OSSC Pro For Downscaling

Setup required: None

Cost and availability: Sold online at Video Game Perfection and Stone Age Gamer


The OSSC Pro is practically a perfect 10/10 for downscaling. Recent updates have reduced scaler-mode lag to about 1.5 frames on average, and almost zero when using Adaptive Line Multiplier Mode.

The OSSC Pro has 3 physical analog inputs for RGB and YPbPr, and 1 HDMI input. The stock unit only outputs HDMI which requires a DAC to display on a CRT, but through a separate add-on board, analog RGB or component can be output via an HD15 connector, making the Pro completely plug and play.

Extra AV Out for OSSC Pro

The Pro can output the same vertically stretched 4:3 image as the RetroTink 5x, as well as letterboxed 16:9 within a 4:3 field of view to preserve aspect ratio. Just like other decimators like the DExx and the RetroTink 5x Pro, downscaling non 2x or 3x 2D content and modern-retro games will likely result in a distracting shimmer artefact when the scene scrolls vertically.

As for 3D games downscaled to 240p, a jarring stair-effect (jaggies) will be noticeable on straight edges as seen in the yellow gutter towards the top left in the above capture of Mario Kart 8. For non 2x/3x 2D games and all 3D content, it’s recommended to output 480i which ‘fills in’ vertical detail to reduce these artefacts.

It may be costly as a dedicated downscaler, but for those that put downscaling as a high priority in their setup, or others that want a powerful upscaler and downscaler in a single device, the OSSC Pro is currently the most streamlined and fully featured option.

Verdict: Recommended