This is behind Adaptive-Sync and Media-Sync

VESA is moving the topic of variable refresh rates for monitors straight and will in future certify devices with Adaptive-Sync and Media-Sync if they achieve a certain minimum standard. Who is the VESA? This is the Video Electronics Standards Association founded by NEC and eight graphics card manufacturers in 1988 – an interest group for the standardization of “computer graphics”. This has changed somewhat since 1988 and there are now almost 300 members in VESA, which is responsible for products such as DisplayPort, Display-HDR and now also Adaptive and Media Sync.

Adaptive Sync

Devices that will be marked with “AdaptiveSync Display 000” in the future, as they are spelled themselves, can handle variable refresh rates between 60 and 300 Hertz and at least 144 Hertz. The maximum achievable refresh rate is specified separately by VESA, for example as 144, 240 or 300. The format is familiar from display HDR, in which VESA specifies the minimum peak brightness achieved according to a measurement scheme. So far, you always had to dig through the monitor manufacturer’s information for such VRR information or rely on the certificates from AMD and Nvidia, which also characterize the use of language with Freesync and G-Sync.

response times

A second big advantage of the standard, and probably the more interesting one for many players, is the normalized determination of the reaction times. The motto “free interpretation of marketing” usually prevails, which is why most manufacturers boast of 1 ms. The VESA values ​​are not published, but in order to receive the logo, the device must be below 5 ms gray to gray. In concrete terms, this means that a monitor with, for example, “AdaptiveSync Display 144” is at least 5 ms GTG fast under standardized test conditions. The test also identifies dropped frames, among other things, but as previously mentioned, the results are not published individually. the Criteria for Certificates can be viewed here.

media sync

There is also a second certification program called “MediaSync Display”. If a monitor wants to achieve this, it must be able to display 23,976 (film), 24 (NTSC) and 25 (PAL) images without any problems. This can be done natively for all 10 required refresh rates; usually, however, frame doubling or tripping is used and that is also allowed. The range between 47.952 and 60 Hertz is therefore effectively relevant for the logo.

The goal is, by way of example, that a frame of a 24-image film is visible for the 41 ms it should be visible. And not 33 or 50 milliseconds depending on the conversion. Because that can lead to unsightly effects – particularly noticeable with faster camera pans.

display port

So it’s good that VESA and its members – AMD and Nvidia are also there – are regulating the issue after there were small scuffles between Freesync and G-Sync, especially in the initial phase of VRR. The logos will probably not go away – Freesync (Premium/Pro) and G-Sync (Ultimate) partly check other functional guarantees and will find additional uses. As a basis, however, players can now orient themselves to Adaptive-Sync and Media-Sync. The program also indirectly ensures that graphics cards comply with the new standards – but it says: “VESA recommends that consumers check with their graphics card manufacturer that their graphics card and software driver enable Adaptive Sync operation with VESA-certified AdaptiveSync Display and MediaSync display products enabled by default.”

Because the regulation only applies – even to the excellent monitors – to devices connected via the Displayport protocol (DP cable or USB type C). HDMI is a certificate from another consortium and therefore outside the scope of VESA. Especially with HDMI 2.1, it is still important to check carefully whether the desired device supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). VESA and its partners – some of whom are also in the HDMI consortium – meanwhile guarantee the certified range of functions for excellent devices and VESA checks them according to their own statements – including 50 automated long-term tests. customers can view certified products on one page – so far there are only two.

“The Adaptive-Sync Display CTS builds on the foundation VESA laid eight years ago with the introduction of Adaptive-Sync protocols. It offers an open, industry-wide, and brand-agnostic standard backed by a logo program that empowers consumers guarantees that the displays they buy for gaming or media playback meet a clearly defined minimum set of screen performance criteria when used with an appropriate GPU.In developing the test specification and logo program, VESA set the bar for has explicitly set the performance criteria and testing methodology high, with criteria more stringent than many existing specifications and logo programs.As with all of our standards, VESA will continue to evolve and refine the Adaptive-Sync Display CTS to reflect new display developments and market needs, leading to further improvements of visual quality and usability to enable a better experience for consumers.” – Roland Wooster, Chair of the VESA Display Performance Metrics Task Group.