A Comprehensive VRR Dataset of Luminance Signals and Their Perceived Flicker Levels: Insights for Display and GPU Manufacturers

Abstract

The adoption of variable refresh rate (VRR) technology in displays—aimed at reducing input lag, minimizing video stuttering, and improving power efficiency—has introduced an unforeseen challenge: flicker caused by minor changes in luminance due to the varying duration of each frame. Existing industry flicker measuring metrics are inadequate, often overly restrictive or reliant on impractical subjective evaluations. This highlights the need for an accurate, objective flicker metric specifically designed for VRR displays. Developing such a metric requires a comprehensive dataset that captures a wide range of flicker intensities across different display technologies and luminance conditions. To facilitate this, we compiled a unique VRR dataset consisting of 160 signals, ranging from 2 to 40 cd/m², along with perceived flicker levels obtained through extensive subjective testing, following a standard protocol defined in ITU-R BT.500-15. This dataset serves as a critical resource for flicker assessment, providing valuable insights for display manufacturers, and it is instrumental in advancing VRR technology. Our analysis revealed that JEITA, the most widely used flicker metric for VRR displays, correlates with subjective flicker perception at only 71.43%. This finding underscores the limitations of current metrics and the pressing need for a more reliable standard tailored to VRR technology.