Pixel FX's N64Digital Promises "Crystal-Clear HDMI Video" For Your Nintendo 64

Bought a RetroTink 2x mini yesterday for 90 dollars (actually around £89 inc vat and postage to UK). Wonder if this will be cheap, unlikely but would be good if so!

Looks to be a very nice product for those looking for a digital solution. I'm already happy with my analogue to digital setup for retro consoles where I got the N64 connected via the open source Advanced RGB mod which does Ypbpr and up to 720p.

Still desperate to find a cheap cable to make my GameCube look better

Recently gone for retrotink 2x mini myself. It does a nice job and it isnt locked to the n64 either. Arent alot of affordable n64 ones particularly for pal out there. The ultra mod would be the dream but so pricey and hard to get.
Heard the warrior isnt worth it at all. They seem to have been careless with description vs what they actual are.

@quinnyboy58 where

@Toads-Friend I got an adapter thing from Kaico labs for 60 (it's not cheap but compared to the eon GCHD it's easier on wallet) so far works grand just make sure you have a gamecube with the right port on the back. It was removed off some latter models I think

@jobvd you can order them off company website or they have an ebay page

Yes yes yes.

I’d like the advanced RGB by borti but this looks promising.

@Roibeard64 thanks so much mate. I'll look into that. Yes mine is an older one with 2 ports. Thank you again

I'd rather that TV-manufacturers took it seriously with supporting analog input than trying to circumvent the issue.

@jobvd amazon US

@Pod think we all would but that's not happening is it!

@Roibeard64 thanks. I have the retrotink mini but I cant remember where I ordered from

Is this a cable or a mod?

Neither the article or the linked website seem to make this clear, unless I've missed something.

Using the Rad2X from Retrogamingcables for the N64 and Gamecube and the OSSC for the Super Nintendo, Mega Drive and all the Rest.

If Dan (Citrus3000PSI) is involved this is going to be good - he's a genius with this stuff.

However, there is a way (and only one way) to make the N64 look perfect - i.e. exactly as you remember it from back in the day.

I've tried so many routes, have the UltraHDMI, lots of CRTs, pro monitors etc. Hook an N64 to a brand new or barely used 14" (no larger) consumer Sony Trinitron via RGB.

This gives that perfect, clean, smooth, non-blurry image that people generally think is impossible or was just a delusion we had back in the day.

The UltraHDMI is the current best digital solution and doesn't even come vaguely close, let alone the EON super 64 etc.

This article is very misleading. Usually Dan's projects besides the GC Loader PNP are not simple connections that are plug n play. They make the best products but usually require intermediate or better soldering skills. Considering the Ultrahdmi has not been available in over 2 years, this is great news! I just installed the ps1digital also from dan and chris and the soldering is in TINY places. The way their products work is they take the signal before it goes out to the port, to your tv so there is ZERO lag. My gc dual outputs in crystal clear 480p and it was $100 and there is nothing sticking out of the back besides the hdmi cable and power cord. No dongles or adapters or anything! So if you have the skills or the money to pay someone like Ben Fong, Voultar, Jose, or some others; you better start practicing your soldering skills!

So please writer don't make it sound like EVERYONE can get this device and also these things are sold in very limited numbers.

Tell me the price and I'll tell you my level of interest.

I have a N64 modded with Ultra HDMI, it looks fantastic.

emulators exist you know

@Incrediblecam is spot on - these projects are on a completely different level to the Eon super 64 and other plug & play solutions mentioned as the N64’s digital to analogue conversion is bypassed, producing a much cleaner HDMI image. But the downside is they’re not plug & play & you’d either need to pay a modder (expensive as it’ll be a complex install) or be pretty experienced yourself. And as he says, you’ll need to get your preorder in as soon as it goes up.

@Ultrasmiles True, but this is for those who love original hardware for various reasons.

@quinnyboy58
True story.
My dream screen is a superfast HDR 8K that can draw an analog input line by line, left to right, in real time, while utilizing it's superior resolution to simulate a variety of RGB screen cell patterns.

But THAT'S not happening anytime soon.

Crystal clear HDMI for all those blurry textures.

Still contemplating buying a RetroTink 2x.

@greenwichlee deblur isn't possible without a modchip of some kind, so this will be like ultra HDMI.

I've been doing research on improving the picture on my N64 with HDMI and the only solution I can afford is the Hyperkin 3 in one HDMI cable for Snes, Gamecube and N64. It's about 30 dollars and Isn't the best looking option but it's a heck of alot better than the standard AV cables. None of these other options out there are anything close to affordable sadly.

@sketchturner most of dan and chris' mods are around $100-$160 or so but again if you dont have the skills/equipment to install then it can be very expensive. It's why you will see a fully modded ps1 with the ps1digital, xstation, and fully recapped selling for around $800 on ebay. Supply is limited and the amount of people who install is also, and lastly the amount of people who want to even pay for this hardware is very limited.

@quinnyboy58 Looks like a very decent solution - enjoy!

So similar to Ultra HDMI correct? Normies like me would need a modder?

I been waiting for a decent, viable and affordable HDMI mod to install on my N64.

Surely N64 titles are on the Nintendo Online Service by now...

[Tumbleweed blows past]

Nintendo, where is that N64 Mini, ideally with a few colour choices, but hopefully at least the main different controller colours....

If it’s anything like the PS1 digital solution, it will make the N64 look as good as it ever could on a HD TV. But I bet there’s a waiting list for it of about a thousand years at the cost of a million pounds.

I’ll stick with CRTs until mine all die. Hopefully by then these solutions will be cheaper and more readily available, or Analogue will have released an N64 in the same vein as the SNES and Mega Drive.

@Roibeard64 The GEICO adapter is a pirated version of the Carby (Ressurection Industries) with firmware from Ingo Korb. The GEICO adapter is also not updateble and there are new firmwares with fixes coming out all the time. So, please don't support pirates and support the real developers of these devices. Thanks all!

@Toads-Friend Please buy the real thing and not the pirated GEICO version. Get a CARBY!

@Rockman oh thanks.. I'll have a look into that. All the options for my beloved GC same extortionate though! I have a day 1 GC with 2 ports but use the 3 cables it came with. Would love HD option at a better price

@GravyThief You already have the best option. I have the ultrahdmi - the digital solutions don’t come close to a good CRT.

@Ultrasmiles which bypass these horible expensive accessories in the first place 😤😤

@Toads-Friend If you search for CARBY for GameCube in google then you'll find a party selling these in the UK.

@Rockman thank you ❤️

@andykara2003
If I went this route I would have to mod the CRT to support RGB right? Nothing in NA that natively supports RGB?

@Aurumonado As you say, TVs in the USA don’t support RGB - that doesn’t matter though - s-video is a great quality signal & is supported by your N64 without modding, and your CRTs support it too. It’s ‘technically’ not as good as RGB, but as long as your TV’s small enough (22” or under), it’ll look just as good and loads better than the HDMI solutions. If you can, try and get a CRT that hasn’t been used much. I would say the most important thing is don’t fall down the rabbit hole like me & believe all the crap that you need to spend loads on professional CRT monitors like BVM/PVMs etc. In fact a normal household CRT looks better with the N64 as the pro monitors accentuate the N64’s flaws. The most important thing is to get one unused or low use - say it’s been only used in a guest room etc. If you can get one at 22” or under, you’ll have better video quality with s-video that HDMI solutions will ever get. Good luck, I hope you find one

@Mips
Thanks for the lengthy reply! Earlier today I tested my N64 on one of my old RCA CRTs and I thought it looked pretty good (composite).

Then I started looking up all this information online and now my brain is telling me I need to find a Sony Trinitron or a Sony PVM and buy a Framemeister. Rabbit hole is right! I'll probably take your advice and just try an s-video cable with what I currently own and see if I notice a difference.

@Aurumonado Definitely! Trust me the guys who say that stuff end up going the wrong route. I can say that because unfortunately I did. I have some of the best hardware you can get - 10 or so CRTs including the fabled BVM 20E1E (the best 15khz CRT ever made), the NEC XV29 plus and Loewe E3001 chassis , probably the best consumer shadow mask CRT. I have new/low use 25, 21 and 14” consumer Trinitrons all connected VIA RGB. All my consoles are RGB modded and/or have the latest HDMI mods. Seriously, going this route is an obsession and robs you of the simple joy of just enjoying the games. You’ll see so many people professing the ‘superiority’ of this and that solution, be it CRT or HDMI/Frameister/Mister/OSSC. It all seems exciting and interesting, but please take it from me that people get obsessed more with the hardware than with the games and waste so much of their limited time on this earth. I regrettably took that path, but at least I can tell you the way to avoid that but still have great quality without getting caught up. If you like composite, that’s great, go with that. Just know that there’s two things that’ll make a solid difference with your retro consoles that requires virtually no effort - and will be just as good as all the complicated crap everyone throws at you. One is a new or hardly used consumer CRT. Pro monitors (BVMs/PVMs) look very sharp, but nothing like the games looked back in the day. The strong scan lines are a modern obsession and won’t give you that retro feeling. The low-use thing is because most CRTs have been used a lot, so the picture goes dim and soft. New/low use ones are vibrant and have a clean image. And yes, aim for a smaller 22” Sony trinitron. If you’re happy with your current CRT with composite & it looks fine, that might be your answer though. The cheapest, simplest upgrade would be a decent s-video cable. But decent consumer CRT plus S-video will destroy any high end digital solution. I have the UltraHDMI which is supposedly the best HDMI solution and it pales in comparison. Whether HDMI or CRT, these days people seem to favour either the heavily blocky or heavily scanlined looks - neither of which looks anything like what we were looking at back in the day.

@Mips That's a lot of great info thanks!

@Roibeard64 The Warrior is a good option for someone that didn't already have an N64. Where else are you going to find a reconditioned N64 (cleaned up and recapped), two new hori style controllers, a built in 1080p upscaller, the needed power/av cables, and have all that shipped to your door for only $150US? Sure, there might be better options out there (like the OSSC, Retrotink 2x, Tim's RGB mod, etc), but those things assume that you already own an N64... and Tim's mod still needs to be soldered to the N64's motherboard. People need to compare apples to apples.

@sketchturner As for the price of the new N64Digital board, they announced it the other day... $160US, and it will require soldering it to your own N64 motherboard, just the the UltraHDMI mod did. So if you're not confident with micro soldering, you'll need to find someone else to install it for you (which could mean extra $'s).

I prefer the mClassic adapter upscaler because it works with all low res consoles not just one

@Toads-Friend not sure what your budget is, but here's an option worth considering which is less expensive than other options like the E E·O·N GCHD Mk-II: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083RXFNDD/
or https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Prism-HDMI-Adapter-GameCube-Converter/dp/B08WBQL4VM/

@urbanman2004 thank you, my friend! I've not heard of this one and it has great reviews. Many thanks 😊

@Toads-Friend No problem... Was viewing My Life and Gaming's video stream last night where they mentioned the Pixel FX N64Digital and Google lead me to this article [which I've since commented on] and forgot I had those linked items sitting in my Amazon cart for the longest and since it's Prime Day I figure I'll bite the bullet and purchase the retrobit version (since I'm more familiar with their brand).
S/N: Just checked Amazon's site and retrobit' "dongle" was discounted from $79.99 to $67.99. I just bought it, lol.