VESA Updates Adaptive-Sync Display Standard with New Dual-Mode Support

[TheLostSwede]

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today announced that it has published an update to its Adaptive-Sync Display Compliance Test Specification (Adaptive-Sync Display CTS), which is the first publicly open standard for front-of-screen performance of variable refresh rate displays. Adaptive-Sync Display version 1.1a provides updated testing procedures and logo support for an emerging category of displays that can operate at different maximum refresh rates when resolution is reduced. This optional "Dual Mode" testing and logo support allows display OEMs with qualifying hardware to certify their products at two different sets of resolution and refresh rate (for example, 4K/144 Hz and 1080p/280 Hz).

Adaptive-Sync Display v1.1a also includes an update that allows display OEMs to achieve a higher AdaptiveSync Display refresh rate certification for displays that support an "overclocked" or faster mode option that is not enabled by default in the factory configuration. In such cases, the overclocked mode must support Adaptive-Sync-enabled GPUs in a non-proprietary manner, and the display must pass all of the rigorous Adaptive-Sync Display compliance tests in both its factory default mode, and completely retested a second time in the overclocking mode. Both the dual mode and overclocking changes to the Adaptive-Sync Display CTS v1.1a only apply to the VESA Certified AdaptiveSync Display logo program; they do not apply to the VESA Certified MediaSync Display logo program.To date, more than 100 products have been certified to the Adaptive-Sync Display standard. A complete list of Adaptive-Sync Display certified products can be found at https://www.adaptivesync.org/certified-products/.




According to Roland Wooster, chairman of the VESA Display Performance Metrics Task Group responsible for the Adaptive-Sync Display CTS and the association's representative from Intel Corporation for HDR and Adaptive-Sync display technology, "Until recently, most displays did not have the ability to operate at different refresh rates when the resolution is reduced, instead running at the refresh rate supported by their physical maximum resolution. Users interested in both high-performance gaming as well content creation, photography, or video editing, have often been faced with a difficult choice between purchasing a display with low latency and high refresh rates, or one with higher resolution. Today, more and more displays are coming to market that give users the best of both worlds. VESA's updated Adaptive-Sync Display CTS includes optional testing for these innovative displays, and a new dual mode logo allowing consumers to identify the range of variable refresh rate performance of these displays more easily."

Importantly, none of the testing criteria has changed with the Adaptive-Sync Display v1.1a update. All products that have successfully undergone certification to the prior v1.1 spec are still certified under the latest update. All requirements of the Adaptive-Sync Display CTS, including refresh rate, flicker, gray-to-gray response time (including limits on overshoot and undershoot to ensure high-quality images), video frame drop, and video frame rate jitter, must be met at both tested resolutions, including a minimum of 144 Hz at maximum resolution, and a minimum of 1080p vertical resolution when tested in the reduced resolution/maximum refresh rate mode.

VESA Certified AdaptiveSync Display Logo Changes
For displays that can operate at a faster refresh rate when operated at less than their maximum resolution, the Adaptive-Sync Display v1.1 update allows display OEMs to feature the VESA Certified AdaptiveSync Dual Mode logo on their certified products to represent certification at two speeds and resolutions. On the left side of the logo, the values shown indicate the display's maximum certified refresh rate at maximum native vertical resolution, and the native maximum vertical resolution. On the right side of the logo, the values shown indicate the alternative certified resolution's maximum certified refresh rate and vertical resolution.

According to LG Electronics, LG UltraGear is proud to participate in VESA's Adaptive-Sync Display Dual Mode testing and logo program, and is excited to offer the new Dual Mode feature on its upcoming 32GS95UE OLED gaming monitor. The 'VESA CERTIFIED' logo instantly tells gamers that the 32GS95UE is capable of delivering an optimized gaming experience, whether they're playing graphically rich, story-driven games at UHD 240 Hz, or fast-paced FPS, MOBA or racing games at FHD 480 Hz.

Henry Kong, head of the IT customer experience division of LG Electronics Business Solutions Company, said, "LG Electronics is thrilled to introduce the first-ever gaming monitor to receive VESA's Adaptive-Sync Display Dual Mode certification. With the innovative Dual Mode, gamers can enjoy a greater sense of immersion, with a display performance perfectly tailored to the genre of game they're playing. LG UltraGear will continue to collaborate with VESA to elevate the gaming experience."

According to Vincent Chiou, ASUS corporate vice president and general manager of Display BU, "As pioneers in the gaming monitor industry, we are thrilled to unveil new products with dual-mode technology that will take advantage of VESA's updated Adaptive-Sync Display standard. This dual-mode feature caters to both FPS gamers and immersive gaming enthusiasts alike. At ASUS, we are proud to develop alongside the industry, setting new standards. We believe in pushing boundaries, and dual-mode technology reflects our commitment to providing gamers with the most advanced and immersive experience possible."

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Onasi]

So is this going to work on a level below FreeSync/GSync driver implementation as in on OS level through VRR optimizations in Windows or is it a strictly firmware thing or...? Is this just certification for dual EDID and there is no actual standard? I am somewhat confused.

 

[R0H1T]

Is this just certification for dual EDID

Probably just this & talking of standards they're all a joke frankly often times competing for what's the sh!ttiest deal we can give to consumers, aside from confusing the heck out of them ala USB

 

[ilyon]

Waiting for real screens for gamers with RTX™ SYNC™.

 

[HisDivineOrder]

Sure, make everything complicated and easy to game people by.

Or you could keep things simple. If a display can overclock to a certain level and they're going to advertise off it, then just rate it for that.

 

[Alan Smithee]

VESA enables false advertising with this new "Dual Mode" logo. Now you have to read the monitor specs fine print carefully, because if a manufacturer advertises a 4K monitor and mentions it supports "240 Hz" they mean at 1080p.

This is a disaster because it muddies the water and devalues DisplayPort 2.1, further delaying its broad adoption. It's difficult to differentiate "a 4K monitor that supports 240 Hz" and "a 4K 240Hz monitor" in the eyes of the buying public.

 

[sethmatrix7]

Sure, make everything complicated and easy to game people by.

Or you could keep things simple. If a display can overclock to a certain level and they're going to advertise off it, then just rate it for that.

This is only coming about because the display manufacturers (LG specifically) made a dual mode display. It's literally innovation- nobody is getting "game"d" off a VESA certification - or if they are they would've found a way to game themselves anyway.

>If a display can overclock to a certain level and they're going to advertise off it, then just rate it for that.
That's exactly what this new standard is going to do for these dual-mode displays. They'll be advertising 2 modes and both would need to be adaptive sync certified. If anything, this prevents manufacturers from offering a display with different modes when only one is actually functional.

 

[MrDweezil]

VESA enables false advertising with this new "Dual Mode" logo. Now you have to read the monitor specs fine print carefully, because if a manufacturer advertises a 4K monitor and mentions it supports "240 Hz" they mean at 1080p.

This is a disaster because it muddies the water and devalues DisplayPort 2.1, further delaying its broad adoption. It's difficult to differentiate "a 4K monitor that supports 240 Hz" and "a 4K 240Hz monitor" in the eyes of the buying public.

Isn't this exactly the problem being solved here? The sample logo shows the different max refresh rates at each of the two resolutions.

 

[dyonoctis]

VESA enables false advertising with this new "Dual Mode" logo. Now you have to read the monitor specs fine print carefully, because if a manufacturer advertises a 4K monitor and mentions it supports "240 Hz" they mean at 1080p.

This is a disaster because it muddies the water and devalues DisplayPort 2.1, further delaying its broad adoption. It's difficult to differentiate "a 4K monitor that supports 240 Hz" and "a 4K 240Hz monitor" in the eyes of the buying public.

I think that the VESA logo is actually pretty honest on that point

 

[Wirko]

It's difficult to differentiate "a 4K monitor that supports 240 Hz" and "a 4K 240Hz monitor" in the eyes of the buying public.

That's a symptom of monitors being too cheap. Much too cheap. 25 years ago, a (small) multisync CRT monitor cost a fortune, and for that reason alone, the buying public didn't mind reading and understanding this before buying:

 

[trsttte]

Gimmicks gonna gimmick... they go on about users not finding a high resolution high refresh rate display but a) this mode will only work on oleds and b) are they implying will get dual mode 4k 60hz 1080p 120hz monitors? That would be so fucking stupid lol

Adaptive-Sync Display v1.1a also includes an update that allows display OEMs to achieve a higher AdaptiveSync Display refresh rate certification for displays that support an "overclocked" or faster mode option that is not enabled by default in the factory configuration. In such cases, the overclocked mode must support Adaptive-Sync-enabled GPUs in a non-proprietary manner, and the display must pass all of the rigorous Adaptive-Sync Display compliance tests in both its factory default mode, and completely retested a second time in the overclocking mode.

This is a bit understated but imo it's the most relevant part of this change. No more 165hz monitors that will only do that if you're lucky with your panel and cables and can overclock it that far. But then again, if the display is able to do that consistently, why is it a special overclock mode and not the default one!?

 

[Wirko]

But then again, if the display is able to do that consistently, why is it a special overclock mode and not the default one!?

Exactly, overclocking means pushing hardware farther than the manufacturer intended (and charged for).