The PWM of the Steam Deck OLED is harmful to the eyes, but Valve can patch it if we report it enough

[Sightlyjester]

CONCLUSIONS FROM MY PWM ANALYSIS OF MY STEAM DECK OLED SCREEN:

UPDATE: I have created a report on GitHub regarding this issue with evidence and proposals so that Valve's software engineers can take note and perhaps address it through software in the future if there is a possibility. Those of you who are affected or interested, I would appreciate your comment on the report, providing feedback that these effects exist. The more feedback from people, the more attention Valve is likely to give: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/SteamOS/issues/1337

My profesional instruments have measured on the Steam Deck OLED what my eyes perceive; it is one of the worst screens with the most aggressive flickering that can affect sensitive eyes. However, Valve could fix it with a patch in SteamOS.

In this Reddit post, I have published all my measured evidence with on the screen to demonstrate what I'm saying:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/1882kys/analysis_of_the_pwmflickervisual_fatigue_of_the/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

The conclusion is that the Samsung OLED anti-glare panel of the Steam Deck OLED has proven to be very bad for the eyes in gaming sessions, and the damage is particularly pronounced below 45% brightness. Still, the high risk is common at all brightness levels equally. There will be a percentage of people with very low sensitivity to PWM who will not notice negative symptoms in their eyes. However, another large percentage of people, especially the most sensitive, will notice the symptoms.

The associated symptoms could include nausea, rapid eye discomfort or fatigue, a sensation of grit in the eyes, migraines, and general fatigue, blurred vision after playing.

It is important to note that each individual reacts differently, and although the measured values here offer an objective and recommended range for viewing], the response can vary from person to person. If you are especially sensitive, I cannot recommend this screen and this product in the actual state. Perhaps you try it, and it doesn't go wrong for you, but what my data says is that the risk of it not going well is VERY HIGH.

But not all the news is bad; if we send enough feedback about this issue, Valve could patch it and fix it with a new update in SteamOS and eliminating all the flickering.

This is what I think Valve could do and change now regarding the PWM of the OLED screen to solve this problem:

1- First option:

Patch SteamOS by adding an option to enable DC-Dimming: DC Dimming is an alternative software method of regulating screen brightness that eliminates almost 100% of the flicker of screens of this style where I have tried it or has been implemented.

For example, my Xiaomi Mi 9 phone with an Amoled screen and other Xiaomi Oled screens were unusable for me with the default PWM, but once DC dimming, also called "anti-flicker" mode, is activated, the phone is completely usable for hours without tiring. Valve is a company known for listening to and supporting its community and consumers by implementing their requests in software with new updates.

With this measure, Valve could reduce a high percentage of people who end up with eye fatigue and worse health playing their OLED steam decks to basically almost, It is about offering a product that takes care of your customers' eyes.

2- A second option by Valve could be instead of implementing a DC Dimming mode, that the screen still uses PWM, but increase its PWM frequency from 360% to 1100%. Look at what happens when the Hz frequency on the Steam Deck LCD reaches this value, even at its worst flicker percentage (99%), it manages to enter the yellow or green zone and be good for the 99% of eyes.

While in my use of the Steam Deck LCD Anti-Glare for hours, my eyes have never gotten tired; with Steam Deck OLED, I have already experienced eye strain and a feeling of blurry vision after playing or shortly after starting.

Please, if you care about what I explain in this post and want it to be fixed with an update or reach the most important people at Valve, you can reward, comment, and share this post to give it visibility, the same with my Reddit post. Thank you very much :)

[Sightlyjester]

Publicado originalmente por snipermatze:

Sightlyjester wanted to create an issue by himself. Please ask him.

Good afternoon, I have created a report on GitHub regarding this issue with evidence and proposals so that Valve's software engineers can take note and perhaps address it through software in the future if there is a possibility. Those of you who are affected or interested, I would appreciate your comment on the report, providing feedback that these effects exist. The more feedback from people, the more attention Valve is likely to give: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/SteamOS/issues/1337

[Shibby]

Publicado originalmente por Sightlyjester:

Publicado originalmente por snipermatze:

Sightlyjester wanted to create an issue by himself. Please ask him.

Good afternoon, I have created a report on GitHub regarding this issue with evidence and proposals so that Valve's software engineers can take note and perhaps address it through software in the future if there is a possibility. Those of you who are affected or interested, I would appreciate your comment on the report, providing feedback that these effects exist. The more feedback from people, the more attention Valve is likely to give: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/SteamOS/issues/1337

You should edit this into the main post or "mark as answered" so people will see that first when the click in.

[Objectionable]

Would people still be able to talk in here though once it's mark as answered?

[Mahjik]

Publicado originalmente por Objectionable:

Would people still be able to talk in here though once it's mark as answered?

Yes

[Objectionable]

okk

Publicado originalmente por Mahjik:

Publicado originalmente por Objectionable:

Would people still be able to talk in here though once it's mark as answered?

Yes

[Sightlyjester]

Publicado originalmente por Shibby:

Publicado originalmente por Sightlyjester:

Good afternoon, I have created a report on GitHub regarding this issue with evidence and proposals so that Valve's software engineers can take note and perhaps address it through software in the future if there is a possibility. Those of you who are affected or interested, I would appreciate your comment on the report, providing feedback that these effects exist. The more feedback from people, the more attention Valve is likely to give: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/SteamOS/issues/1337

You should edit this into the main post or "mark as answered" so people will see that first when the click in.

But won't marking it as answered make people think it's solving when it's not?. In the end the only thing I have done is publish the report on GitHub as well, in any case what I can do is publish it at the beginning of the main post so that it looks good.

PD: I updated the info im the first post :)

[kinglouietheiii]

I recently received my 512GB Oled. In 1.5 hours, I could not stand to look at the screen any longer.

I hope Valves sees all of this, and can make changes like those laid out in this thread.

[Miguel]

Now I know why my eyes feel so strained after 30m I was already feeling something on the LCD model but with the Oled it’s even worse! Such a shame for an awesome device ☹️

[Froot Loop Lux]

I was given an OLED as a gift two days ago and I've noticed that my eyes get tired rather quickly while using it (by quickly, I mean after 2+ hours, which is still rather quick for me). I honestly hadn't considered it was a problem with the screen since I also play a Switch OLED and my eyes don't get tired from that thing unless it's after a 5+ hour gaming session (damn shiny hunting).

Glad I read through this post. This was very informative, thank you for your dedicated research! I hope this issue is addressed soon. Till then, I guess I'll invest in some eye drops.

[Ravingrabitt™]

yes +++

[snipermatze]

Publicado originalmente por lithiume:

I have this issue. Really sucks because i really like the device.

Hell with the 3.5 update even the lcd gives me eyestrain. It sucks.

Anyone know the original Warmt/srgb display settings for the lcd? Could play my lcd for hours before 3.5. :(

Have you ever figured out if something changed with 3.5 on LCD? Having problems as well.

[Mich-666]

Noticed it today after previous days of playing - and it's exactly the same as other users notice - OLED screen is actualy pretty aggresive to eyes, making my vision blured even after short duration of gameplay. This is probably due to high amount of contrast of this screen. I have 512GB version without etched glass so doesn't matter if you have anti-glare or not, both have the simliar issues.

This never happens when I'm playing on my Samsung tablet with Super-AMOLED technology for example.

It is even worse when you are playing some games which has small text you need to read - you are moving your deck closer to your eyes unknowingly, watching the screen from very short distance.

So I hope, Valve actually pays a big attention to this, and correcting this issue with their OS updates (possibly with some togglable option to fix this).

[[?]legit]

Publicado originalmente por Mich-666:

Noticed it today after previous days of playing - and it's exactly the same as other users notice - OLED screen is actualy pretty aggresive to eyes, making my vision blured even after short duration of gameplay. This is probably due to high amount of contrast of this screen. I have 512GB version without etched glass so doesn't matter if you have anti-glare or not, both have the simliar issues.

This never happens when I'm playing on my Samsung tablet with Super-AMOLED technology for example.

It is even worse when you are playing some games which has small text you need to read - you are moving your deck closer to your eyes unknowingly, watching the screen from very short distance.

So I hope, Valve actually pays a big attention to this, and correcting this issue with their OS updates (possibly with some togglable option to fix this).

Samsung OLED devices are known for having the worst and most aggressive PWM flickering. It'd be strange if you experienced problems on the deck but not on your samsung device, if it is OLED.

[Shibby]

Publicado originalmente por ?legit:

Publicado originalmente por Mich-666:

Noticed it today after previous days of playing - and it's exactly the same as other users notice - OLED screen is actualy pretty aggresive to eyes, making my vision blured even after short duration of gameplay. This is probably due to high amount of contrast of this screen. I have 512GB version without etched glass so doesn't matter if you have anti-glare or not, both have the simliar issues.

This never happens when I'm playing on my Samsung tablet with Super-AMOLED technology for example.

It is even worse when you are playing some games which has small text you need to read - you are moving your deck closer to your eyes unknowingly, watching the screen from very short distance.

So I hope, Valve actually pays a big attention to this, and correcting this issue with their OS updates (possibly with some togglable option to fix this).

Samsung OLED devices are known for having the worst and most aggressive PWM flickering. It'd be strange if you experienced problems on the deck but not on your samsung device, if it is OLED.

Maybe because it is a larger screen and further from their eyes?

[Steel]

Hi! Has valve provided any kind of response? I’m postponing the decision of purchasing an oled deck until this has been solved in any way 🥲