The Marseille mCable sounds almost too good to be true.
Available in Gaming and Cinema Editions, the mCable is said to upscale 480p and 720p content to 1080p, and 1080p content to near-native 4K.
Better yet, Marseille claims it upscales gaming and video content with near-zero latency.
Essentially this means you’ll get a better picture without taking a hit on performance.
How does it do this, exactly? Marseille explains more: “mCable contains a powerful video processor where each pixel is analysed in its immediate and global contexts to determine the most suitable processing per pixel, a Marseille Inc. technology called Contextual Processing.
“This sophisticated technology enhances regions in an image according to their specific characteristics so as to preserve the image’s balance and give the TV a better image to build upon therefore up-converting images up to 4k Ultra HD to provide your TV with a better image.”
Having tested the Marseille mCable for the past few weeks, it’s fair to say that some of the company’s claims are on the money.
As you can see in the image above, the mCable actually has a processor built in to the end of the cable that goes into the TV. However, what the image doesn’t show you is the separate USB connection that’s required to power the thing.
If your TV doesn’t have any USB ports, then the mCable won’t function and you’ve just wasted your money.
But if you do have a power source and are willing to shell out the cash, then you’ll be pleased to find out that the Marseille mCable does actually work.
The results aren’t nearly as radical as they appear in the promotional material, but image quality most certainly improves on consoles.
If you use the mCable with a regular PS4 and Xbox One, or with your old Xbox 360 or PS3, then its anti aliasing technology results in a smoother image with fewer jagged lines.
But it’s the Nintendo Switch that benefits most from the mCable’s anti aliasing effects.
It’s perfect for games that run at 1080p when docked, making titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe look noticeably sharper.
It’s just a shame that you can’t turn the mCable’s processor off for older games that actually benefit from the pixelated look. Instead you’ll have to swap out your cable for a regular HDMI, which is a shame.
This minor drawback aside, the mCable does live up to its claims of improving visuals. But what about Marseille’s other claim of near-zero latency?
Fortunately it’s another win for the mCable, which doesn’t suffer from any clear input lag, whether you’re playing Street Fighter or Fortnite on the Switch.
Undoubtedly the biggest stumbling block with the mCable is its price. Amazon is currently selling the 3-foot Gaming Edition for £89.46, while the official Marseille website lists it at £90.61.
That’s a lot of money for a HDMI cable, and is the main reason why we wouldn’t rush out to buy one.
But if you’re serious about graphics and manage to get a good deal, then you won’t be disappointed.