What is VESA AdaptiveSync?

AdaptiveSync is the first open-source industry standard measuring the visual performance of variable refresh rate displays. Since 2022, official AdaptiveSync certification tests have been available for the following products Authorized Test Centres (ATCs) approved by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA):

  • PCs
  • TVs
  • Tablets
  • Laptops
  • Monitors
  • Notebooks
  • All-in-ones 
  • Display panels
  • Other computers with embedded displays 

 

What are the VESA AdaptiveSync certification requirements?

Under the VESA AdaptiveSync certification requirement, up to 50 rigorous performance metrics will be used to test digital monitor performance. Requirements are categorized into two specifications, MediaSync Display and AdaptiveSync Display.

 

Specifications for MediaSync Display

The VESA Certified MediaSync requirement tests for the absence of jitter and flicker and is awarded to all international broadcast video formats with minimum supported refresh range of ≧60Hz;≦48Hz.

 

Specifications for AdaptiveSync Display

The VESA Certified AdaptiveSync requirement tests for displays with high-variable refresh rates and low latency. It is awarded to displays with refresh rate ranges that fall between ≧144Hz;≦60Hz. Logo values of 144, 165, 240, and 360 are awarded according to product display performance.

 

AdaptiveSync test items at GRL labs

As a VESA accredited ATC, GRL provides end-to-end VESA AdaptiveSync certification pre-test and testing services for all display panel and embedded display products. Test components include:

  • Frame Drop
  • Gray-to-Gray (G2G)
  • HDR
  • Refresh Rate and Flicker
  • Video Frame Rate Jitter

Other related VESA-approved testing services such as DisplayPort certification, ClearMR certification, and DisplayHDR certification are also available at any GRL lab. 

Click on the button below to reach out to us for any certification related queries or to schedule your next VESA AdaptiveSync certification testing appointment.

An overview of VESA AdaptiveSync certification

Which companies are members of the Video Electronics Standards Association?

VESA is a technical computer display standards organization that develops open-source standards for consumer electronics. There are over 325 international corporate members leading the VESA Board of Directors, with more than a dozen VESA member companies including Dell, HP, Samsung, LG, and Microsoft supporting the AdaptiveSync Display CTS and logo programs specifically.

 

Why VESA AdaptiveSync certification?

The VESA AdaptiveSync standard was developed to distinguish laptops and PCs with the fastest refresh rates in the market with logos that prove which machines have passed the VESA AdaptiveSync Display Compliance Test Specification (AdaptiveSync Display CTS). Its two specifications, AdaptiveSync Display and MediaSync Display, set the industry standard for gaming displays and video playback displays respectively.

Complete details on Adaptive-Sync Display specifications can be found on the official AdaptiveSync website.

VESA AdaptiveSync test process

VESA AdaptiveSync Test process flow chart_Vesa membership registration_debugging_test report_DUT storage

 

Step 1: Become a VESA member if your company has not registered

Check if your company is an existing VESA member. Majority of companies involved in the display industry should already be registered members. 

Note that VESA members may only register as either an OEM manufacturer or branding manufacturer. Documents for VESA Membership & Task Group Application may be found here.

 

Step 2: Send a Device Under Test (DUT) to GRL

Send your DUT to one of GRL’s VESA ATCs located at Silicon Valley, Taipei, Bangalore, Yokohama, Shanghai, Dongguan, Germany, South Korea, and Belgium. To kickstart the process, leave your contact details on this page and our lab associates will get in touch with you shortly. 

 

Step 3: Provide sample information on CDF and Family Model list

Capability Declaration Form (CDF)

The CDF form records capabilities of your product and will be compared against test results for consistency. 

If you would like your product to be listed on VESA’s official webpage after it passes the VESA AdaptiveSync test, you may fill in the Certified Product Website Posting Information section in the CDF so that GRL may submit your pass report certification on your behalf once the test has concluded.

 

Family Models Form

No additional testing is required for any extended models of the main certification model. To verify if DUT models fall under the same family, fill in the Family Model application form and we will submit it to VESA on your behalf for review.

Family Models are considered as such if they fulfil the following criteria:

• Extended models have no hardware changes apart from aesthetics such as case design and color

• Software and firmware remains consistent across extended models

• AdaptiveSync hardware design on the extended model remains unchanged

 

Step 4: Test results and product listing

Our lab technicians will notify you of the results once test procedures have concluded. If your product successfully passes the VESA AdaptiveSync test, you may list your product on VESA’s official webpage by forwarding test results from GRL to moderator@vesa.org.

Alternatively, if you filled in the Certified Product Website Posting Information on the CDF in Step 3a, you may simply contact us to check on the status of your listing application.

VESA AdaptiveSync test instruments, items, and equipment

Apart from the aforementioned test items (Frame Drop, Gray-to-Gray (G2G), HDR, Refresh Rate and Flicker, and Video Frame Rate Jitter), GRL labs also provides instruments for VESA AdaptiveSync pre-tests, certification test, self-test, as well as consultancy services to prepare our clients for certification.

GRL labs will conduct AdaptiveSync tests with the following equipment:

  • Dark room
  • Konica Minolta CA-VP427
  • ThorLabs PDA36A2
  • Oscilloscope
  • Digital camera

VESA AdaptiveSync FAQ

1. What types of products qualify for AdaptiveSync Display and MediaSync Display certification?

The AdaptiveSync certification program is open to any DisplayPort, Embedded DisplayPort (eDP), USB Alt-Mode, or Thunderbolt/USB4-based display device, including laptops, all-in-one (AIO) computers, and monitors. Products that fall under these categories may be submitted for certification testing regardless of whether they are new or already circulating within the retail market.

2. Will AdaptiveSync replace Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync?

Digital display products can currently feature both the G-Sync or FreeSync logo alongside AdaptiveSync Display or MediaSync Display logos. However, because specifications for VESA certifications are far more stringent, branding for G-Sync and FreeSync certification may be gradually phased out as VESA AdaptiveSync grows more prevalent.

3. Can display products receive both AdaptiveSync Display and MediaSync Display logos?

While it is technically possible to qualify for both certifications, the AdaptiveSync Display and MediaSync Display logo programs target two completely different use cases. It is therefore highly unlikely that vendors would benefit from attaining both logos.

4. What other logos may be featured alongside AdaptiveSync Display and MediaSync Display?

There are no restrictions for endorsing the same product with multiple certifications such as DisplayPort, DisplayHDR, and variable refresh rate program logos of GPU vendors as long as the testing specifications for all certifications are met.

5. Can Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) self-certify under the VESA AdaptiveSync logo program?

According to VESA’s regulations, OEMs can only obtain certification by testing at a VESA approved ATC.