Can't VSYNC properly on ATI (Mobility Radeon HD 2600 XT)

[madneon]

The VSYNC (aka VBLANK, aka wait for retrace, etc) works badly with and without propriety (fglrx) driver. This considers 2D and 3D graphics.

When enabled in "amdcccle" (can be enabled for 3D only) - some 3D windows flickers partially or fully with black color (background), all animations are rough - jumping periodically, or, on bigger windows, one can see clearly a line in one position, on which animations (like video playback) are being "cut". There is sometimes another "cutting line" visible - only that this one is not horizontal, but diagonal. glxgears reports more than real monitor refresh rate (should be 60Hz - LCD panel), unless all of "amdcccle's" settings are set to max quality (Anisotropic filtering and Anti-aliasing).

There is also a problem with compiz described in bug #212587.

Another thing - before starting compiz:
  $ glxinfo | grep direct
  direct rendering: Yes
and SOMETIMES on compiz running, and after turning compiz off it reports "No".

# aticonfig --vs on
Sets xorg.org without error, but still, it has no effect after X restarts.

Please look at bug #213554 also.

Additional info:

Ubuntu 8.04 x64 (current beta)

$ uname -a
Linux madneon 2.6.24-15-generic #1 SMP Fri Apr 4 03:10:59 UTC 2008 x86_64 GNU/Linux

$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 XT
OpenGL version string: 2.1.7412 Release

[madneon (madneon)]

P.S. The indirect "SOMETIMES" looks like:
$ glxinfo |grep direct
direct rendering: No (LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT set)

[madneon (madneon)]

I'm still searching for information on the web, and it looks like Mobility Radeons often have this problem.
This card doesn't VSYNC on Microsoft product too (checked with Vista and XP), I found a hint why:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/display/wddm_vsync.mspx

If I understand this document correctly, this has something to do with power control on laptops.

[xteejx (xteejx-deactivatedaccount)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. You reported this bug a while ago and there hasn't been any activity in it recently. We were wondering is this still an issue for you? Can you try with latest Ubuntu release? Thanks in advance.

[Øyvind Stegard (oyvindstegard)]

DRI/OpenGL VSYNC is completely dysfunctional here, with open source radeon driver:

* No Compiz
* Ubuntu 8.10
* ATI X1400 Radeon mobile (R5XX)
* Radeon driver 6.9.0+git20081003.f9826a56-0ubuntu2.1
* libgl1-mesa-dri/glx 7.2-1ubuntu2

Also ugly diagonal tearing for textured video / XVideo ("ugly" as in highly annoying and makes watching videos in fullscreen painful)..

When trying to get VSYNC-ed OpenGL playback in mplayer working, this errors appears (from Mesa):

---
do_wait: drmWaitVBlank returned -1, IRQs don't seem to be working correctly.
Try adjusting the vblank_mode configuration parameter.
---

Adjusting the vblank_mode parameter to something else (0, 1, 2, 3) does not help in order to get VSYNC enabled. Something is broken.

[xteejx (xteejx-deactivatedaccount)]

Hi,
Can you please attach your X server configuration file (/etc/X11/xorg.conf) and X server log file (/var/log/Xorg.0.log) to the bug report as individual uncompressed file attachments using the "Attachment:" box below. Could you please also try to run without any /etc/X11/xorg.conf and let Xorg autodetect your display and video card? Please also attach the /var/log/Xorg.0.log from this attempt.
Once this information has been given it should be enough to set as Confirmed and let developers/other triagers have a look at it.
Thanks in advance.

[Øyvind Stegard (oyvindstegard)]

OpenGL VSYNC works properly with the latest drm.ko and radeon.ko kernel modules from http://gitweb.freedesktop.org/?p=mesa/drm.git;a=summary .. So I guess it's fixed upstream in the case of open source drivers (for me, that is).

[crep4ever (romain-goffe)]

Sorry for this but the bug is still here. I have confirmed the "vsync problem" with the following cards:
 - ati hd4850
 - ati hd4870
 - ati mobility radeon 9200

on the following releases:
 - hardy heron
 - intrepid ibex
 - jaunty jackalope

I tried both free and prorietary drivers:
 - catalyst 9.3 and 9.4
 - radeonhd (intrepid)

Also tried multiple players: totem, vlc, mplayer with both gstreamer and xine

I used :
 - the vlc playback options x11 et xvvideo output with an alternate fullscreen mode,
 - the vsync forced to max in the catalyst control center,
 - the sync to vblank set on in the compiz manager

I guess my xorg.conf is quite normal so I attach my log file instead: /var/log/Xorg.0.log

But the problem is still persistent :( Note that the 3 pc I used are on dual boot with windows xp and/or vista and the video playback is perfect.

Bug description:

Horizontal line "cutting" the frames during video playback (bad synchronisation between top and bottom of the frame). The line is nor static nor regular and moves from bottom to top.
The phenomenom happens especially when there are quick moves with high framerate in the scene. The worst case I noticed was during anime (manga) 3D action scenes but now that I pay attention to this irritating bug, I seldom watch a movie without I see it happens at least one time.

[xteejx (xteejx-deactivatedaccount)]

Marking as Confirmed and setting package to xorg. The requested info has been given, thank you.

[Milentije (mile-iz-back)]

This bug still exist with 4850 and jaunty.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

[This is an automatic notification.]

A new version of the -ati driver is now available in Karmic.

This is a significant update to -ati which brings in kernel mode-setting
(currently disabled, unless booting with the radeon.modeset=1 kernel
option) and scores of fixes for DRI2, EXA, and more.

I've posted the new version of this driver to the following PPA,
would you mind testing it and seeing if it resolves this bug?

  Karmic

If you're not running this release of Ubuntu, you can try booting the https://edge.launchpad.net/~bryceharrington/+archive/ppa/+sourcepub/709908/+listing-archive-extra
LiveCD and loading the PPA onto it, and then log out/in to restart X.
ISOs are available at http://cdimages.ubuntu.com/releases/

After testing Karmic, report back here whether it's still an issue or not,
and if it is please post a fresh Xorg.0.log and 'dmesg' output.

Note there could be new bugs... please file these as new reports using
the command 'ubuntu-bug xorg'.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

Sorry, that was a bit poorly formatted, but hopefully the gist is clear.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

We're closing this bug since it is has been some time with no response from the original reporter. However, if the issue still exists please feel free to reopen with the requested information. Also, if you could, please test against the latest development version of Ubuntu, since this confirms the bug is one we may be able to pass upstream for help.

[crep4ever (romain-goffe)]

I'm running the latest karmic release and the bug is still here. I don't know maybe I should install specific drivers or modules ... but my basic installation is still displaying this tearing effect when playing videos (appears most during fast horizontal travelling).

My configuration is the following:
 - ubuntu karmic 9.10
 - kernel 2.6.31-11
 - ati hd4850
 - driver radeonhd

[crep4ever (romain-goffe)]

I've read again the post of Bryce Harrington and noted (lately) that I could have forgotten to use a specific option.
As a non-gourou of kernel and xserver modules, can someone explain me a little more precisely how to:
"boot with the radeon.modeset=1 kernel option" and how to install the version from the ppa so that I can test this ?
Or maybe the option is now by default and in this case, the bug's still here.

Anyway, I thought that the kernel mode setting was being progressively introduced and was not ready yet for radeon based on r7** such as hd4850/hd4870 ... guess I was wrong :)

Sincerely,

Romain

[xteejx (xteejx-deactivatedaccount)]

@crep4ever: If you are running Karmic already you will not need to follow those instructions, it is just for older versions. Can you update your Karmic installation fully, and then please execute the following command, as it will automatically gather debugging information, in a terminal:

apport-collect -p xorg 214154

This will help us to find and resolve the problem. Bear in mind that you may need to install the python-launchpadlib package from the universe repository. Additionally, when prompted to give apport-collect permissions for Launchpad you will need to give it at least the ability to "Change Non-Private" data as it will be adding information to your bug report. Thank you.

[crep4ever (romain-goffe)]

Thank you for your answer and sorry for replying lately.
I performed a new fresh install of karmic and the video playback is much much better !
I don't know if that was coming for a bad-update process, old packages or whatever but so far, I only noticed the tearing once and it may have come from a slow-down ...
Thanks again, bug closed.

[T. Dalbo (tdalbo)]

Architecture: amd64
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
MachineType: System manufacturer System Product Name
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
Package: xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu7
PackageArchitecture: amd64
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=962541c0-b9e2-4685-884b-cf8787091a04 ro quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 SHELL=/bin/bash
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-14.48-generic
RelatedPackageVersions:
 xserver-xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu7
 libgl1-mesa-glx 7.6.0-1ubuntu4
 libdrm2 2.4.14-1ubuntu1
 xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.9.0-1ubuntu2
 xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.12.99+git20090929.7968e1fb-0ubuntu1
Uname: Linux 2.6.31-14-generic x86_64
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lpadmin plugdev sambashare
dmi.bios.date: 09/11/2009
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: 1309
dmi.board.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: M3N78-VM
dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
dmi.board.version: Rev X.0x
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset-1234567890
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacture
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvr1309:bd09/11/2009:svnSystemmanufacturer:pnSystemProductName:pvrSystemVersion:rvnASUSTeKComputerINC.:rnM3N78-VM:rvrRevX.0x:cvnChassisManufacture:ct3:cvrChassisVersion:
dmi.product.name: System Product Name
dmi.product.version: System Version
dmi.sys.vendor: System manufacturer
system:
 distro: Ubuntu
 architecture: x86_64kernel: 2.6.31-14-generic

[T. Dalbo (tdalbo)]

my most sincere apologies. apport should not have done this.

I'm taking away apport's reporting privileges immediately.

[crep4ever (romain-goffe)]

The fact is the problem is still here. Here is the apport result.

[crep4ever (romain-goffe)]

Architecture: amd64
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala" - Release amd64 (20091027)
MachineType: System manufacturer P5Q-PRO
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
Package: xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu10
PackageArchitecture: amd64
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic root=UUID=a2deefbd-1383-45c4-8c3f-a80024baf80a ro quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 SHELL=/bin/bash
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=fr_FR.UTF-8
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-14.48-generic
RelatedPackageVersions:
 xserver-xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu10
 libgl1-mesa-glx 7.6.0-1ubuntu4
 libdrm2 2.4.14-1ubuntu1
 xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.9.0-1ubuntu2
 xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.12.99+git20090929.7968e1fb-0ubuntu1
Uname: Linux 2.6.31-14-generic x86_64
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lpadmin plugdev sambashare
dmi.bios.date: 10/02/2008
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: 1406
dmi.board.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: P5Q-PRO
dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
dmi.board.version: Rev 1.xx
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset-1234567890
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacture
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvr1406:bd10/02/2008:svnSystemmanufacturer:pnP5Q-PRO:pvrSystemVersion:rvnASUSTeKComputerINC.:rnP5Q-PRO:rvrRev1.xx:cvnChassisManufacture:ct3:cvrChassisVersion:
dmi.product.name: P5Q-PRO
dmi.product.version: System Version
dmi.sys.vendor: System manufacturer
fglrx:

system:
 distro: Ubuntu
 architecture: x86_64kernel: 2.6.31-14-generic

[xteejx (xteejx-deactivatedaccount)]

Thanks for the update and information, marking this Triaged as there should be enough information here for a develooper to begin debugging this, so I am leaving this in their capable hands. If they require any more information, please provide it to them. Again thank you for reporting this to us, and good luck! :)

[ppanon (ppanon)]

Architecture: amd64
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
MachineType: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO.,LTD MS-7388
Package: xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu10
PackageArchitecture: amd64
ProcCmdLine: root=/dev/mapper/Raid1Group-RootVol ro quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 SHELL=/bin/bash
 LANG=en_CA.UTF-8
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-9.13-generic
RelatedPackageVersions:
 xserver-xorg 1:7.4+3ubuntu10
 libgl1-mesa-glx 7.7.0~git20091221+mesa-7-7-branch.82184970-0ubuntu0sarvatt
 libdrm2 2.4.17+git20091221.fdb33d56-0ubuntu0sarvatt2~karmic
 xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.9.99.902~git20091222.2c142e42-0ubuntu0sarvatt2~karmic
 xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.12.99+git20091222.9d0f3af7-0ubuntu0sarvatt~karmic
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-9-generic x86_64
UserGroups: adm admin audio cdrom dialout dip floppy fuse libvirtd lpadmin plugdev video
XorgLogOld: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/var/log/Xorg.0.log.old'
dmi.bios.date: 12/01/2009
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: V1.11
dmi.board.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: MS-7388
dmi.board.vendor: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO.,LTD
dmi.board.version: 1.0
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.version: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvrV1.11:bd12/01/2009:svnMICRO-STARINTERNATIONALCO.,LTD:pnMS-7388:pvr1.0:rvnMICRO-STARINTERNATIONALCO.,LTD:rnMS-7388:rvr1.0:cvnToBeFilledByO.E.M.:ct3:cvrToBeFilledByO.E.M.:
dmi.product.name: MS-7388
dmi.product.version: 1.0
dmi.sys.vendor: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO.,LTD
fglrx: Not loaded
system:
 distro: Ubuntu
 architecture: x86_64kernel: 2.6.32-9-generic

[kWahab (kwahab)]

Hope this helps in some way.

DELL Inspiron 6400/E1505 with ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (M54)
Cannot use Binary fglrx since Catalyst 9.3 (the last version to support my x1400) is incompatible with Xorg server 1.6 or later (Ubuntu 9.04 and later)
Using Ubuntu 9.10 64-bit with default open source ati/radeon drivers. No changes made to xorg.conf (I don't even have one :)
Video playback (mplayer, vlc) shows horrible tearing when any sort of compositing is turned on. (Tried with compiz, metacity compositing and also in xfce).
Without compositing video playback is smooth and perfect.

BUT!

if I turn on kernel mode setting by adding radeon.modeset=1 to the kernel line or in /etc/default/grub. I have super smooth, no tears, perfect video playback even with compositing and all sorts of 3D effects turned on !!!!!

I discovered this when I installed fedora12 (which has KMS turned on by default for ATI cards).

[Tsabus (somogyi-csaba)]

Unfortunately i havent that lucky. I added the radeon.modeset=1 to default grub but no change. With compositing video playback terrible without it better but horizontal lines always seen when some movement happen. Really annoying. This is an HD4890 card with 1gb ram. Sorry my english i hope you understand what i wrote.

[Christian Böhm (c-boehm)]

I am experiencing the same problem as well. I run a fresh install of karmic with all current updates installed and have a radeon 4850 running on proprietary drivers which came with the install as well(I don't know where to look for the version, but after the install a proprietary driver was suggested to be installed to run 3d games, so I clicked yes)

When watching videos, playing games or even in normal desktop use(when moving around windows, etc.) the tearing effect is pretty noticeable. I tried setting fglrx options an also added radeon.modeset=1 to /etc/default/grub as suggested above but it had no effect.

[madbiologist (me-again)]

I think this will be working with the open source driver under kernel 2.6.33, which includes the new KMS page-flipping ioctl. See http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Nzc4OQ for more info. Lucid has the 2.6.32 kernel, but backporting some of the DRM from the 2.6.33 kernel is currently being discussed on the ubuntu-x mailing list.

[Benjamin Drung (bdrung)]

I updated xserver-xorg-video-ati to version 1:6.12.191-1ubuntu1 in my PPA [1] to fix the tearing problem. Can you test it if it solves your problem, too?

[1] https://launchpad.net/~bdrung/+archive/ppa

[crep4ever (romain-goffe)]

Great timing. I've just upgraded to lucid alpha3 and the problem is fixed ! Video now play properly. Nice job!
For info, I'm running the 2.6.32-15-generic kernel with open radeon drivers (default). The result is really nice.
Thanks again.