Since it's a software issue affecting both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, M2 won't change anything about it.
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Variable Refresh Rate (FreeSync / GSync) Flicker
- Thread starter CMMChris
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Users of the Keyboard Maestro automation app can call displayplacer utility from diego351's method in macro triggered when the Mac wakes up. It is less resource intensive than using a cron. Of course, it is still a shame that we have to use such hacks
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Ventura Beta 5:
- My Samsung screen still flickers with enabled Variable Refresh Rate
- My HP Screen still does not work at all with Variable Refresh Rate ("Invalid actual_host_time received from display" error spamming in console, screen tearing with disabled VSync in games)
So nothing changed, no fixes, still no reaction from Apple on the feedbacks.
- My Samsung screen still flickers with enabled Variable Refresh Rate
- My HP Screen still does not work at all with Variable Refresh Rate ("Invalid actual_host_time received from display" error spamming in console, screen tearing with disabled VSync in games)
So nothing changed, no fixes, still no reaction from Apple on the feedbacks.
Absolutely infuriating. Why?? Why can't they just let you turn it off??
Still no fixes in macOS Ventura 13.0 Developer Beta 6. I start to fear we will get another public release with this crap remaining unfixed.
Issues are still not fixed in macOS Ventura 13.0 Developer Beta 9. Another public release with those annoying adaptive sync issues looks more and more likely. 🤮
I had the same problem with a DELL S2721QS.
After trying all possible solutions, I contacted DELL and they offered a replacement.
The replacement unit was manufactured in 2022 and they obviously changed something with the newer batches.
When I first contacted DELL support, they basically asked me to use HDMI port instead of DisplayPort, which would disable VRR but won’t support RGB color.
Now the VRR won’t cause flickering on newer hardware but do cause audio issues to the built in speakers in that monitor.
Great, Dell managed to work around it on this model. Yet, this shouldn't be necessary. VRR works fine on Windows PCs and an XBOX at least for the monitors that I own. So it clearly is Apple that are doing something, causing incompatibility with a large amount of VRR enabled monitors out there. It's Apple that should fix this, not screen manufacturers.
I've been using Macs since 2012. Before that, I was a gamer and I was always busy building my PC and fixing things. Once I entered the university, I wanted to learn mobile app development, therefore bought a Mac and made it my primary computer.
I've had the flickering issue with my Benq external monitor for some time now. However, it seems disabling variable refresh rate seems to improve things. Although I have another serious issue when I'm using my external monitor. The MacBook Pro crashes several times a day when it goes to sleep, if it is connected to the external monitor. I recently used a Windows (7 and 10) laptops and a linux laptop (an old laptop) with the same monitor and how they worked perfectly while the overpriced crap with brushed aluminum struggles is really funny. What's even funnier is how Apple talks about their brand-new features, while ignoring problems with products they already shipped. Many other unrelated things like unlocking the Mac with the Apple Watch, copying and pasting across iPhone and Mac are also in hit or miss zone.
My full-time job is a C++ dev, the only reason I use a Mac at home is I'm making iOS apps as side projects. Otherwise, I would have thrown this computer away and switched to linux years ago. The time I recently used the linux laptop with the same monitor was a total pleasure, specially watching how smoothly it works even on old hardware. I totally love the GNOME recent release as well.
I've had the flickering issue with my Benq external monitor for some time now. However, it seems disabling variable refresh rate seems to improve things. Although I have another serious issue when I'm using my external monitor. The MacBook Pro crashes several times a day when it goes to sleep, if it is connected to the external monitor. I recently used a Windows (7 and 10) laptops and a linux laptop (an old laptop) with the same monitor and how they worked perfectly while the overpriced crap with brushed aluminum struggles is really funny. What's even funnier is how Apple talks about their brand-new features, while ignoring problems with products they already shipped. Many other unrelated things like unlocking the Mac with the Apple Watch, copying and pasting across iPhone and Mac are also in hit or miss zone.
My full-time job is a C++ dev, the only reason I use a Mac at home is I'm making iOS apps as side projects. Otherwise, I would have thrown this computer away and switched to linux years ago. The time I recently used the linux laptop with the same monitor was a total pleasure, specially watching how smoothly it works even on old hardware. I totally love the GNOME recent release as well.
My MacBook Air M2 does recognize my Samsung LC49RG94SSRXZG only correctly with full resolution 5120 x 1440, if I disable Freesync in the menu of the monitor and reduce the refresh rate in the same menu from 120 Hz to 100 Hz or 60 Hz.
Otherwise it offers 5120 x 1440 only with the "low resolution" hint.
Is this behavior normal?
Otherwise it offers 5120 x 1440 only with the "low resolution" hint.
Is this behavior normal?
I have dual Dell S2722QC with my MacBookPro M1. I have no problem with 1 of the monitors. With the other, though, I experience flickering. I have adjusted it from Variable Refresh to 60 Hertz. The problem persists.
Why would I have the issue with one monitor and not the other?
Why would I have the issue with one monitor and not the other?
Yup, confirmed, still not fixed. And still no reaction to my feedback. Not even linked to similar feedback yet.
On March 29 you posted that 13.4 still has the issue, now you say it is fixed. No new beta has been released in between.
Hi @dstyp,
I have the same Dell G3223Q with an M1 Mac mini. When you connect at high frame rates like 4K/144 or 4K/120 from your Mac, on the Dell Display, in the Display section of the OSD is it using RGB or YCbCr for input colour format?
Mine uses RGB until I go over 60hz then YCbCr takes over and text clarity takes a dive from chroma 4:2:2.
Just wondering if it's different for you possibly either because of your different Mac or a different cable. Thanks for any info.
Your connection likely doesn't have enough bandwidth for RGB at the higher refresh rates. YCbCr takes less bandwidth.
To verify, try using FHD resolution with high refresh rate. Should stay at RGB if bandwidth is the issue.
To verify, try using FHD resolution with high refresh rate. Should stay at RGB if bandwidth is the issue.
Hi. Yes, I agree that it's using YCbCR to compress the signal. But it shouldn't need to, so I am trying to understand why.
- The monitor handles 4K/144/RGB/10bit perfectly from Windows machines with DP 1.4.
- All cables I'm using are DP 1.4 USB-C to DP. But all yield the YCbCr compression with Mac.
- The Dell monitor reports a DP1.4/HBR3 connection with the Mac, which should be what is needed to support 4K/120 without having to downgrade the chroma sampling like it is doing. However, it would likely require DSC, which nobody is sure Apple has implemented properly over TB/DP connections.
However, as you have found in your issue, Apple is openly hostile to properly supporting external display standards so who knows if the limitation will ever be addressed.