Paweł Koper
The American startup RetroBox has presented a unique device that promises to take users straight back to the heyday of video cassettes and the first game consoles. Although at first glance it looks like a classic "TV with a player" set, underneath the casing lies technology adapted to today's standards.
Digital Soul in an Analog Body
As reported by Mike Wheatley from HDTVTest, the RetroBox is not your typical CRT television that it appears to be. The device is equipped with a modern LCD panel in a 4:3 aspect ratio, which, thanks to advanced emulation software, mimics the look of a traditional CRT screen. Users can expect the characteristic “graininess” of the image, scan lines, and the specific vibe known from childhood, while simultaneously eliminating the drawbacks of old CRTs – heavy weight, flickering, and unreliability.
Connections? A mix of new and old
RetroBox is a true treat for collectors, offering a wide range of connections:
Older: AV Component, RCA, S-Video inputs, and coaxial ports allow for the connection of iconic consoles like the NES or Sega Genesis.
Newer: The presence of a HDMI port means that we can connect even a PlayStation 5 or a streaming box to this retro monitor, although the image will be displayed in a nostalgic resolution of 240p or 480i.
Interestingly, the device features a built-in, fully functional VHS player, allowing you to dust off old movie collections.
According to the philosophy of its creators, RetroBox is meant to be a “physical” experience. The device does not have a remote control, which forces the user to interact directly with the housing. Want to rewind the cassette or change the channel? You have to get up from the couch, which is intended to enhance the feeling of realism reminiscent of the 90s. Currently, the product is available for pre-order in the American market at a price of 399 dollars. At this moment, RetroBox only supports the NTSC standard (60 Hz), which means that European PAL format cassettes will not work correctly on it. However, the manufacturer does not rule out creating a version dedicated to the European market if interest in the project is sufficiently high.
Source: HDTVTest.co.uk, https://retrobox.us/
