OSSC outputting no signal!!

[WaddleDee72]

Here’s my setup: https://colorsplash.co.uk/OSSC/OSSC_0.jpg

I’m running a video signal from my camera to a control unit that outputs RGB. I bought an RGB to SCART cable on eBay which runs from the control unit to the OSSC.

But when I get everything running, my capture card outputs no signal: https://colorsplash.co.uk/OSSC/OSSC_1.jpg

Now before you blame the capture card, let me point out that I can see the test signal just fine: https://colorsplash.co.uk/OSSC/OSSC_2.jpg
Also, the man in this YouTube video has the same capture card as me and has no issues using it with the OSSC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W3MMJlwyqw

This is what the OSSC shows when it receives the signal: https://colorsplash.co.uk/OSSC/OSSC_3.jpg
And here’s what it shows when I press ‘INFO’ on the remote: https://colorsplash.co.uk/OSSC/OSSC_4.jpg

If I switch the OSSC from Line2x to Passthru, it starts to freak out: https://colorsplash.co.uk/OSSC/OSSC_5.gif

Here’s some information on the camera regarding voltages/frequencies/lines: https://colorsplash.co.uk/OSSC/OSSC_6.jpg

I’m hopelessly lost. Can anyone offer a nugget of advice?

[BuckoA51]

Your links just give me ” Error 1020 Access denied”

[WaddleDee72]

Sorry about that! The domain was blocking non-US IP addresses. Do the links work now?

[Harrumph]

Says camera uses PAL but the readings on OSSC implies NTSC, but is weird because it should not matter if you change between line modes (first image is some off-spec 240p but the other one is on-spec interlaced ntsc). This suggests something is up with the sync. If I read the table correctly, sync is provided via composite video output only. This shouldn’t cause issues normally. So I think you may have a dodgy rgb cable. Check if there is a sync stripper or some kind of resistor on the composite video line (pin 20). When the sync is via 75ohm composite video, the line should just be passthrough with no components on it.

Also can you confirm whether the tape being played back is actually PAL or NTSC?

[WaddleDee72]

The seller told me the cable is passive. I also took off the SCART cover to check the connections myself, and it looks okay to me: https://colorsplash.co.uk/OSSC/RGB_cable.jpg

Apologies for the confusion on the region—I found the service manual online, and it must be for the PAL version of the camera. When I plugged a composite video cable straight into the camera, my capture card read the signal as 29.97 FPS, so that confirms I have an NTSC camera. https://colorsplash.co.uk/OSSC/composite_feed.jpg

But isn’t it strange that the OSSC initially recognizes the signal as 240p when it is a higher resolution?

Also, the table references the pins on the cable coming from the camera, but the sync output on the control unit could be something else…

[BuckoA51]

OSSC isn’t really designed for cameras and consumer video recording equipment, it might work as a simple digitiser in this setup but I wouldn’t expect much more functionality than that.

Long shot but do you have a suitable cable/adapter that you could try the input on AV3 too?

[WaddleDee72]

I just ordered a VGA male connector—I’ll report back once I’m able to solder the pins and test it out

[Harrumph]

Ok that clears a few things up. But conclusion is the same, symptoms indicate a sync issue (since it can misinterpret the interlaced signal which should be pretty much standard coming from a video camera). I’m curious though, when the ossc locka onto the interlaced signal, there really is no picture on the capture card, or on any other display?
Possible I guess that there is some sync shenanigans going on in the control unit. If it’s altering voltage level that may be a bad thing.
Didyou try playing with the sync settings on the OSSC at all?
Any chance of getting hold of a manual for the control unit? Perhaps you can take a picture of the back of the unit so we can see the output labels?
Just as a note, for best result I think you should capture in passthrough so you can do more advanced de-interlacing afterwards. The ossc bob-deinterlace is not suitable for normal video camera content at all.

Sorry for the many new questions, just throwing some ideas out there.

[WaddleDee72]

Sorry for the long absence, I’ve been overloaded with work stuff lately.

BuckoA51, I finally soldered together some cables to connect the RGB into the AV3 of the OSSC and it worked!!! I then questioned if I even needed the OSSC at all, since my StarTech capture card has a VGA-in port. But a direct connection to the capture card resulted in choppy video, so I will be sticking with the OSSC after all.

Thank you Harrumph as well for offering your help through my struggles. If anyone else ever wants to record RGB video from their 1980s Sony DXC-M3A camera, now we know how to do it.

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