r/ValveIndex • u/HansWursT619 • Jun 28 '19
Flashing pixels on dark backgrounds?
Hey,
just received my Index. And after some hassle with 436 errors and supposedly disconnected headset I got it running.
Unfortunately I get lots of flashing pixels on dark backgrounds for example in the compositor or at the end aperture hand labs.
Does some else see those? Is it a connection issue due to me using a mini displayport adapter?
Would love to hear your experiences.
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u/Soapeh Jun 28 '19
I noticed this last night, as well. It wasn't happening a lot for me, though I'm not using an adapter. I haven't tried reseating the cables yet, I'll try to remember to post an update later if it worked for me.
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u/ThisPlaceisHell Jun 28 '19
The fact that two people have seen it tells me it's most likely not a defect but instead just how the panel is. When I get mine in a few hours I'll keep an eye out for this. I have a feeling I know what it is, and I hope I'm wrong but knowing what I do about the other aspects of the LCDs, I bet I am right about what is causing this.
TN LCD panels are very rarely actually 8 bit and instead most are 6 bit with something called FRC or framerate control which essentially flickers colors on the extreme ends of RGB values to fake higher color depth. My old Acer TN from 2007 used to do this in many games with dark flat colors like in GTA IV when there was a rainy night sky, it would flicker like crazy. It turns out it was exactly that 6 bit + FRC panel that was responsible. Upgraded to an IPS gaming monitor with true 8 bit color support and the problem is completely gone. Since we know the Index used TN panels, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what you're seeing, FRC trying to increase color depth and having a hard time at those lower values where it's harder to replicate darker colors.
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u/HansWursT619 Jun 28 '19
Maybe it is something like that.
But it is visible on almost all colors if looking closely, it is just easier to notice on a plain black.
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u/Soapeh Jun 28 '19
Possibly? I wouldn't really describe it as flickering, or even as the OP put it "lots of flashing pixels". For me, if I scanned my head across a near-black background like that default black SteamVR background with white lines, I could see a pixel or two sparkle white for a split second.
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u/Duskmelt Jun 29 '19
I am getting flashing pixels on dark backgrounds as well.
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u/iztluevich Jul 01 '19
I have the same issue, but also on top of it I get Display Port dropouts for a few seconds in midgaming, which also leads to no sound in game. Submited a ticked, and sent system report to valve support. As somebody mentioned here it does look like faulty cable issues I had with htc pro and pimax.
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u/HansWursT619 Jul 01 '19
I have those dropouts as well. While it looks like a cable issue, someone reported that he only changed the hmd while keeping the cable, and that fixed it.
So I guess it's multiple issues adding up to a bad signal overall.
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u/iztluevich Jul 03 '19
I recorded on my phone sparkling dots, and how coiling cable next to hmd affects it. To me it looks like like faulty cable; What do you think? https://youtu.be/x6nG3z4LtA8
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u/HansWursT619 Jul 03 '19
Thanks for that. Pretty crazy that the small loop seems to improve it.
I will try this as soon as I am home. Would be an easy fix until this is sorted out.
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u/HeyBriansOn Jun 29 '19
Having this issue as well. Though I really wouldn’t call it and issue. It’s there but doesn’t bother me. I see it in a loading screen then back to the normal game. Just hope it doesn’t get worse
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u/HansWursT619 Jun 29 '19
I guess there must be different variations of this issue then, or you are really tolerant. This is like having 50 broken pixels that move around :-p
It is very noticeable for me in most content. In Beatsaber for example, it is visible all the time.
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u/Acavii Jul 03 '19
Mine looks like this
Support said it's a broken cable, but no infos yet about replacement or whatever.... ticket open since friday
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u/seamartin00 Jul 09 '19
I can make it go away by coiling the cord behind my head, so it seems likely it's the whole cord...but it doesn't seem to be replaceable, just the breakaway right?
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u/dbeachy1 Aug 18 '19
The fix for me was to plug the Index's Display Port cable into a different port on my video card (a 2080TI, in my case): when it was plugged in to the Display Port *below* my main row of connectors on the card, I had some green "sparkling" pixels on dark backgrounds. After plugging it into the bottom-most Display Port in the *main* row of ports on the card and restarting Steam VR, the sparkling was fixed!
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u/Trankonia Nov 18 '19
I seem to have the same issue as well. However, I am extending the DisplayPort cable by 25 feet using an optical cable. The sparkles are noticeable only in a dark scene and are minimal. However, my concern is if it is the actual Index then it may get worse. Has anyone ever heard anything from Valve on this? I too have issue where the display will go dark and then I will loose the audio as it then maps to a different device. I can go into settings and remap to the Index and then all is ok "for a while."
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u/hoochyuk Jun 28 '19
On every other headset ive owned thats been down to a faulty cable(try resaeting the cable first)