How to Set up the N64

Since the N64 is a vintage machine these days, it takes a little bit more than it used to in order to connect everything to our modern TVs. You'll probably notice that your TV no longer has inputs for that little three-dongled cord with red, white and yellow plugs. In order to connect the N64 to your modern TV, follow these steps:
  1. Place the RetroTINK (Click here to see what the RetroTINK is) near your TV.
  2. Connect N64 → RetroTINK (video/audio):
    • Prefer S-Video plug to the RetroTINK’s S-Video jack AND red/white audio into the RETROTINK.
    • Or use composite (yellow) + red/white into the RetroTink.
  3. RetroTINK → TV: run HDMI from the RetroTINK to a TV HDMI input.
  4. Power the RetroTINK: plug micro-USB into the RetroTINK; other end into TV USB or a phone charger. The RetroTINK auto-detects input. 
  5. Power on the N64 and select the TV’s HDMI input.

Verify it's working:

  • White LED = S-Video active
  • Yellow LED = Composite active
  • Flashing = No signal detected (check cables / cartridge) 

Make it look it's best:

  • Use S-Video if possible. It’s the cleanest stock output from N64 without a mod. 
  • COMB switch (on the Mini):
    • Retro = “notch” filter; good for some noisy composite sources.
    • Auto = multi-line comb filter. On PAL N64 S-Video, Auto also adds luma noise filtering that reduces color noise with minimal sharpness loss. 
  • Filter button: toggles smoothing on/off (blue light = on). Try both and pick what you like.
  • TV settings: set aspect to 4:3 (to avoid stretch) and enable Game Mode to cut TV processing (general tip).

Troubleshooting

  • Color bars on screen: Mini isn’t seeing the console—reseat the cart, check the N64 AV cable. 
  • No picture: confirm the Mini has power and HDMI is firmly connected; try another HDMI input/cable. With no console attached you should see a blue screen—if not, contact the seller. 
  • Speckly/noisy picture: almost always the console/cables/power, not the Mini—use official PSU and shielded S-Video cables. PAL users: try the COMB = Auto setting.
  • No audio: recheck red/white into the Mini; some off-spec timings can make a few TVs reject HDMI audio—run audio from the console to speakers as a workaround. 
  • PAL N64 S-Video oddities: some PAL board revisions don’t output S-Video by default; most do, but you may need a PAL-specific S-Video cable. If S-Video won’t lock, fall back to composite or look up your board revision.