I have a bad habit of collecting CRTs of all shapes and sizes, but VHS combo TVs are having something of a renaissance. So much so that a startup is looking to make a new all-in-one display that will play old videotapes and support obsolete video connections, but I'd hang fire if you're a retro gamer or even just want a cute '90s kitchen screen.
Appropriately dubbed RetroBox, the faux CRT in question promises to mimic the look, feel, and functionality of a '90s/2000s VHS combo set. It will also set you back a monstrous $399, even if it does better suit the best retro console options out there than a modern-day 4K TV or monitor. Putting the lofty MSRP aside, though, there's a conversation to be had about this display's modern innards, especially since I have a few of the gadgets being used already lying around.
It's worth noting that RetroBox is clearly in its youth development-wise, and my observations are based on prototype footage shared on the startup's Instagram page. However, teasers so far have featured hollowed out shells from original CRTs like RCA and Toshiba as a base that houses a 4:3-inch LCD display, a generic HDMI/VGA controller board, and the same scanline generator I use for with HDMI-modded N64 to add display effects.
As for the VHS side of things, RetroBox says you can expect a "fully functional and redesigned VCR" that it's apparently working on with "electrical and mechanical engineers." Effectively, it sounds like the startup is devising a plan to put the required mechanism, which consists of motors, rollers, and magnetic heads for reading ribbons of tape, which is downright impressive if that's the case.
I'd say the RetroBox prototypes are more like a proof of concept, and I'd certainly hope that's the case based on its price. The LCD screen and controller board that's visible in one of the clips is around $73 at Aliexpress, and that aforementioned scanline generator is $35.99 at Amazon. Technically speaking, you could pick those up and attempt to make your own faux VHS Combo if you have a 10-inch carcass lying around, which is why I'm hoping the final product will feature more bespoke parts.
I should also point out that specs for the RetroBox are available on the website, but they raise more questions than answers. For example, the TV's native resolution options are listed as 240p and 480i, which are more like OG CRT specs than something that'd belong to a modern LCD. The listing also says the screen uses "NTSC" formatting, and while that could mean your PAL or SECAM consoles and VHS tapes won't display properly, using modern parts should result in universal color compatibility.
Don't let me wrong, I'd love to see RetroBox become a fully-fledged faux alternative that keeps the CRT VHS combo dream alive. I repair old tube sets in my spare time, so I'm fully aware that original displays have a limited lifespan. Plus, smaller 10-inch models with a VCR built in are becoming extremely expensive, although they're not quite as pricey as this remake's full asking price.
If RetroBox does end up largely featuring the same setup as the prototype, though, I'd probably explore other avenues for retro gaming. Admittedly, all the marketing for this screen so far targets people looking for easy VHS tape playback, and it'll pull that off easily enough even in its current state. However, if you've ever looked up how to connect a retro console to a modern TV or monitor, you'll know that adapters and upscalers can come with caveats like input lag and blurry pixels, which is why enthusiasts use old tube sets in the first place.
But hey, RetroBox does come in fun colors, and that could appeal to those of you who care more about aesthetics than specs. It even says that if you don't see the colorway you want, it will "make it happen," so it sounds like it has a factor ready to churn out boxes. If this CRT revival comes to fruition, I'll try my best to test it with every console you can think of, but I'm more curious to see if a startup can actually put VCR mechanism manufacturing back into production.
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