Flicker reduction and sharpness

[MetaRidleyScott]

Hi

Has anyone done some proper testing on what the impact of changing the display options are?

Thanks (at work so can't do it but would like to know!)

 

[GeoDarky]

i would like to know too what this option do?

 

[Gabe Logan]

From what I can tell, Sharpen reduces anti-aliasing and thus introduces more jaggies.

As for Flicker Reduction, I'm convinced that they mean "Stutter Reduction", and they have it the wrong way around.

I say this because: when you check "Normal" Flicker Reduction, it unlocks the framerate by disabling Vertical Sync. This gets rid of most of the stuttering when the framerate cannot maintain 60FPS. This is what the default was in GT5... no stuttering but pretty much constant screen tearing.

If however, you check the "High" setting for FR, it appears to lock the framerate, which erradicates the screen tearing, but on some tracks, it results in stuttering, particularly in the cockpt view (even at 720p), as it cannot keep to 60FPS.

 

[shirakawaa]

Is there any comparison image showing the difference?
I've always thought they were options to adjust picture quality on SD displays.

 

[MetaRidleyScott]

From what I can tell, Sharpen reduces anti-aliasing and thus introduces more jaggies.

As for Flicker Reduction, I'm convinced that they mean "Stutter Reduction", and they have it the wrong way around.

I say this because: when you check "Normal" Flicker Reduction, it unlocks the framerate by disabling Vertical Sync. This gets rid of most of the stuttering when the framerate cannot maintain 60FPS. This is what the default was in GT5... no stuttering but pretty much constant screen tearing.

If however, you check the "High" setting for FR, it appears to lock the framerate, which erradicates the screen tearing, but on some tracks, it results in stuttering, particularly in the cockpt view (even at 720p), as it cannot keep to 60FPS.

Thanks for the detailed explanation Gabe. I assume that a reduction in AA means higher FPS?

The screen tear didn't bother me in GT5 and I'm not too fussed about the stuttering in GT6. Having said that, I haven't raced everywhere and under every condition. I might try the "normal" setting on flicker reduction.

Good to see a console game having some of the PC customization options.

 

[phil_75]

Can't remember which way round but i think its sharpen that disables the AA (which in theory would give higher framerate) and flicker reduction adds temporall AA to try to remove the flickering on background objects.

 

[shirakawaa]

I can't see any difference in the dealership view on my full-HD display. You can see changes on the spinning 3d car almost in real time there since the options/display menu is readily accessible there.

 

[Gabe Logan]

You could be right about alpha flickering, but for some bizzare reason, it also toggles Vert Sync on and off. Wierd.

 

[Zevious Z]

From what I can tell, Sharpen reduces anti-aliasing and thus introduces more jaggies.

As for Flicker Reduction, I'm convinced that they mean "Stutter Reduction", and they have it the wrong way around.

I say this because: when you check "Normal" Flicker Reduction, it unlocks the framerate by disabling Vertical Sync. This gets rid of most of the stuttering when the framerate cannot maintain 60FPS. This is what the default was in GT5... no stuttering but pretty much constant screen tearing.

If however, you check the "High" setting for FR, it appears to lock the framerate, which erradicates the screen tearing, but on some tracks, it results in stuttering, particularly in the cockpt view (even at 720p), as it cannot keep to 60FPS.

there's no "normal" and "high" flicker reduction setting. There's three options - Flicker reduction ON, or Sharpen Image ON, or Normal which is neither filter option ON. I know from trying it that Flicker Reduction On really hits the performance hard and results in more frame rate problems. Haven't really tried Sharpen yet because I'm happy with the image sharpness as is...

 

[oohhh yeah]

Hi

Has anyone done some proper testing on what the impact of changing the display options are?

Thanks (at work so can't do it but would like to know!)

There is conflicting information in this thread. Can anyone confirm if flicker reduction or sharpen will produce the best frame rate?

 

[Zevious Z]

I know FLicker Reduction will impact framerate negatively. I would be very very surprised if Sharpen didn't do the same. Anytime you add a step of processing into the display process you are adding to cpu overhead so performance is likely to suffer...in other words I'm going to need some sort of documented proof before I'll buy the suggestion that either option provides better performance than NORMAL. That's not to say that you might not prefer the image quality with FR or Sharpen on, but its unlikely the performance will be better...

 

[MetaRidleyScott]

I know FLicker Reduction will impact framerate negatively. I would be very very surprised if Sharpen didn't do the same. Anytime you add a step of processing into the display process you are adding to cpu overhead so performance is likely to suffer...in other words I'm going to need some sort of documented proof before I'll buy the suggestion that either option provides better performance than NORMAL. That's not to say that you might not prefer the image quality with FR or Sharpen on, but its unlikely the performance will be better...

I guess we'll all have to wait until we get home to try! Thanks for the responses everyone.

 

[Zevious Z]

BTW, these options were available in GT5 as well...

 

[skazz]

I've been using sharpen the last few days, since I was finding the blur effects and the softening AA effects a little too much. Since turning on sharpen my 1080p cockpit frame rates have been almost completely good, so it definitely doesn't reduce frame rates. There is aliasing, but whether it's worse than "normal" I"m not sure.

To be honest, I think that flicker reduction may simply turn on v-sync, while sharpen may stop using blur effects as heavily, that may well be all there is to it. Hopefully an analysis site will do some detailed reviews soon....

 

[Zer0]

Is there any comparison image showing the difference?
I've always thought they were options to adjust picture quality on SD displays.

These options are only meant for 1080 mode. They switch off/on the TAA (temporal anti-aliasing) increasing the sharpness (but with more jaggies) or increasing the detail (with lesser jaggies but with a softer look).

The diferences between modes can't be captured in images as they are pixel variations between frames. A screen grab will look the same in both modes, the differences are only seen during gameplay at 60fps. That's the reason because Digital Foundry failed miserably to explain the option:

Update: There is the option in display settings to choose between Normal, Flicker Reduction and Sharper modes. We suspect these are for optimising the game on a standard def monitor, as comparison shots seem to indicate no difference in 720p, 1080p or 3D modes. Here are some 1080p shots. We tested both in-game and via Replay Theatre, but image quality remained the same regardless of our selections.

Another sign of its incompetence... if you want a good tech analysis, read this:
http://imagequalitymatters.blogspot.com.es/2010/12/tech-analysis-gran-turismo-5.html

 

[phil_75]

There is conflicting information in this thread. Can anyone confirm if flicker reduction or sharpen will produce the best frame rate?

Sharpen in theory should give slightly better framerate as it disables AA.

Flicker reduction is bad for framerate but cleans the image up.

 

[olevet]

There is conflicting information in this thread. Can anyone confirm if flicker reduction or sharpen will produce the best frame rate?no

no both reduce performance, especially flicker option, only normal gives you most consistent framerate, I only tested on SD crt fyi