[B][color=red][size=18]Windows - AMD Graphics[/color][/size][/B] 1. The modify registry method is not working any more. 2. So give up on Windows. You can consider to switch to Linux. [B][color=red][size=18]Windows - nVidia Graphics[/color][/size][/B] 1. [url]https://ledstrain.org/d/511[/url] + [url="https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1082681/geforce-drivers/is-it-possible-to-quot-port-quot-dithering-from-nvidia-x-server-to-geforce-driver-/post/5934577/#5934577"]https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1082681[/url] [B][color=red][size=18]Windows - Intel Graphics[/color][/size][/B] 1. Use [B]ditherig.exe[/B] to turn off color dithering. http://kawamoto.no-ip.org/henteko/myapp_en.html [B][color=red][size=18]Windows - Microsoft Standard VGA Adapter[/color][/size][/B] 1. No eyestrain but performance is unacceptable. [B][color=red][size=18]Linux[/color][/size][/B] 1. Recommend debian, or you can use archlinux or ubuntu all ok. [B][color=red][size=18]Mac OS[/color][/size][/B] 1. Mac OS has color dithering which hurt eyes. Dont use it. [B][color=red][size=18]BSD[/color][/size][/B] 1. Dont use BSD operating system, because they're not free software.

Nvidia open source Linux driver "nouveau", which usually is active by default: https://nouveau.freedesktop.org/wiki/Dithering/ radeon and amdgpu might use the same method (via xrandr).

@"eDenon-2"#p6331 Would be great if these methods didn't have so many caveats. > @"eDenon-2"#p6331 For AMD Graphcis card on Windows Unconfirmed > @"eDenon-2"#p6331 For Intel Graphcis card on Windows Doesn't work on some hardware and someone said sleep mode breaks it? (I might have an idea how to fix it for my utility though) > @"eDenon-2"#p6331 For nVidia graphics card on Linux Doesn't work with "broken" 9xx/10xx cards.

thanks for the effort @"eDenon-2"#p6331 Would be great to put this in a Wiki or something. Even though this might not work 100% yet I think this is a start and people can contribute by sharing their experiences.

If you dont play games and watch movies, then the Standard VGA Graphics Adapter is the best, it has no dithering, great for eyes.

I just read here that Catalyst/fglrx has been abandoned in favor of AMDGPU: https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Fglrx Anyway, at the bottom of this thread are the correct command lines for fglrx which may work for Catalyst, too: https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/how-to-disable-dithering-in-linux.387362/ The "aticonfig" command seems to be especially outdated.

> @"eDenon-2"#p6397 That means need look deep into how driver (or hardware) work, and rewrite it. That's hard. I've been working on OS X graphics drivers on-and-off for over a year, and I'm planning to restart and moreso document my research once I have 10.14 working on my testing and main laptops.

@"KM"#p6332 I can confirm that the xrandr set dither = "off" does work on amdgpu but only for linux kernels n 4.13.XX and older. they have removed the entire dither property

@"ShivaWind"#p6409 So it doesn't exist for kernel 4.17? (Was trying Void Linux on my Macbook for other reasons) and noticed there was no "dither" property for the internal LVDS/LCD display.

@"ShivaWind"#p6409 I have a very bad older AMD card, HD5450. It is unusable everywhere, even in the BIOS. It uses the older "radeon" driver and has the option "dither", which by default is off. When I switch it on and off, the screen blanks for a moment, indicating something happened. But no relief in any mode. I used it 2 weeks ago with the latest available Manjaro Kernel, which has to be something like 4.18 at least.

@"eDenon-2"#p6331 nouveau is for Nvidia GPUs. The xrandr --prop is not just for listing connected ports but it also lists available options and how they are named. On my card for example the option is not called dithering but "dithering mode". The option names differ between GPUs. You might want to add the user has to put options that include spaces into quotation marks. Something which people who aren't used to the command line might not know. Also the current Nvidia teradici section is for Nvidias proprietary closed source drivers. Nouveau is an open source driver. The nvidia-xconfig method is only applied after the user logged in, started his own Xorg session, and on top of that has "nvidia-xconfig --load-config-only" in his autostart. If he looks at a login manager he might look at dithering because the config is not loaded yet. With the global xorg.conf file method the dithering might be deactivated for login screens, too. In case the option name ever changes, go here: https://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html, choose your driver, select "Additional Information", then README, then one of the appendixes. I think it is something like "Appendix D Xconfig options". Sometimes there are no such links or the content is missing.

Disable Color Dither method collection

diop

Gleb I have an Intel HD4000 Mac Mini lying around which I can't use due to strain - I will definately give this a try today.

Can I use this code with older versions of MacOS?

Also I am interested to know your story; when did you notice symptoms yourself on Macs or other machines, and how did you find out this kext information?

martin

Gleb Id like to try this, but am a bit afraid of ruining my macos and having to reinstall. Im getting treated for heterophoria (which you might also have, ever visited a good optometrist?), Its proven to be connected from my own experience with the treatment, but sometimes not 100% treatable so Id still welcome a technical solution.

Would there be a chance to write this into a simple app that can be used on the taskbar to switch dithering on/off? Id pay you money for it.
Wasnt there an app (gfx card) that could force using integrated intel graphics even when photoshop etc. is running?

You can also write me at mjanas555 {that at sign} googlemail {dot} com

diop Please let me know if it indeed helps with symptoms.

Gleb

diop

Can I use this code with older versions of MacOS?

I think yes. But the final answer depends on the Kext in use. You can list Intel kext's to see if we are using same version. If there are different framebuffers, you can send me framebuffer kext and I can take a look if it has this hidden parameter.

when did you notice symptoms

I got eye strain after 3-4 months of using MacBook pro. It became worse when I changed lights in my apartment to PWM led strips. Now I do not use LED lightings, just old lightbulb, and desk lamp. Also, I switched my primary screen from MacBook screen to external Displays (Dell UP2414q). Not starring all day into MacBook screen seems to give me relief.

Never had any problems with most screens for 20 years. Only some crappy glossy PWM displays made me uncomfortable, but I avoided them with success.

how did you find out this kext information?

You need some sort of decompiler. I Use IDA64 with hex-rays plugin.
Then I went into each suspicious Kext (Show content) and pulled binary into IDA64. You are interested to decompile Unix Executable in *.kext/Contents/MacOS/:
https://ibb.co/JCRx1TY

Then in IDA - View->Open Subview->Strings (Shift+F12)
And try to search for Dither there. x key on the string will show all code usages for this string. Go there and press F5 for hex-rays C-like decompiled code

Gleb

martin Yesterday I screw up with AMD driver modification (every time I set CFG_NO_DITH - I can't restart machine anymore, stuck on logo, about 70%)

The way to fix is to load in recovery mode (holding command+R) and copy unmodified kexts from recovery partiyion to your /System/Library/Extensions/

Here I did screenshot of commands I use for restoring original kext:
https://ibb.co/Gt0X1YH

Gleb

I updated to Catalina (10.15).
I checked decompiled code for AppleIntelCFLGraphicsFramebuffer, and they still have DitherDisable hidden option

For Catalina there is additional step needed before they allow editing Plist inside kext:
sudo mount -uw /

I checked logs with command
log show --predicate 'processID == 0' --last 1h | grep Intel

https://ibb.co/TmCqKRb
and

log show --predicate 'processID == 0' --last 20h | grep Dither
https://ibb.co/WzjyHGH

BUT
I think things are looking a bit different.
Previously (on 10.14) when I was switching to High-Performance, I was noticing immediate changes in font rendering and color balance (they looked very strange on AMD).

Now there is no visual difference between Intel and Amd graphics. There are 3 possible reasons:

DitherDisable option is no longer working in my Framebuffer
Dithering is disabled for both AMD and Intel in the new upgrade
DitherDisable flag now controls BOTH integrated Intel and AMD.

I will need to look at my screen for a day to see how it works.

ever visited a good optometrist?

In the end, martin may be right about this, and I just have aging symptoms (I'm 28 now, work on computers since 6). The reason why I think this might be an issue: I booted Windows PC (with AMD 280x card), disabled\enabled Dithering in registry, and didn't notice any effect. Only thing I see is kind of visual snow (and that is the first symptom for CVS).

Also I wonder if @JTL is able to connect the capture card to one of DP output? And record video of signal from mac.

Also, if anyone here does have android eink reader, https://youtu.be/lWAsfZTUrJs?t=560 it might be possible to test screens for dithering using VNC (in theory, without buying expensive dasung). I will try to do such tests, but currently, I do not have eink on android.

diop

Gleb Are you running Catalina? I can upgrade this Mini to the latest MacOS (as it's a late 2012 machine) before attempting this.

Gleb

diop I'm still on Mojave 10.14.6 (18G95) - didn't upgrade for 32bit reasons.

I believe after updating I would need to do config modifications again.

martin

Gleb I cant even get the first command in terminal running - kextstat | grep Intel

Martin-MacBook-Pro:~ martinjanas$ kexstat | grep Intel
-bash: kexstat: command not found

You are probably very experienced and so certain things seem as given, is there more dumbed down version of how to do this?

Also how about installing windows 10 via bootcamp and trying to disable all of it there to see if it indeed helps your eyes? Could you do that and share the process? Its good testing ground as its easy to wipe it if it goes wrong and still keep macos intact. If it works there, then its good motivation to figure it out for macos.

Gleb

kextstat | grep Intel

That was a typo somewhere

Windows

I do not have much free space currently for it. But even in MacOS flipping integrated\discrete card switch makes a HUGE difference in how fonts and colors looks. Also now it is relaxing on eyes (my gf also see a difference with and without dithering)

diop

Gleb Okay so I've got the Mac powered on - disabled csrutil first then restarted.

My drivers loaded look quite different - https://imgur.com/uKdcGfz

Gleb

diop Unfortunately I do not see this hidden parameter for FramebufferCapri:

https://ibb.co/5RtdNR8

You may try to set Dither instead of mine DitherDisable

number = 0 to disable it, if I understood Framebuffer code correctly

But I can't promise results. Still worth trying.

Gleb

diop

In the meantime, I wonder if you install SwitchResX https://www.madrau.com/srx_download/download.html
And reduce colors to Millions of color, instead of billions https://ibb.co/44P4CDQ

AND, more important, in System Preferences -> Display -> Color, select Generic RGB Profile instead of Color LCD https://ibb.co/hXz3JmG

Then it seems to disable (or at least reduce) dithering effects.

You can verify it on gradient image http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/gradient.php
It should look banded, not linear gradient as here: https://ibb.co/PY4PZ71

Can you try it and share the experience?

diop

Gleb I am running Mojave 10.14.3 - would upgrading OS to Catalina change the drivers installed?

Gleb

diop

would upgrading OS to Catalina change the drivers installed?

Not likely, they seem to bind specific Framebuffer implementation to specific device
But worth a try. You can then send me your framebuffer kext so I can look into. Maybe, they added setting there.

diop

Gleb So initially after trying to follow the instructions I realised I didn't have Xcode installed. I tried to download from the App Store but it required that I upgraded AppleOS. So I've upgraded the system to latest Catalina.

The Grep | Intel list looks the same > https://imgur.com/jjJorY8
However when trying to allow permissions to the Directory/plist file it said something to the effect of 'read only directory'. I ran csr disable in recovery after the Catalina upgrade, so maybe there's another security feature that needs to be disabled first?

I opened the plist file direct in Xcode here > https://imgur.com/HwYyZkD - but I couldn't find any FeatureControl option.

I did change the colour profile to Standard RGB, but didn't install SwitchResX.

Here is a pic of the test page > https://imgur.com/JLWqC1B - I can see a gradient which is strange.

If there's anything you can suggest I will give it a shot - thanks for your help so far. (Glad to know it's working for you at least).

Gleb

diop
You need to navigate deep in that plist file: IOKitPersonalities->AppleIntelFramebufferController->FeatureControl

FeatureControl is a sub-section 3 layer depth from the root. See my picture again: https://ibb.co/dgqK0MS

For the file permissions, you may try right-clicking on plist in finder->get info

And add your account to this list

diop

Gleb After a bit of searching online it appears that from Catalina onwards kexts have to be signed by Apple in order to work, also I think the file system changes mean system files are permanently read-only regardless of SIP being switched off.

I downgraded to Mojave and installed Xcode - I made a slight mistake editing the plist and couldn't see a way to undo changes (doh) so will start over tomorrow and try again. Presumably I right-click FeatureControl and 'Add Row'? Then enter the details like you mentioned 'Dither' value '0'.

Do the changes happen immediately after adding the line or does the system need to be restarted first?

reaganry

fyi.. with AMD+Displayport you can turn off dithering in the control panel (select 6 bit color)

Gleb

reaganry
Is this for windows only? Or there is some kind of AMD control-panel for macos?

reaganry

Gleb could be windows only

JTL

diop

diop Do the changes happen immediately after adding the line or does the system need to be restarted first?

I presume the later, I believe the kext plist is only loaded into memory when the kext is loaded, which a reboot would do.

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