Ubuntu
xorg-server package

XMir Screen flickering when running steam or SDL games

Bug #1232343 reported by allenmaher
18
This bug affects 4 people
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
libsdl2 (Ubuntu)
Invalid
Undecided
Brandon Schaefer
xorg-server (Ubuntu)
Won't Fix
High
Robert Carr

Bug Description

Up until last week most of my steam catalogue was running well under xmir, now a terrible screen flickering occurs when launching any steam or SDL game. The screen flickers in intesity multiple times per second and does so dramatically as if going from full brightness to full dim. I can find no errors in the logs.

grep -i xmir /var/log/Xorg.0.log
[ 22424.891] (II) "xmir" will be loaded by default.
[ 22424.893] (II) LoadModule: "xmir"
[ 22424.893] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libxmir.so
[ 22424.916] (II) Module xmir: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[ 22425.186] (II) [XMir] Handling focus event, new_focus = TRUE

I am using a System 76 Lemur Ultra I7 with intel HD4000 graphics and an up to date 13.10 installation.

Tags: xmir
Revision history for this message
Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt) wrote :

This sounds like issues related to the new screen blanking logic... ?

Changed in xmir:
assignee: nobody → Robert Carr (robertcarr)
Revision history for this message
Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt) wrote :

Although, if the bug is limited to SDL apps then it's likely in the Mir SDL port... Brandon?

Changed in libsdl2 (Ubuntu):
assignee: nobody → Brandon Schaefer (brandontschaefer)
Revision history for this message
allenmaher (allenmaher-gmail) wrote :

It seems to have a variable rate of occurence depending on the game. Kerbal Space program for example flashes like a strobe light, while Battle for Wesnoth has infrequent flashes. If there is any way I can document this better to help out, let me know.

Revision history for this message
Brandon Schaefer (brandontschaefer) wrote :

Well for one, it should still be using the X sdl video driver.... (ie. the SDL Mir port is not there). It should still be using X, soo most likely in a driver or mir it self.

Revision history for this message
Brandon Schaefer (brandontschaefer) wrote :

Also steam packages their own libSDL...

Changed in libsdl2 (Ubuntu):
status: New → Invalid
Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)
Changed in xmir:
importance: Undecided → High
Revision history for this message
allenmaher (allenmaher-gmail) wrote :

A slight bump to this, after today's updates (oct 9) the behaviour is persisting. Unfortunate since Xmir is a very nice experience now otherwise. I often use it simply because the screen transitions are so much more visuall pleasing and netflix/other internet video looks better on it. (still have to switch to X to game right now)

Here is hoping this gets patched after the touch version is out the door.

Revision history for this message
Julien-Charles Lévesque (jclevesque) wrote :

Happens also with videolan on my system, although at a low frequency (I'd say one flicker minute). Happens whenever VLC has a playing/paused video (background or foreground).

Revision history for this message
Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt) wrote :

All,

Please only comment here if you experience problems with SDL apps. Otherwise, feel free to log new bugs:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/xmir/+filebug

Revision history for this message
Chris Gagnon (chris.gagnon) wrote :

https://bugs.launchpad.net/xmir/+bug/1231632 is probably related

Revision history for this message
Launchpad Janitor (janitor) wrote :

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

Robert Ancell (robert-ancell)
affects: xmir → xorg-server (Ubuntu)
Launchpad Janitor (janitor)
Changed in xorg-server (Ubuntu):
status: New → Confirmed
Robert Ancell (robert-ancell)
tags: added: xmir
Revision history for this message
Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt) wrote :

XMir 1.0 (the old Xorg extension) is now deprecated and is not being maintained or fixed. It is replaced by the new 'Xmir' binary (package 'xmir') introduced in Ubuntu 15.10 wily.

Changed in xorg-server (Ubuntu):
status: New → Won't Fix
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