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1 | - For better understanding of my ratings click on the particular category (17 in total) at the very bottom of the screen. See here: Image Each one contains all the details, images and videos. - For Summary & Ratings scroll down | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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5 | Retrotink 4K CE & Morph 4K & OSSC Pro Review/Comparison | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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7 | Review by Wobbling Pixels. Youtube Channel: Link You will also find my on other social platforms. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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10 | Retrotink 4K CE | (Retro) Video Gaming Upscaler Can be also used for downscaling but officially not marketed as downscaler Not to be confused with the Retrotink 4K PRO model which supports more features and comes with a more powerful FPGA at higher price point than the CE model: Image | Note: All three scalers are plug & play. If you aim for a sharper image, adjusted scale or other optimizations expect to invest more or less effort depending on the supported features, firmware maturity and the available profiles/presets of the respective scaler. Important: - Adjust zoom-level in the upper-left corner for easier reading. - Majority of the listed features of different categories are supported with digital and analog sources. So I recommend to take different categories into account when deciding to buy a scaler and not just one such as upscaling, analog or digital - The review doesn't list every feature but the fundemental and most relevant ones. Criteria: 10 = highest score 1.0 = lowest score All test results are based on October 2025. Firmware of all three scalers is in active development. For the latest updates check here: Retrotink 4K CE: Link Morph 4K: Link OSSC Pro: Link | |||||||||||||||||||||||
11 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | (Retro) Video Gaming Upscaler & Downscaler Morph 4k can be purchased without or with one of the three analog bridges: Variant 1: Scart RGB & Component & S-Video Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 is the subject of my review Variant 2: VGA & Component & S-video Variant 3: VGA & VGA & Composite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
12 | OSSC Pro | (Retro) Video Gaming Upscaler & Downscaler OSSC PRO can be purchased without or with one of the two expansion boards: 1. Legacy AV in (s-video & composite) OSSC Pro + Legacy AV in board is the subject of my review except for downscaling 2. Extra AV out (VGA out) Intended for downscaling & displaying games connected to crt display. Only one of the two extension boards can be connected to the scaler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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14 | Average Rating Per Main Category (For details per category see below) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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16 | Hardware | Software (Firmware) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
17 | Retrotink 4K CE | 8.5 | - FPGA - HDMI Chip - Design - Inputs & Outputs | 8.8 | - Upscaling & Filters - Refresh Rates & Sync - Downscaling (Retrotink 4K CE rating not taken into account because downscaling officially not supported) - Shift & Crop & Pre-Scale - Input Lag (Retrotink 4K CE's input lag for downscaling not taken into account because downscaling officially not supported) - Overall Usability & Firmware Maturity - Deinterlacing - Features with Digital Sources - Features with RGB & YpbPr Sources (Analog) - Features with S-Video & Composite Video Sources (Analog) - CRT & LCD Effects - Audio Profile features included in the "Profiles/Presets" category | |||||||||||||||||||||
18 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 8.2 | 7.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
19 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 8.5 | 8.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
20 | Profiles/Presets | Costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
21 | Retrotink 4K CE | 9.2 | - Number of systems/consoles supported with profiles - Profiles related features - Profiles management - Profiles configuration | 7.5 | - Costs on the US market - Costs on the EU market | |||||||||||||||||||||
22 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 8.2 | 8.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
23 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 6.8 | 8.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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25 | Detailed Summary & Rating Per Category | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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27 | FPGA & HDMI Chip | Design | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
28 | Retrotink 4K CE | 8.2 | FPGA: Logic Elements: 77,000 Memory: 4,884 (kb) Multipliers: 300 HDMI chip: Supports up to 4K native upscaling | 8.5 | - Good hardware design and high quality case - Heat sink(s) installed - Mid quality remote with high number of buttons | |||||||||||||||||||||
29 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 9.3 | FPGA: Logic Elements: 112,128 Memory: 5,400 (kb) Multipliers: 320 HDMI chip: Supports up to 4K native upscaling | 7.5 | - Compact hardware design and low-mid case quality - Case buttons and physical power switch - No heat sinks installed (installation optional) - Analog audio clipping with N64 and some RGB modded consoles - Low build remote with low number of buttons | |||||||||||||||||||||
30 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 8.0 | FPGA: Logic Elements: 77,000 Memory: 4,884 (kb) Multipliers: 300 HDMI chip: Supports up to 4K non-native (2880x2160p) upscaling via 2x pixel repetition | 8.8 | - Good hardware design and mid-high case quality - Heat sink(s) installed - Case buttons and mini joystick to navigate through settings - Built-in display as an additional option to adjust settings - High quality remote with high number of buttons - Case opening for remote receiver - Legacy AV board comes without (EU seller) or with a 3D printed case (US seller) | |||||||||||||||||||||
31 | Inputs & Outputs | Costs & Content | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
32 | Retrotink 4K CE | 8.8 | Inputs: HDMI RGB Scart Component Video RCA Audio Mini Din (S-Video) D-15/VGA Composite Video RCA Audio 3.5mm jack Toslink (Digital Audio) Outputs: - HDMI | 7.5 | Highest costs of all three scalers | |||||||||||||||||||||
33 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 7.7 | Inputs: HDMI RGB Scart Component Video Mini Din (S-Video) 3.5mm jack (for analog and digital audio) Outputs: - HDMI USB Control port for external devices (not supported yet) | 8.5 | - Lowest costs on the US market when used with specific systems & hardware setups - Costs can go higher than the OSSC Pro price and closer to the Retrotink 4K CE costs with specific setups | |||||||||||||||||||||
34 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 8.8 | Inputs: HDMI RGB Scart Component Video RCA Audio Mini Din (S-Video) D-15/VGA Composite Video 3.5mm jack (and output) Toslink (Digital Audio) Outputs: - HDMI USB Control port for external devices (not supported yet) | 8.7 | - Lowest costs on the EU market - Lowest costs on average | |||||||||||||||||||||
35 | Upscaling & Filters | Refresh Rates & Sync | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
36 | Retrotink 4K CE | 8.8 | - up to 4K native resolution - Covers the three most common output resolutions plus three additonal via modelines - Supports up to 4x custom modelines with progressive and interlaced output resolutions. Scaling issue with 1080i output. - Offers the higher variety of Interpolation filters - Free-Form and proportional scaling | 9.0 | - Supports output refresh rates up to 120Hz (1080p/1440p) and 240Hz (1080p) with the support of BFI - Sync Locks: Framelock, Genlock, TBC, (Auto) Triple Buffer - Custom refresh rates can be added via modelines - Transition between progressive and interlaced resolutions: Seamless or close to seamless depending on the setting i.e. Chrono Cross switching between gameplay and menus | |||||||||||||||||||||
37 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 8.3 | - up to 4K native resolution - Issue: displays couple of green & blue speckles - Covers the three most common output resolutions - Supports up to 2x modelines with progressive resolutions - Offers a lower number and variety of Interpolation filters - Supports smoothing filter - Free-Form and proportional scaling | 8.4 | - Supports output refresh rates up to 120Hz (1080p/1440p). with the support of BFI - Sync Locks: Framelock, Magiclock/Genlock, (Auto) Triple Buffer. Occasional image tearing in Magiclock2/Genlock - 50Hz and 60Hz are pre-configured with custom modelines. - Transition between progressive and interlaced resolutions: 1-2 sec with noticeable image shifting and flicker i.e. Chrono Cross switching between gameplay and menus | |||||||||||||||||||||
38 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 8.2 | - up to 4K non-native resolution (low TV compatiblity) used 2560x1440 output in my testing - Offers higher number of output resolution presets - Custom output resolutions can be added via OSSC menu and saved as profiles - Offers higher number of Interpolation filters - Free-Form and Proportional scaling with limitation | 8.4 | - Supports output refresh rates up to 120Hz (1080p). and 240Hz (720p) with the support of BFI. 240Hz fails to display any image. - Sync Locks: Framelock, Source Hz, Triple Buffer - Custom refresh rates can be added via OSSC Pro settings and saved as profiles - Transition between progressive and interlaced resolutions: Seamless or close to seamless with one issue. i.e. Chrono Cross switching between gameplay and menus | |||||||||||||||||||||
39 | Downscaling | Shift & Crop & Pre-Scale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 | Retrotink 4K CE + Digital to Analog Converter | 7.5* | * Officially marketed as upscaler only. Downscaling functionality not guaranteed! Successfully tested downscaling with: 1080p/720p/480p → 240p 1080p/720p → 288p 480p → 480i 576p → 576i Downscaling has to be done via adding custom modelines and adjusting settings | 9.0 | - Manual image shifting and cropping - Manual horizontal and vertical Pre-scale/Decimation with analog and digital - Decimation with non-integer scales - Manual Auto Crop to 4:3 or 16:9 with analog and digital sources | |||||||||||||||||||||
41 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 + Digital to Analog Converter | 5.5 | Officially marketed as upscaler and downscaler: Image Successfully tested downscaling with: 720p/480p → 240p Downscaling to interlaced resolutions not supported Downscaling has to be done via adding custom modelines and and adjusting settings | 8.1 | - Manual image shifting and cropping with two issues - Manual horizontal and vertical pre-scale with analog and digital - Manual Auto Crop to 4:3 (boxed) with analog sources only and some issues | |||||||||||||||||||||
42 | OSSC PRO + Extra AV out | 9.1 | Officially marketed as upscaler and downscaler: Link Successfully tested downscaling with: 1080p/720p/480p → 240p 1080p/720p → 288p 1080p/720p/480p → 480i 576p → 576i I wasn't able to test with higher output resolutions due to limitations of my CRT TV. The OSSC Pro supports various pre-configured presets for downscaling. | 7.7 | - Manual image shifting and cropping but with limitations - Manual horizontal pre-scale with hdmi sources only - Vertical and horizontal scanlines interval | |||||||||||||||||||||
43 | Input Lag | Overall Usability & Firmware Maturity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
44 | Retrotink 4K CE | 9.0 | - Genlock: “Zero“ up to extreme low lag - Triple Buffer mode (default setting with the best sync/image stability): Extreme low up to low lag (average) | 8.7 | - Well organized, intuitive and logically structured settings. Cropping logic takes a bit time to understand between the different Scale modes - Good up to great firmware maturity - No Wifi support. Managing SD card content and updates are done manually by replacing files on SD Card. - High number of remote buttons almost every button mapped to a scaler functionality. | |||||||||||||||||||||
45 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 8.5 | - Magiclock2/Genlock: “Zero“ up to extreme low lag - Triple Buffer mode (default setting with the best sync/image stability): Mid up to high lag (average) | 6.7 | - Overall well organized, intuitive and logically structured settings except for nested input setings - Average firmware maturity with several issues across different features - Supports Wifi for more comfort to update firmware, profiles, manage microSD card content and offers additional web gui features. - Low number of remote buttons and only few mapped to a scaler functionality. | |||||||||||||||||||||
46 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 8.0 | - Line Multiplier (default setting): "Zero" Lag. (This mode has less features and more limitations than Scaler mode) - Scaler Mode (Framelock): Low lag up to mid lag - Scaler Mode (Triple Buffer Mode) (setting with the best sync/image stability): Mid up to high lag (average) | 7.7 | - Logically structured settings but less intuitive It takes more time to understand and get used to it. - Good firmware maturity - No Wifi support. Managing SD card content and updates are done manually by replacing files on the micro SD Card. - High number of remote buttons. Almost every button mapped to a scaler functionality. | |||||||||||||||||||||
47 | Deinterlacing | Features with Digital Sources | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
48 | Note: | Tested with PS3, Switch, Wii U, GameCube (GCVideo), XBOX (HD+) and Xbox 360 Features supported with Mister, Analogue consoles and HDMI mods are not part of my testing due to lack of hardware. Nevertheless I considered these features in my final score as “Supported Features“. Take this score with a grain of salt. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
49 | Retrotink 4K CE | 8.5 | - Higher number of deinterlacing options including Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing (default setting) and CRT Simulation. - Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing a bit cleaner than of the Morph 4K and OSSC Pro | 8.8 | - Auto Decimation/Pre-Scale with Mister, Analogue and PixelFX GEM/Digital DV1 direct mode - Target Decimate with Mister and Analogue - Auto Cropping with Mister - Analogue DAC (spoofing) - No native Game-ID support but with additional hardware | |||||||||||||||||||||
50 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 7.8 | - Lower number of deinterlacing options but supports Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing (default setting) and CRT Simulation - Scanlines in CRT Sim mode not adjustable - Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing is a bit less cleaner - Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing issues with 1080i analog sources. | 9.0 | - Auto Decimation/Pre-Scale with Mister, PixelFX GEM/Digital DV1 and FX direct mode - Auto vertical pre-scale with PixelFX GEM/Digital FX direct mode - Auto Cropping with Mister - Analogue DAC (spoofing) - Native Game-ID support - CEC support (Scaler controllable via different remotes) | |||||||||||||||||||||
51 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 8.0 | - Lower number of deinterlacing options but supports Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing. (default setting) - Motion Adaptive Deinterlacing close to Retrotink 4K CE. - No CRT Simulation mode support | 8.8 | - Auto Decimation/Pre-Scale with Mister, PixelFX GEM/Digital DV1 direct mode - Analogue DAC (spoofing) but with additional configuration - Lumacode support. Digital video output with Retro PC's and consoles like NES (Console modification required) | |||||||||||||||||||||
52 | Features with RGB & YpbPr Sources (Analog) | Features with S-Video & Composite Video Sources (Analog) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | Retrotink 4K CE | 9.2 | - Supports Optimal Sampling (sharpest output) - 2x auto features that cut down time and effort significantly to adjust profiles for Optimal Sampling - 2x auto feature that cut down time and effort to select the correct optimal sampled profile withconsoles such as PS1, PS2 etc. Additionally covers specific games that can be fully applied for Optimal Sampling. - Supports Auto Gain | 8.4 | - Good results with Composite Video (noisier sources) and S-Video (N64) - Sharp output and less noticebale chroma shift with S-Video (N64) - SDP menu to adjust brightness, contrast, chroma, filters, sharpness | |||||||||||||||||||||
54 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 8.0 | - Supports Optimal Sampling (sharpest output) - Adjusting profiles for Optimal Sampling are done manually - 1x auto feature that cuts down time and effort to select the correct optimal sampled profile. - Supports Auto Gain. With YpbPr (i.e. Component) sources auto gain applied incorrectly - Default settings crop one part of the image with RGB sources (adjustable) | 7.6 | - Good results with Composite Video and noisier sources - Overall average to good results with S-Video (N64) - More noticeable chroma shift - Crops parts of the image (not fixable via settings) and applies incorrect aspect ratio with PAL games - No SDP settings | |||||||||||||||||||||
55 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 7.8 | - Supports Optimal Sampling (sharpest output) - 2x auto features that can cut down time and effort to adjust profiles for Optimal Sampling In some cases manual adjustements are required. - 1x auto feature that cuts down time and effort to select the correct Optimal Sampling profile - Auto Gain not supported. - Subtile green tint with YPbPr source(s) | 7.8 | - Less cleaner results with Composite Video and noisier sources - Overall good results with S-Video (N64) - Various SDP settings to adjust brightness, contrast, chroma, filters, sharpness. | |||||||||||||||||||||
56 | CRT & LCD Effects | Profiles/Presets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
57 | Note: | Note: All scalers display lower subpixel density than CRT TV's. | Note: | Features, total number of systems covered by profiles/presets as profiles configuration | ||||||||||||||||||||||
58 | Retrotink 4K CE | 8.7 | - Closest results to a CRT TV but not a 1:1 due to some limitations. - Can mimik a wider range of different CRT TV display types - Vertical scanlines with rotated arcade games not supported and can only be applied with masks - Alpha key masks supported - Supports BFI which improves motion clarity closer of a CRT TV display. Up to 240Hz (1080p output) - Supports Color Space Conversion (presets) | 9.2 | - Profiles for 65 systems - ~141x CRT & LCD profiles - Higher number in profiles and different types of profiles - Different but lower number of paramters to auto load profiles - Lower number of directly accessable shadow masks. New masks can be added. - Higher number of supported resolutions configured with analog profiles in order to apply Optimal Sampling | |||||||||||||||||||||
59 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 7.9 | - Great results with CRT TV's on the sharper side and with less dense scanlines. - Results mimiking CRT TV displays with high scanlines strength are less authentic i.e. BVM - Consumer TV CRT effects look good with (bigger) limitations in horizontal blur. - Scanlines thickness not adjustable with adaptive scanlines but supports CRT Glow - Increase of green speckles with HDR enabled. Those decrease in numbers after 10-20min running time. - Supports BFI which improves motion clarity closer to a CRT TV display. Up to 120Hz (1440p output) - Supports Color Space Conversion (presets) | 8.2 | - Profiles for 28 systems - 14 CRT & LCD pofiles - Higher number and variety of paramters to auto load profiles which can cut down time and effort to load profiles with some digital sources - Higher number of directly accessable shadow masks. (Majority are imported Mister masks). New masks can be added. - Lower number of supported resolutions configured with analog profiles in order to apply Optimal Sampling | |||||||||||||||||||||
60 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 7.4 | - Good results with CRT TV's with dense scanlines.i.e. BVM - Overall less authentic results due to lower subpixel density with 2560x1440p output than Retrotink 4K CE and Morph 4K, lower mask intensity and no color correction with HDR - Supports BFI which improves motion clarity closer of a CRT TV display. Up to 120Hz (1080p output). 240Hz has an issue. - No support of Color Space Conversion (presets) | 6.8 | - No profiles but pre-configured analog presets for 15 systems to adjust for Optimal Sampling and create profiles. - Auto Load profile at power-up only - Lower number of directly accessbale shadow masks. New masks in Mister format can be added. - Lower number of supported resolutions configured with analog presets in order to apply Optimal Sampling | |||||||||||||||||||||
61 | Audio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
62 | Retrotink 4K CE | 8.5 | - Supports various analog sample rates - Digital Audio Input & Processing - Audio volume and other settings can be adjusted - Input Override/Alternative Audio Input | |||||||||||||||||||||||
63 | Morph 4K + Analog Bridge Variant 1 | 7.5 | - Supports only 48Khz analog sample rate - Digital Audio Input & Processing - Supports input Override/Alternative Audio Input (limited) - Issue with audio output | |||||||||||||||||||||||
64 | OSSC PRO + Legacy AV in | 8.5 | - Supports various analog sample rates - Digital Audio Input & Processing - Audio volume and other settings can be adjusted - Supports input Override/Alternative Audio Input | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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66 | For better understanding of my ratings click on the particular category (17 in total) at the bottom of the screen. See here: Image Each one contains all the details, images and videos. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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