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Difference between revisions of "Glossary:Variable refresh rate (VRR)"

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m (added ref 1 to edp1.1 as well)
m (→‎Nvidia G-Sync: added an "or", since Mobile G-Sync doesn't rely on the proprietary hardware but still requires the licensing fee)
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{{++}} Screen tearing is eliminated throughout the full refresh rate range of the monitor.
 
{{++}} Screen tearing is eliminated throughout the full refresh rate range of the monitor.
 
{{++}} Includes the alternative '''Ultra Low Motion Blur''' (ULMB) blur reduction mode.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/variable_refresh.htm|title=TFT Central -  Variable Refresh Rates, G-sync and FreeSync|date=2018-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.blurbusters.com/faq/motion-blur-reduction/|title=Blur Busters - Motion Blur Reduction (ULMB, LightBoost, etc)|date=2018-09-02}}</ref>
 
{{++}} Includes the alternative '''Ultra Low Motion Blur''' (ULMB) blur reduction mode.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/variable_refresh.htm|title=TFT Central -  Variable Refresh Rates, G-sync and FreeSync|date=2018-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.blurbusters.com/faq/motion-blur-reduction/|title=Blur Busters - Motion Blur Reduction (ULMB, LightBoost, etc)|date=2018-09-02}}</ref>
{{--}} Requires proprietary hardware and licensing fees, increasing the cost of monitors implementing the technology.
+
{{--}} Requires proprietary hardware and/or licensing fees, increasing the cost of monitors implementing the technology.
 
{{--}} Relies partially on the VESA DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync protocols<ref>{{Refsnip|url=https://techreport.com/news/25878/nvidia-responds-to-amd-free-sync-demo|title=The Tech Report -  Nvidia responds to AMD's ''free sync'' demo|date=2018-09-02|snippet=When asked about a potential VESA standard to enable dynamic refresh rates, Petersen had something very interesting to say: he doesn't think it's necessary, because DisplayPort already supports "everything required" for dynamic refresh rates via the extension of the vblank interval. That's why, he noted, G-Sync works with existing cables without the need for any new standards. Nvidia sees no need and has no plans to approach VESA about a new standard for G-Sync-style functionality—because it already exists.}}</ref><ref name="vesa-adaptive-sync-dp12a-edp2009" /><ref name="pcperspective-gsync-mobile">{{Refsnip|url=https://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Mobile-G-Sync-Confirmed-and-Tested-Leaked-Alpha-Driver/Drawbacks-and-Conclusi|title=PC Perspective - Mobile G-Sync Confirmed and Tested with Leaked Alpha Driver|date=2018-09-07|snippet=While NVIDIA confirmed that G-Sync on mobile is coming in the near future, it wasn't able to discuss timing specifics or technology specifics. But because we were clearly able to get most of the positive experiences of a G-Sync monitor on a notebook that not only is not G-Sync branded, but also does not have a G-Sync module in it, questions are going to fly around the community. Here's the facts: NVIDIA will release G-Sync on mobile devices without the requirement of a G-Sync module, but the company claims that there will be experience differences between desktop and mobile iterations of the technology. When pushed on what differences those might be, NVIDIA emphatically stated they exist but would be holding off on talking specifics until the mobile release of G-Sync when feature support is finalized.}}</ref>, theoretically making it compatible with other compliant monitors on the market (e.g. FreeSync monitors).<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150131020711/http://gamenab.net/2015/01/24/nvidia-g-sync-hack-working-on-every-monitor/|title=GameNab - Nvidia G-sync Hack (working on every monitor ?) DP1.2 and EDP|date=2018-09-02}}</ref> However the ability to use G-Sync with these unlicensed monitors might be prevented by the Nvidia display drivers.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150130024715/http://gamenab.net:80/2015/01/26/truth-about-the-g-sync-marketing-module-nvidia-using-vesa-adaptive-sync-technology-freesync/|title=GameNab -  Truth about the G-sync Marketing Module (NVIDIA using VESA Adaptive Sync Technology – Freesync)|date=2018-09-02}}</ref>
 
{{--}} Relies partially on the VESA DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync protocols<ref>{{Refsnip|url=https://techreport.com/news/25878/nvidia-responds-to-amd-free-sync-demo|title=The Tech Report -  Nvidia responds to AMD's ''free sync'' demo|date=2018-09-02|snippet=When asked about a potential VESA standard to enable dynamic refresh rates, Petersen had something very interesting to say: he doesn't think it's necessary, because DisplayPort already supports "everything required" for dynamic refresh rates via the extension of the vblank interval. That's why, he noted, G-Sync works with existing cables without the need for any new standards. Nvidia sees no need and has no plans to approach VESA about a new standard for G-Sync-style functionality—because it already exists.}}</ref><ref name="vesa-adaptive-sync-dp12a-edp2009" /><ref name="pcperspective-gsync-mobile">{{Refsnip|url=https://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Mobile-G-Sync-Confirmed-and-Tested-Leaked-Alpha-Driver/Drawbacks-and-Conclusi|title=PC Perspective - Mobile G-Sync Confirmed and Tested with Leaked Alpha Driver|date=2018-09-07|snippet=While NVIDIA confirmed that G-Sync on mobile is coming in the near future, it wasn't able to discuss timing specifics or technology specifics. But because we were clearly able to get most of the positive experiences of a G-Sync monitor on a notebook that not only is not G-Sync branded, but also does not have a G-Sync module in it, questions are going to fly around the community. Here's the facts: NVIDIA will release G-Sync on mobile devices without the requirement of a G-Sync module, but the company claims that there will be experience differences between desktop and mobile iterations of the technology. When pushed on what differences those might be, NVIDIA emphatically stated they exist but would be holding off on talking specifics until the mobile release of G-Sync when feature support is finalized.}}</ref>, theoretically making it compatible with other compliant monitors on the market (e.g. FreeSync monitors).<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150131020711/http://gamenab.net/2015/01/24/nvidia-g-sync-hack-working-on-every-monitor/|title=GameNab - Nvidia G-sync Hack (working on every monitor ?) DP1.2 and EDP|date=2018-09-02}}</ref> However the ability to use G-Sync with these unlicensed monitors might be prevented by the Nvidia display drivers.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150130024715/http://gamenab.net:80/2015/01/26/truth-about-the-g-sync-marketing-module-nvidia-using-vesa-adaptive-sync-technology-freesync/|title=GameNab -  Truth about the G-sync Marketing Module (NVIDIA using VESA Adaptive Sync Technology – Freesync)|date=2018-09-02}}</ref>
  

Revision as of 09:03, 14 September 2018

Variable refresh rate (VRR), sometimes also called dynamic refresh rate (DRR), refers to technologies that enables dynamic refresh rates for monitors, where the refresh rate of the monitor is continuously synced to the output rate of the content being displayed. This prevents screen tearing in the supported range, while also lowers power consumption as the monitor does not need to refresh at its highest supported rate while displaying content below that rate.

Variable refresh rate range (VRR range) refers to the range supported by a monitor where a dynamic refresh rate synced to the content is possible. This range usually starts at around 30 Hz and typically covers the full range upwards to the maximum refresh rate supported by the monitor.

Key Points

Allows tearing-free gameplay and low input delay on variable frame rates within the supported VRR range of the monitor without resorting to Vertical sync (Vsync).
Will result in slightly less power consumption for monitors in scenarios where the refresh rate decreases based on the frame rate of the content being displayed.

Technologies

General information

Dissecting G-Sync and FreeSync - How the Technologies Differ on PC Perspective

AMD FreeSync

Monitors are generally cheaper compared to Nvidia G-Sync monitors, as manufacturers do not have to pay a licensing fee for adoption nor implement expensive or proprietary hardware modules.
According to AMD, FreeSync also does not have the communication overhead the competing Nvidia's G-Sync technology have; meaning frame presentation will never be delayed or impaired by time-consuming two-way handshakes.[3]
Screen tearing is only eliminated in the specific VRR range of the monitor.
Freesync Monitor FAQ on AMD

FreeSync (or Radeon FreeSync as it is sometimes marketed as) is AMD's proprietary variable refresh rate technology and unique hardware/software solution that allows dynamic refresh rates on monitors by utilizing open industry standards. For example, FreeSync utilizes the VESA DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync protocols to allow dynamic refresh rates over a DisplayPort connection, and will also support the Variable Refresh Rate technology adopted in the HDMI 2.1 specification for HDMI connections.[4] To enable the use of variable refresh rate technology over HDMI connections in monitors released 2016, almost two years before VRR became a part of the, at the time, future HDMI 2.1 specification, AMD and technology partners used vendor-specific HDMI extensions to implement AMD FreeSync over HDMI, thereby keeping the technology fully interoperable with HDMI standards.[5]

In August 2018, it was discovered that AMD FreeSync is capable of being used while using an Nvidia graphics card as the render card of the system, if an AMD graphics card is use for the display output. See AMD FreeSync Working With NVIDIA GPUs - Some Strings Attached for more information.

FreeSync 2 the next version of FreeSync and is mostly focused on HDR monitors and optimizing the HDR tone mapping process by allowing FreeSync to tone map the original HDR content of the game to the appropriate range of the display directly.

Intel Adaptive-Sync

While Intel do not currently have their own solution to allow variable refresh rate while using their graphics cards, in August 2018 they reconfirmed their commitment to support VESA DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync sometime in the future. This would allow their GPUs to take advantage of existing VESA DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync monitors on the market (e.g. FreeSync monitors).[6]

Nvidia G-Sync

Screen tearing is eliminated throughout the full refresh rate range of the monitor.
Includes the alternative Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB) blur reduction mode.[7][8]
Requires proprietary hardware and/or licensing fees, increasing the cost of monitors implementing the technology.
Relies partially on the VESA DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync protocols[9][1][10], theoretically making it compatible with other compliant monitors on the market (e.g. FreeSync monitors).[11] However the ability to use G-Sync with these unlicensed monitors might be prevented by the Nvidia display drivers.[12]
G-Sync FAQ on GeForce
G-Sync 101 on Blur Busters

G-Sync is Nvidia's proprietary variable refresh rate solution, only available for use with external monitors which includes Nvidia's proprietary G-Sync module. The G-Sync module replaces the typical internal scaler of the display, meaning a G-Sync display does not have any built-in scaling support. Instead the monitor relies on the the scaling support of the graphics card to scale video signals not matching the native resolution of the monitor. To enable the use of G-Sync for integrated monitors (such as laptop monitors) a slightly different technology (sometimes referred to as Mobile G-Sync) which does not require the proprietary G-Sync module is used instead.[10]

G-Sync HDR is the HDR compatible G-Sync module, currently only available on a few expensive monitors. According to PC Perspective's findings when disassembling the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ monitor, the G-Sync HDR module alone might make up $500 of the final price point of G-Sync HDR compatible monitors.[13]

Recommended optimal settings[14]

Nvidia Control Panel settings:

  1. Launch the Nvidia Control Panel.
  2. Navigate to Set up G-SYNC and select Enable G-SYNC for full screen mode.
  3. Navigate to Manage 3D settings and select the Global Settings tab.
  4. Change Vertical sync to On as this will allow the G-Sync module to compensate for frame time variances and allow G-Sync to fall back on V-Sync behavior when the frame rate exceeds the maximum refresh rate range of G-Sync. Through the use of the G-Sync module, the graphics card syncronizes the

In-game settings:

  1. Configure the game to run in Exclusive Fullscreen or Fullscreen mode if available.
  2. Disable all options available related to Vertical sync (Vsync).
  3. Limit the frame rate of the game to 3 FPS below the maximum refresh rate of the monitor (so 141 FPS on a 144 Hz monitor), either through an in-game FPS limiter (if available) or a third-party alternative.

Notes

Check out G-Sync 101: Optimal G-SYNC Settings & Conclusion on Blur Busters for more tips and tricks.


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 VESA - VESA® Adds 'Adaptive-Sync' to Popular DisplayPort™ Video Standard - last accessed on 2018-09-07
    "Adaptive-Sync is a proven and widely adopted technology. The technology has been a standard component of VESA’s embedded DisplayPort (eDP™) specification since its initial rollout in 2009. As a result, Adaptive-Sync technology is already incorporated into many of the building block components for displays that rely on eDP for internal video signaling. Newly introduced to the DisplayPort 1.2a specification for external displays, this technology is now formally known as DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync."
  2. Embedded - eDP: A better embedded display ecosystem - last accessed on 2018-09-08
    "In late 2009, eDP v1.1 added system power management enhancements through the introduction of video frame rate control. One of those particular methods later became the Adaptive-Sync feature, now supported by DisplayPort."
  3. SweClockers - Interview: AMD on dynamic frequencies with Project Freesync (English) - last accessed on 2018-09-01
  4. AMD - FreeSync Monitor FAQ - last accessed on 2018-09-01
  5. AMD PowerPoint Presentation - AMD FreeSync™ Technology Over HDMI® - last accessed on 2018-09-01
  6. OC3D.net - Intel plans to support VESA Adaptive Sync - Intel FreeSync? - last accessed on 2018-09-02
  7. TFT Central - Variable Refresh Rates, G-sync and FreeSync - last accessed on 2018-09-02
  8. Blur Busters - Motion Blur Reduction (ULMB, LightBoost, etc) - last accessed on 2018-09-02
  9. The Tech Report - Nvidia responds to AMD's free sync demo - last accessed on 2018-09-02
    "When asked about a potential VESA standard to enable dynamic refresh rates, Petersen had something very interesting to say: he doesn't think it's necessary, because DisplayPort already supports "everything required" for dynamic refresh rates via the extension of the vblank interval. That's why, he noted, G-Sync works with existing cables without the need for any new standards. Nvidia sees no need and has no plans to approach VESA about a new standard for G-Sync-style functionality—because it already exists."
  10. 10.0 10.1 PC Perspective - Mobile G-Sync Confirmed and Tested with Leaked Alpha Driver - last accessed on 2018-09-07
    "While NVIDIA confirmed that G-Sync on mobile is coming in the near future, it wasn't able to discuss timing specifics or technology specifics. But because we were clearly able to get most of the positive experiences of a G-Sync monitor on a notebook that not only is not G-Sync branded, but also does not have a G-Sync module in it, questions are going to fly around the community. Here's the facts: NVIDIA will release G-Sync on mobile devices without the requirement of a G-Sync module, but the company claims that there will be experience differences between desktop and mobile iterations of the technology. When pushed on what differences those might be, NVIDIA emphatically stated they exist but would be holding off on talking specifics until the mobile release of G-Sync when feature support is finalized."
  11. GameNab - Nvidia G-sync Hack (working on every monitor ?) DP1.2 and EDP - last accessed on 2018-09-02
  12. GameNab - Truth about the G-sync Marketing Module (NVIDIA using VESA Adaptive Sync Technology – Freesync) - last accessed on 2018-09-02
  13. PC Perspective - ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ 27" 4K 144Hz G-SYNC Monitor: True HDR Arrives on the Desktop - last accessed on 2018-09-02
  14. Blur Busters - G-SYNC 101: Optimal G-SYNC Settings & Conclusion - last accessed on 2018-09-02