Here's the result:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/176oCtXUkBflQ7nTrCsZr4yDGmFFCNEWd/view?usp=sharing

There seems to be a LOT of pixel flicker here. But I use ditherig.exe with all dithering disabled (and I see banding in gradients, as I should). Weird.

I also shot one of my CFLs, for comparison:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dM-b3aE8VbmmO94_hY1uExVJcMKS49sU/view?usp=sharing

No "pixel flicker" here, which means that the pixel flicker in the first vid is NOT an artefact of the camera itself, but is real (i.e. it is really emitted by the screen). At least that's what I think.

Do you guys agree with my conclusion? And what could cause such pixel flicker?

For some reason when I view the video it is super blurry, I guess it wasn't supposed to be? but I can see the flickering. Wait - a bit clearer if I download the video.

What resolution is the screen? or more helpfully, how many pixels across is each character approximately as displayed in the video? Is it a laptop or desktop monitor? if it is a desktop, it may still be dithering.

    Seagull For some reason when I view the video it is super blurry, I guess it wasn't supposed to be? but I can see the flickering. Wait - a bit clearer if I download the video.

    Yeah, you need to download the video in order to have it look clearer.

    It still won't be perfectly clear, as the camera can't focus from a 1cm distance.

    Seagull What resolution is the screen? or more helpfully, how many pixels across is each character approximately as displayed in the video? Is it a laptop or desktop monitor? if it is a desktop, it may still be dithering.

    1366x768.

    Each character is about 9x14px.

    It's a laptop screen (the built-in screen).

        If you use something like this you might get a clearer image. My best guess is that you are seeing LCD inversion, but that's because other than dithering that's all I know of which creates these kinds of artefacts.

          Seagull Thanks.

          Btw I tried disabling all GPU drivers (nvidia and intel). Had a hunch this might remove the pixel flicker, but it didn't.

            My laptop's display panel is "LGD0250".

            For this panel, I found info from Panelook which says 262K colors. This means 6-bit color.

            Explanation: (26) ^ 3 equals 262144 (meaning 262K).

            So the next step for me is to find/buy an 8-bit display (meaning no TD, I hope).

              logixoul

              Its normal for laptop displays to only be 6-bit, the dithering comes from the GPU alone. I've had intel laptops and seen the colour depth drop when turning on ditherig.exe.

                  Seagull the dithering comes from the GPU alone

                  Thanks. How can you be sure about that?

                      There was an interesting idea to check where is the problem using PCoIP protocol, that transmits a pixel perfect Remote Desktop to the client. I am not sure how to apply it to your situation as it requires a safe setup for a test, but thought it is worth mentioning anyway. All flickering that is created by the screen itself will not be transmitted.

                      logixoul

                      As far as I am aware laptop monitors don't control their own dithering, but I have no way testing it.

                        14 days later

                        News from me, on this topic:

                        1. The "severe pixel flicker" (that I was complaining about) turns out to be a camera artifact (due to a high auto-ISO setting due to me using a potent software screen dimmer)
                        2. So I shot again (without the dimmer), and this time I used a microscope as @Seagull suggested.
                        3. Unfortunately, when my camera is set to slo-mo mode, it uses a max resolution of 176x128px
                        4. AND my zoom knob is broken so I cannot zoom in.

                        I see now that my camera is not great for my purposes. Posting the 2 result vids anyway (so it doesn't all go to waste 🙂 ):

                        Acer Aspire 5750G laptop (inbuilt display).

                        Lenovo IdeaPad 320 laptop (with Dell 2408WFP external monitor)

                        dev