OSSC (DIY video digitizer & scandoubler)

[Xyga]

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.

This just reminded me I wanted to ask: ever tried the SPI with a VP50 Pro ? Wonder if it can lock the output at all, and if it does how it ends up looking.

[rtw]

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

I know the FM converts it to 60Hz, it's just there for completeness.

Here is the DVI & R/L Stereo Audio to HDMI Converter I use.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8124

Here is some info on the scaler:

http://www.arcade-projects.com/forums/i ... #post13858

It outputs VGA ...

[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?

Sorry, I posted that in the wrong thread. Can someone move it to the appropriate thread?

[BuckoA51]

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.

Did you try changing the H-PLL Pre and post coast values too?

Here is the DVI & R/L Stereo Audio to HDMI Converter I use.

It looks like a re-badge of the Lindy one I reviewed, but you're saying it's not awful/over loud?

[rtw]

Did you try changing the H-PLL Pre and post coast values too?

No I did not change the H-PLL Pre and post coast values.

It looks like a re-badge of the Lindy one I reviewed, but you're saying it's not awful/over loud?

On my Lindbergh it is quite loud, but the output of my HAS is turned way down so not very loud there. Let me know if you find a better solution!

[marqs]

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.

Yes, I could add an option to change mask brightness.

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.

Output with Seibu SPI (586 lines, ~54Hz) is not likely to be compatible with many consumer TVs, so I'd try a PC monitor instead.

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.

I tested Taito F2 and F3 boards (Super Space Invaders, Grid Seeker) last fall and had indeed some problems initially. If I remember correctly, they used much longer hsync than usual, which was erroneously interpreted as vsync with recommended sync separator settings. I then changed the default values so that these boards synced fine - could it be that some other F2/F3 games have even longer hsync? Anyway, I can expose the vsync threshold setting in next fw. I would have already done so but there's no proper menu structure yet so I've avoided adding options that shouldn't need to be tweaked generally. Another thing you might want to try is setting OSSC to correct input before turning on the source. I recall Grid Seeker requiring that trick to sync.

[NormalFish]

Looked around and haven't seen any:
Has anyone taken screenshots of the OSSC running a 3D 480p PS2 title? Would like to see how such titles work out.

[Fudoh]

Has anyone taken screenshots of the OSSC running a 3D 480p PS2 title? Would like to see how such titles work out.

it's a 1:1 passthrough with a conversion from analogue to digital - what's there to see ?

[NormalFish]

Has anyone taken screenshots of the OSSC running a 3D 480p PS2 title? Would like to see how such titles work out.

it's a 1:1 passthrough with a conversion from analogue to digital - what's there to see ?

ah, is it? I had misinterpreted, then. I'm wondering if my monitor's upscaling will be better than running 480p through the framemeister on my PS2. The mini isn't the best with 480p, but I'm not sure how well my monitor would handle such a low resolution.

[rtw]

Output with Seibu SPI (586 lines, ~54Hz) is not likely to be compatible with many consumer TVs, so I'd try a PC monitor instead.

Thank you I will try that instead, time to look for the perfect 4:3 29" PC monitor, maybe Xyga can help

I tested Taito F2 and F3 boards (Super Space Invaders, Grid Seeker) last fall and had indeed some problems initially. If I remember correctly, they used much longer hsync than usual, which was erroneously interpreted as vsync with recommended sync separator settings. I then changed the default values so that these boards synced fine - could it be that some other F2/F3 games have even longer hsync? Anyway, I can expose the vsync threshold setting in next fw. I would have already done so but there's no proper menu structure yet so I've avoided adding options that shouldn't need to be tweaked generally. Another thing you might want to try is setting OSSC to correct input before turning on the source. I recall Grid Seeker requiring that trick to sync.

Sorry for not checking the Wiki first, I see there is a mention of the F2/F3

I do not believe the various F3 games control the hsync, I think it's part of the F3 system hardware.

Based on your suggestions I managed to get it to sync once with 261p IIRC but there was no picture on my SONY and no complains about resolution.
I basically tweaked the H-PLL Pre and Post coast values and selected input before turning on/off the F3.

I really like the little display on the OSSC. With the FM you are lost if there is no picture on the monitor

Might I suggest a menu hierarchy based on the input ? I.e. a logical grouping based on what is allowed in the various modes ?

And a geek question, what kind of cpu core does your FPGA run, is it hard or soft ?

[akumajo]

is there a changelog for fw. 0.69 ?

is there a to do list for the firmware ? what is missing right now ?

is "240p/288p lineX3" broken ? Generic 4:3 and 16/9 looks fine but I have jitters in "320x240 optim" mode
"Sampling phase" dont help either :/

testing on a DLP projector + PS1

LCD is fine but an OSD would be so much better for my eyes, my screen (and ossc) are 3 meters away

[marqs]

I do not believe the various F3 games control the hsync, I think it's part of the F3 system hardware.

It may be that some fw modification since last year has caused a regression - I'll try to get the same setup for testing soon.

Based on your suggestions I managed to get it to sync once with 261p IIRC but there was no picture on my SONY and no complains about resolution.
I basically tweaked the H-PLL Pre and Post coast values and selected input before turning on/off the F3.

I don't think coast settings need tweaking with arcade boards, although it doesn't hurt to try. Getting a valid line count on the on-board LCD and red LED being off usually means that OSSC has synced fine and rest is up to the display.

Might I suggest a menu hierarchy based on the input ? I.e. a logical grouping based on what is allowed in the various modes ?

Have to consider that. Most settings are applicable to all modes, though.

And a geek question, what kind of cpu core does your FPGA run, is it hard or soft ?

It's Nios II soft core. FPGAs in this price range don't include hard CPU cores, and it wouldn't bring much benefit in these kind of projects where CPU only does control stuff.

is there a changelog for fw. 0.69 ?

is there a to do list for the firmware ? what is missing right now ?

I'll try to add firmware history/wishlist items some time soon.

is "240p/288p lineX3" broken ? Generic 4:3 and 16/9 looks fine but I have jitters in "320x240 optim" mode
"Sampling phase" dont help either :/

You're using NTSC PS1 - right? PS1 games may use 256,320,368,512 and 640-column internal resolutions, so 320x240 optim mode doesn't work well with all games. I only tested 320x240 with one or two PS1 games which apparently used 320x240 resolution.

[akumajo]

is there a changelog for fw. 0.69 ?

is there a to do list for the firmware ? what is missing right now ?

I'll try to add firmware history/wishlist items some time soon.

great, thanks

is "240p/288p lineX3" broken ? Generic 4:3 and 16/9 looks fine but I have jitters in "320x240 optim" mode
"Sampling phase" dont help either :/

You're using NTSC PS1 - right? PS1 games may use 256,320,368,512 and 640-column internal resolutions, so 320x240 optim mode doesn't work well with all games. I only tested 320x240 with one or two PS1 games which apparently used 320x240 resolution.

PS1 PAL + MODCHIP + OFFICIAL JPN RGB CABLE (signal show as RGBS 263P 15.58Hz 59.27Hz)
also, analog sync LPF is required in my case (some rare dropouts)

[Avrel]

I received my OSSC Friday, and had a bit of time to use it this we.

First feedback. My N64 looks AMAZING ! I felt like 14 again in front of Mario 64 and Goldeneye !! Great job.
(I will receive my PS2 RGB cable soon)

On the 480i games (not so bad because most of the games I care about are 240p), there is a slight vertical jitter that is particularly visible in the menus (because of the static texts). I remember reading something about implementing a fine setting for the offset in 480i mode to solve the issue, is that on the roadmap ?

An improvement that would be welcome (if possible of course) would be the possibility to create profiles for the settings. Because there is a lot a variations depending on the screen used, but also the games (for some reason some need Analog Sync LPF 2,5Mhz and some are fine with 10 or even without)... An of course different systems, but I only used one so far.

[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?

I tried the overscan 239p and my Sony TV does not like it at all. Its just constantly trying to sync.

I think I found a bug with the sync LPF. Various games on the SNES need 2,5Mhz sync LPF like Street Fighter 2 and The lost Vikings or they would show a black screen after the intro. I saved this setting but the games don't work after I turn on the OSSC. It shows in settings that its on 2,5Mhz but I have to change the sync LPF to something else and then back to 2,5Mhz and then they work. It seems the setting is not being applied to the chip at startup?

Something like this may also be happening with line tripling. I had the SNES on 256x240 optimized mode and had a pixel perfect image on my monitor but sometimes after switching back from interlaced I also had to change the sync LPF to something else and then back to 2,5Mhz to get a pixel perfect image again.

[BuckoA51]

I tried the overscan 239p and my Sony TV does not like it at all. Its just constantly trying to sync.

Thanks, that was with your SNES Mini?

Various games on the SNES need 2,5Mhz sync LPF like Street Fighter 2 and The lost Vikings or they would show a black screen after the intro.

What kind of RGB cable are you using?

Something like this may also be happening with line tripling. I had the SNES on 256x240 optimized mode and had a pixel perfect image on my monitor but sometimes after switching back from interlaced I also had to change the sync LPF to something else and then back to 2,5Mhz to get a pixel perfect image again.

Unfortunately the optimal values change every time you use that setting, so you need to re-tune them each time. Better to just use generic 4:3 for such games.

[marqs]

I think I found a bug with the sync LPF. Various games on the SNES need 2,5Mhz sync LPF like Street Fighter 2 and The lost Vikings or they would show a black screen after the intro. I saved this setting but the games don't work after I turn on the OSSC. It shows in settings that its on 2,5Mhz but I have to change the sync LPF to something else and then back to 2,5Mhz and then they work. It seems the setting is not being applied to the chip at startup?

Good catch. I checked the code and initialization does not load LPF and some other settings correctly. Will be fixed on next fw. Are you using composite video as sync btw? I haven't had to use sync LPF with SNES (or other consoles) using c-sync.

Something like this may also be happening with line tripling. I had the SNES on 256x240 optimized mode and had a pixel perfect image on my monitor but sometimes after switching back from interlaced I also had to change the sync LPF to something else and then back to 2,5Mhz to get a pixel perfect image again.

Sync and video LPF affect the phase relationship of sync and video, so one sampling phase value is good only when you keep those fixed. Then there's the TVP7002 bug which sometimes causes the reference phase being at 180deg offset when establishing sync with certain sampling modes.

[Xyga]

Short lived happiness today, had a delivery notice, went to the post office to pick it up, but it wasn't the OSSC.

Any other French who ordered it from the first batch as well ?

I don't know if it's the strikes (not heavy though) or whatever, fingers crossed it's nothing more serious.

[akumajo]

Any other French who ordered it from the first batch as well ?

yup, received and works fine

[marqs]

Any other French who ordered it from the first batch as well ?

yup, received and works fine

Both of these packages were sent at the same time 2 weeks ago.

[fafangus]

Short lived happiness today, had a delivery notice, went to the post office to pick it up, but it wasn't the OSSC.

Any other French who ordered it from the first batch as well ?

I don't know if it's the strikes (not heavy though) or whatever, fingers crossed it's nothing more serious.

Ah Xyga t'est français lol !!
J'adore ton avatar

[Xyga]

Oui. 'Tis I, the Frenchiest fry.

[paulb_nl]

Thanks, that was with your SNES Mini?

That was not with a mini but it was with a 1-CHIP.

What kind of RGB cable are you using?

Good catch. I checked the code and initialization does not load LPF and some other settings correctly. Will be fixed on next fw. Are you using composite video as sync btw? I haven't had to use sync LPF with SNES (or other consoles) using c-sync.

Thanks for the fast fix. I am using an official SNES PAL RGB cable rewired for NTSC and Luma sync. Games like Mario world and Donkey kong country don't need sync LPF but others do.

Sync and video LPF affect the phase relationship of sync and video, so one sampling phase value is good only when you keep those fixed. Then there's the TVP7002 bug which sometimes causes the reference phase being at 180deg offset when establishing sync with certain sampling modes.

If I turn on 256x240 optimized and I just keep switching my SNES on and off without changing settings then sometimes its pixel perfect and sometimes its jittery. Is that because of the TVP7002?

[marqs]

If I turn on 256x240 optimized and I just keep switching my SNES on and off without changing settings then sometimes its pixel perfect and sometimes its jittery. Is that because of the TVP7002?

Yes, it has that bug when using a special config where it uses 2x PLL clock internally (reduces jitter with low pixel clocks). I could switch back to normal config for 256x240 optimized mode to avoid the issue, but it needs to be tested in more detail to get a good view of all positives/negatives.

[BuckoA51]

That was not with a mini but it was with a 1-CHIP.

Ok thanks for trying that for me. Seems 1-chip consoles are no more/less compatible.

Thanks for the fast fix. I am using an official SNES PAL RGB cable rewired for NTSC and Luma sync. Games like Mario world and Donkey kong country don't need sync LPF but others do.

Ok I'll investigate that see if I can reproduce it here too.

[ZellSF]

So it wasn't mentioned... How does the DVD VP50Pro work on the OSSC with latest firmware? On earlier firmware it couldn't frame lock at linetriple mode, can it now? Can it frame lock in regular 480p mode?

And how's the non-ABT102 VP30 for a OSSC companion?

I know the VP50 suffers from input lag in 480p mode, is this unique to the VP50 or does the VP30 and VP50Pro also do this?

[BuckoA51]

Patience please! I'll start testing that as soon as I can.

[Fudoh]

I know the VP50 suffers from input lag in 480p mode, is this unique to the VP50 or does the VP30 and VP50Pro also do this?

the VP30 without ABT102 does not, nor does the 50Pro. Both have 6ms lag for 480p sources. I'm not sure, but wasn't this fixed at some point for the VP50 ? I really can't remember. The ABT102 should behave the same way the VP50 does. On the 50Pro you have to disable PREP and Cadence detection to gain those low lag figures.

Can it frame lock in regular 480p mode?

of course.

[RocketBelt]

I know the VP50 suffers from input lag in 480p mode, is this unique to the VP50 or does the VP30 and VP50Pro also do this?

the VP30 without ABT102 does not, nor does the 50Pro. Both have 6ms lag for 480p sources. I'm not sure, but wasn't this fixed at some point for the VP50 ? I really can't remember. The ABT102 should behave the same way the VP50 does. On the 50Pro you have to disable PREP and Cadence detection to gain those low lag figures.

Can it frame lock in regular 480p mode?

of course.

Yes you can turn cadence detection off on the VP50 just like on the pro model, and processing time goes back to normal.
One of the later firmwares introduced this option.

[BuckoA51]

No problems with SNES Street Fighter 2 or Lost Vikings using a csync (clean composite sync) cable and sync LPF off.