OSSC (DIY video digitizer & scandoubler)

[BuckoA51]

Reservations for 1.6 are now open to everyone.

https://www.videogameperfection.com/pro ... converter/

Doesn't matter if you've ordered before, plenty to go around this time.

[Bahn Yuki]

Thanks Bucko, as an avid supporter of the OSSC I've gone ahead and ordered the 1.6 revision. I just felt at the this time it's easily the best solution and with the audio/HDMI integration it was a no brainer.

I think the only thing going forward is waiting for an FPGA that's fast enough for a line X9 mode for 4K. Also an HDMI input with possible VRR in HDMI 2.1 could really make the OSSC the ultimate gaming solution for consoles/arcade PCBs from every era.

[h1ghju1ce]

Thanks Bucko, as an avid supporter of the OSSC I've gone ahead and ordered the 1.6 revision. I just felt at the this time it's easily the best solution and with the audio/HDMI integration it was a no brainer.

I think the only thing going forward is waiting for an FPGA that's fast enough for a line X9 mode for 4K. Also an HDMI input with possible VRR in HDMI 2.1 could really make the OSSC the ultimate gaming solution for consoles/arcade PCBs from every era.

Whilst I think they can be comfortable putting an HDMI connector on the new revision without fear of being chased for licence royalties, I suspect if they tried to release a device
with v2.1/VRR functionality they wouldnt look the other way....

Also I suspect using VRR would require a frame buffer which would affect the low/zero lag benefits of the OSSC

[Blair]

Same here, i'll definitely be able to make use of that 1.6 audio upgrade.





(please set video quality to 1080p60)

OSSC+SEGA CDX direct line4x

LINK:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9E0ec9e_DI


OSSC+Nintendo Wii RA-SNES core direct line5x (generic 4:3)

LINK:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfLT9xIGYg8

(note: since my capture device has a bit of trouble with the SNES signal from the OSSC the Wii's 240p output with retroarch is a fun little workaround)

full resolution images

Spoiler

Spoiler

[Harrumph]

it won't accept an overall line length lower than 1360 pixels; it seems to really want a signal it can interpret as "WXGA". Apart from that, it doesn't seem very picky regarding pixel clock, total lines, etc.

It might be worth to try the vertical tweak then, to get pseudo XGA (960x768)/SXGA (1280x1024). Just change the starting vertical value to 768 (Lx3) and 1024 (Lx4) and tweak the other values proportionally, more or less (ofc, max vertical lines should still be the same). You can read a bit more about that in this vgp thread.

[Bobster]

Reservations for 1.6 are now open to everyone.

https://www.videogameperfection.com/pro ... converter/

Doesn't matter if you've ordered before, plenty to go around this time.

Glad this opened up. I just ordered mine! Here's hoping I can make sense of all the numerous settings

[bobrocks95]

Don't have the funds to buy one now, but I'm glad pre-orders have opened for everyone!

Out of curiousity, since I use DSUB/VGA connectors for all my RGB consoles, would I likely need a model with more LPF settings on the DSUB input, like the Wolf edition proposed?

[Harrumph]

Alternatively, shouldn't be too hard to wire up a d-sub to scart cable. Who knows when Wolf edition is finished.

[FBX]

Well I've gone and done it: I pre-ordered the new 1.6 OSSC. I've gone about as far as I can go with the Framemeister, but the myriad of issues it has with noise and color compression make me want to have an alternate solution.

[pyrotek85]

I splurged and bought the new revision too, been pretty happy with it and I could use the audio input for the Dreamcast.

Well I've gone and done it: I pre-ordered the new 1.6 OSSC. I've gone about as far as I can go with the Framemeister, but the myriad of issues it has with noise and color compression make me want to have an alternate solution.

Oh you hadn't tried one yet? You've done great work with those Framemeister profiles, so I think you're going to like playing with this.

Speaking of, I'd been tempted to sell my Framemeister, but I may hang onto it just in case since they'll be out of production before long.

[FBX]

Oh you hadn't tried one yet? You've done great work with those Framemeister profiles, so I think you're going to like playing with this.

I'd played with one of the earlier revisions of the OSSC for a week last year, but I was annoyed at the time with not being able to use it with my Sony display (Sony doesn't play nice with the OSSC). However, this time around, there are more options available to me for displays, and so this will come in handy to have ready to go.

[marqs]

It might be worth to try the vertical tweak then, to get pseudo XGA (960x768)/SXGA (1280x1024). Just change the starting vertical value to 768 (Lx3) and 1024 (Lx4) and tweak the other values proportionally, more or less (ofc, max vertical lines should still be the same). You can read a bit more about that in this vgp thread.

I've been using Panasonic EZ950 OLED for a couple days and it's also one of those displays that needs 768p-tweaked parameters to work with ossc L3x. A couple general and gaming-related comments below in case somebody else is considering getting the same TV:

* Overall it looks to be a good choice for gamers with relatively low input lag, BFI and great picture quality
* Clear motion (BFI) increases latency by 8ms according to HDTVtest review of its big brother model, but it's a large improvement in motion clarity which especially those coming from plasma/CRT land will appreciate. Flicker with 24Hz and 60Hz content is tolerable to my eyes, but with 50Hz it gets a bit too noticeable (I guess the panel is driven at 100Hz instead of native 120Hz with 50Hz sources).
* Game mode is an option which can be enabled for every picture mode which is great, but it enforces 16:9 aspect which is a big disappointment. Some settings (PC modes, Pure Direct, 1080p pixel by 4 pixels) seem to automatically enable game mode.
* 1080p pixel by 4 pixels is a nice setting for scaling 1080p pixel graphics to 4K. It automatically enables Pure Direct (+game mode) which apparently increases lag a bit, but I'm not sure whether that applies to RGB signals as well.
* I did not manage to get 1080p@120Hz working which is a shame for PC gamers.
* It supports 1024x768 and 1366x768 PC modes in addition to typical CEA modes. Those can be used with OSSC line3x, otherwise it is limited to line2x.
* It does not display NES/SNES via OSSC.
* 60+-0.7Hz seems to be supported. I haven't tested whether it can display that range without judder, though.

[Sirotaca]

It might be worth to try the vertical tweak then, to get pseudo XGA (960x768)/SXGA (1280x1024). Just change the starting vertical value to 768 (Lx3) and 1024 (Lx4) and tweak the other values proportionally, more or less (ofc, max vertical lines should still be the same). You can read a bit more about that in this vgp thread.

Thanks. Unfortunately I don't really know how to simulate all that using modelines. I think I'm just going to order one and experiment with it; even if Lx3 doesn't end up working with my TV, at least I'll have it for whenever I get a new one. I might end up liking line2x more than the Framemeister's output anyway.

[copy]

(Mods: Could you rename this thread to include OSSC in the title?)

I'm also joining the bandwagon with a pre-ordered 1.6. I've been happy with the Framemeister, but now that the OSSC has built-in HDMI with audio, I couldn't resist. Should be fun to compare with the XRGB, and having both should future-proof me for a long while.

[Blair]

I picked up the dvi+audio to HDMI adaptor (it's on sale for $20) and it does an ok job of combining sound with the video output of the OSSC (1.5), give it a listen.

this was just for my gameplay recording needs, but for anyone that has a first generation OSSC without the audio board upgrade, this could be a good solution.

(sound is from the line-out port on my Sega CDX)

OSSC+SEGA CDX direct line4x (scanlines 15%)

LINK:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WVfkzII-sw

(please set video quality to 1080p60)

[ZellSF]

Another cheap toy I sort of want but have zero use for. I never need to combine HDMI video and analog audio, but it would be nice to have the possibility if I ever needed it.

On that note I also want to buy a Timeleak HD72A clone (cheapest PCI-e HDMI capture card) to see how it works with the OSSC. It's awfully tempting, but it's 30$ for something I might never use (as I already do have a good capture card).

[Hoagtech]

Oh you hadn't tried one yet? You've done great work with those Framemeister profiles, so I think you're going to like playing with this.

I'd played with one of the earlier revisions of the OSSC for a week last year, but I was annoyed at the time with not being able to use it with my Sony display (Sony doesn't play nice with the OSSC). However, this time around, there are more options available to me for displays, and so this will come in handy to have ready to go.

You are gonna love it. Your right about that Sony thing though. (Nothing above 2x works on mine either.) But if you do play gargoyles quest you will notice how much snappier the gameplay is vs the FM.

I sold my FM on shmups last year and haven't looked back.

I ordered another one for my upstairs tv just now.


-----------------------------------
WANTED OSSC FEATURES WISH LIST
-----------------------------------

-Zoom to able to stretch on my Old Crt's and use portable game players

- on Board DAC <---- Super important

-VGA sound input

-Whats wrong the component 480p output? it Doesn't look right to me

-Better scale compatibility with LCD's

-Softness feature would be nice

[Guspaz]

-Zoom to able to stretch on my Old Crt's and use portable game players

Requires more memory and a more complex implementation (it's not a simple tweak). I can see how it might be done without a framebuffer, but probably easier to just lump this in with "solved by a framebuffer" like my last answer.

- on Board DAC <---- Super important

I think this is actually very unimportant because it can be done today by anybody with a cheap adapter, and it may not even be possible for Marqs to add support for this as cheaply as the Tendak adapter costs. So it would actually hurt most people (by costing extra) for a feature that only a few people would use, and those people already have a solution.

-VGA sound input

OSSC v1.6 already has this.

-Whats wrong the component 480p output? it Doesn't look right to me

The OSSC does not support component video output... Do you mean component 480p input? It looks fine to me when I've tested on my Wii.

-Better scale compatibility with LCD's

Solving LCD compatibility would basically require a full framebuffer so that it can output standard timings, so that's something that would be nice for a hypothetical OSSC 2.0.

-Softness feature would be nice

You should adjust the sharpness setting on your TV...?

[Xyga]

Solving LCD compatibility would basically require a full framebuffer so that it can output standard timings, so that's something that would be nice for a hypothetical OSSC 2.0.

My old Comm-Tec 1280 has a Time Base Correction switch that seems to work just like that. Would be better to have something like the vp50pro's quite tolerant decoupling/locking feature though, but I guess that'd be tough and costly.

[Guspaz]

TBC was meant to stabilize the signal from a video recorder that was nominally supposed to be the same rate as the video signal but didn't have as accurate timing. If it did more than that, some buffering must have been involved.

Decoupling the framerate (IE, turn a 60.08Hz SNES signal into a 59.94Hz NTSC signal) requires a minimum of one full frame to be buffered if you don't mind tearing, or three frames if you want to avoid tearing. That requires many times more RAM than the OSSC currently has.

[Hoagtech]

-Zoom to able to stretch on my Old Crt's and use portable game players

Requires more memory and a more complex implementation (it's not a simple tweak). I can see how it might be done without a framebuffer, but probably easier to just lump this in with "solved by a framebuffer" like my last answer.

- on Board DAC <---- Super important

I think this is actually very unimportant because it can be done today by anybody with a cheap adapter, and it may not even be possible for Marqs to add support for this as cheaply as the Tendak adapter costs. So it would actually hurt most people (by costing extra) for a feature that only a few people would use, and those people already have a solution.

-VGA sound input

OSSC v1.6 already has this.

-Whats wrong the component 480p output? it Doesn't look right to me

The OSSC does not support component video output... Do you mean component 480p input? It looks fine to me when I've tested on my Wii.

-Better scale compatibility with LCD's

Solving LCD compatibility would basically require a full framebuffer so that it can output standard timings, so that's something that would be nice for a hypothetical OSSC 2.0.

-Softness feature would be nice

You should adjust the sharpness setting on your TV...?

Well I use the Tendak and Gofanko DAC and the tendak has jitter and the Gofanko has black crush. I have seen other people request on board DAC so I feel like it's a valid feature. Also no one has proven whether there is more input lag, picture degradation or scaling happening on these converters and would be nice to depend on OSSCs code instead of questioning reliability.

The lack of zoom feature is almost a deal breaker because not all content fills the frame and having to chain other scalers to the OSSC is against what makes the OSSC great in the first place: speed and clarity.

And the capture from 480p component through the ossc is not as vibrant or sharp as a direct 480p capture without it. It would be nice if they could improve it.

It's a wish list not a Bitch list. I love the OSSC and it has changed my gaming life for the better because of its snappy sharp picture but my wants are still there so maybe a price hike would be a good thing if it meant adding a frame buffer and on board DAC chip

[Xyga]

TBC was meant to stabilize the signal from a video recorder that was nominally supposed to be the same rate as the video signal but didn't have as accurate timing. If it did more than that, some buffering must have been involved.

That's what I was wondering at the time and I think there was, even though it was rarely needed when activated it could eliminate the rare occurences of distortion, shaking and tearing, but it also felt like the lag increased by a little bit.

BTW: anyone tried this? http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.p ... c=151661.0

Decoupling the framerate (IE, turn a 60.08Hz SNES signal into a 59.94Hz NTSC signal) requires a minimum of one full frame to be buffered if you don't mind tearing, or three frames if you want to avoid tearing. That requires many times more RAM than the OSSC currently has.

I mean like what the VPs can do when they lock the output, there's no lag nor buffereing involved afaik, yet they can force off-60Hz signals to behave and the cost is still only 6ms, close to nothing. The Pro in particular is quite good at this, although I haven't explored its -/+ limits yet and it's certainly not a portable variable refresh rate machine, but however it manages to do this probably isn't some cheap solution either, because there's close to no judder as well in most situations.

[BuckoA51]

Thank you to everyone who pre-paid for an OSSC 1.6! I have submitted payment to start the manufacturing process for a large batch. I’ve used the money from the pre-orders AND ploughed back the profits from the previous batches into this one (and secured a line of credit if it becomes necessary, *gulp*), so that there will be plenty of units this time. Pre-orders will stay open until every unit is allocated, so if you still need to secure one go right ahead and pre-order one here – https://www.videogameperfection.com/pro ... converter/

I’ll aim to give people regular updates on the status of the batch and the manufacturing process. I understand it’s a long wait and so thanks again to everyone who very generously pre-paid and supported this project and of course to all the people who bought OSSC in the past. I’ll be using the OSSC Telegram channel ( https://t.me/OSSC_announce ) and this thread on the forums ( https://www.videogameperfection.com/for ... -6-thread/ ), as well as social media and e-mail for various updates.

Want an OSSC 1.6? – Go right ahead and pre-order one here – https://www.videogameperfection.com/pro ... converter/ There’s no waiting list any more. If you don’t want to pre-pay/pre-order, you will need to wait until later in the year when (hopefully) there will be some units on general sale.

[eric90000]

Quick question...I'm not sure if I'm getting crushed blacks on my Samsung TV while using the OSSC. I've included 2 very rough pictures of both black level settings on this tv, I'd like to know what people think.

This is the 'Normal' setting (which looks a bit washed out to me in reality):

Spoiler

This is the 'Low' setting (which looks the exact same as the 'Auto' setting. It seems to look better and less washed out but the blacks are very black, I'm just wondering if this is normal or are they being crushed?):

Spoiler

Any advice would be great!

[Harrumph]

I'd recommend using the 240p test suite to check the levels.
Also your TV should still have manual brightness and contrast settings right? I'd trust that a lot more than this auto level business.

[austin532]

Normal = TV 16-235 and Low = PC 0-255 if I remember right. Dino Crisis is not the best game to test out Brightness and Color settings. Great for testing transitions from 240p to 480i though.

[Thomago]

Any advice would be great!

Just use the gradient the OSSC displays by default when it's turned on and no source is selected; you should easily be able to distinguish whether "Normal" or "Low" is the right setting there.

[Harrumph]

Normal = TV 16-235 and Low = PC 0-255 if I remember right.

Ah I misunderstood what the setting is doing. In that case it should definitely be set to Low/Auto!

[Mikeyy00]

Hey all,

Just a question about audio inputs. I have the v1.5 with the audio upgrade board. (Sorry for the overly long incoming post)

I have a Dreamcast over VGA, and an OG Xbox over Component.

Previously, I had a "Y" splitter on the mini jack audio out, and just had the XBOX and Dreamcast connected there, and then a wire to my AV receiver (receiver is located about 15 feet away). With the audio upgrade board, I did away with that wire, since it's over HDMI now.

What's the easiest way to get the audio from these into the OSSC? My SCART switch is automatic.. so I don't think I can just get a SCART-Audio Input breakout.. as it won't know to switch to that input without some power applied to it.

Can I just get some gator clips on the SCART pins 2 and 6, and have those go to an RCA end? Feed my audio in there?

Am I being full retard, and is there an easier way? (without running an audio only cable to the receiver?)

Also, is there any way to feed SPDIF audio to the OSSC? e.g. some unused pin on the IC somewhere that takes SPDIF? Guessing no (only asking for the surround sound off the Xbox)
Edit: Looks like Pin 4 on the IT6613 chip can take SPDIF.. Marqs, any issue with feeding an Xbox SPDIF into here?

[Guspaz]

With the audio mod, IIRC the 3.5mm jack becomes an input, can't you use the Y splitter to connect both the dreasmcast and xbox to the OSSC?