OSSC (DIY video digitizer & scandoubler)

[Blair]

Very Nice PSP shots ZellSF, I can't believe how clean that PSP 480p2x video output looks. awsome! I'm late to the party on the 480i line X2, X3, X4 stuff, do those modes work on the VP50 and how do they look in general compared to normal 480i processing. (only down side to psp processing on a digital display is thats it impossible to get good looking scanlines on 2d titles so I usually play psp on a crt and add an SLG into the mix)

The Wii U color range issue is only relevant to very very few displays.

eh, I think it's a fairly widespread issue it's just that only gaming video quality nerds will ever really notice and be bothered by it. I actually use my other video processors to fix that on my displays but if I didn't have that option I would use the OSSC for that as well.

What's the Wii U color range issue? That it won't show the wider range even though you set it to full? Are the colors wrong? It seems to be working on my Sony Bravia from 2008. Color range deepens when I enable it. Darker shadows...

the Wii U only outputs in limited range over HDMI and nintendo never fixed it, I prefer using the HDMI out on the Wii U but if I don't convert its limited range to full on my setup the contrast/brightness is way off and everything looks muted (using its component output is way of getting around this for some people) I'm sure most gamers never notice this problem as the vast majority of tv's and game systems are all set to limited range out of the box. (my main display is set to full and my secondary display only supports full range).

[ZellSF]

What's the Wii U color range issue? That it won't show the wider range even though you set it to full? Are the colors wrong? It seems to be working on my Sony Bravia from 2008. Color range deepens when I enable it. Darker shadows...

You can't set it to full. The Wii U is limited range only.

Some displays (very very few) can't display limited range over HDMI.

eh, I think it's a fairly widespread issue

I've seen a grand total of 1 display that can't handle limited range over HDMI.

[ZellSF]

I'm late to the party on the 480i line X2, X3, X4 stuff, do those modes work on the VP50 and how do they look in general compared to normal 480i processing

They don't. 480pX2 doesn't work on a VP50. 480iX3 and 480iX4 doesn't work on a VP50.

[Blair]

I've seen a grand total of 1 display that can't handle limited range over HDMI.

a good amount pc monitors (if not most) should have this problem, and samsung televisions set to full range (expanded/native mode) also seem to have this problem. at least thats been my experience.

They don't. 480pX2 doesn't work on a VP50. 480iX3 and 480iX4 doesn't work on a VP50.

thats a shame, but I bet they would work on a VGA CRT and that might make ps2/interlaced gaming more viable with that type of a setup (without the use of an xrgb-mini or DVDO) I tested the ps2 outputting 1080i to my lacie crt and it looked/played fantastic. (I knew about the 480p2x thing not working on the VP50. I also tried 480px2 on 2 CRTs and I think it looks very nice. also good with 480p wii titles)

[BuckoA51]

They don't. 480pX2 doesn't work on a VP50. 480iX3 and 480iX4 doesn't work on a VP50.

480px2 works on the Edge, but it looks very oversharpened with lots of saw-tooth edges.

You can get 480px2 working on the 50 Pro for the PSP by playing around a bit:-

http://junkerhq.net/xrgb/index.php?titl ... n_Portable

[zak]

When I said OSSC+DVDO VP50 (framerate unlocked) 480iX2+240pX2 transitions were pretty seamless here's how it looks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDguYiX03vU
Obviously it looks sort of bad (the video quality, not the transition smoothness), but for the games people say are broken by 240p>480i menu transitions this is a very good solution. The bobbing doesn't come across well in the capture, just imagine it.

I have a OSSC+VP50 on the way. This solution is ideal. Any tips on how you got these results? I'd rather have this effect than have blackouts

[ZellSF]

When I said OSSC+DVDO VP50 (framerate unlocked) 480iX2+240pX2 transitions were pretty seamless here's how it looks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDguYiX03vU
Obviously it looks sort of bad (the video quality, not the transition smoothness), but for the games people say are broken by 240p>480i menu transitions this is a very good solution. The bobbing doesn't come across well in the capture, just imagine it.

I have a OSSC+VP50 on the way. This solution is ideal. Any tips on how you got these results? I'd rather have this effect than have blackouts

OSSC
-Output opt.
--240p/288p proc = Line2x
--480i/576i proc = Line2x (bob)

VP50
-Output Setup
--Framerate conversion
---60hz unlock
----Set refresh rate to the one that OSSC reports in the mode you want motion to look best in. Since 240p and 480i has different refresh rates, motion will be worse in one mode.

Nothing more complicated than that. You don't want to use any of these settings for games that don't rely heavily on mode switches though.

a good amount pc monitors (if not most) should have this problem

None of the (new) PC monitors I've seen have that problem. Though admittedly I checked the Dell monitor I'm considering purchasing and it's apparently full range only. So it applies to more PC monitors than I thought, but I still don't think it's most of them.

[Blair]

Has anyone been able to find an HDMI capture card that reliably accepts 3x, 4x and 5x modes? Once again, I'm sorry for the pain-in-the-ass question, but I'm trying to finalize my setup. My Epiphan DVI2USB3 freaks out in all modes and my PEXHDCAP only works reliably in 2x mode.

+1 to that question, I've heard good things about the magewell one (http://www.magewell.com/usb-capture-hdmi) but I've yet to see any actual conclusive post about which modes it definitely supports.
If it can do x5, x5 optim, and x2 optim, then I'm definitely going to try and pick one up.

I've been using a clone of the magewell ($100 cheaper) the UHD-60 usb3.0, and it seems to work fine, it takes everything the OSSC throws at it with no problem. everything up to line 5x no matter what system. (but it might not record in full RGB 4:4:4 so more testing needs to be done on that end)

specs

Spoiler

but i'm a little concerned about getting a smooth consistent frame rate on one of my computers. it works great on my newer Intel system (2600-non K) but on my older AMD system (phenom II) I get a few slowdowns and stutters on my recordings at 1080p with high bitrates. but I don't think its the CPU or GPU as utilization of both never goes over 10% so I'm thinking it's an issue with my usb3.0 add-on card or the bandwidth on the PCI lanes of my motherboard. (a bummer as most of my gaming is done by my AMD system.)

(*edit* after some more testing the capture device seems to have picture stability problems with a few SNES models (like some TV's) when directly connected. for a more stable picture i'll be using a VP50 or HD3000 to normalize the SNES signal when recording with this capture device. every other game system seems to work fine with a direct connection.

some HDMI splitters or ZellSF's HDMI dongle might be able to also mitigate this weakness. (as that also works for some TVs and other capture devices) (I haven't tried that yet).

anyway, here are a few quick OSSC video clips. (give them a watch and tell me what I could improve on, or any other tips you might have). I'm using OBS Studio (64bit) as my recording software. (with Nvidia NVENC GPU video encoding)

(*edit* screenshots matched with correct videos now, sorry for the mixup)

(please set video quality to 1080p60)

OSSC+SEGA CDX direct line5x

Link:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B3df7KgmcU)


OSSC+SNES-1chip+VP50 line5x

Link:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfJMCmBP2zg)


OSSC+Wii+HD3000 480p

Link:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLiz1exbhmo)


OSSC+original XBOX direct 480p

Link:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rKvmUeCoyE)

[bobrocks95]

I don't know if it's Youtube compression or your capture setup, but the Super Mario World video in particular looked really bad. You can see all kinds of artifacting in the blue sky.

Also, the saturation seems lower on all of those than it should be, am I wrong in saying that? Colors look a bit washed out, but I don't know if that's just me.

[Jademalo]

Would it be possible for you to upload the raw video files that you uploaded to YT anywhere? I'm really curious to have a look at them in native res and without YouTube's recompression.
Your screenshots look absolutely insane though, the SMW one I would swear was an emulator cap if I didn't know better. I'm guessing the screenshot is with optim + 8:7?

Also out of curiosity, if your magewell clone can take 5x for every system, why are you running the SMW cap through a VP50?

Finally, any chance of a link to the clone you're using? A quick google couldn't find anything.

[Blair]

I don't know if it's Youtube compression or your capture setup, but the Super Mario World video in particular looked really bad. You can see all kinds of artifacting in the blue sky.

hmmm, I noticed that but i'm not sure whats causing it as I don't see it on my TV or during recording. but I'm thinking it might be a quirk of the 1chip snes and the compression as I did see something similar when its hooked up to a DVDO HD or HD+

Also, the saturation seems lower on all of those than it should be, am I wrong in saying that? Colors look a bit washed out, but I don't know if that's just me

Do you have an Nvidia GPU on the PC you're using? sometimes Full RGB recordings on youtube need a setting ticked in the graphis derive to show full color. (go to the "adjust video color settings" in the control panel)

Would it be possible for you to upload the raw video files that you uploaded to YT anywhere? I'm really curious to have a look at them in native res and without YouTube's recompression.

Sure, what site would be a good place to do that? and what video would you like?

Your screenshots look absolutely insane though, the SMW one I would swear was an emulator cap if I didn't know better. I'm guessing the screenshot is with optim + 8:7?

Did you see my HDMI capture pics on the previous pages? I haven't done much with any of the optimized modes so it's just the generic setting (as far as I know).

Line 5x no scanlines

Spoiler

Line 5x scanlines: 100%

Spoiler

Line 5x DVDO VP50

Spoiler

Line 5x Direct

Spoiler

Also out of curiosity, if your magewell clone can take 5x for every system, why are you running the SMW cap through a VP50?

MY main TV can't see the line 5x mode on its own without the VP50 (check my post a few pages back) so when I play I'll usually use the VP50 or my HD3000.

Finally, any chance of a link to the clone you're using? A quick google couldn't find anything.

Sure I'll PM you with the info. (unless anybody else is interested to give it a try)

[bobrocks95]

Also, the saturation seems lower on all of those than it should be, am I wrong in saying that? Colors look a bit washed out, but I don't know if that's just me

Do you have an Nvidia GPU on the PC you're using? sometimes Full RGB recordings on youtube need a setting ticked in the graphis derive to show full color. (go to the "adjust video color settings" in the control panel)

No, I have an AMD GPU. Everything seems to be set properly on my end (well, hopefully that's the case), but the colors in the videos are noticeably different from the colors in your screenshots. Did you take the screenshots or are they from emulators or something?

[Blair]

That is strange, I didn't even notice the color difference. i'm using the OBS screenshot macro to take pics during my gameplay. some of these might be from slightly different videos then the linked ones as I tried to do mostly the same runs (demo screens) during my bitrate testing. (*edit* screenshots matched with correct videos now, sorry for the mixup)

here are my settings with OBS, anything I should change?

Spoiler

No, I have an AMD GPU. Everything seems to be set properly on my end (well, hopefully that's the case), but the colors in the videos are noticeably different from the colors in your screenshots. Did you take the screenshots or are they from emulators or something?

Nope, all screens/videos are direct from the HDMI output into the USB capture device.

[Blair]

I just changed the color setting from auto to rec709, how does it look on your end?

OSSC+SEGA CDX direct line5x

Link:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDgaCFdvq_w)

[Zappyraccoon]

Man I really need to find a good capture device so I can jump in on this screenshot sharing. This OSSC + Crystalio II combo is mint. Also to post answers to questions I had for compatability/image quality that didn't seem to have answers anywhere else. In case anyone else had the same questions.

[Blair]

Man I really need to find a good capture device so I can jump in on this screenshot sharing. This OSSC + Crystalio II combo is mint. Also to post answers to questions I had for compatability/image quality that didn't seem to have answers anywhere else. In case anyone else had the same questions.

you have a Crystalio II? wow, nice! yeah it's kinda fun to share images and such. I usually just use the camera on my semi-cheap/old android phone. but I would like to do more direct captures (i'm still a novice as you see from the trouble i'm having, but I think i'm getting better at it. my first few tries at video game protograpery were absolutely awful )

a lot of people use the elgato game capture devices, but i've heard mixed things about them and I don't know if they work with the OSSC. I also have an avermedia LGX but the drivers are a bit unstable.

Do you have a cell phone camera? if so give it a try (iso 100, auto focus. auto white balance are fine settings for beginners) I'd love to see some shots of the Crystalio II at work. (it's sort of a legend).

[Zappyraccoon]

I've got my eye set on a Magwell Pro Capture HDMI but don't have the funds available yet. I can take some pictures later tonight, I'll try those settings but no promises! It's 480p handling and de-interlacing lives up to the hype so far.

The colors are way off taking them from my camera and it's more blurry. I'll wait until I have the capture card then will upload uncompressed footage. But here's this for now. Nothing too special.

http://imgur.com/a/Wqfb9

[Blair]

ah, very nice! one of my favorite games on the ps1. I wish it had a bigger following. I'm curious how the Crystalio II handles the other modes of the OSSC, as my HD3000 is sort of the prototype of your Crystalio II (the Eva Unit-00 to the Crystalio II's Eva Unit-02 ) it only works with the 480p and 480i bob output modes of the OSSC so no line x3,x4 or x5 and the interlaced passthrough also doesn't work. but i've yet to try the interlaced line x3,x4 modes. what's the compatibilty like on the Crystalio II?

*edit*

interlaced pass-through now works perfectly with the HD3000, thanks to a new OSSC firmware update.

[Zappyraccoon]

The Crystalio II accepts 240p x3-5 but I prefer x4 and 1:1 pixel ratio. Default values from the OSSC has x5 mode cut off some of the source output at least with my setup. Crystalio II handles interlaced passthrough as well as x2-4 modes. Passthrough looks the best however, the bob filter even at x4 just doesn't compare. When I get the capture device I'll take raw footage of all the modes 'n stuff.

Here's a crappy phone video of the Chrono Cross 480i menu not sure if the dropbox link will work. https://www.dropbox.com/s/0crnsc9jhstdh ... 2.rar?dl=0

[NormalFish]

Is anyone using a DVI splitter to split between their display and a capture card? I'm confused as to if the cheap Y cable type splitters are actually going to work. Am I better off converting to HDMI and then splitting? Anyone have a link to a specific product they've had success with?

[ZellSF]

Is anyone using a DVI splitter to split between their display and a capture card? I'm confused as to if the cheap Y cable type splitters are actually going to work. Am I better off converting to HDMI and then splitting? Anyone have a link to a specific product they've had success with?

I don't use DVI splitters, but I use these HDMI splitters everywhere:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Useful-Full-3D- ... SwGIRXcO~H
Never had any problems with them, they always work passively powered (unless you have two after eachother, in which case the second one needs power) and they remove hdcp.

Downsides are they don't deal with newest HDCP versions (HDR) and with the OSSC you get a pink vertical line at the absolute left of the screen (like this). That can often by dealt with by overscan settings, but not so much for 5x modes: you don't want to use your display's overscan settings if you're outputting the native resolution of your display and with the 1080p mode you can't cut more off vertically and most displays don't have a horizontal only overscan compensation.

Also tried this thing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1x2-HDMI-Splitt ... Sw37tWBh~e
It doesn't have the same pink line issue, but I couldn't get it to work at all with OSSC's 5x mode, it needs to be powered (and having to have a power supply included doubles the price). It also gets really hot, I've seen reviews complaining about it failing due to overheating.

I'm confused as to if the cheap Y cable type splitters are actually going to work. Am I better off converting to HDMI and then splitting?

There's a lot of weird PC configurations that rely on having two signals over one DVI output. Lots of DVI Y cables you'll find won't be able to split the image. I think you'll have an easier time finding HDMI splitters.

[Harrumph]

you have a Crystalio II?

Fafangus has posted a couple videos earlier in the thread also. Check his youtube.

[NormalFish]

Also tried this thing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1x2-HDMI-Splitt ... Sw37tWBh~e
It doesn't have the same pink line issue, but I couldn't get it to work at all with OSSC's 5x mode, it needs to be powered (and having to have a power supply included doubles the price). It also gets really hot, I've seen reviews complaining about it failing due to overheating.

I'm confused as to if the cheap Y cable type splitters are actually going to work. Am I better off converting to HDMI and then splitting?

There's a lot of weird PC configurations that rely on having two signals over one DVI output. Lots of DVI Y cables you'll find won't be able to split the image. I think you'll have an easier time finding HDMI splitters.

I've actually got one of those units, so I'll just pick up a dvi->hdmi cable and try it out. Figured I'd ask about this before buying a cable, is all.

And that bit about the Y cables is interesting. It's really weird seeing reviews of all those Y cables and a third of the reviewers don't understand what they're for, a third have it working flawlessly, and a third note decreased output resolution. Weirdness.

[Xer Xian]

If anyone's looking for a Crystalio II, one just popped up on ebay.co.uk - item number 322566299832. It's been more than a year since the last time I've seen one up for sale.

I'm out of the game personally, but I'm curious to see if it fetches a premium over a run-of-the-mill DVDO.

[RocketBelt]

They definately still do fetch a premium.

[Blair]

Does any have experience with these monoprice DVI with RCA audio to HDMI converters?

the price seems ok but i've read mixed things about the quality. i've used low cost dac's in the past with good results but i'm not a believer in monoprice as a brand. right now I have all the audio for my systems hooked up to an analogue amp and it sounds very good. but that setup won't work for recording, as the HDMI capture device i'm using right now has no analogue audio input (and my sound card has a bad hiss on its audio in jack. (might be ground loop problem, i'm not sure.)

but this might solve my problems, anyone here have one (if so how is it?) or is there a better solution I should be looking at?

[Zappyraccoon]

If anyone's looking for a Crystalio II, one just popped up on ebay.co.uk - item number 322566299832. It's been more than a year since the last time I've seen one up for sale.

I'm out of the game personally, but I'm curious to see if it fetches a premium over a run-of-the-mill DVDO.

I paid premium for mine which was in piss poor shape and the outer shell came scratched to hell. But beggars can't be choosers plus the internals were fine after I replaced the flex cables and deep cleaned it. This one you linked though is in absolute mint condition though it looks like! Swanky!

[Galdelico]

I mean, IPS may have inconveniences with interlaced sources, but with pure 240p... Sunday night with the Mega Drive/CD (OSSC at LineX3/full scanlines + LG MU67):


(Sonic The Hedgehog)


(Bare Knuckle)


(Bari Arm)


(Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers)

[BuckoA51]

May I shamelessly re-post those on my social media accounts?

[Galdelico]

Don't even ask, Matt. Sure! ^_-

Edit: one more from a while back, with the same setup/OSSC configuration


(Gunstar Heroes - MD)

If you need anything specific (you may want a certain game, or system...), feel free to ask. You can check my collection here.