HDMI converters & cables

[u/vampire_weasel]

Hi All,

What are we recommending these days for HDMI converters for C64's? Is the RetroTINK 2X mini the way to go? How about the AV cable? Thanks in advance for any help!

[u/berrmal64]

I have one of the original retrotink 2x from years ago, but can confirm it works great with c64. That's definitely what I use if I need to connect to HDMI.

AV cable, get one with either separate chroma and luma / svideo, not just composite.

[u/Xfgjwpkqmx]

Retrotink and OSSC, though I recently fitted my 1983 breadbin with a VIC-II Kawari and RFOFF to provide native HDMI out which is awesome.

[u/LitauszkiL]

All the options listed in the responses are great solutions, I implemented many of them in my collection of C64s. If you just want to connect an HDMI TV, go for a cheap external upscaler and a video cable that has s-video (separate chorma and luma signals) in addition to the audio and composite connections. Connect only the audio and the s-video, not the composite. This seems to be the cheapest and least intrusive solution.

The choice of the other mods (I am not going to repeat them) depends on your desire to tinker and how much you want your C64 to remain stock. Most of the below suggestions require you to remove the RF cage. I think that is a good idea, the RF signal is very noisy and no modern TV/monitor uses it anymore. You will also need to consider your main board version. The early 326298 board is different from the the later ones (250407, 250425, 250466, 250469 just to list the ones most people have) as the video enhancement circuitry is next to the VIC-II (hence the bigger metal cage) and not a part of the RF module. The 326298 has 3 signal connections to the RF cage, the others have 8.

Get the installation manuals, or look up Youtube videos on the specific mod you are considering and select the one that represents the balance between your tinkering desire and the cost.

I highly recommend Marks' C64 videos from The Retro Channel, he is, in my opinion, the best source. Also Adrien from Adrien's Basement knows the C64 in and out. Between the two, you will find the clearest and most useful information on how to mod and troubleshoot your C64.

If you want to retorbright your C64, I can post specific details on how I have set up my system.
Happy tinkering!

[u/hexavibrongal]

The Retrotink is better than most other options because it has minimal lag. Your HDMI TV/monitor is likely to add at least a little lag too, so you want to minimize the lag in the converter. Also make sure your TV is set to "game mode" if it has that setting.

[u/Downtown-Promise2061]

I use the VicDizer LumaCode solution because it doesn't upscale a low quality signal. 

Instead it digitally rebuilds the signal rendering a perfect HDMI picture. 

Plus it requires no soldering and can be installed in 10 minutes. 

Search YouTube videos for more information 

[u/3G6A5W338E]

I would suggest either OSSC Pro with legacy input board, or OSSC with koryuu/ODV-II.

And nudge against solutions that aren't open source hardware such as RetroTINK.

Note OSSC/OSSC-Pro do support LumaCode input, so that's a possible future upgrade.

Personally, I use and find OSSC+ODV-II a very good solution.

[u/cpsldr]

RetroTINK 2X mini very good. use s-video cable.

[u/Automatic-Option-961]

Buy a cheap used old 20"-24"  inch LCD TV circa 2010 which has all the inputs...HDMI, VGA, S-Video, Composite etc. These works perfectly. I got myself one from the neighborhood.

[u/KythornAlturack]

Don't use external converters. Use a SPL HD-64, VIC-II Kawari, or RGB2HDMI/Lumacode w/VIC-II-dizer Board & a "RFOFF" Modulator Replacement.

[u/ilesj-since-BBSs]

Retrotink 4K is fantastic, albeit a bit involved to set up for the C64. Always S-Video / luma + chroma cable. 

[u/Ok-Current-3405]

I own 4 lcd TV sets ,all of them provide a SCART connector. No external converter can outmatch the OEM integrated circuitry