Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480p?

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Nodoyuna
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Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:09 am

Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480p?

Post by Nodoyuna »

Hi

Maybe this question has been made in the past, but I haven't found any post about this...

In my setup, I have 240p and 480p consoles/arcade/computers covered

Now I'd like to add more modern devices like PS3, Xbox360 and even some HD-only devices, like PS4 or Switch

I already kow PS3, Xbox360 and others can be configured to output 480p, but I need to enter the console configuration, in order to activate 480p or HD resolutions

I'd like to be able to setup these consoles to the maximum resolution they support (720p or 1080p) amd connect them to some device that can downscale these resolutions to 480p

Does a device exists for this purpose? My setup is mostly Extron devices, so if there is an extron dowscaler like I want, it would be great

Maybe what I'm asking is not possible, but I don't know

Thanks in advance
strayan
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Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:33 pm

Re: Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480

Post by strayan »

The Extron DSC devices will do this.

As will almost every scaler/video processor listed on fudoh’s website: http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/

If you’ve got multiple consoles one of the DVDOs seems like it would make the most sense.
Nodoyuna
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Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:09 am

Re: Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480

Post by Nodoyuna »

strayan wrote:The Extron DSC devices will do this.

As will almost every scaler/video processor listed on fudoh’s website: http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/

If you’ve got multiple consoles one of the DVDOs seems like it would make the most sense.
Thanks for the answer

Any recommended model?

Thanks in advance
strayan
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Re: Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480

Post by strayan »

One that has enough HDMI and other inputs/outputs for your needs. Some of them won’t accept 1080p resolutions either so will only do 720p to 480p (not that this is a significant drawback IMO).

What kind of monitor are you using?
Nodoyuna
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Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:09 am

Re: Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480

Post by Nodoyuna »

For 480p, I have a NEC XM37 monitor
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SCARTicus
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Location: TX

Re: Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480

Post by SCARTicus »

You should give GBS-Control a try before you hit up eBay for an old expensive piece of kit that will probably add too much lag. You can build one for less than $50, or you can buy one pre made:

https://www.gbscaio.com/

It does a lot more than downscaling, too. It adds about 8ms lag when downscaling, and about 4ms when upscaling. It can also transcode between RGB and YPbPr without adding any lag at all. Very good picture output on VGA and on component. They share a connector, so you will need to use a DE15 to 3RCA breakout in order to get component output. You will want to use the boards component video inputs for anything 480p or HD.

Seriously, you should check that link out. It has a feature list and several videos (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Although, even after carefully reading your post, I still can't understand why you don't just set those consoles to output 480p. My PS3 always stayed at the resolution that I had set, even after powering off...
strayan
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Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:33 pm

Re: Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480

Post by strayan »

He doesn’t want to downscale from 480p to 240p so the GBS is pointless.

It’s not clear to me what the issue is with just setting the consoles to output 480p either. If his presentation monitor doesn’t have an anamorphic widescreen mode he may need aspect ratio controls though.
nmalinoski
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Re: Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480

Post by nmalinoski »

Nodoyuna wrote:I already kow PS3, Xbox360 and others can be configured to output 480p, but I need to enter the console configuration, in order to activate 480p or HD resolutions

I'd like to be able to setup these consoles to the maximum resolution they support (720p or 1080p) amd connect them to some device that can downscale these resolutions to 480p
But why? Where the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii (and, I guess, to some extent, the Wii U) are concerned, if your target display is a 4:3 480p display, then configuring those consoles for 4:3 480p will get you the best possible picture for that monitor with no additional lag; whereas trying to use an external device to downscale 720p/1080i/1080p will result in letterboxing (HD modes are all widescreen, so you'll end up with less image on the screen), and you'll end up with at least a frame of lag.

For anything else newer, like the Switch, you should still be able to output at 480p, but you're still going to be stuck with letterboxing.
strayan
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Re: Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480

Post by strayan »

nmalinoski wrote: For anything else newer, like the Switch, you should still be able to output at 480p, but you're still going to be stuck with letterboxing.
The problem with the switch at 480p won’t be letterboxing, it’ll be aspect ratio. The Switch assumes your display is 16:9 so you’ll get a squished image.

...and the GBSC is pointless. 720p/1080i sources are set to pass through mode AFAIK.
Nodoyuna
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Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:09 am

Re: Is there any device that downscales 720p or 1080p to 480

Post by Nodoyuna »

Hi

What I'm trying to avoid is to change from 480p to HD resolutions depending on the monitor I'll use

But you are right, maybe it's better to setup those consoles for native 480p and forget about downscaling HD resolutions, which are 16:9, as several of you have pointed out
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