Hey guys. I just had a chance to take a look quickly at the M1 GPU driver. At the first glance, dithering can also be controlled by the NVRAM variable. In the case of M1 chipset and its driver, this parameter is "enableDither". So, to disable dithering on M1 devices, open the terminal in normal mode (NVRAM variables are controlled from the normal mode on M1 devices) and enter the command `sudo nvram boot-args="enableDither=0 PE_i_can_has_debugger=1 iomfb_RuntimeProperty_enableDither=0"` and type your password. To verify the command was accepted, use the command: `log show --process 0 | grep "Dither"` The expected output is: `xxxx-xx-xx xx:xx:xx 0x180b Default 0x0 0 0 kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(831) allow boot-arg-set enableDither` I am not sure this will help as most of M1 devices have pretty low frequency PWM. But some devices, like MacBook AIR 2022 has no PWM. It would be nice to get your feedback. Just type what exactly device you use and your feeling… Update1: the command was extended to `sudo nvram boot-args="enableDither=0 PE_i_can_has_debugger=1 iomfb_RuntimeProperty_enableDither=0"` ~~Update2: macOS Ventura has redesigned approach of using kernel extensions. More likely, this solution doesn’t work there. So try it on all earlier macOS versions.~~

I get Error setting variable - 'boot-args': (iokit/common) not permitted.

@"mirza"#p24449 Did you try in normal or recovery mode?

Both I get same error, in normal and recovery mode…

@"mirza"#p24451 and you used it with sudo? If yes, please enter in recovery mode, open the terminal there and disable the SIP by the command “csrutil disable” Then enter the normal mode and try again to set the nvram parameter.

@"mirza"#p24451 BTW, what device you use? I tried it on MacBook Pro M1 2020.

@"NewDwarf"#p24453 Yes, MacBook Air M1 2020 here too. I think I managed to do it now, here is when I tap log show command: 2022-11-18 20:26:09.371933+0100 0x1f7ba Error 0x0 0 0 kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(3532) deny(1) boot-arg-set enableDither 2022-11-18 20:28:15.041513+0100 0x1fba6 Error 0x0 0 0 kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(3561) deny(1) boot-arg-set enableDither 2022-11-18 20:30:26.325331+0100 0x1ff72 Error 0x0 0 0 kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(3592) deny(1) boot-arg-set enableDither 2022-11-18 20:35:55.447516+0100 0x1797 Error 0x0 0 0 kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(791) deny(1) boot-arg-set enableDither 2022-11-18 20:37:44.060383+0100 0x1678 Error 0x0 0 0 kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(703) deny(1) boot-arg-set enableDither 2022-11-18 21:43:40.607977+0100 0x250e Default 0x0 0 0 kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(1290) allow boot-arg-set enableDither 2022-11-18 21:43:40.607984+0100 0x250e Default 0x0 0 0 kernel: [System Event] [9361451525] [INFO] [Subsystem: nvram] [Event: write] boot-args to enableDither=0 2022-11-18 21:48:05.225821+0100 0x3bd9 Default 0x0 0 0 kernel: (Sandbox) System Policy: nvram(1672) allow boot-arg-set enableDither 2022-11-18 21:48:05.225835+0100 0x3bd9 Default 0x0 0 0 kernel: [System Event] [15712279907] [INFO] [Subsystem: nvram] [Event: write] boot-args to enableDither=0

@"mirza"#p24454 thanks. Do you feel any effect of this command?

@"NewDwarf"#p24455 Difficult to say right away, I will test it and let you know. Thanks a lot.. Do you feel any difference?

@"mirza"#p24456 I sit about 10 minutes after entering this command. Currently, I don't have this laptop on the hand and I can check only on Monday. As my laptop has PWM, I can still have side effect of PWM. It would be nice if one who have MacBook Air 2022 check this command as according to reports it is PWM free.

It's probably placebo, but I have a feeling it's better. We'll see.

Disable dithering on M1/M2 devices

ryans

@JesHD @DHSF @Sentiny @mirza Are you folks still using BetterDisplay, is it working for you?

Sentiny

ryans for me it’s the only way to use MBP 14. Now I try to figure out, is it only betterdisplay that helps, or it’s combination of betterdisplay and switchresx. I also noticed that disabling mouse acceleration while using mouse also cause eyestrain and dizziness for me.

JesHD

Sentiny ryans Yes, I still use BetterDisplay for dummy mirroring, and SwitchResX just for checking (because SwitchResX on M1/M2 devices can not switch bit depth, only on Intel-macs)

tfouto

JesHD have you tried bootcamp with Windows and see if it works to no eye syrain?

bkdo

Sentiny

I'm unable to set a dummy display as my main display without using an external monitor, would you mind sharing how you were able to set a dummy display as main while on the MacBook display itself?

Sentiny

bkdo I have macbook pro 14.

Just connect 16:10 Dummy display.
Then open your macbook lcd display settings and set it as a mirror for dummy display.
Set optimization for dummy display.
Change resolution in Betterdisplay, I use default scale 1512x945.

In better display menu set option to "reconnect dummy after wake".

I use 1.3.8 version cause I felt that in 1.3.9 they changed smth and it feels worse for my eyes.

bkdo

Sentiny

Thank you very much, that worked. Not sure if it's helping so far, but I'll give it a shot. You also mentioned that you use SwitchResX as well, do you mind sharing which settings do you use for that?

Sentiny

bkdo Just default settings for it

akuts404

Hey! Could you please tell me which display resolution have you set?

Sentiny

akuts404 For macbook pro 14, I use 1512x945.

For external 27' 2k display I use native 2560x1440 or 2048x1152

akuts404

https://www.mediafire.com/view/r76l3cchsguq4rm/%25D0%2597%25D0%25BD%25D1%2596%25D0%25BC%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BA_%25D0%25B5%25D0%25BA%25D1%2580%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B0_2023-01-07_%25D0%25BE_14.48.23.png/file

and do you have the same set up in "mirror dummy" such as "SwitchResX4…"?

Zazu

I have followed the instructions from @NewDwarf on how to disable dithering on my M1 mac. I didn't see much of an alleviation of symptoms. I have also reduced my resolution to 1600x900 using BetterDisplay, again with not much of an effect on my symptoms.

Specs:

Interestingly, on my other Mac, I don't use BetterDisplay, but did follow @NewDwarf instructions to disable dithering, which helped me greatly. I can use this Mac, with pretty much no symptoms.

Specs:

Just a note that on both Macs, I am using external LCD TFT backlit monitors.

I wonder if it is because the usable on is running Big Sur. And the unusable one is running Monterey?

ryans

Zazu I don't think @NewDwarf technique works on M1/M2 Macs, only Intel ones. Glad your Intel one is usable now 🙂

Sounds like that supports your findings?

Lauda89

Zazu I wonder if it is because the usable on is running Big Sur. And the unusable one is running Monterey?

I think there is a high possibility that upgrading to Monterey, even the mac with intel will start giving you problems.

You should make a disk image and try it, but I wouldn't do that if I were you 🙂

asus389

Zazu I am having trouble finding it, what method did you use on your intel Mac?

Zazu

ryans Yeah, New dwarf had 2 seperate solutions for intel and M1 macs. I tried both and it seems the intel solution worked but the M1 had ambiguous results. I have now brute forced working on my M1 and today seems better. Reminder that on my M1 I have also reduced my resolution using betterdisplay, and did what Newdwarf recommended to disable dithering.

Zazu

Lauda89 I am definitely not upgrading from Big Sur!

ryans

From MacRumors:

I’ve confirmed with the developer that a Dummy Display is the only way to switch the color to 8-bit on Apple silicon, which should disable temporal dithering in theory. Keep in mind that will give you less colors to work with and may make for a slightly less color-accurate display if your work is graphic-dependent.

Lauda89

ryans nice! Can you post the link of the topic? 🙂 thanks

ryans

Lauda89 Hi, the post is here.

Zazu

asus389

I believe I used this from NewDwarf

sudo nvram boot-args="enableDither=0"

and then to check if there has been an effect use this command

log show --predicate "processID == 0" | grep Dither

FULL THREAD: https://ledstrain.org/d/268-osx-dithering-help-wanted/191

« Previous Page Next Page »