outputs 59.94 Hz in triple-buffer
Version 2.57 (2022-02-01)
CRC-32: 9966D8082916ff999c7a1488647e3a1a64096c621d708c8ffe9b7820bf212428e7ef59e4
Changelog:
2560x1440 and 1920x1440 are now separate menu items.
General improvements in FPGA timing closure.
2560x1440 now supports 240p/480i, 288p/576i, 480p, 720p, all cropped and centered.
Optimal timings for 288p/576i now enabled for both 1440p modes.
Optimal timing for 480P to 2560x1440 has two modes:
DTV 858 (3:2) is a square pixel mode ideal for Dreamcast and other games where developers did not account for the 9/10 PAR.
DTV 858 (x4) uses a 4x horizontal and 3x vertical scaling. This is slightly wider than 16:9. You can increase the vertical scale by 10% to compensate.
Version 2.55 (2022-01-31)
CRC-32: 46E34B67eeac83d64a5975bc5caf6f96583a4a25ea685980da67224b5ed9912712a58cc6
Changelog:
Special 1440p mode for 240p/480i (RGB/YPbPr) and 720p sources
Note: Cropping/centering is messed up
Version 2.53 (2022-01-30)
CRC-32: D93EEC6D5be61b68e74845554fd6d6c7acb4c3087eee7b77a0babfba854d640b21e19408
Changelog:
Pre-scaler function for down-scaling 720p and 480p sources by 1/2 or 1/3 before re-scaling to output for adding scanline effects to modern sources.
Fixed screen-tearing when increasing vertical shift
Lock to 60 Hz function now works for 1200p sources
Light-gun option in OSD menu, border follows crop
Fixed a variety of cropping and edge garbage issues
720p source can now be scaled to 1080p (Fill) and 1440p
Composite and S-video source now have optimal sampling
Hi-resolution optimal sampling modes (512 and 858)
Option to enable optimal sampling for interfaced sources
Pre-emph filter now goes down to -5 for extra blur
Option to select which user profile to load on power up in OSD menu
Default profile can be loaded by pressing ‘Back’ on the remote rapidly 6 times
NOTE: Firmware flashes erase profiles due to significant data structure changes.
Version 2.40 (2022-01-11)
CRC-32: 46B585AEbaf223c6c4345553efe76d6223e2e1bf877b735de7b3e59bfb2b5c72e8aca20e
Changelog:
480p/720p pre-scale function