VoidScaler - a lagless line blending 15KHz downscaler firmware for OSSC

[Emerl]

Any recs for VGA DACs? And you need two, correct? (Since OSSC only takes analog input and only gives a digital output)

[marqs]

@marqs
SDHC card is needed. From what I understand of SD card protocol changed slightly between SD and SDHC and the version used is specifically designed for SDHC protocol. I never checked using different cards and so far testers also flashed their devices without any issues. I will need to check bootloader SD handling code and also reimplement missing checks. There are some but apparently not enough to prevent bad flashes.

With older OSSC revision not working - not sure why. Not sure what changed between different revisions to be honest. One tester had rev. 1.6 and it seemed to work fine. In this case I did check what changed and I don't use changed signals. For older revisions I tried to acquire older models for tests but they are rare and the prices online are exorbitant. Especially compared to brand new rev. 1.8. Will perhaps need to check what changed because maybe something did.

Where it comes to binary it is bigger than just two binaries because of the gap in the middle between firmwares. There was no need to pack them more tightly as bootloader skips flashing that part automatically. Next release I will also provide in the form of 2nd OSSC firmware and I guess its for rev.1.8 so it should be fairly compatible. I have not tested it yet. Firmware is below 300KB. Usually slightly below 270KB.

Ok about the SD card. Also forgot to mention that the older 1.3 has modification to support 1.xx firmware, but I suppose you're not using TVP7002 SOGOUT (raw HSYNC with HV input) so it shouldn't make any difference. Anyway, I'll test it again when there is a new release available.

[manfredi90]

I've been using the firmware for a few days with 720p output and I have to say it's really an amazing ob. I haven't noticed any particular stability issues at 720p. At the moment the biggest "missing" for me is support for a 4/3 standard resolution for native non wide content on pc. Will the future implementation of 480p support also 640x480 or just 480p wide?
I'm curious, what is the analogizer function?

[Durg]

I've been using the firmware for a few days with 720p output and I have to say it's really an amazing ob. I haven't noticed any particular stability issues at 720p. At the moment the biggest "missing" for me is support for a 4/3 standard resolution for native non wide content on pc. Will the future implementation of 480p support also 640x480 or just 480p wide?
I'm curious, what is the analogizer function?

I made a custom 1440 x 1080 resolution and it's been working really well.

I'm using a composite only CRT and I had to use a retrocastle VGA to composite transcoder, the other one I got from wakabavideo on ebay (SCART to composite) wouldn't sync and was black and white. I also needed to use a decent HDMI to VGA DAC as the crappy one I had get drop sync for a few frames every second (it's the kind with a male VGA plug and female HDMI input).

I'm really happy with it so far but haven't got 720p or line blending to work yet. It looks like it's stuck decimating at the moment, can't get it to turn on.

[manfredi90]

I've been using the firmware for a few days with 720p output and I have to say it's really an amazing ob. I haven't noticed any particular stability issues at 720p. At the moment the biggest "missing" for me is support for a 4/3 standard resolution for native non wide content on pc. Will the future implementation of 480p support also 640x480 or just 480p wide?
I'm curious, what is the analogizer function?

I made a custom 1440 x 1080 resolution and it's been working really well.

I'm using a composite only CRT and I had to use a retrocastle VGA to composite transcoder, the other one I got from wakabavideo on ebay (SCART to composite) wouldn't sync and was black and white. I also needed to use a decent HDMI to VGA DAC as the crappy one I had get drop sync for a few frames every second (it's the kind with a male VGA plug and female HDMI input).

I'm really happy with it so far but haven't got 720p or line blending to work yet. It looks like it's stuck decimating at the moment, can't get it to turn on.

Good idea, I was also thinking about creating the 4/3 version of 720p (960x720). The problem is that these "non-standard" resolutions aren't handled well by all games and programs.

If you can't use line blending and you're using Windows, check that your desktop and active resolutions are actually the same. I had similar behavior, and the problem was that Windows was rendering 1280x720 scaled to 1920x1080. You can fix this by disabling GPU scaling.

[Durg]

^^ I just tried running 800x600 scaling to 1440x1080 and it looks a lot better. Small text is easier to read. Can't get 640x480 to appear in the regular selection of resolutions in windows yet but it's like 90% of the way there.

[heutroner]

Just as I was looking for a downscaler my OSSC might get a second purpose This looks fantastic!

I have 2 DACs and a VGA-RGB Scart cable (MiSTer) on hand. It's not working for now, but when I switch the Sync combiner (TWO ARROWS) I get some flicker for a brief moment. I assume that my somewhat old and cheap DACs may be the problem here.

Any recs for VGA DACs? And you need two, correct? (Since OSSC only takes analog input and only gives a digital output)

I am also happy for any advice on DACs, probably also one which extracts audio

[nusilver]

UPDATE: Reading through Bob’s post on RetroRGB, I see that he was also unsuccessful with component using various known-240p-compliant DACs, but had no problems with RGB. I’ve ordered an HD15-2-SCART and will hopefully have this problem solved when that arrives (unfortunately I don’t have a SCART switcher, but I guess solving new problems is the nature of this hobby.)

ORIGINAL POST:

To add to the discussion, and hoping someone can help.

I recently acquired a 1.6 OSSC specifically for use with VoidScaler, which I am hoping to use to connect an Analogue 3D and an Analogue Pocket to my Olympus OEV 203 (aka Sony 20M2MDU.) When connecting either 3D or Pocket Dock to the display using the below chain, I’m getting a picture (for instance, the intro to Wave Race 64), but it is rolling diagonally in either 240p or 480i mode, largely green and purple, and I’m getting a “NO SYNC” message on my PVM. This is consistent with any device I’ve attached to the display without sync set properly.

3D or Pocket Dock—>HDMI to VGA DAC (I have a couple different ones: Ugreen or Tendak)->VGA cable->OSSC->HDMI cable->HDMI to component DAC->Component cable->PVM.

I am not sure where the breakdown is or if I need some sort of additional adapter to fix the sync issue I’m seeing, but I do have another HDMI to component DAC on the way which was confirmed working by another user here. That’s coming Friday and I will report progress once it arrives, unless someone smarter than me has a solution before then.

Interestingly I had the exact same problem when I used an HDMI to VGA DAC and a VGA to component cable earlier, which I thought was said by Pawel to be technically impossible. Hoping this is just a matter of the final part of the chain being a DAC that can’t process 240p or 480i, and that the solution will arrive in the mail on Friday.

[Durg]

Just as I was looking for a downscaler my OSSC might get a second purpose This looks fantastic!

I have 2 DACs and a VGA-RGB Scart cable (MiSTer) on hand. It's not working for now, but when I switch the Sync combiner (TWO ARROWS) I get some flicker for a brief moment. I assume that my somewhat old and cheap DACs may be the problem here.

Any recs for VGA DACs? And you need two, correct? (Since OSSC only takes analog input and only gives a digital output)

I am also happy for any advice on DACs, probably also one which extracts audio

This one pops up a lot and I can vouch for it too https://www.amazon.com.au/DisplayPort-H ... B0849FTBXQ

I'm using a generic one for the ossc output that looks like this one, no idea what's on the inside of it though, never cracked it open. https://www.amazon.com.au/Compatible-Go ... B09SBDWYVK

[nusilver]

Got Analogue 3D working with VoidScaler and it’s looking great so far. I have to press the mute button and then 8 (twice, IIRC) to get it synced properly, and it’s smooth sailing from there. Is there a way to have VoidScaler save settings so I don’t have to do this every time?

For the input from Analogue 3D to OSSC, multiple HDMI to VGA adapters have worked fine. For the output to my PVM, the DAC a user suggested earlier in the thread was the magic bullet (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074V57Y ... asin_title). This is using HDMI to component. I have an HD15-2-SCART on the way from Castlemania and may test this on RGB further down the line, but for now I’m quite happy.

The Analogue 3D menu, meant for widescreen, is obviously cut off, but you can navigate all of the important options easily on-screen. Ideal settings to use with VoidScaler, from my limited testing so far, are Clean mode (no CRT filters, because why would you?), integer scaling and stretch fit, which perfectly fills my PVM.

EDIT: Analogue Pocket is currently NOT working. I get a popping sound from the audio portion of the input DAC (whichever one I use)… VoidScaler does not seem to like whatever is happening with the Dock’s HDMI output.

Not quite ready to sell my Analogue DAC, but I am definitely ready to slot my Analogue 3D permanently into my setup. Thanks, Pawel!

[TOGL]

I got myself a Kaico OSSC (v 1. and flashed the Voidscaler 0.80-dev051125 firmware successfully.

I also have a Composite Only CRT and wanted to get it working with the Voidscaler to use for devices like the Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mister FPGA, so I got a benefei HDMI to VGA for the Input, Moread HDMI to VGA, Meccaxinity VGA to RCA Adapter, and Onn Composite Cables for the Output to the CRT.

However it seems to have been unsuccessful, as I get no Video on my Sylvania Model SRTD219 CRT.
Any tips for reliable conversion to Composite for CRTs would be greatly appreciated.

[fernan1234]

Any tips for reliable conversion to Composite for CRTs would be greatly appreciated.

Sadly there's no real solution for this, at least if you're trying to use a progressive/240p picture. If you're dealing with interlaced then the situation is much better, and the best solution will actually be almost any cheap HDMI to composite converter.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Any tips for reliable conversion to Composite for CRTs would be greatly appreciated.

Sadly there's no real solution for this, at least if you're trying to use a progressive/240p picture. If you're dealing with interlaced then the situation is much better, and the best solution will actually be almost any cheap HDMI to composite converter.

This Tendak HDMI to RCA analog output works like a charm in 240p output: https://www.amazon.com/Tendak-Composite ... 530&sr=8-2

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[heutroner]

Thank you for the recommendations on the DACs. I tried a couple of different ones in both input and output, but the result is always the same (see https://youtu.be/TcV-mrva8pc): Once the OSSC is turned on, the TV seems to recognise a signal, but nothing is shown. When I switch the HDMI clock (Button 8 ), a short flicker can be seen, then again nothing.

What I tried:
- Different input devices, both 1080p and 720p
- Different DACs in both Input and Output
- Re-flashed 0.80-dev051125
- Messed around with the settings as stated by e8root in the Button mapping reference

For reference: I am using OSSC Hardware Revision 1.8 with the following VGA->SCART cable which works fine on my MiSTer: https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/ana ... packapunch

I have the feeling that I am missing something here - any help is greatly appreciated

[marqs]

Some of the HDMI->VGA converters don't have an option for external power and might draw more than 200mA from DDC5V line, tripping the resettable fuse on OSSC. To rule out issues with input side and its processing, one option would be testing OSSC Display Test firmware with 480i output selected. Unfortunately that FW is quite old and doesn't have csync output options and may not support larger SD cards when flashing back. It will be included as a secondary FW option (to make SD limitations a non-issue) when using next mainline release but the Display Test FW should be really rebased on later release and updated with more functionality.

[3style]

Thank you for the recommendations on the DACs. I tried a couple of different ones in both input and output, but the result is always the same (see https://youtu.be/TcV-mrva8pc): Once the OSSC is turned on, the TV seems to recognise a signal, but nothing is shown. When I switch the HDMI clock (Button , a short flicker can be seen, then again nothing.

What I tried:
- Different input devices, both 1080p and 720p
- Different DACs in both Input and Output
- Re-flashed 0.80-dev051125
- Messed around with the settings as stated by e8root in the Button mapping reference

For reference: I am using the following VGA->SCART cable which works fine on my MiSTer: https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/ana ... packapunch

I have the feeling that I am missing something here - any help is greatly appreciated

I have the same issue here. Also tried different dac’s (also powered) with a mister scart and hdmi to md2 scart cable on a consumer crt set and Sony bvm.
I’ll try and flash the older voidscaler fw to do further tests.

[nusilver]

Has anyone not been able to get a stable image in 720p? Aspect ratio issues aside, many Switch 2 games look decent to great, but I can only get it working in 1080p--720p shakes like crazy and no combination of button presses seems to make it stable. I'd like to try using VoidScaler's AR selection, but the PIC button does nothing in 1080p and it doesn't work in 720p for me either, I assume because of the issue I've encountered.

[3style]

Thank you for the recommendations on the DACs. I tried a couple of different ones in both input and output, but the result is always the same (see https://youtu.be/TcV-mrva8pc): Once the OSSC is turned on, the TV seems to recognise a signal, but nothing is shown. When I switch the HDMI clock (Button 8 ), a short flicker can be seen, then again nothing.

What I tried:
- Different input devices, both 1080p and 720p
- Different DACs in both Input and Output
- Re-flashed 0.80-dev051125
- Messed around with the settings as stated by e8root in the Button mapping reference

For reference: I am using the following VGA->SCART cable which works fine on my MiSTer: https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/ana ... packapunch

I have the feeling that I am missing something here - any help is greatly appreciated

Are you using the 1.8 or 1.6 OSSC hardware model?

[heutroner]

Are you using the 1.8 or 1.6 OSSC hardware model?

Good point. I am using 1.8, added this also to the original post. Any success on your side with the older FWs?

Thanks @marqs for the OSSC Display Test hint, I'll give this a try later

[manfredi90]

Thank you for the recommendations on the DACs. I tried a couple of different ones in both input and output, but the result is always the same (see https://youtu.be/TcV-mrva8pc): Once the OSSC is turned on, the TV seems to recognise a signal, but nothing is shown. When I switch the HDMI clock (Button 8 ), a short flicker can be seen, then again nothing.

What I tried:
- Different input devices, both 1080p and 720p
- Different DACs in both Input and Output
- Re-flashed 0.80-dev051125
- Messed around with the settings as stated by e8root in the Button mapping reference

For reference: I am using OSSC Hardware Revision 1.8 with the following VGA->SCART cable which works fine on my MiSTer: https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/ana ... packapunch

I have the feeling that I am missing something here - any help is greatly appreciated

Hi, I'm pretty sure your problem is that the TV doesn't get the 3V on pin 16 (RGB blancking). This is because almost all DACs don't supply the 5V on pin 9 of the VGA connector. Personally, I solved it by modifying a DAC by bringing the 5V to pin 9 with a soldered wire. It's not a super easy soldering (but not impossible either). Otherwise, you have to modify the SCART cable, for example by soldering a USB cable and taking the 5V from a USB source.

[3style]

I’m using a 5V powered dac (hdmi to vga) with an vhs to scart cable. Shouldn’t that be enough?

[manfredi90]

I’m using a 5V powered dac (hdmi to vga) with an vhs to scart cable. Shouldn’t that be enough?

No, you need to check that the DAC is providing 5 volts on pin 9 of the vga connector (and it probably isn't)

[RebeL9]

Anyone tried it on OSSC v. 1.7 and can confirm that it works?

[heutroner]

Hi, I'm pretty sure your problem is that the TV doesn't get the 3V on pin 16 (RGB blancking). This is because almost all DACs don't supply the 5V on pin 9 of the VGA connector. Personally, I solved it by modifying a DAC by bringing the 5V to pin 9 with a soldered wire. It's not a super easy soldering (but not impossible either). Otherwise, you have to modify the SCART cable, for example by soldering a USB cable and taking the 5V from a USB source.

This was it! Turns out that all my DACs did not output anything on VGA pin 9, so there was also nothing on SCART pin 16. I opened up one DAC and connected HDMI pin 18 (+5V) to VGA pin 9 - working like a charm. Thanks!

[3style]

Also finally working here



https://imgur.com/a/xqXlo0U

I’m using a vga to scart (mister cable).
I’ll post my setup later.

[SG-17]

Can the OSSC be configured to output a solid csync on its HDMI?

The MiSTer Add-ons Reflex Prism HDMI to VGA/Mini10 DAC just came out. There isn't a built in sync combiner so most HDMI sources get converted to RGBHV which then necessitates an external sync combiner.

The Prism has built in transcoding to YPbPr and S-Video, but it needs csync to work correctly.

[3style]

The MiSTer Add-ons Reflex Prism HDMI to VGA/Mini10 DAC just came out. There isn't a built in sync combiner so most HDMI sources get converted to RGBHV which then necessitates an external sync combiner.
The Prism has built in transcoding to YPbPr and S-Video, but it needs csync to work correctly.

I looked at the specs, but the Reflex Prism can only output 480p minimal (not 240p):

"Use this to convert 480p-1200p digital video to analog video for a high resolution monitor"

[3style]

My setup:

Input: HDMI to VGA adapter > VGA cable
Output: HDMI to VGA DAC (5v powered) > VGA Scart cable (mister):

https://ultimatemister.com/product/rgb-scart-cable/

I have only tested a PS4. With 720p I got a stable sync. I also tested an Analogue SG (mega drive) and from this device I get no sync (tried 1080p, 720p, diff. analogue menu DAC settings).

[SG-17]

The MiSTer Add-ons Reflex Prism HDMI to VGA/Mini10 DAC just came out. There isn't a built in sync combiner so most HDMI sources get converted to RGBHV which then necessitates an external sync combiner.
The Prism has built in transcoding to YPbPr and S-Video, but it needs csync to work correctly.

I looked at the specs, but the Reflex Prism can only output 480p minimal (not 240p):

"Use this to convert 480p-1200p digital video to analog video for a high resolution monitor"

Not sure why he wrote that, but it does support 240p, 480i, and 360p.

[e8root]

For Analogue devices or other devices which don't work - please provide some timing information. Something like OSSC Pro or RT4K (if it shows actual geometry) would perhaps be the best but information from OSSC itself using original firmware showing detected horizontal/vertical refresh is better than nothing. Definitely it would be the best to confirm DAC used actually works by having signal displayed somewhere else.

Something like especially 720p around 60Hz should generally work. Moment ago I tested 720p and it works with somewhere around 58Hz to 60.23Hz using all 4 polarity configurations. When refresh rate was out of this range it would still downscale but my monitor wouldn't handle it. If I remember correctly on other monitor I could go to 61Hz with 720p.

Definitely I will need to add some indication if video mode on input is detected correctly and similar to original fw show detected refresh rates and if it is valid video mode, etc. For now working on downscaling pipeline and also have some work to do with bootloader.

Regarding fw downgrades - at this point it should not provide any benefits other than perhaps with some DACs not having to press 8 to bring pixel clock to single rate - but I would not expect any DAC to complain since they are designed for much much higher pixel clocks than what VoidScaler produces in any of its modes. Some other devices like monitors, scalers, etc. might not work without dropping pixel clock. This pixel clock doubling was added for DACs which complain about low pixel clock - e.g. those which wouldn't because of that work with MISTer FPGA at all since it uses much lower pixel clocks.

In either case for compatibility the relevant buttons are arrows key in the bottom right corner and 8. There should not be need to press MUTE or press 8 twice - but then again if it helps with initialization why not. Hopefully stability of initialization will improve. Saveable profiles are planned - for now working on stability and adding new modes like 480p.

BTW. I added to last release EDID for PC with some custom resolutions for VoidScaler. It is in the latest release called edid_for_voidscaler_0.80_ver2.bin https://github.com/e8root/voidscaler/re ... -dev051125 Can be imported using CRU https://customresolutionutility.net/
Added 'native' 800x600 (press PIC two times to get correct aspect ratio) which might be a but underscanned but gets nice 3:1 downscaling for progressive mode and less nice but still okay 1.5:1 scaling for interlaced mode.
I also added 90% and 95% scaled resolution for 720p in both 16:9 and 4:3 versions so resolutions: 1152x648, 1216x684 for 16:9 and 864x648 and 912x684 for 4:3 mode. There is also 960x720 and 1728x972 (90% scale of 1080p - it might be a bit over scanned on most CRTs) and 1706x960. I also added 1280x960 but for now there is no 4:3 mode for 1080p. I disabled here all other resolutions but Windows insists on adding resolutions like 1024x768 - these are not supported. GPU scaling should be disabled for these modes.