Anyone else into HDMI modded or FPGA retro consoles?

[aileron]

Thanks a lot for all of the advice. Sharp pixels eh? I'm not sure I would like that. I grew up on 8 bit consoles plugged into CRT TVs and CRT arcade games. I think the developers knew that's what their games would be displayed on and counted on the blurriness. I have a C128 that I want to get going again. I probably won't get anymore retro systems.

[Blue Stinger]

aileron Yes, this is the OSSC. It's a line multiplier with 2ms of added input lag (so virtually no added lag). It allows you to double the OUTPUT resolution of retro consoles.
So, it's not a box that will make your PS1 running in 1080p, but it will allow you to multiply the output resolution up to 1920x1200p and you get sharp pixels. Basically, instead of a single pixel, your TV will receive 4, 9, 16 or 25 pixels (for each pixel the console sent).

For instance, my Dreamcast is connected via VGA and sends 480p, 480p can only be doubled so my TV gets 1380x960. My OG Xbox sends 480p as well so my TV receives 1360x960 and my PS1 sends 240p and my TV can receive : 480p, 720p, 1080 or 1200.

First, make sure you like sharp pixels... You should check MyLifeInGaming (a youtube channel) and watch the RGB101 video. From there, either you're hooked up and you will watch every single video they've ever made or you won't like the look of those big sharp pixels.

Be "careful", this is a very expensive hobby ! And you're going to make expensive mistakes along the way.

Watch the video I told you to watch, make sure that you like what you see. Then, connect a 480p console to a 4K screen and ask yourself : "can I live with that ?". Because I've met people who went out of their way to get those gorgeous looking pixels out of their retro consoles, once they had spend thousands of dollars, they realized that it wasn't that important to them in the end...

Also, don't expect to know everything in a week... Ask around. Watch that video, if you liked what you see, come back and I'll give you some advice and give you the links you'll need to get good info.

[grayfox313]

Oh believe me, I'm a frequent flyer at My Life in Gaming and I know all about it lol. I just mostly do FPGA with HDMI and HDMI modded, my PS1 is the only 240 console I currently have hooked up. Eventually I want the OSSC for when I get a PC engine, and probably a Super SD System 3 if they fix the audio/video problems

[aileron]

Are you talking about this?
https://www.videogameperfection.com/...rce-converter/
What is this magically thing and how have I not heard about it before?

[Blue Stinger]

The RetroTink2X is great but you can only use it with YPbPr consoles. Honestly, the price of the OSSC can be scary, but once you'll see the results, you'll consider it a bargain ! If/when you buy it, buy the remote with it, it's a must have (the remote overlay can be skipped as you will memorize everything in less than two days).

If you have a 4K TV like I do, you will need an OSSC, 4K TV upscale 480p poorly...

With the OSSC, 240p can be line quintupled (x5, up to 1920x1200), so if you're using your RetroTink with it, you will only be able to upscale to 960p (OSSC only does line doubling with 480p content). So, you can sell you RetroTink 2x to fund your OSSC, that's already half of the price right there !

[grayfox313]

I have a retrotink 2x for 240p sources, probably get an OSSC down the line

[Blue Stinger]

I am but I tackled things differently : I use some good fully shielded RGB, YPbPr or VGA cables and feed them to an OSSC. I can't stand how modern TV upscale low resolution consoles (and the added input lag that goes with it...). What's the next console you're planning on HDMI-fy ? And do you have a low latency HDMI upscaling solution or you just feed 240p and 480p to your TV ?