Your next gaming monitor or OLED TV might have a ClearMR label: Here's why it's important that it does
It should offer a more reliable and understandable metric for evaluating motion clarity.
Note: This feature was first published on 16 February 2024.
Imagine you're shopping for a new PC monitor or TV, and you're curious about how it will handle fast-moving visuals. You might look at specifications such as response time and refresh rate to gauge the display's speed. However, these figures don't directly answer the critical question: "How much motion blur will be noticeable?" To address this gap, the Video Electronics Standards Association (aka VESA), also responsible for developing display standards like DisplayPort (read about the new UHBR technology here) and Adaptive-Sync, has recently launched a new specification program. This initiative aims to quantify displays' motion blur performance in a more simplified manner for consumers.
Say hello to ClearMR
Introducing the Clear Motion Ratio Compliance Test Specification. Because it’s quite a mouthful, it’s also simply known as ClearMR. The new standard is accompanied by a logo program for consumer displays (from LED to OLED), ranging from PC monitors and TVs to notebooks and all the way down to tablets as well. Several products have already received certification under this program, and you can see if your display is certified via this link. ClearMR introduces a tiered system, assigning numerical values that reflect a display's ability to render clear versus blurry pixels during rapid movement. For instance, a ClearMR 7000 rating indicates a "Clear Motion Ratio" or CMR ranging from 6,500 to 7,500, suggesting the display has 65–75 times more clear pixels compared to blurry ones, providing consumers with a clearer understanding of a display's motion clarity capabilities.
How does it actually work?
The genesis of the ClearMR certification lies in the need to move beyond traditional metrics such as Motion Picture Response Time (MPRT), which failed to capture the full extent of motion blur on screen. By focusing on the ratio of clear to blurry pixels, the CMR metric provides a more accurate reflection of a display's performance in rendering motion. This initiative not only helps consumers better understand what their display are capable of but also encourages manufacturers to innovate and improve their products.
VESA's approach to determining CMR values is both rigorous and detailed. Employing high-speed cameras and luminance meters, the organization captures moving test patterns on displays under strictly controlled conditions. These displays are evaluated at their native resolution and highest refresh rate without the aid of Motion Blur Reduction technologies (such as NVIDIA’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync), ensuring that the CMR values reflect the display's inherent capabilities rather than the effect of supplementary technologies. This methodology ensure the test creates a level playing field for all displays, and shows fairness and transparency in the certification process.
Challenges and industry feedback
As with any new standard, the ClearMR certification has elicited a mix of responses from the industry and consumers alike. Some have expressed concerns regarding the initial focus on maximum refresh rate testing, suggesting that a more comprehensive evaluation across various refresh rates could offer a fuller picture of a display's capabilities. Additionally, the observation that displays with vastly different specifications might receive identical CMR ratings has sparked discussions about the precision and differentiation capacity of the certification.
What's next and should I care?
Looking ahead, VESA plans to expand the ClearMR testing parameters to include High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode and is committed to evolving the certification to better meet consumer needs and industry trends. This forward-looking stance is indicative of the broader movement within the display technology sector towards more nuanced and comprehensive standards that can adapt to the rapid pace of technological advancement.
And yes, you should care. The introduction of the ClearMR certification by VESA is a significant update in display technology standards. It not only offers a more reliable and understandable metric for evaluating motion clarity but also sets a new benchmark for manufacturers striving to meet and I believe, more crucially, exceed consumer expectations. For consumers like us, this means access to clearer, more actionable information when selecting a display, and thus enhancing the overall quality of our viewing experiences. For the industry, it represents an opportunity to innovate and distinguish their offerings in a crowded market. As the ClearMR standard continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of display technology, driving improvements that benefit both consumers and manufacturers alike.
To read more about VESA and ClearMR, you can also visit their website here.
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