Analogue video output options for OSSC

Getting VGA from your OSSC

The OSSC can be adapted to output analogue video simply and affordably by using any standard DVI/HDMI to VGA adapter. There are no special requirements for this adapter and pretty much any model on the market will suffice. This allows the unit to be used with high quality analogue only displays, such as PC CRT monitors, CRT projectors, etc.

Although this page was created with the OSSC in mind, there's no reason why these adapters couldn't be used with other processors or digital video equipment, but keep in mind that HDMI devices that use HDCP copy protection may not be compatible with adapters like these.

Tested HDMI/DVI to VGA adapters

Gunstar from the Shmups forum (original thread [1]) has very kindly tested a number of HDMI/DVI to VGA adapters with his OSSC. His findings are presented here. The community is encouraged to add

HD Fury 3

• Cost around £220/$284/€260 as of April 2017
• Audio out
• Manual horizontal image shift control
• Dual female HDMI inputs
• Outputs to YPbPr or RGBHV
• USB powered

No black crush and some some useful additional features such as picture shifting/positioning and the ability to expand the RGB range (I couldn't get this to work). Nevertheless, appears to add a slight ringing/halo effect to the image, as can be seen in the screenshots below.

(images here)

It is difficult to see in these screenshots but the reticule has additional pixels around it that are of a darker value. When using the HD fury 3 they're not visible and the image looks a little softer.

Black detail comparison (Artificially brightened)

(images here)

MECO female HDMI to male VGA

MECO

• Cost around £9.60/$12.40/€11.37 as of April 2017
• Audio out
• Female to Female gender changer may be required
• No external power supply required

Did not work/would not send a signal through to the CRT monitor (possibly a faulty unit).

Tendak female HDMI to male VGA/DSUB

Tendak

• Cost around £13/$16.80/€15.40 as of April 2017
• Audio out
• Female to Female gender changer may be required
• No external power supply required

Does not crush black detail, easily and readily available and comes with a warranty. Build quality is acceptable, the case is plastic and it feels fairly light. Overall this adapter is recommended.

ImageImage No crush on the grey ramp test: Image

Unbranded DVI to VGA

• Cost around £3.36/$4.34/€3.98
• No external power supply required

Crushes blacks. Avoid these type of adapters. ImageImage

Unbranded female HDMI to female VGA

female HDMI to female VGA

(Branded version shown)

• -£5/$6.50/€5.92
• Audio out
• No external power supply required

Quality varies, some crush blacks while others work perfectly. Not recommended since you cannot be sure of the quality of the unit you're getting.