I'm fine on an original Xbox 360 Elite console. I tried beta Xbox One hardware and it caused low levels of eye strain.

As you say, it is apparent that new rendering techniques are creeping in everywhere.

diop That's pretty much it, spot on. I suspect there's some new, ubiquitous low-level rendering technique. The odd occasion when we find a usable device from the last few years, it's something like Paranoid Android where they are using a stripped-down linux distribution to build their OS.

Even cable boxes are starting to bother me, sometimes. My wife has a Roku, and some apps hurt while others don't - but the same apps on my LG smart tv, or my PS3, or my XB360 are just fine.

So it's new OS'es, new chips, but I strongly STRONGLY suspect the display code.

  • JTL replied to this.

    Gurm Paranoid Android where they are using a stripped-down linux distribution to build their OS.

    Pretty sure Paranoid Android is just modified AOSP from Google. Not "stripped down Linux".

    A few ideas that jump out to me.

    • Drivers and/or firmware for the GPU chipset could be different between OS builds
    • "Base" AOSP version of "good" Paranoid Android ROMs is older from "bad" versions on other devices
    • Gurm replied to this.

      JTL Sorry, "stripped down" isn't the right term. "Bone stock", maybe?

      • JTL replied to this.

        Gurm Sure. The point I was trying to make is that standard "desktop" Linux and Android have many technical differences.

        Played through gears of wars 5 on xbox one x. Sat for 5 hours staring. Compared to my ryzen laptop , maybe 2 % strain. Nothing to complain about for me.

        • Gurm replied to this.

          Plsnostrain I think they might have gotten better. See, the XBox One is a Windows box, but the version of Windows 10 it runs lags WAY behind. Like, far enough behind that it was running Windows 8 long after Windows 10 came out. I want to say the XBox OS version of Win10 lags about a year behind, but they may have tightened that up recently. So just like Windows 10 v1803/1809/1903 are "ok" for me (as in I can use for a few hours without dying) I think the XBox might be better now. I hope so, because I really want an XBox One X. In the next couple weeks I'll sink some time into my Elite and see how it feels.

          a month later

          I had a chance to test Xbox One X and PS4 Slim side by side on my Panasonic ST60, and the Xbox One X is significantly more comfortable. Playable, even. Previously I found Xbox One X unusable (Spring 2018ish I believe). Games tested on XB1X were Forza Horizon 4 and Deliverance: Kingdom Come. On the PS4 Slim I tested LTOU Remastered. TBH XB1X output looked pretty clean. One big difference is that this time I used the XB1X on a 1080p screen and last time I was making use of a 4K HDR capable display. Also as @Gurm points out Windows rendering may have changed between now and over a year ago.

            degen Trying some more games. RDR2 is more straining than the other games I tried on XB1X. Super Lucky's Tale was comfortable.

            5 days later

            degen I absolutely think that Microsoft has "fixed" something. I now work all day at work (with frequent breaks) on Windows 10 x1909 (latest build) but it's been pretty usable lately. XBox always lags about 6 months behind, so if I had to guess I'd say the latest version on the XBone is probably 1903 or maybe even 1809. My XBox One got BAD around the October 2018 update, which I assume was actually a 2017 build (known for being awful on the eyes). I can fire it up and pull a version number and see if we can cross-reference that.

              Gurm I absolutely think that Microsoft has "fixed" something.

              Interesting, as I've had something of the opposite experience. I've gone from 100% OK to more like 70% sometime just before 1909 came out. That said there were some external factors at play that I'm still working through eg new glasses.

              18 days later

              I can't justify spending time (or eye/brain "resources") with this causing low-level stress. I can play here and there on the Xbox for a limited time, but I'm always butting up against my limits, and that's always in the back of my mind and that's not a pleasant or relaxing experience, which is the only reason I would game to begin with.

              I have never had an xbox one but could use PS4 on 43 sony FHD TV all days... when switched to 50" 4k Sony headaches.. that sux. Strangly no issues on PC connected to same TV.

              10 months later

              I was gifted an Xbox One S this week so have had a few test sessions. šŸ™‚

              After about 10-15mins the usual symptoms appear again, which is a shame.

              However one thing I did think was, would remote play be any better? The Xbox app only installs with W10 (and at least a 2019 version and above). I tested out remote play on a W10 20H2 build and IMO it looked slightly more comfortable than the native output, however because of the OS requirements, any W10 install is going to cause issues as well.

              If anybody here has a bad Xbox one but a good W10 20xx setup, may be worth trying remote play to see if there is a difference.

              2 years later

              Xbox box series X not usable to me šŸ™ if i cant solve this i have to sell it šŸ™

              I have been playing xbox one + S + one X over the years without any problemā€¦decided to buy the series X ā€¦..and i get red eyes everytime i play for about 15-20 min +

              Tried to change the hdmi cable , put on game mode , dont allow hdr , etc same resultā€¦.

              I like the series x but i will quit and sell the console if i didnt find a solutionā€¦.

              Could be the xbox windows version relating with graphic drivers??

              Should i wait for system upgrades?

              Really need some help regarding this ā€¦

              Thank you!

              dev