OSSC (DIY video digitizer & scandoubler)

[Guspaz]

Is there any way the firmware could auto-detect the SNES to switch to settings just for it? Without support for profiles, having to manually change those types of settings every time you switch consoles would be a drag.

[BuckoA51]

You mean Megadrive? I doubt OSSC could auto detect it but it's really not that big a deal to change a couple settings via the LCD, the remote is pretty responsive, it's not like navigating the clunky menus on the Mini.

Plus keep in mind you only need this adjustment for the handful of Megadrive games that output in 480i. The Mini of course, doesn't support these at all (black screen is all you get).

[Guspaz]

No, the SNES, because it was reported that all systems seemed to work with the 3/3 settings except the SNES, which makes it the odd man out.

[BuckoA51]

Yeah but the SNES either works with the default settings (pre=1, post=0) or won't work at all on that particular TV.

[Guspaz]

Either way, it'd be nice if there could be some way to auto-detect when one setting or the other was needed. There are differences in the timing between the SNES/Genesis that could be used for this purpose, but I don't know if it's within the capabilities of the OSSC to check for those differences.

[marqs]

Either way, it'd be nice if there could be some way to auto-detect when one setting or the other was needed. There are differences in the timing between the SNES/Genesis that could be used for this purpose, but I don't know if it's within the capabilities of the OSSC to check for those differences.

You could try detecting a machine e.g. by 3-tuple of (hsync length, line length, refresh rate), but it wouldn't probably be 100%-reliable with all different mods, regions etc.

Plus keep in mind you only need this adjustment for the handful of Megadrive games that output in 480i. The Mini of course, doesn't support these at all (black screen is all you get).

Funny to think about that. I bet ADV7441A chip Mini uses has identical pre/post coast registers. Maybe Micomsoft has also tuned these values to minimum to be compatible with SNES.

[marqs]

The wait for this thing is killing me right now. My XRGB-3 broke at some point, so I haven't been able to play any old-school stuff in a while... and right now, literally all I want to play is old-school stuff. Not a great combination.
Any word on when we can expect this thing to start shipping?

Depends a lot where you are in the waiting queue. First batch of pre-assembled boards should start shipping early next week, but there's still hundreds of people on the list after that.

[CkRtech]

For auto-detection, you could do non-standard, custom cables and apply voltage to say... SCART pins 10 and/or 12 and detect that to choose a profile.

Options -
1: No voltages present on 10 or 12
2: +5V 10
3: +5V 12
4: +5V 10 & 12

I suppose you could go even fancier than that and do voltage range detection similar to what SCART pin 16 uses such as 0V-0.4V = composite & 1V-3V = RGB. Since the first option starts with 0V, you could use a resistor to try to hit close to +2V for a second option and then the third option would be +5V. That would give you more combos.

If it is doable, the question would then be if people are actually interested in customizing/hacking their cables for it. I also have no clue if SCART switches tend to ignore those pins are truly switch every single pin. I do not personally use SCART in my setup.

But if this possibility was an option, users could theoretically have their upscaler switch profiles just as easily as they switch SCART inputs.

[Chacranajxy]

The wait for this thing is killing me right now. My XRGB-3 broke at some point, so I haven't been able to play any old-school stuff in a while... and right now, literally all I want to play is old-school stuff. Not a great combination.
Any word on when we can expect this thing to start shipping?

Depends a lot where you are in the waiting queue. First batch of pre-assembled boards should start shipping early next week, but there's still hundreds of people on the list after that.

I got in the list in mid-February. I think I did, at least -- I got a couple update emails from Videogameperfection (though nothing since like... early march.) I assume nothing went awry.

So... yeah. Take my complaining as a compliment, though -- this thing looks really damn cool, and I'm just excited to get ahold of one.

[BuckoA51]

I want to get selling them as much as you want to buy them

Another newsletter will go out soon, packaging and PSUs are pretty much sorted. Remotes still need to be ordered.

Did you get my last e-mails Marqs (the ones on the 16th April?)

[marqs]

Did you get my last e-mails Marqs (the ones on the 16th April?)

Yeah, and wrote an answer yesterday evening. Did my e-mail address end up to another blacklist

[BuckoA51]

Can confirm I received nothing.

[DasGouche]

Hello all,

I am new to upscaling retro consoles and I had a question.

I just read Fudoh's review of the OSSC and I am excited about it. I am in the process of buying a new tv for the upscaling and I have been looking at reviews of TVs at rtings.com for lowest lag inputs, but all the TVs are 1080p. When using the OSSC, should I just let the tv upscale the 480p or would it better to go through another device? If letting the tv upscale, are there any resources to talk about which TVs are better at upscaling? I know Sony seems to be a very popular choice, but it seems Samsung has better lag input times.

Additionally, for games that are not input sensitive, should I just use a framemeister and use the OSSC for platformers/shmups, etc...?

I apologize if this question has been asked ad nauseam

[BuckoA51]

Probably the best resource to talk about quality of TV scaling is right here

It really does depend on the TV in question. If your TV accepts the OSSCs line triple mode, then in my opinion it's going to look as good as the Framemeister (probably better, due to less noise). This is an opinion, not a fact, and some won't agree.

If your TV only accepts the line double mode you are more at the mercy of your TVs scaler. Most modern TVs do a reasonable job with 480p, that's not to say (before someone calls shenanigans again, not naming any names ) there's not room for improvement (again, a lot comes down to personal preference here too). I tried the OSSC on a friends Panasonic and in line double it looked really bad for some reason, yet his set works beautifully with the Wii at 480p. Luckily the Panasonics work with line triple so it wasn't a problem (the picture is shifted a little, but picture shift correction is coming in a firmware update).

I know here in the UK, Richer Sounds have a policy that you're allowed to take in ANYTHING to test on their TVs before buying. If you can find a friendly showroom like that and test your OSSC before putting down the cash, that might be a good option as there's simply too many TVs out there to give a simple answer to your question.

[Xyga]

When it comes to quality upscaling in the world of TVs: you can usually bet your money on Sony.
Be careful with Rtings, some of their tests can be useful, some are so worthless it's ridiculous how wrong the ratings can end up, and their scaling test unfortunately is among those.
From what I've read these few years the Samsung scaling is hit or miss, some models do it right, others can even mess 720p scanlines from a Mini.
Dunno about Panasonic today, there hasn't been much interest from that brand since they've stopped plasmas in 2013, but mark this, it's as Bucko says; whatever the name brand any set can perform its own way and nobody can give you any reliable information until decent tests of the exact model you have in mind have been published, or you have tried it yourself.
All manufacturers will rework their entire range or a single series, every year, possibly changing the results completely.

[Mantrox]

Did you get my last e-mails Marqs (the ones on the 16th April?)

Yeah, and wrote an answer yesterday evening. Did my e-mail address end up to another blacklist

Humm, blacklisted is no good.
Have you sent any invoices for the completed kits yet?
Just checking, as i don't have anything on my side yet.

[marqs]

Humm, blacklisted is no good.
Have you sent any invoices for the completed kits yet?
Just checking, as i don't have anything on my side yet.

Not yet - still some stuff that needs to be set up but I should be able to send them tomorrow.

[Mantrox]

Cool beans

[noko_bombette]

Could you provide any power supply recommendations? I know about the specs

A 5V DC power supply (min. 1A, 5.5mm/2.1mm center positive connector)

but in the places I use to buy I can only find cheap power supplies (those from Chinese stores in ebay) or universal adapters with multiple connectors. I don't know if those are reliable so I would like to know about experiences or opinions here before buying. Thanks.

[BuckoA51]

You will be able to buy a suitable, 100% tested power supply from me very shortly, with suitable plugs for UK, Europe, USA and (optionally) Australia. I got a good deal on a bulk buy from a supplier/manufacturer here in the UK.

Edit - Oops just to be clear I've double checked and these ARE made in China, but I can vouch for their quality/compatibility with OSSC 100%.

Edit - These are shipping now - http://www.videogameperfection.com/prod ... -for-ossc/

[RocketKnight]

I use the Voltcraft USPS switching power supplies that are available in 7.2, 12, 18 and 27 watts versions. Together with the additional connector set they provide almost every barrel connector there is, even the uncommon one for the North American SNES. And besides that they are GS approved.

[marqs]

Invoices for the 1st batch of pre-assembled boards have now been done . Everybody who selected bank transfer option should have received one, and first half of Paypal users. Remaining invoices will be sent as soon as receiving limit is lifted from company Paypal business account. The boards should start shipping next week after new plexiglass sheets arrive.

[BuckoA51]

I should probably get a newsletter sent out tomorrow too.

Here I have ordered PSUs and shipping boxes for the second batch, just need to order remotes, and the actual OSSCs from Marqs

[Xyga]

[Thomago]

I second that notion.

[Mantrox]

I second that notion.

Indeed.

[NormalFish]

Anxious to hear more impressions. Particularly interested to see the unit put to the test with even more configurations of display and console.

[RGB32E]

If your TV only accepts the line double mode you are more at the mercy of your TVs scaler. Most modern TVs do a reasonable job with 480p, that's not to say (before someone calls shenanigans again, not naming any names ) there's not room for improvement (again, a lot comes down to personal preference here too).

[Das Muel]

When are Paypal lifting that receiving limit, Marqs?

[traal]

5V 1A means OSSC could be made to run off an ordinary USB phone or tablet charger. That would be one less thing to buy...