In what category is RetroTink5?

[Darryl In Canada]

If you think about digitization devices, you have:

• DVD recorders that digitize to MPEG-2 on a disc
• Capture devices that save in some version of lossy (AVCD110, MiniDV camcorder, Pinnacle 710 USB, Elgato video capture, etc.)
• Capture devices that let you save in lossless codec in VirtualDub (all the ATI units(?), AJA units (?) etc.)
• Capture devices that let you save the raw RF signal (Domesday Duplicator)

Where does RetroTink5 fit in? It's superpower is that it has a built-in upscaler and deinterlacer that works in real-time. But you can turn it off and can capture in the native 480i in VirtualDub with HuffYUV. At that level, the only difference between it and an ATI is that the data exits the RetroTink via HDMI, so you need to add an HDMI-to-USB device to get it into your computer. (RetroRBG suggests the Magewell 32060.)

Do you think of the RetroTink5+Magewell be in the same category as the ATIs? Or another category?

[Alwyn]

Capture devices that save in some version of lossy (AVCD110, MiniDV camcorder, Pinnacle 710 USB, Elgato video capture, etc.)

To correct this, the Pinnacle 710 and Elgato only capture lossy because that is what the capture software does. I know for a fact that the 710 will capture lossless, and I'm sure that the Elgato will do the same. Included in the Lossless capture group are all the other reputable digitisers, such as the GV-USB2 and the USB Live-2.

All of those should be in your third dot point.

[lordsmurf]

RetroTINK is for video game consoles, the videotape use has issues. Was not made for tapes. Does not fit at all.

[dellsam34]

Do you think of the RetroTink5+Magewell be in the same category as the ATIs? Or another category?

It is a TV/monitor upscaler, why would you even classify it as a video tape capture device? HDMI was never meant to be a capture port, the only reason HDMI streamers exist is because video game enthusiasts like to record or live stream their experience, but since retro games consoles do not have a HDMI port for a HDMI streamer to connect, a device like RetroTink was born to fill that gap, Just because it has an analog video input doesn't make it a video tape capture device.

[Alwyn]

Nothing wrong with HDMI->USB. The Startech USB3HDCAP captures VHS via HDMI nicely.

[dellsam34]

Startech USB3HDCAP does not capture analog video, it streams HDMI/DVI over USB, The thread is about Retrotink which is an analog to digital upscaler.

[Alwyn]

Startech USB3HDCAP does not capture analog video

Of course it does. You output VHS from a HDMI-enabled VCR or DVD recorder, probably just like the output of the Retro.

The thread is about Retrotink

AND the bit that connects it to the PC.

[dellsam34]

I was not criticizing HDMI to USB streamers though, I was pointing out their purpose. You're picking the wrong argument.

[Alwyn]

[lollo]

It is a TV/monitor upscaler, why would you even classify it as a video tape capture device? HDMI was never meant to be a capture port, the only reason HDMI streamers exist is because video game enthusiasts like to record or live stream their experience, but since retro games consoles do not have a HDMI port for a HDMI streamer to connect, a device like RetroTink was born to fill that gap, Just because it has an analog video input doesn't make it a video tape capture device.

Well, we all capture HD broadcast from HDMI ports when a direct dump of the stream is not possible (i.e. proprietary set-top box).

And for analog VHS, a well established workflow exists, using specific DVD-Recorders playing the role of the capture device, and outputting a proper interlaced digitized signal on their HDMI ports. The step of dumping the HDMI stream is also well managed.

I never used that RetroTink device, so I cannot comment about it. But what is important there is the quality of its A/D conversion and the respect of the analog signal specifications while digitizing; its output format is not that relevant.
I would be suspicious if it claims to perform embedded TBC features, but that's another story.