Zero motion blur LCD!!! (nVidia LightBoost2 hack, looks like CRT, looks like 480Hz)

[SirPauly]

Here's some oscillscope photodiode measurements of LightBoost, for an Asus VG278H. The strobes are 2.4 milliseconds long. (I hear the BENQ is about 1ms, I've ordered a BENQ to test out).


(Large Version of Image)

Also, here's a video I've made for forum readers, captured at 480fps and 1000fps:

High Speed Video Of LightBoost

It also proves that strobing can be used to bypass pixel persistence.
Enjoy!

Thanks for the video -- wonderful illustration or example!🙂

 

[Ben90]

delete

 

[imaheadcase]

Why is there so much negativity on this forum? The OP is clearly an display enthusiast that has a great finding and just trying to help other people out to get the same great results.

I was not being negative, i'm just answering his question as to why most monitor manufacturer don't make better panels. A market for it sure, but a big enough market to justify doing it? nope. Its not a matter of just typing something into a computer and the assembly line starts making better panels, they literally have to make equipment to mass produce new things (millions of dollars).

To make matters worse, only a HAND FULL of places in the WORLD make panels, when you have a handful of PC makers using majority of panels, they are made specifically for those people. The margins are slim for these people, they can't afford risky moves. They could make PC monitors just as good a old CRT monitors of days of old today fyi, its the cost that is the problem.

 

[Mark Rejhon]

To make matters worse, only a HAND FULL of places in the WORLD make panels, when you have a handful of PC makers using majority of panels, they are made specifically for those people. The margins are slim for these people, they can't afford risky moves. They could make PC monitors just as good a old CRT monitors of days of old today fyi, its the cost that is the problem.

One clarification. There's hundreds of monitor manufacturers.

A lot of monitor manufacturers don't make the panels. They often order the panels from the panel manufacturers, and then assembles computer monitors (sometimes including backlights).

The panel technology is becoming more widespread, more and more of the risk is being transferred to the monitor manufacturer, NOT the panel manufacturer. Most modern TN panel of the same generation is fast enough to be usable for zero motion blur capability today (when combined with additional, separate, firmware-controlled response-time-acceleration chips) to achieve 3D. It's primarly a matter of chips and backlight technology. So that broadens the number of manufacturers that can make zero motion blur LCD monitors, since there are hundreds of monitor manufacturers (including off-label chinese and korean manufacturers, e.g. the custom-ordered Catleap 2B's that are being sold as overclocked to 120Hz). So a 'speciality' monitor manufacturer could enter the zero motion blur LCD market, and adapt pre-existing LCD's. Licensing (nVidia) LightBoost is one approach. Developing your own strobed backlight is a different approach.

 

[3DVagabond]

One clarification. There's hundreds of monitor manufacturers.

A lot of monitor manufacturers don't make the panels. They often order the panels from the panel manufacturers, and then assembles computer monitors (sometimes including backlights).

The panel technology is becoming more widespread, more and more of the risk is being transferred to the monitor manufacturer, NOT the panel manufacturer. Most modern TN panel of the same generation is fast enough to be usable for zero motion blur capability today (when combined with additional, separate, firmware-controlled response-time-acceleration chips) to achieve 3D. It's primarly a matter of chips and backlight technology. So that broadens the number of manufacturers that can make zero motion blur LCD monitors, since there are hundreds of monitor manufacturers (including off-label chinese and korean manufacturers, e.g. the custom-ordered Catleap 2B's that are being sold as overclocked to 120Hz). So a 'speciality' monitor manufacturer could enter the zero motion blur LCD market, and adapt pre-existing LCD's. Licensing (nVidia) LightBoost is one approach. Developing your own strobed backlight is a different approach.

If it wasn't proprietary to one manufacturer it would have a better chance of working. financially.

 

[Bateluer]

This was an issue? Been gaming on LCDs since 2003 and motion blur hasn't been on my list of gripes.

 

[QueBert]

So there's new technology that puts an LCD in the realm of my 15 year old CRT? Amazing...

 

[Mark Rejhon]

If it wasn't proprietary to one manufacturer it would have a better chance of working. financially.

There are non-proprietary methods available - including information found in my Scanning/Strobed Backlight FAQ

One interesting exercise is to hack LightBoost to operate with ATI Radeon graphics cards, perhaps by sending a DDC command to force 3D to be enabled, which also enables LightBoost.

Some hacking opportunities...

 

[bunnyfubbles]

This was an issue? Been gaming on LCDs since 2003 and motion blur hasn't been on my list of gripes.

So you've never played on a CRT?

 

[SirPauly]

Some hacking opportunities...

🙂

 

[tweakboy]

I think it was clear this is for desktop 2D .. doesnt go for games 3D ........ so its only for desktop not games... thx gl

 

[tweakboy]

Maybe FPS is a bit smoother tho,, who am I to say how it is

I already got a CRT feel on a LCD ,,,,, with 1ms industry best! vsync ON , smooth as butter and instant, no input lag zero,, and zero motion lag,,,,,, so invest in one and forget this gimmick..

 

[Mark Rejhon]

Here's an improved guide that is compatible with VG278HE (with the "E"), BENQ XL2411T, and XL2420T, and is also Windows 8 compatible. I posted on some different forums, so I am quoting here. These instructions now accomodates the fact we now have multiple models of monitors where this zero motion blur tweak is possible.

LightBoost HOWTO: Zero Motion Blur on All LightBoost LCD's:
--> www.blurbusters.com/zero-motion-blur/lightboost

- Instructions compatible with both Windows 7 and Windows 8!
- Two separate sets of instructions included.
- Vendor supported method (no registry/INF tweaks, requires 3D emitter even if you don't use 3D)
- Hack method (bypass 3D emitter, no need to purchase)
- Works on all known LightBoost displays including BENQ and ASUS models.

Supported Models: ASUS VG278H, VG278HE, and BENQ XL2420T, XL2411T (as of January 2012)

 

[Mark Rejhon]

My BENQ XL2411T has arrived; I am now testing it head-to-head against the ASUS VG278H. Keep tuned for observations!

 

[Mark Rejhon]

FYI, immetjes on overclockers.co.uk forum, has posted a pretty impressive
PixPerAn image BENQ XL2411T. I concur I'm getting the same thing.
Truly zero ghosting, zero motion blur, zero trailing, zero coronas.
The ultrafaint artifact is not noticeable without a magnifying glass.

(Credit: immetjes on overclockers.co.uk thread)

Although pursuit camera images are better, this is additional proof of LightBoost successfully bypassing
pixel persistence (in addition to my existing 1000fps YouTube).

Original post in overclockers.co.uk

Lightboost in 2D is certainly working. I have a XL2411T since 17-Dec-2012 and I did the readibility test part and the little car of PixPerAn. (I also posted this on pcmonitors, but it is so good I'll repeat it here).

I have made sure the monitor was in 3D mode without actually showing 3D. Lightboost is on. Refresh rate is on 120Hz. I have made a Macro photo of PixPerAn, shutter speed 1/160s, ISO800. This is the result: http://i.imgur.com/9P50U.jpg

Compared to lightboost off you can clearly see that there is hardly any blurring. Here is a PixPerAn photo using the same camera settings: http://i.imgur.com/clcVc.jpg .I tried to get a picture at 120Hz with no lightboost. But whatever I did the monitor refused to get out of the lightboost mode when using 120Hz. Therefor this picture is made at 144Hz.

I also did the readability test and was able to read rather easy upto level 24. At 25 it was going so fast I was only able to read the first 5 characters. I then tried the maximum of 30 and the text was still readable, however, because of the speed my head/eyes were unable to follow the text, it was still readable though.

Without lightboost I was able in the 144Hz mode to get with some effort upto level 10 of the readability test. After that the text became to blurred. I did the same test on my HP w2270h monitor and after level 8 or so the text became completely blurred.

in BF3 my scores definitly are improving. Especially in close combat circling around enemies. I'm able to keep on focus, where it used to blur all. GREAT! Also spotting foes from the corner of your eye when running, flying or driving improved a lot.

I concur! LightBoost is great for circle-strafing in FPS games!

 

[Shinjo]

That's great application for gamers!
I just has a question. If correct, some 120Hz monitors can display 120FPS already, why should we need to have such setting? the major benefit is to reduce motion blur, right?

 

[EliteRetard]

Even at 120hz (120FPS) on LCDs you can see the pixel transition and the resulting blur can make it hard to focus on a real target. This trick turns off the back-light while the pixels transition so you end up not being able to see most of the blur caused by the transition. Blur is still there, but most of it is now hidden from view. This works on 120hz displays because the transition is faster (than slower monitors), so you don't need to have the back-light off for as long. If it were on a slower display like 60hz you would have to have the back-light off longer to hide the pixel transition/blur but then you would notice the strobe effect from the light turning on and off. Some people may still be able to notice the strobe and/or transition/blur effects even at 120hz with this trick though...and it currently has some other downsides as well. Its an interesting development that does have the potential to improve things for LCDs. It's just sad that its a home-brew project using software tricks.

I have no good words for LCD manufacturers who have basically been trying to destroy every ounce of quality and usability since the days of CRT. I don't know why they hate their customers so much, or why they chose the terrible path they did...but after all these years we should be well ahead of where CRTs left off. Instead its all backwards and its up to customers to employ hacks to try and catch up. I desperately want an LCD that combines the high resolution/PPI of a CRT, the high refresh rate, no blur no lag, and excellent colors that CRTs had all at once.

I'd pay $1K for a 24" 2300x1400 LCD that had all those qualities. $1.5K for a 30" 3800x2400 LCD with the same.

 

[Mark Rejhon]

Even at 120hz (120FPS) on LCDs you can see the pixel transition and the resulting blur can make it hard to focus on a real target.

Good write, but don't forget to account for eye-tracking-based motion blur.

On sample-and-hold displays (e.g. LCD), there will even be motion blur even with instant (0ms) pixel transitions. This is because of the sample-and-hold nature of the display. You need extra refreshes/frames (beyond 120Hz) or you need strobing (like CRT).

On a fast 60Hz monitor today, less than 15% of motion blur is caused by pixel persistence. This is because pixel persistence is only 2ms out of a 16.7ms refresh (1/60th sec). On a fast 120Hz monitor today, less than 25% of motion blur is caused by pixel persistence (2ms out of an 8.33ms refresh -- 1/120th sec). The rest of the motion blur you see, is eye-tracking-based motion blur.

A moving object at 960 pixels per second, moves a step of 8 pixels at 120Hz (e.g. the PixPerAn car). This causes 8 pixels of blurred edge. Since your eyes are continuously moving between refreshes, while tracking an object, your eyes are blurring the moving object across your retinas. (Just like shaking/panning a camera will cause motion blur, unless you use short strobes -- like a camera flash or a faster shutter).

So you need shorter samples (e.g. shorter flashes of refreshes -- either by a higher refresh rate, or by a lot of black period between refreshes like a CRT or plasma) -- to eliminate motion blur -- even for material going at frame rate matching refresh rate.

That's why some TV manufacturers have done "240", "480" and "960" simulation (e.g. Motionflow XR 960). Some people think these are exaggerations, or makes movies look like gimmicks, but they actually make a difference for fast-action material (e.g. hockey, football, ski racing, etc). 240Hz TV's, and high-end (>$2000+) Sony/Samsung home theater HDTV combines backlight flashing and interpolation, to have a "Motion Equivalence Ratio" of 960 -- see Existing Technology. The problem is these are not videogame-compatible (input lag) unlike LightBoost is.

With LightBoost enabled, I can count individual pixels (yes, single pixels are countable in fast-moving objects) moving at 960 pixels per second -- like on CRT -- and easily read the "I NEED MORE SOCKS" text in the PixPerAn car, in the PixPerAn Motion Test Software.
You can't read the text even at 120Hz (without LightBoost) if it's moving 960 pixels per second, because of eye-tracking-based motion blur, and this motion blur disappears when you're using LightBoost.

For more information about the difference in pixel persistence motion blur --and-- eye-tracking based motion blur (two completely separate causes of motion blur), see Science & References. Scroll halfway down the page, and you'll see several academic papers by universities and several TV manufacturers.

 

[Mark Rejhon]

It's just sad that its a home-brew project using software tricks.

Correction: There are multiple Blur Busters Blog projects. Only some of them are home-brew projects. Others are links to actual strobe backlights made by ASUS, BENQ, and others.

The good news is LightBoost is vendor supported. It is an nVidia technology, a vendor-supported feature of computer monitors, already built into a number of computer monitors. There are two separate sets of instructions in my LightBoost HOWTO -- one set of instructions are vendor-supported. No .reg files, no .inf files! Just nVidia Control Panel built into nVidia Graphics Drivers.
Link: LightBoost HOWTO

 

[Gryz]

Do you have any idea if there will ever be a 120Hz IPS monitor ? So we can have zero-motion-blur on IPS screens ?

 

[jackstar7]

Do you have any idea if there will ever be a 120Hz IPS monitor ? So we can have zero-motion-blur on IPS screens ?

There are 120Hz IPS screens, but they do not feature the lightboost tech (or anything comparable) to get rid of motion blur.

Hopefully, it's just a matter of time.

 

[omeds]

Do you mean the oc'able korean displays? Or is there something else on the market?

I've tried several times to get a decent image on my VG278H in 2D+LB, but honestly I just can't view it for long in games. It strains my eyes without the shutter glasses synced to the strobing, plus it's dimm, washed out, and the contrasts are not right.

I've tried everything but honestly find normal 120hz with a 125 or 250 fps cap far better overall, even though I'm very picky about motion. I guess I will just live with the "fastest" pixel overdrive artifacts while maintaining the best image possible.

Motion feels very smooth to me with the frame caps, which is what I'm more concerned about, instead of removing any slight blur at the expense of a severely degraded image.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Correction: There are multiple Blur Busters Blog projects. Only some of them are home-brew projects. Others are links to actual strobe backlights made by ASUS, BENQ, and others.

The good news is LightBoost is vendor supported. It is an nVidia technology, a vendor-supported feature of computer monitors, already built into a number of computer monitors. There are two separate sets of instructions in my LightBoost HOWTO -- one set of instructions are vendor-supported. No .reg files, no .inf files! Just nVidia Control Panel built into nVidia Graphics Drivers.
Link: LightBoost HOWTO

the problem is that this is still very much a trick rather than an official feature

as awesome as this is, its pretty telling when the actual companies, ie nVidia/ASUS/BenQ, don't even seem to realize what they have as I'd think they'd be pushing such a feature to sell to competitive gamers (BenQ particularly, as they already market their products pretty heavily in such a fashion)

its really too bad the feature isn't officially one hardware button or single software option away from working and instead requires at least some sort of "trickeration" to get working.

what really kind of adds insult to injury here is it would be really awesome if we could get the same driver support for 2D "light boost" as we do for 3D, as I'd love for this to turn on and off when switching from gaming back to desktop, instead its either always on or always off until I force it on or off

 

[Bateluer]

So you've never played on a CRT?

Gamed on CRTs prior to 2003. The eye strain from the monitor, plus the heat and bulk counter any weakness of an LCD. My first LCD display in 2003 was crappy, dithered color. Meant that on images with a lot of black, it couldn't distinguish it well and scenes would almost mesh into a green-grey hue. And it was still more pleasant to game on than any CRT I've ever owned.

My dual 27in 1440P LCDs today are in a whole different league.

 

[Mark Rejhon]

Gamed on CRTs prior to 2003. The eye strain from the monitor, plus the heat and bulk counter any weakness of an LCD.
[snip]
And it was still more pleasant to game on than any CRT I've ever owned

It's true not everyone liked CRT. Some people do, some people didn't. For some people, eyestrain is different in games (fast motion) versus desktop (static objects). During videogames, I heard from three people who reported less eyestrain with LightBoost than without, because of zero motion blur. You can turn on/off LightBoost after exiting games.

Although several reported eyestrain, others reported none. I had some VERY surprising reports that someone had less eyestrain playing videogames with LightBoost than without.

But this isn't applicable to everyone.
Are your eyes bothered more by flicker?
Are your eyes bothered more by motion blur? (Focussing muscles getting tired trying to focus well on motion-blurred objects)
....Everyone seems different!

Eyestrain during CRT is very common, depending on the person.
As you remember, back in the CRT days, some people still even had eyestrain with a 120Hz CRT. Others did not (myself, I didn't)

For example:

2d Lightboost has less eye strain than when my LED monitors are in default mode.

Also.... 3D shutter-based stereoscopic can be more stressful on eyes than using 2D LightBoost. If your eyes are not bothered by CRT, or you have already done nVidia 3D Vision 2 before (shutter glasses), then you've already got worse flicker exposure already, and that LightBoost 2D zero motion blur will probably not bother you. But if you hated CRT, then LightBoost will probably bother you.

Most of the LB monitors have great 120Hz modes, even without LB. It is important to objectively observe this, if you are in the market anyway for 120Hz, and want to have a bonus feature handy to try out, since LightBoost is a 'free' feature built into more than half year-2012 and year-2013 model 120Hz TN monitors, that can be turned on and off as needed.

So it depends on the person.
You enjoyed CRT because it had zero motion blur? Didn't have CRT eyestrain? Not too concerned about color? Then LightBoost is a worthy item on your monitor checklist.