Updated June 9, 2022

Can displays receive both the new AdaptiveSync Display and MediaSync Display logos?

The AdaptiveSync Display logo is in a functional sense a complete superset of the MediaSync Display logo program. At the same time, the two logos target distinctly different use cases. Therefore, while it’s possible for a device to pass both certifications and use both logos, it would be completely unnecessary.

Can displays receive one of these new logos and also feature other VESA logos (e.g., DisplayHDR)?

Absolutely, and VESA welcomes vendors to achieve multiple certifications, such as DisplayPort, DisplayHDR, AdaptiveSync Display or MediaSync Display, and others on the same product.

Can a display featuring an AdaptiveSync Display/MediaSync Display logo also feature a GPU vendor’s Variable Refresh Rate program logo?

Yes. The VESA program imposes no restrictions on the use of additional logos and certifications of other programs. The VESA Adaptive-Sync Display certification is performed upon the display testing the display’s raw performance, i.e., without any GPU vendor optimizations. This way, the end user knows that it meets VESA’s performance criteria on any GPU source that supports the Adaptive-Sync protocol. A device that bears both an VESA Adaptive-Sync Display certification logo and a GPU vendor’s logo will have had to meet the criteria of both programs.

How can I tell if a display has received VESA Adaptive-Sync Display certification?

Typically, vendors will utilize the VESA logos that they have gained certification for on their website, product literature, and box packaging.

What does an OEM need to do in order to get their display product certified?

OEMs who are VESA members (and with over 300 member companies, almost anyone involved in the display industry is already a VESA member) can send their hardware to one of VESA’s approved Authorized Test Centers (ATCs), pay the testing fee charged by the third-party test house, and obtain a pass or fail certification. VESA does not charge any fee for certification.

Is the Adaptive-Sync Display certification and logo program only for discrete displays (PC monitors) or does it also include laptops?

The program is open to any DisplayPort, Embedded DisplayPort (eDP), USB Alt-Mode, or Thunderbolt/USB4-based display device, including laptops, all-in-one (AIO) computers, and monitors.

Can other products (tablets, smartphones, projectors, etc.) also qualify for certification?

Potentially, other types of devices could be certified in the future. VESA would need to consider how suitable testing could be implemented as our test routines require either a DisplayPort, USB Alt-Mode, or Thunderbolt/USB4 input, or the Windows operating system to execute the tests on a laptop or AIO.

Does VESA allow for self-certification by the OEMs?

Currently no. All certifications for the VESA AdaptiveSync Display are required to be performed by a VESA approved ATC.

For the G2G overshoot/undershoot tests, are you testing at one refresh rate or multiple refresh rates?

When running in Adaptive-Sync mode, the display is normally driven at a fixed native timing (i.e., maximum pixel rate of the display that enables maximum refresh rate with nominal timings parameter). With Adaptive-Sync displays, when frames are updated at less than the maximum refresh rate of the panel, the pixel rate is kept constant and the vertical blanking interval (VBlank) is extended to realize the frame rate change. In the current version of the Adaptive-Sync CTS, G2G is measured at maximum refresh rate only as a baseline requirement. However, VESA is investigating ways to expand the CTS and test suite to include testing multiple frame rates (via Adaptive-Sync VBlank adjustments) as overshoot and undershoot are affected by the dynamic frame rate change.

Is the Flicker test sensitive enough to pick up pulses in backlight?

We use the JEITA method for evaluating flicker, which applies a human perception aspect to the measurement as humans are far more affected by flicker at certain frequencies, and unaffected by higher frequencies.

Do all of the major media player software providers support Adaptive-Sync?

Support for Adaptive-Sync is growing. The majority of games take advantage of it, as do several major media players including the default Movies & TV player in Windows along with several other third-party media players.

Why did VESA choose 144Hz as the minimum max refresh rate for the AdaptiveSync Display logo?

We wanted to set a high minimum bar to establish this standard as a premium logo program. 144Hz was chosen as a suitable minimum requirement that could be achieved by gaming displays from 1080P through 4K resolutions.

Is there any limit to the max refresh rate that can be covered in the program? How high can the spec go?

We have not built any limitations into the test spec, and expect to support displays as they get faster.

Is there a set number of max refresh rate tiers that a monitor can qualify under, like with DisplayHDR? For example, 144, 200, 240, so a 160Hz monitor only gets a 144 label?

No, a 160Hz monitor would receive a 160Hz label. We are providing exact frequency logos to indicate the maximum refresh rate that supports Adaptive-Sync, at native resolution in factory default mode. If a vendor chooses to support any speed that is higher than 144Hz while still meeting the minimum refresh rate range and other requirements stipulated in the logo program, VESA will have a logo to support that exact frequency.

Does VESA plan on further refinement of the tests for the Adaptive-Sync Display CTS to adapt to changes in the marketplace or close loophole exploits by OEMs?

When technology changes or improves, or when we discover improved methods in testing we will make updates to the test suite, this is a normal part of VESA’s standards which we continue to invest effort in to refine and update to align with new technology.

All specification tests are executed by VESA’s approved ATCs, along with additional interoperability and visual tests. Combining this test procedure with VESA’s ability to conduct in-house auditing and reject certifications should product in retail perform differently than during testing provides us with a robust procedure to prevent bad behavior.

Does the Adaptive-Sync Display certification and logo program only cover new products, or can old/existing products already on the market qualify?

Any product, whether new or existing in retail, can be submitted for certification testing.