Cheap & Easy HDMI to CRT Converters

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RetroRGB

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Published on September 13, 2025 11:59:54 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgSwTWamCpw

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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 paid affiliate links to everything:

HDMI to S-Video (best): https://amzn.to/41LeOs8
HDMI to S-Video (alternative*): https://amzn.to/3KcLPY2
HDMI to S-Video (alternative**): https://amzn.to/4maQqHJ
HDMI to Composite: https://amzn.to/3I260aH
HDMI to RF + Composite: https://amzn.to/4ntagj1
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
RF VCR Video:    • Use a VCR as an RF to Composite Converter  
HDMI Splitter: https://www.retrorgb.com/hdmi-2-0b-1x2-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
Extron VSC: https://ebay.us/li9BmC
MarcoRetro:     / @marcoretro316  
Quickres: https://cdn.retrorgb.com/assets/240pVideoCard/quickres.zip

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

*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. Some people have reported it works really well and there's a noticeable difference between S-Video and Composite.

***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.

Please consider supporting this channel via monthly support services, tips, or even just by using our affiliate links to purchase things you were already going to buy anyway, at no extra cost to you: https://www.retrorgb.com/support.html

T-Shirts: https://www.retrorgb.com/store.html
All equipment used to shoot this video can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retrorgb

00:00 Intro
00:54 Hardware
06:42 Software
11:34 Lag/Gaming
13:32 Conclusion