RetroTINK 5X or OSSC Pro? Buy now or wait?

[Jarrah White]

The main selling point for the 5X seems to be its seamless handling of 240p to 480i transitions and better compatibility with capture cards and television sets than the original OSSC or past RetroTINK products. But in all the reviews I’ve seen and things I’ve read about it, I can see a few deal breakers. First, it has no VGA input. While there are custom SCART cables for the Dreamcast, I’ve found that 480p over SCART is somewhat darker than a straight VGA signal. Second, I understand that the 5X does not support RGsB – which is my preferred way to get 480p out of a PS2. Third, I recall Modern Vintage Gamer reported issues with PAL content on Amiga computers. I don’t have any Amiga computers, but being a PAL player I’d like to avoid any compatibility issues.

Is there a comparative list of all the things the upcoming OSSC Pro can do that the RetroTINK 5X can’t and vice versa?

[BuckoA51]

It will really come down to if you need the extra features of the Pro and are prepared to pay the extra price. Markus is designing the Pro to be as flexible as possible, which means all scaling/sync processing etc are on the FPGA. 5x takes a different approach and uses an older FPGA and custom hardware for the sync processing etc. Also we’re hoping the open source community gets behind the 5x and develops us some cool features like graphics filters etc, but I guess that’s to be seen.

I’ve found that 480p over SCART is somewhat darker than a straight VGA signal

There’s absolutely no reason why using composite sync rather than separate sync would do that. I suspect a cable/adapter problem if that’s what you’re seeing.

I understand that the 5X does not support RGsB – which is my preferred way to get 480p out of a PS2

That is correct.

Modern Vintage Gamer reported issues with PAL content on Amiga computers.

That I can’t tell you, I do have an Amiga so I’ll test it but I’ve not managed to secure one for myself yet, let alone any for resale!

[Jarrah White]

There’s absolutely no reason why using composite sync rather than separate sync would do that. I suspect a cable/adapter problem if that’s what you’re seeing.

I had purchased a Dreamcast SCART cable from retrogamingcables.co.uk, previously I had used the official HKT-8100 VGA adapter. When I complained about the brightness loss, I was told it was something to do with the resistors needed to lower the voltage. Just for comparison, here’s a capture test I made before returning it. These were made by feeding the Dreamcast 480p signal into the OSSC with an mClassic attached. First with the official VGA adapter and second with the SCART cable.

That I can’t tell you, I do have an Amiga so I’ll test it but I’ve not managed to secure one for myself yet, let alone any for resale!

I’m in no hurry to buy an Amiga computer, but the PAL systems I own include a PS1, PS2, SNES, N64, Saturn, AV-modified NES top loader, and an original Xbox. I own a GameCube and Wii too, but I have HDMI adapters for both. Can you check how well the RetroTINK 5X handles these using RGB SCART?

That’s another thing too I’ve read about the 5X, I heard its more geared for people who use the HD Retrovision component cables rather an SCART leads.

EDIT: I misread your post, sorry. I see you don’t own a RetroTINK 5X yet.

[Jarrah White]

Well, here’s another potential issue. From the product description…

RGB SCART cables preferably use 75 ohm sync-on-luma or sync on composite. CSYNC directly from a console with the appropriate attenuation will generally work. Do not use TTL CSYNC or anything with a sync stripper in it.

That’ll probably break it for me. My RGB modified N64 uses a GameCube SCART lead with a built-in sync-stripper. So it won’t work with the 5X, unless I switch back to using S-video.

[BuckoA51]

You should not use such cables outputting TTL voltage sync with OSSC either, or any consumer SCART equipment. I recommend replacing that cable if that is what it is doing.

We would always recommend using 480p SCART cable with Dreamcast and OSSC too, particularly if you play any software that’s 15khz, so you benefit from the low-pass filter.

[Jarrah White]

I don’t even know what TTL voltage sync means. All my SCART cables are either sync on composite, sync on luma or C-syinc – either real C-sync or via a builtin sync stripper.

I play Dreamcast using the official VGA adapter, as I showed above with those screenshots I find the resistors used in the Dreamcast SCART cable causes a noticeably drop in brightness compared to VGA.

[BuckoA51]

By using the VGA adapter on the OSSC you lose the low pass filter which severely affects games in 480i or 240p.

Check the brightness against a test pattern in 240p suite to see if you’re actually losing any detail (I doubt it). The aspect ratio is off on the bottom picture too or at least one of the pictures, be sure to set up your Dreamcast as per the wiki page.

Your cables should be outputting 75 ohm CSYNC not TTL CSYNC, if you have older, badly made cables this could be the case. As long as your cables output 75 ohm CSYNC they are safe to use on OSSC or RetroTINK 5x. There is no need to use a sync stripper unless you have e.g Extron Crosspoints in your setup.

[Jarrah White]

Just a heads up, since making this thread, I’ve acquired a device from Retro Upgrades called the VGA2SCART Sync Combiner. It converts RGBHV to RGBS without any loss of brightness. So that’s one weight off my shoulders.

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