Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Testing the Retrotink 5x Pro for HDMI capture on an old Betamax tape (Zenith maxitape L-830) originally recorded at BIII speed (low quality). Seeing if it's worth the effort/cost of a retrotink compared to a cheapo SD capture device (Diamond VC500).
Betamax Model: Sony SL-2710
VC500 Method
Capture Software: AmaRecTV
Capture codec: Lagarith
Capture settings: w=720, h=480, fps=29.97, fcc=YUY2, bit=16
Post Processing Software: FFmpeg
Render codec: H.264
Render settings: ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg -i "input.avi" -vf "yadif=1:0:0,scale=1440:1080,fps=59.94,format=yuv420p,setdar=4/3" -c:v h264_nvenc -preset p7 -rc vbr -cq 18 -b:v 0 -spatial-aq 1 -temporal-aq 1 -aq-strength 8 -c:a aac -b:a 192k -movflags +faststart "output.mp4"
yadif=1:0:0 Double-rate deinterlacing → 1440x1080p 59.94 fps, smooth motion.
format=yuv420p Ensures maximum playback compatibility.
setdar=4/3 Correct NTSC 4:3 aspect ratio.
-c:v h264_nvenc Uses GPU hardware encoder.
-preset p7 Best quality preset (geforce rtx 4090)
-rc vbr -cq 18 -b:v 0 “CRF-like” constant-quality mode; CQ 18 ≈ CRF 18.
-spatial-aq 1 -temporal-aq 1 Enables adaptive quantization for detail and motion retention.
-aq-strength 8 Maximizes grain/detail retention (great for analog sources).
-c:a aac -b:a 192k Transparent stereo audio.
-movflags +faststart Makes file streamable and universally playable.
Retrotink Method
Retrotink Settings: From youtube.com/watch?v=Br6YRkOM9jA (thanks @RetroRGB !)
HDMI Capture Device: Avermedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus (LGP2P)
HDMI Splitter: ViewHD (VHD-1X2MN3D)
Capture Software: OBS
Capture settings: w=1440, h=1080, fps=60
Video Encoder: NVENC H.264
Recording Quality: High Quality
Recording Format: Hybrid MP4
Testing the Retrotink 5x Pro for HDMI capture on an old Betamax tape (Zenith maxitape L-830) originally recorded at BIII speed (low quality). Seeing if it's worth the effort/cost of a retrotink compared to a cheapo SD capture device (Diamond VC500).
Betamax Model: Sony SL-2710
VC500 Method
Capture Software: AmaRecTV
Capture codec: Lagarith
Capture settings: w=720, h=480, fps=29.97, fcc=YUY2, bit=16
Post Processing Software: FFmpeg
Render codec: H.264
Render settings: ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg -i "input.avi" -vf "yadif=1:0:0,scale=1440:1080,fps=59.94,format=yuv420p,setdar=4/3" -c:v h264_nvenc -preset p7 -rc vbr -cq 18 -b:v 0 -spatial-aq 1 -temporal-aq 1 -aq-strength 8 -c:a aac -b:a 192k -movflags +faststart "output.mp4"
yadif=1:0:0 Double-rate deinterlacing → 1440x1080p 59.94 fps, smooth motion.
format=yuv420p Ensures maximum playback compatibility.
setdar=4/3 Correct NTSC 4:3 aspect ratio.
-c:v h264_nvenc Uses GPU hardware encoder.
-preset p7 Best quality preset (geforce rtx 4090)
-rc vbr -cq 18 -b:v 0 “CRF-like” constant-quality mode; CQ 18 ≈ CRF 18.
-spatial-aq 1 -temporal-aq 1 Enables adaptive quantization for detail and motion retention.
-aq-strength 8 Maximizes grain/detail retention (great for analog sources).
-c:a aac -b:a 192k Transparent stereo audio.
-movflags +faststart Makes file streamable and universally playable.
Retrotink Method
Retrotink Settings: From youtube.com/watch?v=Br6YRkOM9jA (thanks @RetroRGB !)
HDMI Capture Device: Avermedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus (LGP2P)
HDMI Splitter: ViewHD (VHD-1X2MN3D)
Capture Software: OBS
Capture settings: w=1440, h=1080, fps=60
Video Encoder: NVENC H.264
Recording Quality: High Quality
Recording Format: Hybrid MP4
