Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Adjusting BENQ Blur Reduction and DyAc (Dynamic Acceleration) including Blur Busters Strobe Utility. Supports most BenQ/Zowie Z-Series monitors (XL2411, XL2420, XL2720, XL2735, XL2540, XL2546)
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Chief Blur Buster
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Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Post by Chief Blur Buster » 17 Feb 2018, 13:53

Strobe Utility 2.0 Beta Released
March 8, 2018

Its purpose is to improve the quality of Display Motion Blur Reduction on BenQ/Zowie monitors.
Supports most 144Hz+ BenQ/Zowie gaming monitors

>>> Download Strobe Utility 2.0.9 Beta <<<
(Use these links for sharing: permalink, or retweet this twitter, or share this Facebook)

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-- Much better automatic detection of monitors
-- Much better multimonitor support (but must adjust 1 monitor at a time)
-- All strobe-capable BenQ/Zowie monitors supported.
-- Numbers match Factory Menu
-- Full Factory Menu range adjustment
-- Automatic rollback upon hitting Esc key (for old buggy monitors that black out -- e.g. old firmwares + large VT + large phases)
-- Optional Text editable BlurBustersStrobeUtility.ini file for advanced users (custom DDC command codes).
-- NEW: 2.0.9 has built-in TestUFO! No browser needed.

>>> Download Strobe Utility 2.0.9 Beta <<<
(Use these links for sharing: permalink, or retweet this twitter, or share this Facebook)

NOTE1: Bonus for advanced users: Includes text-editable master strobe command file that allows you to add future strobed monitors without waiting for a new software release. Also can be used to force strobe commands to "Generic PnP" monitors that don't show up in the pulldown list.

NOTE2: Click "Run anyway" if Windows prompts a protection message -- this normally happens with very small indie publishers like me, when a new executable file is run for the very first time that Microsoft doesn't yet recognize. I digitally signed the certificate using my own Rejhon Technologies. This MSI file and executable are digitally signed by me (Rejhon Technologies). This executable has been scanned to be 100% malware free.

Post bug reports here. If you prefer, you can email bug reports to [email protected]
Head of Blur Busters - BlurBusters.com | TestUFO.com | Follow @BlurBusters on Twitter

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PanzerIV
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Re: Strobe Utility 2.0 Coming Soon -- FEATURE LIST

Post by PanzerIV » 21 Feb 2018, 22:17

Nice! Hopefuly it comes out sooner than later. Do you have an ETA such as early March, end of March, sometime during April 2018???

In the meantime do you have any available beta that would work for my (XL2730Z) since I can't do anything at the moment with the current v1.5? Thanks in advance for the info.
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Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Post by Chief Blur Buster » 08 Mar 2018, 14:18

2.0 Beta is OUT now!!!
Scroll up for the new download link.
Please post bug reports here or email bug reports to [email protected]

Known tested monitors:
Blur Busters Strobe Utility 2.0.9 Test Results

[Updated -- thanks for the emailed success reports -- Version 2.0.9]
Confirmed: BenQ XL2411Z
Confirmed: BenQ XL2420Z
Confirmed: BenQ XL2420G
Confirmed: BenQ XL2720Z
Confirmed: BenQ XL2730Z
Confirmed: BenQ ZOWIE XL2730
Confirmed: BenQ ZOWIE XL2720
Confirmed: BenQ ZOWIE XL2420
Confirmed: BenQ ZOWIE XL2430
Confirmed: BenQ ZOWIE XL2735
Confirmed: BenQ ZOWIE XL2536
Confirmed: BenQ ZOWIE XL2540
Confirmed: BenQ ZOWIE XL2546
Confirmed: BenQ ZOWIE XL2740

Most strobed BenQ/Zowie monitors should be supported, but users will need to let me know if they work.

Application is beta so it may not be bug free.
Help us out: Please let all of us know in this thread!

Post Your Beta Testing Results
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Re: Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Post by Chief Blur Buster » 08 Mar 2018, 22:41

P.S. Version 2.1 will include the crosstalk motion test (testufo.com/crosstalk) directly built into the executable!
No fuss, no muss, no browser needed.

However, before this happens....
I'd like to hear more from beta testers :)
I got a few emails already of success reports -- need to hear if other monitor models work!
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Re: Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Post by Chief Blur Buster » 09 Mar 2018, 10:11

One user emailed me saying that they only get "ZOWIE XL SERIES" popping up in the list. (missing model number situation)

For "ZOWIE XL SERIES" situation -- I have a fix for that via editing the BlurBustersStrobeUtility.ini configuration text file -- send me an email [email protected]

XL2411P is currently unsupported but send me an email, I may have a configuration file for you to try.
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Re: Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Post by PanzerIV » 10 Mar 2018, 15:21

Hi Chief, I've done quite a few test on my (BenQ XL2730Z). I'll say first my settings then my experience.
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz (My dumb monitor won't strobe at all under 120)
- Custom Resolution at 2560x1440: VT1825 instead of default VT1525 // Pixel Clock 595Mhz instead of 497Mhz.
- Monitor's Brightness: 100% (It's rated 350cd/m² but way less while strobing or I'd be blind lol)
- Framerate capping: 119.988 through RTSS + Nvidia Fast-Vsync
https://s10.postimg.org/stouhodvt/Image.jpghttps://s10.postimg.org/stouhodvt/Image.jpg

Random finding:
1- Both adjustments from the utility work perfectly! Previous versions wouldn't work at all.

2- Default settings were (10) for both sliders. I did the "UFO Test at 960x pixel speed" and the "UFO Crosstalk" test too and no matter if I'd use a lower or higher persistance, the ufo stayed as sharp. Honestly I couldn't see any difference at all. I don't know if that means I would have needed to set the speed higher than 960x to see an improvement from having a lower persistance. If there's a 1ms improvement well it is much less noticeable than having the screen a bit too dark at default value, so I've set it at 5 instead as I know extremities are usually not recommended. One sure thing it's better to raise the brightness there as I'm already at 100% on the monitor's OSD, than artificially raise it through software and therefore wash the colors off and lose contrast.

3- Default crosstalk was much better than I expected. I don't know if adjusting this is mostly for older "Lightboost" monitors which weren't pre-optimized by the manufacturer as strobbing wasn't officially recognized back then, cause I could have just kept it there without problem and I've read it was already perfect for ULMB. I noticed that any higher value was only worse as it would improve the bottom but significantly worsen the top portion to an unacceptable level. Going from 10 to the earlier 0 made the top 4 rows somewhat better but the 4-5 bottom rows a little bit worse so that tradeoff was globally a little better but still optional imo.

4- I indeed had a better overall crosstalk at 120Hz than 144Hz but my custom higher VT and pixel clock didn't seem to make a difference over the lower default value. I know my crappy monitor doesn't seem to care if you raise the VT unlike every single other BenQ who get improvement from this trick, but I still wanted to try it on my own though I can now confirm it doesn't seem to do anything. I'll just keep it higher I guess it just can't hurt.

Questions:
A) If it doesn't cause eyestrain, should I keep the strobing enabled at all time? Is there any downside of it such as lower contrast ratio or anything else on the visual/quality side? I rarely do photo editing anymore but I'm still curious.
B) If adjusting the VT would work, the higher it would be, the brighter the screen would be? If yes, only while strobing or at all time?
C) Usually on most things a higher Mhz is simply better but as for monitor's bandwidth does it improves anything to have a higher Pixel Clock or on it's own it doesn't change anything, it only let you reach a higher VT if you want? Any downside of a too high clock even if the custom res works?
D) Do you know if I set a custom resolution both in Nvidia and CRU, who's gonna get priority? I wasn't sure so I've set my custom 120Hz the same at both places. I'm curious to know though if I have in CRU a 144,00Hz and 143,85Hz preset, why I only have 1x144Hz showing up in Windows, and if I select it which of the two CRU resolution is it gonna choose?
E) By default is V-Sync always enabled and forced by Windows on the desktop and while browsing the net or you still need to either apply V-Sync manually somewhere or capp ur framerate with an external software?
PS: It would be appreciated if you could take a few minutes to reply my comment which is the latest one at the link below :)
http://www.blurbusters.com/howto-low-lag-vsync-on

Thanks again for the updated utility, ur time and dedication to the project. It's just a shame that I couldn't adjust my monitor for the 2 years I've been having it, and now that I can well... I'm receiving a new monitor (Acer XB271HU) in 2 days lol. Anyhow being able to now customize a bit further my quite limited BenQ, that's only gonna help as an extra argument when I'll sell it.
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Re: Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Post by Chief Blur Buster » 11 Mar 2018, 15:17

A. You can keep strobing enabled at all times if it's better for your eyes than without. Some people have motion-blur eyestrain instead of flicker eyetsrain. It depends on the person. Most of the time, you'll want to enable it mainly for high-motion material. Strobe Utility makes it much easier.

B. Large Vertical Totals do not affect brightness (except on certain models like older XL2720Z) but they affect the ability to hide the strobe crosstalk band offscreen. The bigger the Vertical Total, the easier it is to shift the strobe crosstalk band offscreen without it wrapping around to the opposite edge (top & bottom wraparound).

C. Higher pixel clock capabilities allow you to do larger VTs. Higher pixel clocks also has a slight lag-reducing effect in an accelerated "Quick Frame Transport" (QFT) style behaviour -- but this is extremely minor until doing super-large VTs (e.g. VT2000-4000 for 1080p) -- like doing 60Hz with 1/240sec scanout. In our purpose, the higher pixel clock for larger vertical totals is to help reduce strobe crosstalk by making it easier to move the strobe crosstalk band offscreen without as much wraparound effect (for synchronous scanout displays).

D. CRU gets priority. NVIDIA can sometimes reinterpret/scale the custom resolution, e.g. for GPU scaling

E. VSYNC ON is better motion fluidity for strobing. The triple lock effect is necessary for the butter smooth stutterfree strobing (framerate == refreshrate == stroberate). But doing VSYNC ON adds lag. Using the right tool for the right job with strobing:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3555
-- If lag is important, use VSYNC OFF
-- If perfect motion fludity (blurfree+stutterfree) is important, use VSYNC ON

----

On some Zowie monitors, they have a bug where they adjust pulse brightness instead (wrong persistence behavior) of pulse width (correct Persistence behaviour).

It has been only recently that the Strobe Utility was rewritten to support all known strobe capable BenQ Zowie monitors.

Thanks for letting me know it works successfully (did it automatically work out of the box, or did you have to edit BlurBustersStrobeUtility.ini file?).

Another question: When you select the "Enable" checkbox, does it turn on/off strobing without needing to go through the monitor menus? Or do you have to enable strobing before you can?
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Re: Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Post by k2viper » 12 Mar 2018, 05:53

Curious if new utility would work on some non-Benq-Zowie monitors! (not much a chance, but worth trying)

I'll try it with LG

[Display11]
;From DisplayCorner
Name=27GK750F
Device=GSM770F
CommandEnable=0x4D
CommandStrobeLen=0x4F
CommandStrobePhase=0x4E
StrobeLenMin=1
StrobeLenMax=25
StrobeLenReversed=true
StrobePhaseMin=0
StrobePhaseMax=100
Warning=This monitor is untested. If this works, please inform [email protected]

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Re: Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Post by Chief Blur Buster » 12 Mar 2018, 11:07

BlurBustersStrobeUtility.ini Hacking Instructions

Theoretically, yes -- Strobe Utility will work with any DDC/CI-commandable strobed monitor if you hack the brand new INI file :D
Unfortunately, LG is not one of them (the strobe commands are not exposed AFAIK). As long as a manufacturer adds DDC/CI codes for three adjustments, the Utility can theoretically work with it.

DDC/CI = an industry protocol for computer controlling the monitor menu adjustments
VESA = the industry standard organization that handles this
MCCS = Monitor Command Control Set (MCCS)
VCP = Virtual Control Panel. A command code representing a specific adjustment.

BenQ/Zowie is consistent -- all of them have strobe command capability via DDC/CI. Strobe commands are undocumented in VESA Monitor Command Control Set (MCCS) Version 2.2, so they often use user-defined VCP command codes for adjusting strobe adjustments. In other words, Strobe Utility is an app that makes it much easier.

While you can just plug in exact codes, the "Device=" line also supports a regex (Regular Expression -- wildcard matching), because different ports (DP, DVI, HDMI) have different Plug-n-Play Product ID codes like "BNQ74E8" or whatnot -- usually adjacent numbers which makes them very easy to regex-match. Strobe Utility tries to automatically detect your monitor from this now, but I don't have the Product ID's of all BenQ/Zowie monitors (I've finally found the Product ID's for XL2411P and XL2430, I'll be adding them to the next release Version 2.1, but users can also self-hack these INI files now too!).

Unfortunately, the LG doesn't expose its strobe adjustments.
There are 256 possible DDC/CI commands.
They'll almost definitely not be 0x4D, 0x4E, and 0x4F (Those are Zowie specific)

The best way to do this kind of hacking is to download Entech Taiwan's SoftMCCS.exe and play with its VESA DDC/CI codes. Go through all the undocumented codes and find the specific codes for
(A) Strobing enable/disable
(B) Strobe phase
(C) Strobe pulse lengh

Usually these are 0x40,0x41,0x42 or 0x4D,0x4F,0x4E on BenQ/Zowie models. Observe that the models that use 0x4D swaps the Phase/Length so 0x4F comes before 0x4E, and the numbers are reversed for 0x4F (bigger numbers = shorter persistence).

Edit your INI file accordingly, and viola! Any monitor with DDC/CI strobe commands is now supported by Blur Busters Strobe Utility, without waiting for me to release a new version!

Generic Instructions
The name of the game is:
1. Download Entech Taiwan SoftMCCS.exe to view debug info of your monitor
2. Discover what codes your monitor supports (may take half an hour of experimentation)
3. Discover the Plug-n-Play Product Device ID
4. Update BlurBustersStrobeUtility.ini
5. It should (hopefully) work.

Quicker Experimentation For BenQ/ZOWIE monitors
If you have a BenQ/Zowie monitor, all of them use either XL2720 style codes or XL2540 style codes.
So you only need to test two different configurations.
1. Use SoftMCCS to find the Plug-n-Play Product Device ID (looks like "BNQ74E8", usually a "BNQ" prefix)
2. Create a new BlurBustersStrobeUtility.INI containing only one monitor.
3. Copy either the XL2720 or XL2546 from the original BlurBustersStrobeUtility.ini (you can try both)
4. Change section number to "[Display1"]
5. Modify the Name= with your monitor
6. Modify the Device= line with Product ID
7. Run Strobe Utility

Please, email your new one-monitor BlurBusterStrobeUtility.ini to me at [email protected] so I can add it to the next release of Strobe Utility for easy out-of-the-box automatic detection.

P.S. Strobe Utility 2.1 will include:
-- INI file improvements (better automatic detection of XL2411P and XL2430)
-- Ability to force specific monitor for "ZOWIE XL LCD" when specific monitor unsuccessfully detected
-- Built in offline TestUFO crosstalk pattern
-- TestUFO crosstalk test will automatically display on the correct monitor on multimonitor setups
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k2viper
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Re: Strobe Utility 2.0 BETA Download!

Post by k2viper » 12 Mar 2018, 12:20

Quickly tested two sets of codes (2720 and 2540-style), no success on LG, wasnt too much hoping though :)
Need to find and experiment with other ddc/ci codes - thanks for the info, I'll try SoftMCCS.exe

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