VESA, the Video Electronics Standards Association, has publicly announced the first open standards for variable refresh rate displays. There will be two standards, AdaptiveSync and MediaSync, which will help users make an informed choice when buying their next display.

To be eligible for these certifications, displays will have to abide by the VESA Adaptive-Sync Display Compliance Test Specification (Adaptive-Sync Display CTS), consisting of over 50 test criteria and an automated testing methodology and performance mandates. Moreover, the display must also pass all VESA DisplayPort compliance tests to be qualified.

The AdaptiveSync Display certification will be important for gaming displays as it will ensure that users will play games with significantly higher refresh rates and low latency. As for the MediaSync Display standard, it's awarded to displays that can playback any media without jitter. The following table shows the detailed criteria needed to meet the two new VESA display standards:

Test	AdaptiveSync	MediaSync
Adaptive-Sync operation maximum refresh rate range	≥ 144Hz	≥ 60Hz
Adaptive-Sync operation minimum refresh rate range	≤ 60Hz	≤ 48Hz
Testing that the Overdrive factory-default setting does not result in excessive Overshoot/Undershoot	≤ 20% overshoot and ≤ 15% undershoot (on any of the 16 test cases)	≤ 20% overshoot and ≤ 15% undershoot (on any of the 16 test cases)
Limit in the average of 20 G2G tests from a five × five matrix with factory-default overdrive	≤ 5ms average over the 20 tests	N/A
Flicker(max) on low-variability refresh rate tests	-50dB	-50dB
Flicker(max) with high-variability refresh rate tests	-50dB	Test is not performed as a logo performance tier mandate
If SuccessiveFrameDuration IncreaseTolerance is present, the minimum duration for variable	8.5ms	1ms
If SuccessiveFrameDuration DecreaseTolerance is present, the minimum duration for variable	9.75ms	1ms
Video frame-to-frame jitter duration for 23.976- to 60-Hz video frame rates	±0.5ms	±0.5 ms

Unlike MediaSync, the AdaptiveSync Display certification will have performance tiers to inform users about the maximum refresh rate, such as AdaptiveSync Display 144 or 240. The LG UltraGear 27GP950 and 27GP850 monitors are the first to receive the new VESA AdaptiveSync Display certification, but the manufacturer plans to launch more during 2022.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: When buying a new laptop, monitor, or TV, will you be paying attention to see if it has one of the new VESA certifications?

Become a Patron!