Connecting your recalbox to a CRT with composite

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If you want to connect your recalbox to a CRT, you will need a mini-jack to RCA like this one:
RPi Audio/Video Socket
Caution, on camcorder cables, the video output may be on the right (red) audio jack.

Also, the type of cable required is not really common.
It is preferable to test with a Multimeter, in order to be sure that the cable you plan to use is corresponding to the diagram proposed above (an inversion of Ground and video on the jack leads to a jumping black & white image, sign of an unsuitable cable).
In Recalbox 4.0.0 you have to make the partition writable.
​Modify /boot/config.txt​
commenting each line starting with hdmi_ with #, and adding the supported sdtv_mode :
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sdtv_mode=0    Normal NTSC   
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sdtv_mode=1    Japanese version of NTSC – no pedestal  
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sdtv_mode=2    Normal PAL   
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sdtv_mode=3    Brazilian version of PAL – 525/60 rather than 625/50, different subcarrier
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To get a better sound through the composite output, activate the experimental audio driver for the Raspberry pi
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audio_pwm_mode=2
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Warning, this mode can create an overall slowdown of the Recalbox.
If this is the case, comment the previous line and force the audio output to the jack
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#audio_pwm_mode=2
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hdmi_drive=1
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Finally, addhdmi_ignore_hotplug=1 to force the composite output.
If you are on Recalbox OS 4.0 or higher, the file system is read-only. You will have to use Noobs to modify the configuration file. Plug in a USB keyboard and press the Shift key at startup to access the recovery menu. Then press "e" to get the edit menu, and make your changes here. You can change the language and keyboard configuration by pressing "l" and "k". https://recalbox.gitbook.io/tutorials/v/francais/xi-systeme/modification/editer-le-fichier-config.txt​
Your config.txt should look like below :
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sdtv_mode=2
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hdmi_ignore_hotplug=1
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audio_pwm_mode=2
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Then edite recalbox.conf and changeglobal.videomode to default:
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global.videomode=default
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If you are using the n64 emulator, please comment this line as well:
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n64.videomode=DMT 9 HDMI
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and uncomment this one :
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n64.videomode=default
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Finally, disable game smoothing and all shaders in the EmulationStation menu (START -> GAME OPTIONS) which will allow you to have the original rendering on all systems!
Everything's slow in composite mode
audio_pwm_mode=2 improves the sound but can slow down the system in composite mode, especially on Pi zero. In this case, use the following mode:
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audio_pwm_mode=0
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Connecting your recalbox to a CRT monitor using HDMI
Last modified 9mo ago
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Everything's slow in composite mode