Why do you want audio built in?

You can get an HDMI audio injector.

That way you only need to worry about the scaler itself.

cyclone3d wrote on 2023-03-26, 16:34:

Why do you want audio built in?

To be able to transfer the audio via HDMI to a capture device.

cyclone3d wrote on 2023-03-26, 16:34:

You can get an HDMI audio injector.

That would be an option if I can't find the right scaler.
Thanks for your input!!

Adding to that, the thing with the audio is that very few Capture cards have audio inputs, they usually have inputs for game console's headset or mic in.
I've tried two that have audio inputs and both are noisy: Avermedia Live Gamer Extreme 3, ClearClick 4K HD Ultimate.
The idea is to have everything coming from the Capture card's USB-C to my laptop (which doesn't have a line-in).

Anyways, if there's a scaler that can handle 720x400 @70Hz with notifications off, I can figure out the audio later.
I just bought an Ezcap Gamedock Ultra capture box that has a line-in, it will arrive sometime next week, will see how it goes.

Aten VC180 ?

Thanks for your suggestion, but it depends...
I have seen several options online like the Aten VC180 and other brands, (Gefen), Atlona, Hall Technologies, Kramer, Startech, Extron.....
I'm done spending money trying to figure out which one will work for me, I can't just buy them all and see which one I like the best.

I'm aware of the many options out there, the thing is, which one will support 720x400 @70Hz with the option to turn off the on-screen resolution notifications?.

Why 720x400 @70Hz? that's the output resolution my 486 PC video cards output, or that's what my monitor tells me, no matter what video card I use (mostly from the 90's).
Many (or most) games will switch to a different resolution, but I want to be able to capture anything I want from a DOS PC, even the boot screens.

I don't want to be limited to a particular setup just because a VGA scaler doesn't like the others. (That's not an option for me).

And as a big plus, digital / Analog audio in/outs will be more than welcome.

Aten does 75Hz with 640x480/800x600, so it should be fine with your DOS resolution (my VC160A supports it).

Yes when a program / game runs in that resolution, but my video cards boot with 720x400 @70Hz resolution. I have no clue why is that but I found this:
https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com/ques … x400-resolution

Are those output or input resolutions?
Do your Aten VC160A displays a notification when the resolution changes? if so, can you turn that off?
When you boot your DOS PC, is the Aten able to display the boot screen and the DOS prompt? What video card are you using? (and the resolution it runs in plain DOS)

Thanks!

Here is another option.... Forget trying to find a VGA to HDMI scaler that does everything you want.

Look up the TV One 1T-C2-400

It is a fully programmable VGA scaler.

You can then chain it to a cheap VGA to HDMI adapter and not have to worry about whether or not the VGA to HDMI scaler supports specific VGA resolutions.

Dusko wrote on 2023-03-26, 23:16:

Are those output or input resolutions?
Do your Aten VC160A displays a notification when the resolution changes? if so, can you turn that off?
When you boot your DOS PC, is the Aten able to display the boot screen and the DOS prompt? What video card are you using? (and the resolution it runs in plain DOS)

My VC160A displays DOS resolutions (on both capture cards I tried it with so far, Intesity Pro 4k and avermedia gc573 and my main monitor).
It doesn't have a notification of resolution change.
It does POST, but sometimes is too slow to pick VGA message (depends on card).
I used multiple cards with it from basic ISA OAK 077 through S3s, Virges, Rages and ending on Radeons/GeForces.
Will try to test some weird resolutions, but 720x400 at 70Hz worked fine.

Awesome!!!!!!!, thanks for the info. This makes the Aten VC160A a great candidate.
Yep, I also have a bunch of cards like you, 🤣!

I wonder if the VC180 does the same. As I mentioned earlier, older models of the Gefen support that resolution but don't have the option to disable the notification, and on "newer" models it's the other way around.
I might end up pulling the trigger on an Aten VC180 (and hope for the best).
How's the image quality of your Aten?

cyclone3d wrote on 2023-03-26, 23:23:

Here is another option.... Forget trying to find a VGA to HDMI scaler that does everything you want. […]
Show full quote

Here is another option.... Forget trying to find a VGA to HDMI scaler that does everything you want.

Look up the TV One 1T-C2-400

It is a fully programmable VGA scaler.

You can then chain it to a cheap VGA to HDMI adapter and not have to worry about whether or not the VGA to HDMI scaler supports specific VGA resolutions.

Interesting device! I think the Aten scalers have what I'm looking for.

Image quality is fine to me on 60/70Hz signal for my 160A model.

But I should add two things :
1) Aten will sometimes require a restart (holding one of the buttons underneat the unit for few seconds and releasing it), to lock onto different resolution/signal. When reset is required depends on resolutions it switches from/to.
2) It requires a device on the other end to support signal it sends.
So, if your video card sends 70Hz refresh, your monitor/capture card need to support it as well. I had issues on intensity pro 4k where it failed to see a signal (HDMI), while both gc573 and my main monitor were fine with it.

I bypassed Blackmagic's limitation by adding another set of adapters, but it was even more $$ spent. At the moment, I just use Datapath card (E1S) and capture sound separetly. No need for Aten in it's case.

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

The Aten scalers are hard to find here in the US, and very pricey, specially the VC180 and VC182. Maybe I'll have to go for a VC160A.
I'm also considering the Extron RGB HDMI 300 A, but I have no idea which of the two is the better option.

Thanks again for your help!