TheRetroChannel

631 orders since Jan 17, 2024

Theodore, ACT, Australia

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Due to the removal of de minimis on US imports and Tindie being unable to handle tariffs (and VAT for EU customers), the store has now moved to the Lectronz marketplace.

Overall Rating:

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (4.90)

Shipping: (5.00)

Communication: (4.95)

All Reviews

Heiko | Oct. 1, 2025

Great improvement

For RFOFF Commodore 64 and 128 V1.1

I ordered the board mainly because i
was intrigued in the YouTube videos about the more space between characters in text. It really did for me but also color bleeding disappeared and graphics have very sharp definition.

Mark, the Developer and seller of this board, is a nice and helpful guy. He responded very quickly to my self induced ordering issue. Thanks again
Mark :-)

Here is a graphic on my C64 connected to a 1702 monitor.

https://ibb.co/rRnNHyBh

Response from TheRetroChannel | Oct. 1, 2025

Thank you very much! It's looks fantastic.

Mark

Tim | Aug. 13, 2025

Crystal Clear Image

For RFOFF Commodore 64 and 128 V1.1

I loved the idea of using S-Video on my C64. It's all about better picture quality. To use an existing monitor, I found a converter from S-Video to HDMI on Amazon. It's hard to find something with S-Video input. Of the several different modulators I've tried, this one far out shines them.

Response from TheRetroChannel | Aug. 13, 2025

Thanks for the review Tim. Glad you're happy with it, enjoy!

Steven | July 24, 2025

Very Happy Customer!

For Commodore VIC-20 replacement ROMs

Great communication, prompt shipping (even for coming half-way around the world), and excellent design. Would happily order from them again!

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 24, 2025

Thank you Steven, appreciate the review.

Jody | July 23, 2025

Unbelievable difference

For Commodore VIC-20 S-Video and Composite mod

Fitted into a PAL VIC-20 shortboard with composite and s-video hooked up. Wow! I recently restored the old VIC-20 and while pleased with the results, the video out was terrible. Fitted the board, ditched the can lid and added a heat sink to the VIC. Tried composite first, night and day difference to before the mod. Clear and bright, no checkerboard, no more weird gaps in the text glyphs. S-video is even better. Tested on a Trinitron CRT and I am beyond impressed.

Also tested on a GBSC with OSSC add-on board, with decent results through composite and s-video on a 4K monitor. Before the mod, composite didn't work at all with the upscaler. Very pleased as I don't always want to use the CRT.

I already have an s-video cable for my Atari XE, so the compatible pinout meant I didn't have to get another cable.

Fast shipping to UK, fantastic build quality, couldn't be happier. Time to play AMOK with crystal clear visuals. Thank you!

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 23, 2025

Thank you Jody! Enjoy your upgraded VIC-20

Will | June 29, 2025

Working very nicely

For Commodore VIC-20 S-Video and Composite mod

Fitted into a longboard - I opted to lift legs of components and use some heatshrink to cover them (to keep them in situ in case later needed by a future owner). Worked straight away and no problems. Great video output now to a CM8833, which was a bit of a previous murky picture, now pixel perfect and the colour seems improved too. Thank you for making such a quality mod. Also to say I did not touch the trim pot - I forgot about this but did not notice any problems

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 1, 2025

Thank you for your support and review, glad you're happy with it. Enjoy your upgraded VIC-20.

John | May 30, 2025

Excellent Products!!

For RFOFF Commodore 64 and 128 V1.1

Excellent products, workmanship, and price. The instructions are easy to follow. Overall picture quality was greatly improved for the C64 and the 64C. I am going to buy one for my PLUS/4. I would definitely recommend his products. AAAAA+++++

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 1, 2025

Thank you John, glad you're happy with it. I really appreciate the recommendation.

Rene David | April 16, 2025

works like a charm on one of my 1541s

For Commodore 1541 device ID switcher

I have two 1541s; it's such a pain to deal with switching device numbers, as i don't like to muck around with a nearly 40 year old motherboard like that. this is such a great gadget that i need to buy another ASAP! thank you :)

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 1, 2025

Double thank you ;-)

Christopher | March 21, 2025

Great product as usual

For Commodore 1541 device ID switcher

I've bought a number of products from the Retro Channel and they have all been first class in terms of quality and functionality. Highly recommended +++

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 1, 2025

Cheers Christopher, thanks for your support!

Ryan | March 9, 2025

Very helpful tool

For Video debug / scart breakout board

Great, handy device - made its way to me quickly halfway across the world. I'm going to use this to track down a few issues, like a component modded pce-cd that displays on a television fine but confounds upscalers, and ensuring various adaptors/monitors are passing the appropriate signal as I make/repair them. If this looks useful to you, it will be useful to you.

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 1, 2025

Thanks Ryan, hopefully it has helped you diagnose any signal issues. It has certainly helped me numerous times

Jonathan | Feb. 26, 2025

Great device for using an oscilloscope to probe your signals

For Video debug / scart breakout board

This device has become a great tool when I was converting my 1084S over to SCART and troubleshooting the signals (i.e. levels, waveforms, etc.) via my oscilloscope. It also has been great with troubleshooting SCART to my Checkmate monitor (I can plug SCART devices into this, and then plug component into my Checkmate, and then debug the signal levels with my oscilloscope.)

It also serves as a great adapter, and is well constructed. It has taps for composite A/V, and RGB to SCART, and you can terminate it to 75 ohms, or take the jumpers off and just tap the jumpers without the resistors if you need to. This thing pays for itself in time not having to bodge a whole bunch of adapters together to scope SCART signals!

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 1, 2025

Cheers Jonathan, sounds like you've put it to good use. Exactly what I was hoping for and I'm glad it has been so useful for you

John | Feb. 8, 2025

This help me save a short board C64c

For RFOFF Commodore 64 and 128 V1.1

I bought two of these and have one now installed. It is working really nice, the image is for sure an improvement. I am an s-video fan, love the analog look with better color and quality; I think it is one of the cooler aspects of the C64. Install went pretty smooth, but I did have to create a couple of patch wires for broken traces on the bottom side. I discovered my project machine is PAL (everything was black and white), so I need to find a PAL TV here in the states. RF-OFF just goes in, no extra wires, well made, a great kit if you're sticking with s-video! Look forward to try the dual SID support.

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 1, 2025

Cheers John, yeah getting the original modulator out can be tricky but well worth the effort. Not such a bad thing that the machine was PAL, that's where all the good demos are. Hope you managed to find a TV that accepts PAL.

Robert | Jan. 7, 2025

Great RF replacement for C64C

For RFOFF Commodore 64 and 128 V1.1

Very easy to replace and fits perfectly. The s-video output is now pretty good. It's a huge video output improvement for my C64. Great job!

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 1, 2025

Thanks Robert. Really appreciate the review

Miro | Nov. 20, 2024

Great seller, many thanks!

For Video debug / scart breakout board

I am still yet to try the board but I'm confident everything will be all right. Professionally made and quickly shipped.

Response from TheRetroChannel | July 1, 2025

Cheers Miro. Hopefully you've had a chance to put it to good use by now. Thanks for the review

Stacy | Oct. 26, 2024

Perfect

For Shortboard Commodore 64 and 128 RF Replacement V2

A great find, pleased with the product, was delivered quick considering it came from other side of the world.
Overall an excellent product and great communication.

Jeff | May 23, 2024

Well done

For Shortboard Commodore 64 and 128 RF Replacement V2

Since products likes these are generally in short supply for the C128, it is great to have one that not only met my expectations but exceeded them! The additional options for fine tuning and suppressing the jailbars work great and, in my opinion, are a better solution compared to something like LumaFix. On top of that, the creator has incorporated an easy means to attach your LumaCode signal externally. I plan to take advantage of this in the near future.

Christopher | May 4, 2024

Great replacement roms for c64

For Commodore 64, SX-64 and 1541 replacement ROMs

Great replacement roms for vintage c64. Keeps this system going and helps trouble shoot other boards

Brian | April 14, 2024

Really good and professional finish job.

For Commodore 64, SX-64 and 1541 replacement ROMs

Communication is great, a very creative way of packaging to ensure they were protected. Arrived in 2 days which was incredible. I'm back because I want to buy more.

Mark | March 18, 2024

Easiest and cleanest way to add ID switching to 1541

For Commodore 1541 device ID switcher

I've been using my Commodore 1541 a lot more lately. I connect it to my MEGA65. Sometimes I connect it to my miSTer. But these devices often have virtual drives at ID 8, so I want my 1541 to run at ID 9, 10, or 11. Unfortunately it is a huge pain to switch ID on the 1541. There are some solder pads on the board you have to cut with a knife. And if you want to switch back you need to drop some solder. You could try to solder wires to these pads, but it's not fun, and not always reliable.

This switcher device is easy and quick to install, and solves the ID problem permanently. You just remove one chip, insert the switcher, and re-install the chip back on top. Now ID switching can be easily done with jumpers. Or you can just install wires to the jumper headers and hook up a remote or even external dip switches. The instructions are actually printed on the switcher circuit board; which is a really nice touch. No manual needed.

This is the definition of a simple and useful product, and I have installed one in both of my 1541 drives.

Mark | March 18, 2024

My PAL Commodore 64 finally looks and sounds great!

For Shortboard Commodore 64 and 128 RF Replacement V2

I am in the US; so didn't have the opportunity to enjoy all the great PAL demoscene and games back in the 80's and 90's. So I bought a 1992 64C motherboard from England. Unfortunately the video output was terrible. It had a sort of blurry checkerboard on text and lines. I decided to try the RF Replacement to see if it would clean up the signal.

Removing the RF box was a little challenging, but with patience it finally succumb to my efforts. The key is to go slow and watch The Retro Channel videos. It is easier to remove than that RF box on the long board was.

Installation was relatively quick. All the pins aligned perfectly, and the board did not require any adjustment to get the angle right for the ports. The new S-Video and 3.5mm headphone style jack look factory. They are aligned perfectly in the old holes left from the RF output and channel selector. The board is small, and all the signals seem spaced out well.

The checkerboard and fuzziness is gone! The picture is now vivid and sharp, just like I have been used to on my US NTSC Commodore 64. I've been enjoying so many great demos! And the sound quality is excellent. I highly recommend this board if you want the very best possibly audio and video from your Commodore 64. And I appreciate that the A/V jack still works, and benefits from the much cleaner signal path of this replacement. It is clear a lot of thought went into this design, and it has a lot of great features I haven't even used yet -- like stereo SID passthrough and other video options on the 3.5mm jack.

Mark | March 18, 2024

RF Replacement is a game changer for my 1983 Commodore 64!

For Longboard Commodore 64 RF Replacement V2

I was pretty nervous about de-soldering the RF box on my beloved C64 that I have had since 1983, but the excellent videos on The Retro Channel made it much easier. Every possibility is considered; even which order the pins should be soldered and how you should handle port alignment on wide ranging Commodore cases. Everything went extremely smoothly. Everything was packed very well, and the pins aligned perfectly with all necessary holes on the board.

The video signals are well separated on the board, and it is a very simple and clean design. The replacement circuit looks nice on the C64 motherboard compared to my old RF box which was beginning to corrode.

After installation; video was immediately noticeably sharper, and the colors seem more accurate and vibrant. The sound quality on the 3.5mm jack is really excellent; and lets me use my SID to its full potential. It's also much easier to connect speakers. I installed a second TRC RF Replacement on my backup 1983 C64, and it was a little easier the second time. The key is to be patient and watch TRC videos to see the best procedure. I'm so happy I have the best possible video and audio on both of my C64s. And it's great that all my other ports still work exactly as they did before; just with a cleaner signal path to the A/V DIN port.