• OS

  • Disable dithering on M1/M2 devices

NewDwarf after last update command my output log is:

2022-11-19 19:09:32.853323+0300 0x3497     Default     0x0                  0      0    kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(2318) allow boot-arg-set enableDither

2022-11-19 19:09:32.853327+0300 0x3497     Default     0x0                  0      0    kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(2318) allow boot-arg-set iomfb_RuntimeProperty_enableDither

MacBook Air M2 2022 macOS Monterey (12.6)

    Curious how the folks trying this, have you had success?

    Doesn't help for me. The problem is we don't know whether this disables temporal dithering or not. I didn't use MBA for 3-4 days, and now I tried to use it, instant vertigo and neck pain, so, yeah… I hope someone else has some solution. Tried to take my MBA to the store where I bought it (authorised reseller), they said nothing is wrong with the laptop so they cannot return my money. So, before selling it, I hope someone comes with some good news…

      mirza For me the same - eye strain after entering command.

      I'm currently using the temporary solution. I mirrored the internal screen using the utility BetterDisplay. And after that, I do not feel any eye strain.

      I think this is because the virtual mirror monitor is 8 bit.

      I also recommend disabling True Tone and Night Shift while using mirroring.

      Can anyone also try and test this?

          JesHD I downloaded it, I will try it. Can you tell me where you set bit depth in this app?

          edit: ok got it. I mirrored the display… So you're saying when it's mirrored from MB that it's lowering bit depth?

              mirza Yes, this is my guess.

              You can check bit depth in utility SwitchResX.

              For internal display it shows «Billions of colors» (10 bit), and for virtual mirror - «Millions of colors» (8 bit).

                JesHD Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is exactly why I love this website and the exchange with other people that have similar issues. Your workaround helped me to finally use a MacBook (Air) again - still not perfect but already feeling much better. Here's what I've done:

                1. Created a dummy with before-mentioned app.
                2. Scaled my screen to 1256x785, 60 Hz HiDPI 16:10 (that's about 55% in the app)
                3. Color Profile: Adobe RGB 1998 and colors are at millions iso billions of colors.

                Again, it's not perfect and I'll have to test it out a bit more but plugging my MBA M2 into my monitor finally feels much better too. I don't want to jinx it and I'm hoping this could be a long-term solution.

                  JesHD thank you very much! It really helped me, I just made dummy display, mirrored it to my original display of a Macbook Pro m1 and set sRGB preset, then optimized display for dummy display and here it is - no issues.

                  I also tried Asahi linux for my mbp m1 and it also helped alot with eye strain symptoms. I found out that the main issue was temporal dithering or macos scaling/antialiasing issues and not PWM for me.

                      It seems that we already have 3 success stories.

                      But what are the negative effects of using this method? Increased latency?

                      However if others have your success, we should contact the developers of that software to see what our problem may be.

                        Lauda89 As i felt it, yep. Latency is increased slightly, but you don't even notice it. And also downside is that I cant use notch area of macbook pro m1 14’ display. That’s it for now.

                        Imo the problem can be in temporal dithering (8-bit vs 10-bit) or in OS scaling because I played with some scale settings in Asahi Linux and also felt eye strain with some of them (those who has Asahi can try to change Scale Method from “Accurate” to “Smooth”).

                            Sentiny I'd be tempted to try it.. I'll wait for the MBP 16" M2 and then give it a try.

                            It would be a possible solution in the work environment.

                              Lauda89 I noticed such a negative effect. Possible video playback issues in some apps, such as AppleTV+. Thus, in this case, it is need to disable mirroring.

                                  Lauda89 Well I guess I cheered too soon… woke up with a minor migraine after I already noticed a bit of the usual symptoms last night. I will have to play around with it again and test it out more, hoping it wasn’t just a placebo effect 😔

                                      I hope that there exist a good solution, like some commands from @NewDwarf, related to disabling dithering.

                                      DHSF You need to check that dummy display is a main display (not mirror). Sometimes it happens that the monitors change their mode.

                                      Also you need to disable True Tone and Night shift.

                                        I also did the same for the external monitor (which has 8 + 2 bit FRC). There is no strain after that.

                                        7 days later

                                        Guys, by the way I found weird thing.

                                        Is it only me getting eye strain and dizziness when I connect my mouse to my Macbook M1 and activate "Disable cursor acceleration" in LinearMouse app? Or it's just a faulty mouse (I have wired Steelseries Prime)? Have you noticed something like that?

                                        dev