Mike Chi recently released a firmware update for the RetroTINK 4K that adds commands to simulate remote control actions over the serial port. The upcoming Scalable Video Switch (SVS) from Arthrimus can utilize it simply by connecting the SVS to the RT4K’s HD15 (VGA) input. Also, developer donutswdad was able to use the same serial protocol and some cheap external hardware to control existing switches like the gcomp/gscart, Extron Crosspoints and even an Otaku Games SCART switch. Check out Arthrimus’ video above to see it in action and check below the links for a full list of updates and fixes in this firmware release:
Firmware Update: https://retrotink-llc.github.io/firmware/4k.html
Purchase the RT4K: https://www.retrorgb.com/retrotink.html
Arthrimus’ SVS: Coming soon, follow on social media for now: https://x.com/Arthrimus
Serial Control for other Switches: https://github.com/svirant/RT4k_HD15_serial_control
Arthrimus’ was able to tweak the SVS before release to have this control protocol integrated, so it’ll be by far the easiest to use out of the box: Simply connect the SVS’ output to the RT4K’s HD-15 input via a VGA cable and set up your SD card. Arthrimus walks you through this in the demo video above, but basically just make sure the RT4K is on the latest firmware with “Autoload SVS” set to On, then copy and rename existing profiles to the ‘/profiles/SVS’ folder with ‘Sx_’ added before each filename to correspond with the switch input. Now, whenever you power on a console, the RT4K will automatically switch to the correct HD15 input (remember the HD15 ‘VGA’ port accepts all signal types) and load whatever profile you’ve selected. That’s it, a fully-automated setup, after just a bit of initial configuration!
To use the other switches, you’ll need some extra hardware to go along with donutswdad’s code; Each will require an Arduino Nano, with the Crosspoints also requiring a serial port to TTL converter module. donutswdad is also working on some hardware to make this easier, but it would be awesome if someone from the retro gaming community would make a complete kit with an Arduino built in, that passes VGA and extracts the serial code to some breakout pins; This way people could simply plug it in, then either solder the serial pins to the switch’s ext port, or maybe even have some kind of push-on connector as well? That’s in the future though – For now, check out the video at the bottom of this post, to see the Arduino working with the Otaku SCART switch!
Here’s the full list of changes since the last public firmware release:
- Added interlaced support for RGBHV sources
- Added auto-sleep timer support (in OSD/Firmware menu, global setting saved independent of profile)
- Improved auto-phase algorithm that rejects the phase with ringing artifacts in favor of a phase with maximum flatness for both on-demand and continuous modes
- Added support for serial communications over HD15 and USB (virtual serial ports)
- Added commands for SVS switch profile auto-loading on new input
- Added commands to simulate remote control actions over serial port
- Fixed issues that caused glitches with S/PDIF audio inputs
- Fixed edge cases related to 240p/480i mode detection
- Fixed issue that result in cut off pixels in 640×480 PC modes
