NVIDIA introduces ULMB 2 as free upgrade to some 1440p 360Hz G-Sync monitor

Nvidia is upgrading its Ultra Low Motion Blur technology with a free upgrade that will roll out to owners of compatible QHD/360Hz G-Sync gaming monitors. With ULMB 2, users will gain ‘1000Hz of effective motion clarity' through full refresh rate backlight strobing. 

Thanks to advancements in panel response times, courtesy of AUO, ULMB 2 empowers competitive gamers with unparalleled motion clarity. To put it into perspective, ULMB 2 offers an effective motion clarity of over 1000Hz. For a 360Hz monitor equipped with ULMB 2, the effective motion clarity is 1440Hz.

To understand how ULMB 2 works, it's important to know how LCD panels function. These panels have two primary layers: liquid crystal pixels and the backlight. When a new frame is displayed, each pixel undergoes a colour transition. During this process, the backlight remains on, causing natural motion blur. ULMB 2 takes a different approach by turning on the backlight only when each pixel reaches its accurate colour value, eliminating visible pixel transitioning and ensuring optimal image clarity.

However, this technique poses a challenge as backlights typically light up all pixels simultaneously while pixels change in a rolling scan-out fashion. This leads to a portion of the screen exhibiting double images, known as crosstalk. Nvidia's solution lies in ULMB 2, which introduces “Vertical Dependent Overdrive.” This feature enables precise control over the response time depending on the vertical scan, ensuring that the pixels throughout the panel reach the correct level at the right time for the backlight to flash.

Nvidia set up a test panel in their lab to demonstrate this technology in action. They compared a 120Hz monitor with backlight strobing to a 480Hz monitor without backlight strobing. The results were impressive, with motion clarity almost identical between the two setups. Currently, there are only two ULMB 2 capable monitors: the Acer Predator XB273U F and the Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG27AQN. However, the upcoming Asus ROG Swift Pro PG248QP and the AOC AGON AG276QSG will also be compatible with ULMB 2.

To install the firmware that enables ULMB 2 on your monitor, go to the support page of the compatible monitor and download the firmware updater. Once you have it, disable G-Sync Variable Refresh Rate in the Nvidia Control Panel to enter backlight strobing mode. Then, turn on G-Sync ULMB 2 in your monitor's OSD. ULMB 2 is available now, and it's free for all compatible 1440p 360Hz G-Sync monitors.

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KitGuru says: Do you own one of the two ULMB 2 capable monitors? Will you download the firmware updater to test this new technology?

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