Making Variable Refresh Rate Performance Comparable

Delta-PQ tolerance values aren’t provided for tests that start and end with the same code value, and for tests that finish in either code value 0 or 31. Overshoot or undershoot that occurs on these 56 gray-to-gray transitions is measured. If overdrive is being applied, up to 35 of the transitions may overshoot, and up to 21 of the transitions may undershoot.

In each of the 56 transitions, the overshoot and undershoot limits are compared to a mandate defined in 10-bit PQ values, in which the change of the measured overdrive compared to the target level is called the Delta-PQ.

Additional updates to the Adaptive-Sync Display standard supported emerging display capabilities, such as overclocking or faster mode operation, as well as operation across multiple resolution and refresh rate combinations (known as “dual mode”), while maintaining consistent certification requirements. These changes reflect an ongoing effort to ensure that the standard remains relevant as display performance continues to advance.

Display OEMs wishing to certify products that support an overclocked mode option at a higher AdaptiveSync Display refresh rate certification than the factory default configuration must have the displays tested at both their out-of-the-box factory default settings and in their overclocked mode while still at maximum resolution. Moreover, all VESA Adaptive-Sync Display CTS requirements must be met in both modes.

For Adaptive-Sync Display dual-mode certification, all requirements of the Adaptive-Sync Display CTS must be met at both tested resolutions. This includes a minimum of 144 Hz at maximum resolution, and a minimum of 1080p vertical resolution when tested in the reduced resolution/maximum refresh rate mode.

Building on the DisplayHDR Model

The Adaptive-Sync Display program builds on the model established by VESA’s DisplayHDR specification, which introduced a standardized approach to evaluating high-dynamic-range (HDR) performance. DisplayHDR demonstrated that open, industry-wide, front-of-screen performance standards can drive both transparency and adoption. Adaptive-Sync Display extends this concept to VRR, addressing a different but equally important dimension of display quality.

The development of the Adaptive-Sync Display standard reflects broad collaboration across the display ecosystem, including panel manufacturers, GPU vendors, OEMs, and component suppliers. Adoption of the standard has grown rapidly, with more than 300 display models certified under the Adaptive-Sync Display program to date.

This level of participation underscores the industry’s recognition of a shared need: a consistent and credible way to characterize display performance. For OEMs, certification also provides a consistent and trusted way to communicate display quality to the market, enabling clearer differentiation based on measurable, real-world performance rather than isolated spec sheet metrics.

Establishing Clear Benchmarks for VRR Comparison

As VRR has become ubiquitous, the focus has shifted to how well it’s implemented. To support that effort, standardized, transparent, and reproducible testing become essential. By defining how VRR performance is measured — and ensuring that those measurements reflect real-world conditions — the Adaptive-Sync Display CTS provides a foundation for more meaningful comparisons across displays.

For engineers and OEMs, that clarity enables more consistent product design and a more credible way to communicate performance characteristics. For the broader market, it provides a clear and consistent set of metrics to easily compare variable refresh rate performance of displays. As a result, consumers not only know that a display supports VRR, but they can better understand how well it performs.