Interesting thread. I ordered one of these, it should take a while to reach me but I will let you guys know how that works out..

appiah4 wrote on 2020-06-03, 12:00:

Interesting thread. I ordered one of these, it should take a while to reach me but I will let you guys know how that works out..

Very cheap 😉 I think those are the same items in fact.
We need to check carefully if it works in 70hz in DOS mode with some games.

Best regards
Philippe Dubois

Prez wrote on 2020-06-02, 21:20:

Hi ! When i got the 300A, some settings were a bit curious, the display was not exactly right. So i did a factory reset, then se […]
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Hi !
When i got the 300A, some settings were a bit curious, the display was not exactly right.
So i did a factory reset, then select 1080P for output resolution and but HDMI data ON to have sound, with a Auto config before.
And its near perfect 😉

can you share your settings please ?

Best regards
Philippe Dubois

Here are the settings I have changed for my Voodoo 3 3000 . Everything else is at default after factory RESET.

EDIT: This is in 720x400 70Hz text mode . The same settings are used in 320x200 70Hz mode .

darry wrote on 2020-06-03, 23:24:

Prez wrote on 2020-06-02, 21:20:

Hi ! When i got the 300A, some settings were a bit curious, the display was not exactly right. So i did a factory reset, then se […]
Show full quote

Hi !
When i got the 300A, some settings were a bit curious, the display was not exactly right.
So i did a factory reset, then select 1080P for output resolution and but HDMI data ON to have sound, with a Auto config before.
And its near perfect 😉

can you share your settings please ?

Best regards
Philippe Dubois

Here are the settings I have changed for my Voodoo 3 3000 . Everything else is at default after factory RESET.

EDIT: This is in 720x400 70Hz text mode . The same settings are used in 320x200 70Hz mode .20200603_191840.jpg

Ideally for optimal 640x400 mode (320x200 is line doubled by VGA card, actually), the timings would need to be slightly different, but since there is no way to distinguish the actual horizontal resolution of an analogue VGA signal (maybe not absolutely no way, but not without image content analysis), the Extron applies the same timings to 640x400 and 720x400 . There is a timing memory, so it would be possible to have an optimized setting for each resolution .

I got the 720x400@70Hz timings from here http://martin.hinner.info/vga/timing.html
For optimal 640x400@70Hz , this should do the trick http://tinyvga.com/vga-timing/640x400@70Hz

With my current monitor's ability to accept 70Hz at 1600x1200 (Acer VW257 is 1920x1200, but handles 1600x1200 without stretching) and my newly discovered ability to see the difference between actual 70Hz and 70Hz frameskipped to 60Hz , I am starting to consider an OSSC . The one thing stopping me (other than the price) is that it is unclear to me whether I can configure certain resolutions (800x600 and above, up to 1600x1200) to automatically pass-through without line-doubling . Basically, I don't want to spend my time switching presets manually on the OSSC except when unavoidable (640x400 vs 720x400).

EDIT2: Re-reading the docs, I think it would work the way I want it to by switching everything to pass-through expect 400-line mode at 70Hz output . Then all I would need to do is switch settings between 640x400 and 720x400 optimized modes . I will give it some thought as I already have functional 70Hz in DOS, scaled to 1600x1200, over DVI (using an EDID emulator) on an FX 5900 . Voodoo 3's VGA core has been more compatible in my experience, though .

OSSC info is here --> http://junkerhq.net/xrgb/index.php?title=OSSC

When banging my head against this very problem, I found that by issuing the command "MODE CON: LINES=43" in the AUTOEXEC.BAT this would force my FX-5200 to use EGA text mode timing instead of VGA text mode timing. Even if you change back to standard 25 line mode, the pixel clock change "sticks" until a reboot. So you get 800 h total and 640 h active in both VGA low res graphics mode and text mode. There is a horizontal shift of one column's worth, but this is a separate issue that affects certain VGA cards even using native 720/900 horizontal for text mode.

darry wrote on 2020-06-04, 03:59:

The one thing stopping me (other than the price) is that it is unclear to me whether I can configure certain resolutions (800x600 and above, up to 1600x1200) to automatically pass-through without line-doubling .

The OSSC is not even capable of line doubling any source above EDTV line counts (480p/576p) with current firmware. 800x600 and on up are simply digitized and passed through.

maxtherabbit wrote on 2020-06-04, 15:36:

darry wrote on 2020-06-04, 03:59:

The one thing stopping me (other than the price) is that it is unclear to me whether I can configure certain resolutions (800x600 and above, up to 1600x1200) to automatically pass-through without line-doubling .

The OSSC is not even capable of line doubling any source above EDTV line counts (480p/576p) with current firmware. 800x600 and on up are simply digitized and passed through.

Thats what I had come to think after reading the docs again . Thank you for confirming . All I need now is to decide whether I really want one .

OSSC cannot outpass 1200P effectively, do the maths 😉

Prez wrote on 2020-06-04, 16:10:

OSSC cannot outpass 1200P effectively, do the maths 😉

1600x1200 60Hz at VESA timings is within DVI specs (162MHz) so it should work in passthrough.

As for 1600x1200 70Hz in Line3x mode, if I can get it to use reduced blanking, the pixel clock will stay below 153Mhz and I know my monitor works with that (FX 5900 over DVI works using EDID emulator), so it should work too .

Excerpt from docs :

1Line3x Generic: 1600x1200 mode for 400p input. Not guaranteed to work due to pixel clock exceeding recommended HW limits

EDIT: Unless I am misunderstanding something ?

Prez wrote on 2020-06-04, 16:10:

OSSC cannot outpass 1200P effectively, do the maths 😉

DESCRIPTION
The TVP7002 is a complete solution for digitizing video and graphic signals in RGB or YPbPr color spaces. The device supports pixel rates up to 165MHz. Therefore, it can be used for PC graphics digitizing up to the VESA standard of UXGA (1600× 1200) resolution at a 60-Hz screen refresh rate, and in video environments for the digitizing of digital TV formats, including HDTV up to 1080p.

Looks like TI already did the maths for me

ITE's IT6613 HDMI TX is also rated for UXGA

@darry can you try the MODE CON: LINES=43 trick on your V3 and extron scaler? I'm curious if it works on the 3dfx cards as well as the nvidia.

Tangentially related: as a scaler I preferred the Extron RGB-DVI 300 over the OSSC for a PC in most ways, but it does add a frame of lag. The OSSC only adds a scanline or two. I would def use the Extron for capture, but the OSSC is probably better for game play

maxtherabbit wrote on 2020-06-04, 18:49:

@darry can you try the MODE CON: LINES=43 trick on your V3 and extron scaler? I'm curious if it works on the 3dfx cards as well as the nvidia.

Tangentially related: as a scaler I preferred the Extron RGB-DVI 300 over the OSSC for a PC in most ways, but it does add a frame of lag. The OSSC only adds a scanline or two. I would def use the Extron for capture, but the OSSC is probably better for game play

@maxthetabbit I will give that a shot on the Voodoo 3 and let you know, though as mentioned before, I can use presets on the Extron, so I can have one for each mode anyway and switch manually .

The reasons for wanting the OSSC is for preserving 70Hz output (which the Extron does not do), sharper integer scaling (compared to Nvidia over DVI) and for potential better compatibility with demoscene stuff .

EDIT:I would use the VGA port on the monitor directly, but the monitor does not preserve aspect ratio on 400 line modes and always stretches to full wide screen .

darry wrote on 2020-06-04, 19:06:

@maxthetabbit I will give that a shot on the Voodoo 3 and let you know, though as mentioned before, I can use presets on the Ex […]
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maxtherabbit wrote on 2020-06-04, 18:49:

@darry can you try the MODE CON: LINES=43 trick on your V3 and extron scaler? I'm curious if it works on the 3dfx cards as well as the nvidia.

Tangentially related: as a scaler I preferred the Extron RGB-DVI 300 over the OSSC for a PC in most ways, but it does add a frame of lag. The OSSC only adds a scanline or two. I would def use the Extron for capture, but the OSSC is probably better for game play

@maxthetabbit I will give that a shot on the Voodoo 3 and let you know, though as mentioned before, I can use presets on the Extron, so I can have one for each mode anyway and switch manually .

The reasons for wanting the OSSC is for preserving 70Hz output (which the Extron does not do), sharper integer scaling (compared to Nvidia over DVI) and for potential better compatibility with demoscene stuff .

EDIT:I would use the VGA port on the monitor directly, but the monitor does not preserve aspect ratio on 400 line modes and always stretches to full wide screen .

I will soon find out whether an OSSC works for my intended purpose . I bit the bullet . I got the only "affordable" variant I could get at 255$ Canadian . Every other option had a two month+ wait and a price tag close to double this . My guaranteed delivery date is Sunday . I hope I did not get suckered into a crappy, shoddily assembled and maybe non-functional variant . It has 0 reviews, but it is fulfilled by Amazon, so it does have that going for it . Somebody has to go first.

darry wrote on 2020-06-04, 23:56:

Somebody has to go first.

🤣 what I've had one for years

maxtherabbit wrote on 2020-06-05, 13:15:

darry wrote on 2020-06-04, 23:56:

Somebody has to go first.

🤣 what I've had one for years

I meant the first to buy that specific unreviewed OSSC variant from Amazon, not the first to get an OSSC. I am obviously late to that second ball .

Hi all,

I ordered this one, its cheap : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000330193506 … .3e9c3f7behMnTV
And it says explicitely :

Resolutions:
Automatically identify the HDTV or monitor EDID by DDC channel.
Adapt to HDTV or DVI monitor automatically.
No power adaptor, no messy cords—just one HDMI cable.
Hassle Free! Plug and play.
Support input/output Mode:
640x480@60/72/75/85Hz, 720x400@70Hz,
800x600@60/72/75/85Hz, 1024x768@60/70/75/85Hz,
1152x864@75Hz, 1280x720@60Hz,
1280x768@60/75/85Hz， 1280x800@60/75/85Hz,
1280x960@60Hz, 1280x1024@60/75Hz,
1360x768@60Hz, 1400x1050@60Hz,
1440x900@60Hz, 1600x1200@60Hz,
1680x1050@60Hz, 1920x1080@60Hz,
1920x1200_RB@60Hz, 1920x1200@60H

Will show my tests 😉

Best regards
Philippe Dubois

maxtherabbit wrote on 2020-06-04, 18:49:

@darry can you try the MODE CON: LINES=43 trick on your V3 and extron scaler? I'm curious if it works on the 3dfx cards as well as the nvidia.

Tangentially related: as a scaler I preferred the Extron RGB-DVI 300 over the OSSC for a PC in most ways, but it does add a frame of lag. The OSSC only adds a scanline or two. I would def use the Extron for capture, but the OSSC is probably better for game play

Still i find the Extron 300 (A or not i think) still a bit blurry, especially in higher resolutions (1024x768 etc).
Something that is complelety absent from the OSSC, which gives a really perfect picture with very, very clear pixels.

Best regards
Philippe Dubois

Prez wrote on 2020-06-06, 09:57:

Still i find the Extron 300 (A or not i think) still a bit blurry, especially in higher resolutions (1024x768 etc). Something t […]
Show full quote

maxtherabbit wrote on 2020-06-04, 18:49:

@darry can you try the MODE CON: LINES=43 trick on your V3 and extron scaler? I'm curious if it works on the 3dfx cards as well as the nvidia.

Tangentially related: as a scaler I preferred the Extron RGB-DVI 300 over the OSSC for a PC in most ways, but it does add a frame of lag. The OSSC only adds a scanline or two. I would def use the Extron for capture, but the OSSC is probably better for game play

Still i find the Extron 300 (A or not i think) still a bit blurry, especially in higher resolutions (1024x768 etc).
Something that is complelety absent from the OSSC, which gives a really perfect picture with very, very clear pixels.

Best regards
Philippe Dubois

The upscaling on the Extron is a bit soft. But The digitizing is perfectly crisp if it's set up properly.

Prez wrote on 2020-06-06, 09:55:

Hi all, […]
Show full quote

Hi all,

I ordered this one, its cheap : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000330193506 … .3e9c3f7behMnTV
And it says explicitely :

Resolutions:
Automatically identify the HDTV or monitor EDID by DDC channel.
Adapt to HDTV or DVI monitor automatically.
No power adaptor, no messy cords—just one HDMI cable.
Hassle Free! Plug and play.
Support input/output Mode:
640x480@60/72/75/85Hz, 720x400@70Hz,
800x600@60/72/75/85Hz, 1024x768@60/70/75/85Hz,
1152x864@75Hz, 1280x720@60Hz,
1280x768@60/75/85Hz， 1280x800@60/75/85Hz,
1280x960@60Hz, 1280x1024@60/75Hz,
1360x768@60Hz, 1400x1050@60Hz,
1440x900@60Hz, 1600x1200@60Hz,
1680x1050@60Hz, 1920x1080@60Hz,
1920x1200_RB@60Hz, 1920x1200@60H

Will show my tests 😉

Best regards
Philippe Dubois

I am quite curious as to whether it works with both 70Hz input and output and what chipset it uses if it does work .

<RANT>
On another completely unrelated note, I hate it when a brain-dead excuse of a web designer chooses to make it impossible to view item description on the mobile version of a web site, forcing a switch to desktop version . I can understand not showing that info by default, but not having the option to see it at all in mobile mode is beyond idiotic, in my not so humble opinion .
</RANT>

EDIT: You have to click on view all label/button between the related ads and not on the non-clickable Description label . Once you discover it the site is usable. It is still dumb, from a design standpoint, as it gives the impression that the view all applies to the related ads . Maybe I'm the idiot or grumpy old fart here, but I stand by my opinion .

All of those inline VGA to HDMI dongles are absolute garbage