This video shows you SIMPLE ways to connect modern HDMI devices to ANY classic CRT, as CHEAP as possible. In fact, the most expensive solutions will still run you under $50 and the basic ones are less than $15! And while none of these are the best “downscalers” available, they’re all more than worth the money! Here’s affiliate links to everything discussed:
HDMI to S-Video (best): https://amzn.to/41LeOs8
HDMI to Composite: https://amzn.to/3I260aH
HDMI to RF + Composite: https://amzn.to/4phuIV0
HDMI to Wireless RF Transmitter: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omBeiFD
Analog + Digital Antenna: https://amzhttps://amzn.to/4phuIV0n.to/4m9hVBp
Downscaling Page: https://www.retrorgb.com/downscaling.html
HDMI Splitter: https://www.retrorgb.com/hdmi-2-0b-1×2-splitter-audio-extractor.html
RPi “Cable Box”: https://github.com/shane-mason/FieldStation42
HDMI to RF (alt 1): https://amzn.to/3VITHTG
HDMI to RF (alt 2): https://amzn.to/47B0Qgf
HDMI to Wireless RF Transmitter*: https://amzn.to/3VFDI8T
HDMI to S-Video (alt, untested**): https://amzn.to/3KcLPY2
HDMI to S-Video (alt, untested***): https://amzn.to/4maQqHJ
Extron VSC: https://ebay.us/li9BmC
MarcoRetro: https://www.youtube.com/@marcoretro316
Quickres: https://cdn.retrorgb.com/assets/240pVideoCard/quickres.zip
As a note, if you’re looking for the more “professional” 480i-only downscaling solution I showed in the video that supports RGB, YPbPr and zooming, you’ll need something like an Extron VSC: https://ebay.us/li9BmC You’ll also need an HDMI Splitter and an HDMI to VGA converter to go from your streaming box into the VSC: https://amzn.to/3e3p3yu / https://amzn.to/44HsIu0 And you’ll need cheap RCA to BNC connectors for the Extron’s output: https://amzn.to/4gi6Xbm So about $150 give or take, vs $35 or less. I did a livestream with that box awhile back, with more info here: https://www.retrorgb.com/480i-downscalers-tested.html
Some notes about the paid, affiliate links above:
*This is identical to the one I bought from Aliexpress and ships in the same amount of time, but is twice the price! I only listed it here, in case you can’t order from Aliexpress.
**In case the Tendak converter sells out, this one’s a backup that appears similar, but I haven’t personally tested it.
***This is a cheap S-Video converter that I haven’t tested yet. If built badly, it won’t perform any better than the cheap composite converter. Try at your own risk and if you get it, let me know in the comments how it goes!
…and just for fun, here’s the VCR / RF video, in case you want to play around with more CRT awesomeness!
