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

[manfredi90]

New release: https://github.com/e8root/voidscaler/re ... -dev040426
Improvements:
- added automatic mode selection to matching defined in EDID resolutions
- four builds available with different default modes: for CRTs with 16:9 capability and for 4:3-only and between RGBS and RGBHV outputs
- fixed 480p not always working correctly and needing reboot
- added aspect ratio correction to 720p letterboxed mode
- fixed HDMI to Component DAC compatibility
- fixed text labels missing for RGBHV and RGBS output mode selection

The 480p bug needed rather strange workaround where I needed to re-apply sampling parameters for TVP7002 some time after first applying them and this is despite registers being written (and could be read with correct value). It is strange is is something only needed for 480p. Maybe there is something with order of writes but for now workaround seems to resolve the issue. If it would happen the mode switch will take about 2 seconds.

HDMI to Component DACs was literally off by one error. Both of my HDMI to Component DACs work now.

Automatic switching to work correctly needs installing the provided EDID.
The 16:9 and 4:3 versions mostly make difference for what normal 720p defaults to and RGBHV vs RGBS is of course default output mode. HDMI to Component DACs should use RGBHV.

Just tested version 0.91 (4:3 RGBS variant) and confirm that resolution switch to and from 480p works stably!

Do you happen to have a Wii where you can take photos of how downscaling to 240p looks like? Castlevania Adventure rebirth for instance was never possible to 240p

I don't think it's possible at the moment, the input signal must be RGBHV and the Wii's 480p is only component. For now I'm using a PC

[AGoblinNamedJ]

Just tested version 0.91 (4:3 RGBS variant) and confirm that resolution switch to and from 480p works stably!

Do you happen to have a Wii where you can take photos of how downscaling to 240p looks like? Castlevania Adventure rebirth for instance was never possible to 240p

I don't think it's possible at the moment, the input signal must be RGBHV and the Wii's 480p is only component. For now I'm using a PC

It might be possible with a Wii U if it's run in Wii mode? I'm fairly certain you can output a digital signal on that console.

[Gunstar]

Is this firmware okay to be used on 1.5 OSSCs?

[charlizardon]

Is this firmware okay to be used on 1.5 OSSCs?

There's no bootloader firmware for the latest release, so it requires at least (official) fw 1.20 in order to sideload VoidScaler.

I'm not sure if rev 1.5 is any different from 1.6, but if they're the same a fairly trivial hardware mod is required to flash any 1.xx firmware.

[Gunstar]

Is this firmware okay to be used on 1.5 OSSCs?

There's no bootloader firmware for the latest release, so it requires at least (official) fw 1.20 in order to sideload VoidScaler.

I'm not sure if rev 1.5 is any different from 1.6, but if they're the same a fairly trivial hardware mod is required to flash any 1.xx firmware.

Thanks for the info. Hardware mod is already done so looks like I'm good to try this.

[maya]

can you flash voidscaler on the mcbazel ossc?

specifically this one in this amazon listing
https://a.co/d/06WtVAA1



https://imgur.com/a/Hs44KAy

[manfredi90]

For those interested in using voidscaler to downscale 7th-gen consoles to 240p, I briefly tried using both an Xbox 360 and a PS3 via HDMI at 480p, and they seemed to work perfectly.
I thought the PS3 was having issues with DHCP, but I haven't encountered any problems so far. I don't know if DHCP only applies to certain games.
I don't have a VGA cable to test it with the Xbox 360, but I think at this point hdmi is a simpler solution especially if voidscaler is used for other hdmi sources too. I should add that the Xbox 360 also works (obviously) with OG Xbox games this way.
I imagine it might also work with a Wii using a 480p HDMI converter like the one from BitFunx, but since I don't have one, I can't test it.

[RebeL9]

For those interested in using voidscaler to downscale 7th-gen consoles to 240p, I briefly tried using both an Xbox 360 and a PS3 via HDMI at 480p, and they seemed to work perfectly.
I thought the PS3 was having issues with DHCP, but I haven't encountered any problems so far. I don't know if DHCP only applies to certain games.
I don't have a VGA cable to test it with the Xbox 360, but I think at this point hdmi is a simpler solution especially if voidscaler is used for other hdmi sources too. I should add that the Xbox 360 also works (obviously) with OG Xbox games this way.
I imagine it might also work with a Wii using a 480p HDMI converter like the one from BitFunx, but since I don't have one, I can't test it.

Thanks! How was the sharpness of the 240p output from PS3/360.

[Ironcan]

Has anyone had any luck using a component to VGA converter? I've had a pretty poor time with one of Linuxbot3000's YPbPr to VGA converters. The converter was working fine on vanilla 01.21 OSSC firmware, but on 0.91 voidscaler, seemed to work some of the time at 480p, but not at all at 720p, with the only thing being shown was the test pattern. Tried with multiple different consoles too, PS2, Xbox 360 and Dreamcast. My setup involves an extron matrix switch for the analogue consoles (of which includes the 360) in case that is relevant info.

[dentnz]

I did the hardware mod on a 1.6, upgraded to 1.21 ofw. All seems fine. Tried to sideload 91 voidscaler… I am getting a flashing green LED. Lcd backlight is flashing also. Flashing continues with or without input. Tried Dreamcast 480p, no change. Test pattern on 240p output… any thoughts on why this isn’t working? Bad mod?

[manfredi90]

I did the hardware mod on a 1.6, upgraded to 1.21 ofw. All seems fine. Tried to sideload 91 voidscaler… I am getting a flashing green LED. Lcd backlight is flashing also. Flashing continues with or without input. Tried Dreamcast 480p, no change. Test pattern on 240p output… any thoughts on why this isn’t working? Bad mod?

I don't know if anyone has already confirmed that Dreamcast works. In the meantime, you can try a PC or a 720p/1080p HDMI source to verify that it's not a hardware issue.

[dentnz]

I did the hardware mod on a 1.6, upgraded to 1.21 ofw. All seems fine. Tried to sideload 91 voidscaler… I am getting a flashing green LED. Lcd backlight is flashing also. Flashing continues with or without input. Tried Dreamcast 480p, no change. Test pattern on 240p output… any thoughts on why this isn’t working? Bad mod?

I don't know if anyone has already confirmed that Dreamcast works. In the meantime, you can try a PC or a 720p/1080p HDMI source to verify that it's not a hardware issue.

I was able to get 480p VGA Dreamcast working. Also xbox360 at 480p HDMI via a DAC. However, it's VERY very hard to get voidscaler to sync reliably to incoming signals I've tried to find a consistent pattern of making it work, but I can't figure it out. That said, I have found that I get better results when I "update" the firmware and "run the 2nd firmware" from scratch. Also, not attaching the source HDMI/VGA signal and only doing so after the voidscaler firmware has completely "loaded" seems to work better too. The "change step" and "input/output mode" (?) buttons can sometimes make things sync up - sometimes holding these down a bit longer than a single press too. Unfortunately, it's just so hit and miss. Maybe I am just imagining that these steps are helping, when in fact, it's just random.

I have to say though, when it works, it's magical! Playing DC games like Border Down and Zero Gunners, and then the Cave shooters on Xbox 360... AWESOME STUFF. Line blending on the DC 3D games makes a huge difference. While decimation on the "240p originally" games is superb.

I REALLY hope that future versions of this firmware better support 480p, 4:3. That would be a HUGE win for the retro gaming community, especially those interested in STGs. Keep up the good work E8Root.

[SlightlyObsessed]

I'm having a similar issue. I see the output squares on the CRT but I never get the input image through no matter what buttons I try on the remote or what devices I connect. I'm using an older OSSC (v1.5 I believe, with a DVI-D port and an added audio board). I comlpeted the mod to run the official firmware v1.21 this older OSSC, and that seems to work fine. For example, I have a Dreamcast connected to the VGA port (AV3) using RGBHV and output to a modern TV using the official firmware is working great. However, when switching over to VoidScaler fw and connecting a CRT, I get nothing besides the squares. I've tried a bunch of input devices like computers, consoles and such. On a PC, I've tried the edid installed with cru, fipping through all resolutions, nada. I've tried using the .90 fw and it never loads (OSSC just goes dark). Also, tried the .80 sideload fw and it loads but has the same issue as .91.

[dentnz]

For those interested in using voidscaler to downscale 7th-gen consoles to 240p, I briefly tried using both an Xbox 360 and a PS3 via HDMI at 480p, and they seemed to work perfectly.
I thought the PS3 was having issues with DHCP, but I haven't encountered any problems so far. I don't know if DHCP only applies to certain games.
I don't have a VGA cable to test it with the Xbox 360, but I think at this point hdmi is a simpler solution especially if voidscaler is used for other hdmi sources too. I should add that the Xbox 360 also works (obviously) with OG Xbox games this way.
I imagine it might also work with a Wii using a 480p HDMI converter like the one from BitFunx, but since I don't have one, I can't test it.

What is your setup exactly? What OSSC revision? Which version of the firmware are you using? What kind of DAC are you using?

Thanks!!!

[manfredi90]

For those interested in using voidscaler to downscale 7th-gen consoles to 240p, I briefly tried using both an Xbox 360 and a PS3 via HDMI at 480p, and they seemed to work perfectly.
I thought the PS3 was having issues with DHCP, but I haven't encountered any problems so far. I don't know if DHCP only applies to certain games.
I don't have a VGA cable to test it with the Xbox 360, but I think at this point hdmi is a simpler solution especially if voidscaler is used for other hdmi sources too. I should add that the Xbox 360 also works (obviously) with OG Xbox games this way.
I imagine it might also work with a Wii using a 480p HDMI converter like the one from BitFunx, but since I don't have one, I can't test it.

What is your setup exactly? What OSSC revision? Which version of the firmware are you using? What kind of DAC are you using?

Thanks!!!

My chain is:

- HDMI source
- Generic HDMI to VGA DAC (I use this because I can leave it mounted on the OSSC and extract the HDMI audio: https://it.aliexpress.com/item/10050099 ... pt=glo2ita)
- Bitfunx V1.8 OSSC flashed with the 1.21 OSSC FW, sideloaded 0.91 Voidscaler (version 4:3 RGBS)
- Vention HDMI DAC (in my experience not every dac works with RGBS) https://it.aliexpress.com/item/10050061 ... pt=glo2ita

[RebeL9]

I have my consoles hooked up to an Extron Matrix Switcher. Anyway I can hook up the OSSC to make things manageable when using Voidscaler?

[dentnz]

I'm having a similar issue. I see the output squares on the CRT but I never get the input image through no matter what buttons I try on the remote or what devices I connect. I'm using an older OSSC (v1.5 I believe, with a DVI-D port and an added audio board). I comlpeted the mod to run the official firmware v1.21 this older OSSC, and that seems to work fine. For example, I have a Dreamcast connected to the VGA port (AV3) using RGBHV and output to a modern TV using the official firmware is working great. However, when switching over to VoidScaler fw and connecting a CRT, I get nothing besides the squares. I've tried a bunch of input devices like computers, consoles and such. On a PC, I've tried the edid installed with cru, fipping through all resolutions, nada. I've tried using the .90 fw and it never loads (OSSC just goes dark). Also, tried the .80 sideload fw and it loads but has the same issue as .91.

Hey, I have been playing around with getting it to sync, and have found a pattern that at least works most of the time for me. Not every time, but still, the scaler syncs a lot more often with this method. Maybe give it a try, see if it helps you like it has for me with Dreamcast and Xbox360.

When you select "Launch 2nd FW" option from 1.21 official firmware, hold the PIC ("Input/Output Mode") button on the OSSC remote... Keep holding the button, the firmware will boot, and the LCD backlight will flash quickly. Eventually, the backlight flashing will slow down a bit - almost like it's been able to now get sync or something. Keep holding a few of these slower flashes, maybe 2 seconds or so. Once you let go of holding the button, the OSSCs green "sync" light may be consistently lit. If it is, then you probably have working 240p output! If you still have the voidscaler test pattern ("grey boxes) on your CRT, try single pressing the PIC button a single time. Sometimes the picture will be incorrectly coloured, and the only option is try again. Sometimes the picture will not be centered correctly, you can shift the picture using the arrow buttons on the OSSC remote.

I can only think that the issue is with the initialisation of the voidscaler's video synchronisation process(?) It seems that once the scaler has failed to get sync initially, the only recourse is to power cycle, re-launch the firmware and try again. Perhaps some more "reset" options in the firmware, accessible through maybe another remote button, would allow the user to re-attempt "syncing"? Maybe some delays are required before synchronisation is attempted by the FW after boot? Without the source code to the project, it's hard to say... or to help.

For the time being, I have been using the pattern I have found to play some xbox360 Deathsmiles! With the xb360 set to 480p, setting the zoom in the "Arcade" graphics options to 118%, and with Voidscaler set to line decimation, it's nearly pixel perfect. Some minor tearing on the left and right side of the screen which is hardly noticeable during play. The xbox360 port of Deathsmiles is pretty close to PCB when I compare the two, certainly in the case of lag, and also in terms of the slowdown accuracy to a large extent. It feels like the PCB... M2 did a pretty awesome job, and having it in lagless 240p thanks to voidscaler shows this.

The DreamCast is actually a much better console for this use case, as all the games are 4:3 focused, perfect for 4:3 CRTs. Mars Matrix can have the displays vertical zoom size set to 224*2 pixels high, and then given the void scalers line decimation treatment. Maybe Mars Matrix has a 240p option, but this seems to work just fine, visually matching the MiSTer CPS2 core. As I mentioned elsewhere in the thread, the DC 3d games really shine with voidscalers line blending option. Border Down and Zero Gunner look fantastic!

[SlightlyObsessed]

I'm having a similar issue. I see the output squares on the CRT but I never get the input image through no matter what buttons I try on the remote or what devices I connect. I'm using an older OSSC (v1.5 I believe, with a DVI-D port and an added audio board). I comlpeted the mod to run the official firmware v1.21 this older OSSC, and that seems to work fine. For example, I have a Dreamcast connected to the VGA port (AV3) using RGBHV and output to a modern TV using the official firmware is working great. However, when switching over to VoidScaler fw and connecting a CRT, I get nothing besides the squares. I've tried a bunch of input devices like computers, consoles and such. On a PC, I've tried the edid installed with cru, fipping through all resolutions, nada. I've tried using the .90 fw and it never loads (OSSC just goes dark). Also, tried the .80 sideload fw and it loads but has the same issue as .91.

Hey, I have been playing around with getting it to sync, and have found a pattern that at least works most of the time for me. Not every time, but still, the scaler syncs a lot more often with this method. Maybe give it a try, see if it helps you like it has for me with Dreamcast and Xbox360.

When you select "Launch 2nd FW" option from 1.21 official firmware, hold the PIC ("Input/Output Mode") button on the OSSC remote... Keep holding the button, the firmware will boot, and the LCD backlight will flash quickly. Eventually, the backlight flashing will slow down a bit - almost like it's been able to now get sync or something. Keep holding a few of these slower flashes, maybe 2 seconds or so. Once you let go of holding the button, the OSSCs green "sync" light may be consistently lit. If it is, then you probably have working 240p output! If you still have the voidscaler test pattern ("grey boxes) on your CRT, try single pressing the PIC button a single time. Sometimes the picture will be incorrectly coloured, and the only option is try again. Sometimes the picture will not be centered correctly, you can shift the picture using the arrow buttons on the OSSC remote.

I can only think that the issue is with the initialisation of the voidscaler's video synchronisation process(?) It seems that once the scaler has failed to get sync initially, the only recourse is to power cycle, re-launch the firmware and try again. Perhaps some more "reset" options in the firmware, accessible through maybe another remote button, would allow the user to re-attempt "syncing"? Maybe some delays are required before synchronisation is attempted by the FW after boot? Without the source code to the project, it's hard to say... or to help.

For the time being, I have been using the pattern I have found to play some xbox360 Deathsmiles! With the xb360 set to 480p, setting the zoom in the "Arcade" graphics options to 118%, and with Voidscaler set to line decimation, it's nearly pixel perfect. Some minor tearing on the left and right side of the screen which is hardly noticeable during play. The xbox360 port of Deathsmiles is pretty close to PCB when I compare the two, certainly in the case of lag, and also in terms of the slowdown accuracy to a large extent. It feels like the PCB... M2 did a pretty awesome job, and having it in lagless 240p thanks to voidscaler shows this.

The DreamCast is actually a much better console for this use case, as all the games are 4:3 focused, perfect for 4:3 CRTs. Mars Matrix can have the displays vertical zoom size set to 224*2 pixels high, and then given the void scalers line decimation treatment. Maybe Mars Matrix has a 240p option, but this seems to work just fine, visually matching the MiSTer CPS2 core. As I mentioned elsewhere in the thread, the DC 3d games really shine with voidscalers line blending option. Border Down and Zero Gunner look fantastic!

Thanks for the reply. Using this process I was able to actually see something other than the boxes! Specifically, holding PIC button until the flashing changes, turning on the CRT then pressing PIC again. I agree, it appears to be some sort of race condition at play here. Hopefully this can be addressed, looking at the Dreamcast library downscaled looks promising! Thanks e8root and dentnz!

[maya]

idk how to reply properly cause im low iq asf to the dude who wanted to know what that castlevania game looks like in 240p here u go. but this isnt using voidscaler atm im waiting on my ossc to come in the mail but in the meantime, i figured if you wanted to know what it looks like in 240p. here's some images using the mcbazel gbs control downscaling from 480p/i?!?! to 240p.




i also dont know how to insert images so please bear with me.


https://imgur.com/a/DST1ImT

[AGoblinNamedJ]

idk how to reply properly cause im low iq asf to the dude who wanted to know what that castlevania game looks like in 240p here u go. but this isnt using voidscaler atm im waiting on my ossc to come in the mail but in the meantime, i figured if you wanted to know what it looks like in 240p. here's some images using the mcbazel gbs control downscaling from 480p/i?!?! to 240p.




i also dont know how to insert images so please bear with me.


https://imgur.com/a/DST1ImT

I don't know if it can be improved with Voidscaler, but the output definitely looks cool as it is, maya! It would be interesting to see how it looks with the line blend function once you get the OSSC up and running.

[RebeL9]

I’m really curious to find out how NDS games on the Wii U downscaled to 240p looks like. There is a massive library of pixel art just lying and waiting there (Castlevania, Chrono Trigger, Metal Skug 7 etc).

[DatMonkey]

Add me to the list of people who cannot get Voidscaler to work with an older hw-modded OSSC. Has anyone with modded hw models 1.5 and 1.6 confirmed that they are able to sideload the firmware with stable sync and picture?

List of people with issues:
SlightlyObsessed 1.5 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21
dentnz 1.6 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21
DatMonkey 1.6 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21

My issues are the same as SlightlyObsessed and dentnz, however I am yet to get any functioning output whatsoever, although I haven't tried Xbox360 or Dreamcast. I have tried PC 480p/720p and Switch 2 720p. No picture. Having PC hooked up I get lots of flashing on the OSD and the green light. With Switch 2 I get stable OSD and green light, but no picture. I have tried holding the "PIC"-button on the remote, but with no luck. I thought it might be the CRT causing issues so I tried hooking up directly to a modern screen via HDMI. I can only manage to get the grey "boxes", it looks like this:

https://imgur.com/a/7sw4Ixw

Are the boxes supposed to be squished in the middle like this?

Maybe hw 1.5 and 1.6 doesn't work with the sideloading feature?

[SlightlyObsessed]

Add me to the list of people who cannot get Voidscaler to work with an older hw-modded OSSC. Has anyone with modded hw models 1.5 and 1.6 confirmed that they are able to sideload the firmware with stable sync and picture?

List of people with issues:
SlightlyObsessed 1.5 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21
dentnz 1.6 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21
DatMonkey 1.6 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21

My issues are the same as SlightlyObsessed and dentnz, however I am yet to get any functioning output whatsoever, although I haven't tried Xbox360 or Dreamcast. I have tried PC 480p/720p and Switch 2 720p. No picture. Having PC hooked up I get lots of flashing on the OSD and the green light. With Switch 2 I get stable OSD and green light, but no picture. I have tried holding the "PIC"-button on the remote, but with no luck. I thought it might be the CRT causing issues so I tried hooking up directly to a modern screen via HDMI. I can only manage to get the grey "boxes", it looks like this:

https://imgur.com/a/7sw4Ixw

Are the boxes supposed to be squished in the middle like this?

Maybe hw 1.5 and 1.6 doesn't work with the sideloading feature?

Just to confirm, I do get picture, occasionally, but only using the "trick" outlined by dentnz. I'm curious, on official fw is your input device showing up on the output to a modern display? (Just make sure your input device and DAC are working correctly on AV3 with RGBHV). Also, you mention holding the PIC button, you are you holding it immediately after loading the 2nd fw until the flashing slows, letting go, then if needed, pressing it one more time?

[DatMonkey]

Yes the whole chain works on the OSSC official firmware:
HDMI-DAC>VGA->OSSC->HDMI-DAC->Component->Display

I have tried the PIC-method in a variety of ways: as proposed, and holding longer, shorter, pressing one or two extra times. I will try with Dreamcast later to see if it works. Although it kind of defeats the purpose for me if I cannot get modern 720p/1080p to downscale as that is my main interest.

Do these high resolution inputs work for you guys?

[RebeL9]

Maybe e8root can update us on what’s wrong?

[Ironcan]

Add me to the list of people who cannot get Voidscaler to work with an older hw-modded OSSC. Has anyone with modded hw models 1.5 and 1.6 confirmed that they are able to sideload the firmware with stable sync and picture?

List of people with issues:
SlightlyObsessed 1.5 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21
dentnz 1.6 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21
DatMonkey 1.6 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21

My issues are the same as SlightlyObsessed and dentnz, however I am yet to get any functioning output whatsoever, although I haven't tried Xbox360 or Dreamcast. I have tried PC 480p/720p and Switch 2 720p. No picture. Having PC hooked up I get lots of flashing on the OSD and the green light. With Switch 2 I get stable OSD and green light, but no picture. I have tried holding the "PIC"-button on the remote, but with no luck. I thought it might be the CRT causing issues so I tried hooking up directly to a modern screen via HDMI. I can only manage to get the grey "boxes", it looks like this:

https://imgur.com/a/7sw4Ixw

Are the boxes supposed to be squished in the middle like this?

Maybe hw 1.5 and 1.6 doesn't work with the sideloading feature?

Oh yes, add me to this list. Having very similar issues running on a modded 1.6 using the sideloaded voidscaler firmware. Have got some occasional picture showing up while outputting 480p on PS2 or DC, but nothing using PC or 720p. I thought it was due to my odd setup, but it seems it may be more due to the 1.6 hardware that I modded to 1.8.

[SlightlyObsessed]

Yes the whole chain works on the OSSC official firmware:
HDMI-DAC>VGA->OSSC->HDMI-DAC->Component->Display

I have tried the PIC-method in a variety of ways: as proposed, and holding longer, shorter, pressing one or two extra times. I will try with Dreamcast later to see if it works. Although it kind of defeats the purpose for me if I cannot get modern 720p/1080p to downscale as that is my main interest.

Do these high resolution inputs work for you guys?

Ok yeah, sounds like we have the same issue. I tried a PC with the provided edid file and sometimes I am able to get 480p using the "trick". One time I got it stable then I changed the PC from 480p to 720p and it worked. However, trying it a few more times, I've not been able to get it to work again. Hopefully the fix isn't too difficult for these older boards.

[xanmaster]

I bought an OSSC specifically for voidscaler so I don't have a lot of experience here. I got the bitfunx OSSC if that's relevant.
HW v1.8
Official fw 1.21
Voidscaler 0.91 RGBHV 4:3
signal path is HDMI/VGA DAC>OSSC>HDMI/VGA DAC>component transcoder>TV (4:3 SD)
Using PC as input I've had some luck with some of the provided EDID resolutions. 1280x960 is great and 640x480 is very reliable. However I cannot get 720p or 1080p to work. Or any widescreen resolution.
I also tried from my nintendo Switch. I could get 480p (squished widescreen, cannot get letterbox.) But could not get 720p or 1080p to work.
I've tried pressing pretty much every button on the remote many times.
Thank you so much e8root! Even with just 1280x960 from my PC, my OSSC purchase is worth it.

[DatMonkey]

Oh yes, add me to this list. Having very similar issues running on a modded 1.6 using the sideloaded voidscaler firmware. Have got some occasional picture showing up while outputting 480p on PS2 or DC, but nothing using PC or 720p. I thought it was due to my odd setup, but it seems it may be more due to the 1.6 hardware that I modded to 1.8.

List of people on hw 1.5/1.6 with issues:
SlightlyObsessed 1.5 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21
dentnz 1.6 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21
DatMonkey 1.6 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21
Ironcan 1.6 hardware modded to support official fw 1.21

Maybe e8root could release a standalone version of the latest firmware for the folks with older boards and we can try it out? Not asking for a public release but maybe just keep it closed off and use us as Beta-testers to gather feedback?

[e8root]

I released modified test build of 0.91 https://github.com/e8root/voidscaler/re ... -dev300426

I don't know if it will help older OSSC with "1.8" mod or not but it might.
This release detects if OSSC is genuine rev.1.8 and it its not rev.1.8 and if its not then it puts pin used by modded devices for SoG signal to high impedance.
That change makes red LED only works on rev.1.8. It might be possible to make red LED still work on older devices (especially not modded) but first we need to check if that fix actually does anything to improve compatibility.

Other changes is enabling two features which were by mistake missing in 0.91 and fixing routing quality.
I only made single version this time as its actually a lot of effort producing good binary. Process is a bit random and needs testing.

Next release is in progress but nowhere near ready. It will include profile saving functionality and thus allow to make own defaults on single firmware.

https://imgur.com/a/7sw4Ixw
Are the boxes supposed to be squished in the middle like this?

Yes, on flat panels or when you capture output it will be extremely wide if panel its configured to show correct aspect ratio.
VoidScaler uses "super resolution" type of output to improve compatibility with DACs, reduce jitter and allow high quality sharpening filter (speed up pixel transitions without producing obvious sharpening filter ringing). On CRTs its all about timings and not virtual resolution like what flat panels will read from HDMI port.