Video Upscaler Input Lag Comparison -
Framemeister, OSSC & HD Video Converter
This is a quick article to compare input lag using three different upscalers The Framemeister, The OSSC and the HD Video Converter. This article is not really setup for the newcomer, so if you want the basics please lookup RetroRGB and My life in gaming on you tube for an introduction to the subject.
.
.
The Contenders
The XRGB Mini "Framemeister" by Micomsoft sold by Solaris Japan for ¥37,590 (plus postage)
The Open Source Scan Converter "OSSC" Version 1.6 developed by Marqs and sold by Video Game Perfection for £162.00 (plus PSU, remote and postage)
The HD Video Converter - SCART to HDMI purchased from Ebay for $45 AUD
The Setup used for this test
Sony PVM 14M4A from Gumtree (similar to Craigslist)
Dell SE2417HG PC Monitor from JB HIFI
SCART cables and BNC adapters from Retro Gaming Cables
3m Sony male to male SCART cable sold by the Behar Bros.
4K Compatible HDMI cables from Ebay
The Gscart Lite SCART switch from Gretro Stuff
A North American Super Nintendo Mini, RGB modded with Borti's THS7374 Board. Modded by RGB Rob.
The Super UFO Pro 8 Rom Cart (Not the best, but it can run the software I'm using.) from Amazon
The 240p Test Suite software by Artemio Urbina. free from sourceforge
How to measure lag using the 240p Test Suite
This piece of software allows me to run two tests for this experiment. The Manual Lag Test where i have to press a button on my Super Nintendo controller when i see two star shapes line up on top of each other on the screen. THIS TEST IS SUBJECT TO HUMAN ERROR. But it does spit out the number of frames of lag between the stars aligning and you pressing the button.
The Video Lag Test (labelled as Lag Test on the menu screen) requires you to split your RGB Scart signals from your console to both a CRT and through an upscaler into a flat screen. It shows a white screen with a digital clock counting up from zero seconds until you stop the test. It also has flashing circles to show which frame is on screen. You have to film both screens with the same video camera and play back the footage in slow motion to see if the numbers on each screen matches. If the counter does not match then you have input lag.
The input lag can come from ANY device in your video chain so be sure to test them all.
The Results
The OSSC
The OSSC came in at 0.51 frames of Lag on the manual test and the video lag test seems to be around 1 frame.
I spoke with Matt Buxton from Video Game Perfection and he said that the OSSC is essentially Lag free, and that the lag is likely being introduced by the monitor itself. Considering its a consumer grade monitor and not a digital PVM he is most likely correct.
I don't think any of us can afford a ten thousand dollar professional flatscreen monitor, so we may just have to live with a frame of lag. Just make sure your TV or monitor is in "Game Mode" to minimize the lag.
To summarize: OSSC is Lag Free, TV is NOT!
Manual Lag Test
You can view the Video Lag Test Below to compare for yourself
Video Lag Test
The Framemeister
Manual Lag Test
Video Lag Test
The HD Video Converter - SCART to HDMI
This Budget entry came in at 3.3 Frames of Lag in the manual test although the video lag test gives me six frames of lag. It also shifts the picture to the left of the screen.
Manual Lag Test
Video Lag Test
Pros & Cons
OSSC Pros
Medium Price
Lowest Lag
allows for true 5x scaling (Line Quintuple)
Supports Sync on green (480p RGB over SCART)
OSSC Cons
Pre order only
Not compatible with all TVs in all modes (480p only works-
on my monitor in pass through mode, not 2x)
Extra cable needed to run RCA audio from component
consoles to the 3.5mm V2 audio input jack on the OSSC
Audio compatibility issues with my SNES mini in 3x, 4x & 5x
Short pause in video output when switching resolutions
Best For
Shoot-em-ups, rhythm games & platformers.
Framemeister Pros
Full Compatibility with all TVs (AFAIK)
Zoom Options
Firebrand X Profiles
In Stock
Framemeister Cons
Most Expensive
Need to buy adapters for video inputs (D terminal to component & euroscart to mini din 8)
2 Frames of lag
Only offers line doubling to 480p which is then stretched to higher resolutions (source: Phonedork)
Long pause in video output when switching resolutions
Best For
PSP, Super Game Boy & Gameboy Player.
HDVC Pros
Full compatibility with TVs (AFAIK)
Widely Available
Least Expensive
Overcomes issues when switching between 240p & 480i in some games
HDVC Cons
Six frames of lag
Stretches image from 4:3 to 16:9
Misinterprets 240p as 480i
Ringing and saturation issues
just stretches 480i to higher resolutions
just stretches 480i to higher resolutions
Best For
Streamers using a CRT to game with, capturing footage and people playing Silent Hill or Chrono Cross.
If you are on a very low budged then you are better off using the HD Retrovision Component Cables than the cheap upscaler.
I own an OSSC but I later got the cheap HD converter anyway just for fun. Yes, there's too much saturation going on, and the lag makes most games unplayable, but I just had to see for myself if the 240p-480i blackout transitions were completely eliminated, and they were. I got the converter dirt cheap and I have to admit it was nice seeing the long-lost first few seconds of PlayStation FMV after a resolution switch. It's precious few seconds I wouldn't have been able to see again outside of hooking up the console to a CRT.
ReplyDeleteThe lag results you got seem to match my own tests with Tobal 2 for PS1. I know in that game at least, if you pause the game in Quest Mode, the game goes completely silent. So I captured some video and with VirtualDub I counted the frames between the silent portion of the video and when I saw the game actually pause. I counted 7 frames.