OSSC (DIY video digitizer & scandoubler)

[Guspaz]

Feature request (hoping you get time to work on firmware soon): discreet IR commands for all 6 input modes (not just the three where you have to toggle to get right sync mode).

There'll be actually 8 input modes after YPbPr support will be added to SCART (or 9 if I add it to VGA also). Easy to map to buttons 0-9 as long as there won't be over 10 modes

So if I understand correctly, this will soon be able to accept a 480p component video signal through the scart input? I ask because I'm in the process of getting an extron switch set up, and while it can pass signals other than rgb, the cable output will be a scart plug. So this might be just what I need, as I don't think my xrgb mini would accept ypbpr through the scart input, I'd have to convert the signal first.

You wouldn't need to convert the signal, you'd just need breakout cables. You could use the same BNC breakout cable that you'd use to connect SCART to a PVM, and just put BNC-to-RCA adapters (which work really well with BNC since the adapter locks into the twist-lock BNC). Or you could just get a direct scart-to-component adapter.

[pyrotek85]

You wouldn't need to convert the signal, you'd just need breakout cables. You could use the same BNC breakout cable that you'd use to connect SCART to a PVM, and just put BNC-to-RCA adapters (which work really well with BNC since the adapter locks into the twist-lock BNC). Or you could just get a direct scart-to-component adapter.

I think I would if I wanted to connect it to the scart input though, since I'm trying to streamline things. Maybe I can't do what I'm thinking though, or it's not practical.

[Guspaz]

Maybe I'm a bit confused about what you're doing. It sounds like you've got a device that's outputting component video via a SCART cable, and you thought you'd need to use a converter to get the component video out of the SCART cable and into the RCA jacks on the OSSC. If that's the case, then SCART carrying component video doesn't require converters to become component video on RCA, just simple adapters.

[pyrotek85]

Maybe I'm a bit confused about what you're doing. It sounds like you've got a device that's outputting component video via a SCART cable, and you thought you'd need to use a converter to get the component video out of the SCART cable and into the RCA jacks on the OSSC. If that's the case, then SCART carrying component video doesn't require converters to become component video on RCA, just simple adapters.

No, what I was interested in was sending the component video signal to the scart input rather than the component input, for the sake of simplicity (if that's even possible). The reason being, that same output cable will also be handling other consoles, most of which are 240p RGB. So I'd like fewer things to switch if possible.

[AndehX]

Where do you order one of these? I see nothing in the original post, and I'd rather not sift through 40 odd pages.

[BuckoA51]

Where do you order one of these? I see nothing in the original post, and I'd rather not sift through 40 odd pages.

Sign up to my newsletter here - http://www.videogameperfection.com/newsletter/

No, what I was interested in was sending the component video signal to the scart input rather than the component input, for the sake of simplicity (if that's even possible).

Quite possible and that's planned for the next firmware update (I requested it too). SCART cables are more than capable of carrying component video, the RGB lines are just swapped for Y, Pb and Pr. As long as your switching matrix can handle it, it will work fine (since some auto switches like GScart use sync for switching detection, they won't work in this setup).

Feeding YPbPr to the RGB IN on the Mini doesn't work, but it used to on the XRGB3, you just had to select YPbPr as the input type.

[ZellSF]

Finally got my Genesis. Looks great with the OSSC of course and the analog video lpf actually makes the jailbars on mine almost unnoticeable to the point where I'm not going to bother opening the console to fix it.

[pyrotek85]

Where do you order one of these? I see nothing in the original post, and I'd rather not sift through 40 odd pages.

Sign up to my newsletter here - http://www.videogameperfection.com/newsletter/

No, what I was interested in was sending the component video signal to the scart input rather than the component input, for the sake of simplicity (if that's even possible).

Quite possible and that's planned for the next firmware update (I requested it too). SCART cables are more than capable of carrying component video, the RGB lines are just swapped for Y, Pb and Pr. As long as your switching matrix can handle it, it will work fine (since some auto switches like GScart use sync for switching detection, they won't work in this setup).

Feeding YPbPr to the RGB IN on the Mini doesn't work, but it used to on the XRGB3, you just had to select YPbPr as the input type.

Cool, good to know then. I was planning on getting that gscartsw 8-in-1 scart switch, but they seem to be impossible to get right now, so I gave up and am going to try an extron matrix. That's when I found that it could switch not just my RGB scart consoles, but also component, s-video, or anything else really, since it's not doing anything to the signal itself.

So my end goal ideally would be if all I had to do was select the input on the matrix switch, and have everything funnel to a single output that goes to a single input on a scaler, and not have to select a particular input on the scaler. And since the XRGB mini won't do that for all inputs, the OSSC might be the answer. Hopefully it won't be too long before more are available.

[BuckoA51]

Extron matrix is what I'm using here, though a crosspoint, so not really short of outputs Even so, anything that reduces cabling is always welcome.

[pyrotek85]

Extron matrix is what I'm using here, though a crosspoint, so not really short of outputs Even so, anything that reduces cabling is always welcome.

Yeah I have an Extron Crosspoint 124 myself (12 input and 4 output, though I guess they're made to be modular so it has 8 output buttons in front). It's a big SOB but I'd always read how well they work if you don't mind hunting for or making your own cables. Cost wise with all the cables I'll need it's actually close to the scart switch I was looking at before, but the Extron might be a better fit since I have systems with component output as well, plus the dreamcast's VGA too.

I'm pretty sure I can get something figured out, but again I'd like it if I can stick with a single output that goes to my scaler, and then to the PC monitor I have. And I think my systems would do well with just linedoubling or transcoding that the OSSC offers, so I probably don't need the extra processing that the XRGB Mini can do.

It's an exciting time to have more options though, I'm so thankful that there are people with the skill and knowhow to make this stuff.

[Bahn Yuki]

Feature request (hoping you get time to work on firmware soon): discreet IR commands for all 6 input modes (not just the three where you have to toggle to get right sync mode).

There'll be actually 8 input modes after YPbPr support will be added to SCART (or 9 if I add it to VGA also). Easy to map to buttons 0-9 as long as there won't be over 10 modes

Nothing in the mailbox today either, Finland is too far away !

(I remember when I was working in e-commerce that anything shipping from or to most Northern-Europe destinations took ridiculously long paths with many warehouse stops, unless you paid for really expensive third party carrier solutions of course)

I've now shipped all paid orders. Shipping should take no more than 6 workdays according to the estimate, which better be true considering the price.

Looking at the algorithms it seems that both hq_x and scale_x can be implemented by using data from the previous and next lines of the picture. Since looking into the future is a bit hard even for an FPGA you'd have to delay the output by at least a single line, but a complete frame buffer shouldn't be necessary for those two.

Yes, these filters should require no more than a couple of lines in buffer. Currenly OSSC can only store 2 scanlines, but with some memory reorganization that could be expanded to 5-8 lines. However, that would require quite a bit of work and I'm not personally a big fan of there filters so it's not currently on my todo list. Nothing prevents somebody else adding these filters on the firmware, though.

Wow those filters look great. I wonder what they could do other sources aside from video games

[paulb_nl]

I got my OSSC yesterday I have been testing on a Sony 40W4000 TV. My NTSC SNES 1-CHIP has been working well with 10Mhz sync LPF but needs some more testing.

The 240p test suite lag test shows the total lag is a bit less than 1 frame compared to a CRT.

Here are some photos I took of the OSSC on my Sony TV. If you want to see how composite looks on the OSSC then check out the NES photos. Its connected through a garbage composite to RGB converter .

http://imgur.com/a/0LClz

[pyrotek85]

I got my OSSC yesterday I have been testing on a Sony 40W4000 TV. My NTSC SNES 1-CHIP has been working well with 10Mhz sync LPF but needs some more testing.

The 240p test suite lag test shows the total lag is a bit less than 1 frame compared to a CRT.

Here are some photos I took of the OSSC on my Sony TV. If you want to see how composite looks on the OSSC then check out the NES photos. Its connected through a garbage composite to RGB converter .

http://imgur.com/a/0LClz

Oh wow, even composite looks pretty good there.

[BuckoA51]

I got my OSSC yesterday I have been testing on a Sony 40W4000 TV. My NTSC SNES 1-CHIP has been working well with 10Mhz sync LPF but needs some more testing.

Since I tested the 32W4000 with a SNES and found it didn't work, that could indicate that 1 chips are more compatible. I don't suppose you have a multi-chip SNES you could try too?

[fafangus]

Hi folks
Does a combo OSSC + CII will work as good as dvdo's one ?

[Das Muel]

I don't mean to nag Marqs, but have you had any luck with Paypal yet?

[Fudoh]

Does a combo OSSC + CII will work as good as dvdo's one ?

no better way than to find out yourself. On the CII you don't have a genlocked output, so you're likely to run into a few problems due to the off-spec output refresh rate (depending on your sources). Lumagens might perform very well. I have a Radiance XS waiting to be paired with a OSSC.

[austin532]

would something like a de-dithering filter also be achievable? (perhaps with a future version, if not this hardware)

here are shots of a few early experiments I did in retroarch with bunny's dithering shader. i've used the profile feature to alter it and add scanlines, my current version looks much better now (especially on a CRT), i'll post some of those later if anyone is interested.

(apology for the direct video-out being so dark)

composite video



de-dithering tests















as you can see, the advantage is a sharp RGB quality image with composite transparency (dithering) effects and no blur. (its actually better because you don't get any of that awful banding) looks great in motion.

could that be done with the OSSC?

o.O.....Oh please Game Genie, grant me my wish! LOL. Even though it's not perfect, (notice the blurry X's in Mario World) I would love to have a feature like this if it's possible.

[paulb_nl]

Since I tested the 32W4000 with a SNES and found it didn't work, that could indicate that 1 chips are more compatible. I don't suppose you have a multi-chip SNES you could try too?

Sure, I tested a Super Famicom multi-chip and it also needs 10Mhz sync LPF for stable sync. Also tested a PAL Super Nintendo and it didn't need sync LPF. Both are unmodded though.

[BuckoA51]

Ah okay, guess your TV must just be that bit different from the 32" model. Could you try the overscan 239p test on a NTSC SNES in the 240p test suite please?

[fafangus]

Does a combo OSSC + CII will work as good as dvdo's one ?

no better way than to find out yourself. On the CII you don't have a genlocked output, so you're likely to run into a few problems due to the off-spec output refresh rate (depending on your sources). Lumagens might perform very well. I have a Radiance XS waiting to be paired with a OSSC.

Ok thanks, I was thinking it will do, I'll let you know when I'll get my hands on the OSSC
Got to get another scaler lol

[paulb_nl]

Ah okay, guess your TV must just be that bit different from the 32" model. Could you try the overscan 239p test on a NTSC SNES in the 240p test suite please?

Unfortunately I can't run the 240p suite on a SNES currently. I have to get a pc with parallel port for my flash cart.

[Xyga]

Shipping should take no more than 6 workdays according to the estimate, which better be true considering the price.

Sorry to say still nothing today, also went to check directly with the post office; nada.
Don't want to be alarmist yet since I don't know which day mine was shipped, but depending on it I'd recommend you give it a look maybe.

[ApolloBoy]

Ah okay, guess your TV must just be that bit different from the 32" model. Could you try the overscan 239p test on a NTSC SNES in the 240p test suite please?

Unfortunately I can't run the 240p suite on a SNES currently. I have to get a pc with parallel port for my flash cart.

Sounds like it's time for an upgrade.

[ZellSF]

Another feature request if possible. Add overscan brightness as an option.

Know how plasmas let you set grey bars around the image to prevent image retention/burn-in? That's probably going to be relevant for OLEDs too, but with retro consoles most TVs show a black border around them because that's in the overscan area.

[rtw]

Found a 470 ohm resistor for the CSYNC and redid some wiring and all is good for some HAS testing

Chain: PCB -> HAS -> OSSC -> DVI/AUDIO Combiner -> SONY TV

[BuckoA51]

Which audio integrator is that you're using? Is it any good?

[rtw]

Some PCB results. these are all with: AV1: RGBS, Analog Sync LPF 10MHz

Functioning:

SEGA System 18, 261p 15.62kHz 59.86Hz
SEGA System C-2, 262p 15.97kHz 60.97Hz
CAVE CV1000, 262p 15.72kHz 60.01Hz

Malfunctioning:

Seibu SPI, 293p 15.97kHz 54.25Hz
TAITO F3, 0i 15.70kHz 60.00Hz

Notes:
The Seibu SPI gets sync with the OSSC but there is no video output, it works with the Framemeister.

The TAITO F3 does not get sync at all and it does not work with the Framemeister.

Supposedly the TAITO F2 and F3 have a very broken sync output. This circuit is supposed to fix it:

http://ntls.shop-pro.jp/?pid=78855569

I own it and if I use it with the Framemeister it works and on the OSSC it gets a better sync signal so it detects 260p but it will not sync even if I change the LPF.

Can these kinds of sync issues be fixed in the OSSC FW or do you need external hardware.
I believe the circuit I linked to splits the composite sync into H & V and then rebuilds it with an option
to change the width of the sync pulse.

TAITO have released a new upscaler for the Viewlix cabinets and it has an explicit preset for the F2 and F3

[Fudoh]

The Seibu SPI gets sync with the OSSC but there is no video output, it works with the Framemeister.

but to be fair: the Seibu board on the FM gets converted to 60Hz.

TAITO have released a new upscaler for the Viewlix cabinets and it has an explicit preset for the F2 and F3

do you have a link or any more information on that ?

[Mantis128]

Hello, I recently got a CRT that doesn't work. The red standby mode light comes on, but if you press channel or power on the remote or side buttons the light just goes off.

I'm guessing there's something wrong with whatever turns the TV on. Is it cheap/easy to fix? Or could it be something else?