Homepage->PC-98x1 guides->How to connect a PC-98 to the OSSC
[Third party submission] How to connect a PC-98 to the OSSC
Written by: Shintocetra
Introduction
The OSSC is a great upscaler for retro video game systems. With a little tweaking, it can also provide HDMI video (and possibly video/audio, depending on your setup) output from a PC-98. I will only list links for purchase of specialized devices.
What you'll need
- A PC-98. I use a PC-9821 Cx, but this should work for many earlier/later models
- A DB15 (2-row, 15 pin)-VGA(3-row, 15 pin) adapter (unless your PC-98 has a normal VGA port)
- A male-male VGA cable (unless you intend to go down the BNC route below)
- The OSSC
- A HDMI cable.
You'll need this if you want audio output via HDMI, and only if you don't do any of the steps below
You don't need, but I recommend
- a 3.5 mm audio jack male-male cable
- The HD15-2-SCART (US Seller: https://rondoproducts.com/products/rondo-products-hd15-2-scart?dt_id=504345%3Bap%3A232759) (European seller: https://consoles4you.ch/en/hd15-2-scart-adapter?sPartner=RetroRGB )
OR
- The Kenzei
- A PSU for the Kenzei (sold separately)
- A male to male RGB SCART cable
- A 3.5 mm audio jack to RCA stereo (red/white) cable, male-male (unless you have a separate sound system, or your PC-98 has native RCA stereo output)
OR
- 2 VGA to BNC connectors, male-male (make sure it has 5 connectors, one for each of the RGBHV signals)
- 2 BNC female-female connectors
- 3 BNC-RCA male adapters
Only needed if you have a a CRT that won't accept PC-98 frequency
- A connector for HDMI-VGA, HDMI-Component, HDMI-SCART, or whatever connector your CRT uses. Not guaranteed to work.
Directions
- 1. Assuming your PC-98 only has a DB15 connector, screw on the DB15-VGA connector (If you have a VGA port, skip this step).
- 2. Connect the VGA cable from the PC-98 to the OSSC (The OSSC needs to have a PSU and HDMI cord attached, and be powered on, but this is obvious, so I won't list it separately).
- 3. In the OSSC menu with default settings, enable the following option: "Sampling opt>Allow upsample2x=on".
- 4. Change the output to at least line2x (3x and up may be possible depending on your display size). Use the OSSC Remote: "TV/AV" button, then "2" button, and experiment with higher numbers if desired.
- 5. Plug the 3.5 mm audio cable from your PC-98 to your OSSC AV1/AV2 port. Skip this step if you intend to do any of the other steps below.
In some cases, make sure your monitor/TV is set to Widescreen. Overall, this setup will make the image look better than standard OSSC settings, but it still may have some visual noise.
Both of the optional extra steps I listed will help with this:
HD15-2-SCART route:
- 6a. (Optional) You may have to file the edges of the VGA connector on the HD15-2-SCART as they are very tight and may not fit all VGA cables.
- 7a Plug the VGA coming from the PC-98 into the HD15-2-SCART
- 8a Plug the 3.5 mm audio jack to the HD15-2-SCART
- 9a Plug the HD15-2-SCART side into the OSSC. Settings should be the same as before, aside from using the SCART connector/AV1.
Kenzei route:
- 6a. Plug the VGA coming from the PC-98 into the Kenzei.
- 7a. Plug the 3.5 mm audio jack to RCA stereo ports on the Kenzei.
- 8a. Plug the SCART cable from the Kenzei to the OSSC. Settings should be the same as before, aside from using the SCART connector/AV1.
BNC route:
- 6b. Remove the VGA-VGA cord, and plug the VGA-BNC connectors into the PC-98, and the OSSC.
- 7b. Use the BNC female-female connectors to connect the HV signals to each other.
- 8b. Put the BNC-RCA adapters on the BNC cables with the for the RGB signals.
- 9b. Plug the RGB cables into the Component/YPbPr ports on the OSSC.
- 10b. In the OSSC menu, go to "Compatibility>use alt. RGB>AV2"
Note that this method will not allow you to use the AV3 3.5 mm audio jack input, so you will not be able to transmit audio via HDMI output.