RetroTink 2x + OSSC

[bamf226]

What is the proper linkage from console to TV if I have a RetroTINK and OSSC? I’m assuming console -> RetroTINK -> OSSC -> TV. Is this correct? Are there any issues I need to be aware of with this set-up?

[nmalinoski]

You will need an active (not passive) HDMI to VGA converter between the RetroTINK 2X and the OSSC, and the RetroTINK 2X should be put into its passthrough mode, so you can take advantage of the scaling and scanline functionality of the OSSC. Please also note that you should only ever have one device connected at a time to the RetroTINK 2X.

[bamf226]

Would it be best to just send it from RetroTINK to TV? Does piping it into the OSSC give any major benefits?

[nmalinoski]

Depends on what you want out of it. The RetroTINK 2X (Maybe needs a more distinctive name, cause the regular RetroTINK is a RasPi hat) only does passthrough, line-doubling 240p and 480i to 480p, and simple smoothing and filtering; so, if you’re going to run that directly into your TV, it’s up to your TV to do scaling, and some people might be annoyed with having to switch to a different input than the one their OSSC is on.

If you run it into the OSSC, you can use it to process the image in the same way you would for your other consoles, including Line 2x/3x/4x/5x; scanlines; and any sort of timing adjustments.

If you already have an OSSC integrated into your gaming setup, or plan to do so, it may be more desirable to run those legacy consoles through the OSSC for simplicity’s sake, so getting your setup up and running is more standardized. For example, I prioritize ease of use; ideally, I’d like to be able to switch on my home theater receiver (which would turn on my TV with HDMI-CEC), flip a switch on a PDU to turn on my analog AV equipment (including OSSC), and then just turn on whichever console I want to play–my setup should automatically switch AV to bring up the console I just turned on. This is entirely feasible with some of the boutique automatic switches and the right cables and devices.

Now, if I plugged one or more RetroTINK 2Xs directly into my TV or receiver, I’d have two separate processes for getting my consoles running. Personally, I don’t want to have to memorize or figure out, or make my girlfriend do so, how to futz with the AV equipment just right to get a particular console running; I just want it to be as simple as possible.

[mikechi2]

I think Matt is sourcing a good HDMI -> VGA adaptor to link the 2x to the OSSC. The one we’re trying to find in bulk should not need a separate power cord. I made sure the 2x can supply more than the standard 50mA spec for HDMI.

[bamf226]

If I don’t hook up to the OSSC, it will still display on an HDTV, right? Just not full screen?

[BuckoA51]

You will get a 480p signal from the RetroTINK 2x it’s up to your TV how that’s scaled.

I think Matt is sourcing a good HDMI -> VGA adaptor to link the 2x to the OSSC

Yep the store will have everything you need including the tried and tested adapter.

[nmalinoski]

If I don’t hook up to the OSSC, it will still display on an HDTV, right? Just not full screen?

Depends on what you mean by “full screen”, which could mean either the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio or “fills the screen”. I believe it doesn’t force any specific aspect ratio, so, like BuckoA51 said, it’s up to your TV to control the scaling and aspect. Most retro console content is going to be in 4:3, so you’ll want to play it like that, and you’ll only ever want to have it horizontally stretched to 16:9 if the game has a widescreen mode and you’ve enabled it.

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