KiCad Compatibility Issues with DP DSC Monitors?

Software
1

Dear KiCad Community,

Thank you for taking the time to read my report.

I am currently using KiCad 8.0.6 on Windows 11 24H2 Build 27729. My monitor is a high-DPI display (4K, 120Hz, 10-bit HDR) connected via a DisplayPort 1.4 cable to an Nvidia GeForce graphics card. Due to the limitations of DP1.4’s data rate, my monitor automatically enables the DP DSC (Display Stream Compression) function.

While using the Schematic Editor in KiCad, my screen continuously flashes. This issue stops when I close KiCad, reduce the display’s refresh rate, or lower the resolution.

I have tried several troubleshooting steps, including:

  • Testing with a different monitor.
  • Replacing the entire PC.
  • Using another DP1.4 cable.

Unfortunately, none of these attempts resolved the problem. The screen flashes persist whenever a display utilizing the DP DSC function is connected.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? Any advice or potential solutions would be greatly appreciated. I wanted to upload a short video to demonstrate the issue, but the forum forbids new users to attach them.

Thank you for your assistance.

2

Try Fallback Graphics for the schematic editor in Preferences.

1 Like
3

In general, kicad and most application basically have zero awareness of monitors and this is entirely on your video card to handle.

Usual advice applies of ensuring your video card drivers are up to date. And in this case, play around with settings for refresh rate. Kicad tries to render pretty fast and if you need to use DSC you are probably reaching high data rates that could be impacted by poor quality DP cables.

2 Likes
4

That’s a nice suggestion. I’ll try it and to see if the issue disappears. Thanks a lot!

5

Ok, got it. Thank you.