Switching from Stereo to Mono
I witnessed this issue first in Far Cry 4 and since I never had this problem before (playing in 3D Vision for almost 6 years now) I first thought somehow it must be related to my new Geforce Titan X (I remember a thread where someone was complaining about 3D Vision Surround with a single Titan X which caused massive problems). Now in case of Far Cry 4 the first one who mentioned the switching problem was DarkStarSword and as far as I know he doesn't use a Titan X so it seems this issue is rather related to the specific game. I once again checked the Far Cry 4 thread but it seems there is no solution to this "Stereo-Mono-switching"-problem yet, right!? It's definitely not the driver since I tested the last 3 drivers and they all are showing the same results. Interesting is the fact that the game always works flawlessly after a fresh driver install. But then suddenly after one or two gaming sessions the game suddenly switches from Stereo to Mono and from this point it seems to be a permanent problem. The reason I dind't put this into the Far Cry 4 thread is the fact that I witness this switching issue in all games that I am currently playing now namely WWE 2K15, Mortal Kombat X and Far Cry 4. When I got this problem in MK X first I switched my Titan X with my "old" GTX-980 because I wanted to kow if it has something to do with the Titan X but with the GTX-980 I had the exact same problem. I should add that with WWE 2K15 and Mortal Kombat X the switching only occurs from time to time while with Far Cry 4 the switching occurs everytime when I launch the game. Does anyone have the slightest clue what is causing this stereo-mono-switching?
I witnessed this issue first in Far Cry 4 and since I never had this problem before (playing in 3D Vision for almost 6 years now) I first thought somehow it must be related to my new Geforce Titan X (I remember a thread where someone was complaining about 3D Vision Surround with a single Titan X which caused massive problems).

Now in case of Far Cry 4 the first one who mentioned the switching problem was DarkStarSword and as far as I know he doesn't use a Titan X so it seems this issue is rather related to the specific game. I once again checked the Far Cry 4 thread but it seems there is no solution to this "Stereo-Mono-switching"-problem yet, right!?

It's definitely not the driver since I tested the last 3 drivers and they all are showing the same results. Interesting is the fact that the game always works flawlessly after a fresh driver install. But then suddenly after one or two gaming sessions the game suddenly switches from Stereo to Mono and from this point it seems to be a permanent problem.

The reason I dind't put this into the Far Cry 4 thread is the fact that I witness this switching issue in all games that I am currently playing now namely WWE 2K15, Mortal Kombat X and Far Cry 4. When I got this problem in MK X first I switched my Titan X with my "old" GTX-980 because I wanted to kow if it has something to do with the Titan X but with the GTX-980 I had the exact same problem.
I should add that with WWE 2K15 and Mortal Kombat X the switching only occurs from time to time while with Far Cry 4 the switching occurs everytime when I launch the game.

Does anyone have the slightest clue what is causing this stereo-mono-switching?

#1
Posted 06/20/2015 09:48 PM   
No idea whats causing that, but ive been having same problem on multiple games. As far as i could tell it has nothing to do with the fixes themselfs, happens also without them. Worst case scenarios: Watch_dogs = unplayable. almost every cut scene, mission start or some random act will switch from stereo to mono and restart is required. I think this is playable with older set of drivers but as a gtx980 owner i cannot downgrade that far. Lords of the fallen = Gave up on this too since 3d broke or switched to mono too often. Gta v = unplayable, almost as bad as watch dogs for me. Games where it happened only 1-3 times during playthrough. Shadow of mordor Alien isolation Fc4
No idea whats causing that, but ive been having same problem on multiple games. As far as i could tell it has nothing to do with the fixes themselfs, happens also without them.


Worst case scenarios:

Watch_dogs = unplayable. almost every cut scene, mission start or some random act will switch from stereo to mono and restart is required. I think this is playable with older set of drivers but as a gtx980 owner i cannot downgrade that far.

Lords of the fallen = Gave up on this too since 3d broke or switched to mono too often.

Gta v = unplayable, almost as bad as watch dogs for me.


Games where it happened only 1-3 times during playthrough.

Shadow of mordor
Alien isolation
Fc4

#2
Posted 06/20/2015 10:00 PM   
[quote=""] Shadow of mordor Alien isolation Fc4[/quote] Never had a problem with any of those games... I had this problem with DA:I and Lords or the Fallen (but at random locations...mostly after a loading screen)... Hardware: 2x780Ti and 880M cards.... (happened regardless of any fix being applied....)
said:
Shadow of mordor
Alien isolation
Fc4



Never had a problem with any of those games... I had this problem with DA:I and Lords or the Fallen (but at random locations...mostly after a loading screen)...
Hardware: 2x780Ti and 880M cards.... (happened regardless of any fix being applied....)

1x Palit RTX 2080Ti Pro Gaming OC(watercooled and overclocked to hell)
3x 3D Vision Ready Asus VG278HE monitors (5760x1080).
Intel i9 9900K (overclocked to 5.3 and watercooled ofc).
Asus Maximus XI Hero Mobo.
16 GB Team Group T-Force Dark Pro DDR4 @ 3600.
Lots of Disks:
- Raid 0 - 256GB Sandisk Extreme SSD.
- Raid 0 - WD Black - 2TB.
- SanDisk SSD PLUS 480 GB.
- Intel 760p 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD.
Creative Sound Blaster Z.
Windows 10 x64 Pro.
etc


My website with my fixes and OpenGL to 3D Vision wrapper:
http://3dsurroundgaming.com

(If you like some of the stuff that I've done and want to donate something, you can do it with PayPal at tavyhome@gmail.com)

#3
Posted 06/21/2015 12:20 AM   
I'm not really sure what is causing this issue, but I suspect there are a few contributing factors: - Driver version - in some versions it happens almost instantly, others takes a full day of playing - Graphics quality settings - not sure exactly what matters, but higher settings seem to trigger it faster. Anyone kept on eye on VRAM usage when this happens? - DirectX 11 - never seen it in a DX9 game, but that might also just be due to DX11 games using more effects It would be very good if we can try to find more details about this. I suspect it's a driver bug but can't be certain. If we are going to send this to our contact in nvidia, it would be good to know as much as possible about it first since it's hard to pin down.
I'm not really sure what is causing this issue, but I suspect there are a few contributing factors:

- Driver version - in some versions it happens almost instantly, others takes a full day of playing

- Graphics quality settings - not sure exactly what matters, but higher settings seem to trigger it faster. Anyone kept on eye on VRAM usage when this happens?

- DirectX 11 - never seen it in a DX9 game, but that might also just be due to DX11 games using more effects

It would be very good if we can try to find more details about this. I suspect it's a driver bug but can't be certain. If we are going to send this to our contact in nvidia, it would be good to know as much as possible about it first since it's hard to pin down.

2x Geforce GTX 980 in SLI provided by NVIDIA, i7 6700K 4GHz CPU, Asus 27" VG278HE 144Hz 3D Monitor, BenQ W1070 3D Projector, 120" Elite Screens YardMaster 2, 32GB Corsair DDR4 3200MHz RAM, Samsung 850 EVO 500G SSD, 4x750GB HDD in RAID5, Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 7 Motherboard, Corsair Obsidian 750D Airflow Edition Case, Corsair RM850i PSU, HTC Vive, Win 10 64bit

Alienware M17x R4 w/ built in 3D, Intel i7 3740QM, GTX 680m 2GB, 16GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM, Win7 64bit, 1TB SSD, 1TB HDD, 750GB HDD

Pre-release 3D fixes, shadertool.py and other goodies: http://github.com/DarkStarSword/3d-fixes
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarSword or PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/DarkStarSword

#4
Posted 06/21/2015 09:48 AM   
I also have experienced this, But only in GTA V. When it happens, I go into the game settings and bump the refresh rate one way or the other, then back to my preferred rate at which point it's fine and doesn't usually reoccur. I have a hunch as well, multiple displays being active when playing is the only common denominator, for me at least. This also seems to apply for the actual 'breaking' of 3D, very rarely have I come back from that without a restart. Also, this issue seems to multiply (Multi-Displays) if you use a resolution that differs from your native res. ~Nutz
I also have experienced this, But only in GTA V.

When it happens, I go into the game settings and bump the refresh rate one way or the other, then back to my preferred rate at which point it's fine and doesn't usually reoccur.

I have a hunch as well, multiple displays being active when playing is the only common denominator, for me at least.

This also seems to apply for the actual 'breaking' of 3D, very rarely have I come back from that without a restart.

Also, this issue seems to multiply (Multi-Displays) if you use a resolution that differs from your native res.


~Nutz

---- Core System Components ----

(MBD) EVGA® Classified™ (x58) E760
(CPU) Intel® i7™ '980x' (OC'd) @ 4.8Ghz
(CPU) Corsair® (CPU) Cooling™ (H50)
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(PSU) PC)P&C™ (PSU)'T12W' @ 1200w
(CSE) Cooler Master® Stacker™ (830)

---- (3D) Graphics Sub'Sys ----

(2x) EVGA® GTX'970 (SC) - Nvidia® SLi™
(1x) EVGA® GTX'660 (Ti) - Nvidia® PhysX™

(1x) ACER® (GN) 246(HL) - Nvidia® 3DVision™
(1x) ASUS® (VG) 248(QE) - Nvidia® 3DVision™
(1x) ACER® (GN) 246(HL) - Nvidia® 3DVision™

---- Audio & System Control ----

(1x) ASUS® - Xonar™ (HDAV1.3)
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---- Storage (HDD's) & Media (ODD's) PB & REC ----

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(4x) (2TB) W.Digital® - 'Blacks'™
(2x) (ODD) LG® BluRay™ - 'Play'n'Burn'

---- Nvidia® (WHQL) Drivers (x64) In Use ----

(NV®)DR - v347.88 (WHQL) - Primary (GTA V)
(NV®)DR - v350.12 (WHQL) - Testing (Stable)
(NV®)DR - v353.06 (WHQL) - All Other Titles

#5
Posted 06/21/2015 11:44 PM   
I would also suggest the switching-issue has soemthing to do with multiple displays. Also it could be related to DX11 as Darkstar suggested. As I said earlier I am facing this problem since a couple of weeks now and never got this issue before. I upgraded to multi-monitor 3D Vision Surround 3 month ago and of course I am mainly playing DX11 titles now. So I guess this issue has definitely something to do with either multi-monitor setups or with DX11. In case of Far Cry 4 which I exclusively play on my Sony HMZ-T3 the switching-issue seems to be not related to multi-monitors being active (since I disable them while using the HMZ). But somehow even for Far Cry 4 the issue could be related to multi-monitors being connected to the GPU. When the switching occurs during the launch of Far Cry 4 (Nvidia Logo, Dunia-Engine logo......) I get a black screen for some seconds, my 3 Acers switch from standby to active (not displaying anything the screens stay black but the standby-LEDs switch from standby-amber to active-blue) and then the game is back on the HMZ-T3 but switched to mono. When the switch occurs during gameplay I don't get the black screen it just switches from stereo to mono.
I would also suggest the switching-issue has soemthing to do with multiple displays. Also it could be related to DX11 as Darkstar suggested. As I said earlier I am facing this problem since a couple of weeks now and never got this issue before. I upgraded to multi-monitor 3D Vision Surround 3 month ago and of course I am mainly playing DX11 titles now. So I guess this issue has definitely something to do with either multi-monitor setups or with DX11.

In case of Far Cry 4 which I exclusively play on my Sony HMZ-T3 the switching-issue seems to be not related to multi-monitors being active (since I disable them while using the HMZ). But somehow even for Far Cry 4 the issue could be related to multi-monitors being connected to the GPU. When the switching occurs during the launch of Far Cry 4 (Nvidia Logo, Dunia-Engine logo......) I get a black screen for some seconds, my 3 Acers switch from standby to active (not displaying anything the screens stay black but the standby-LEDs switch from standby-amber to active-blue) and then the game is back on the HMZ-T3 but switched to mono. When the switch occurs during gameplay I don't get the black screen it just switches from stereo to mono.

#6
Posted 06/22/2015 07:24 AM   
FWIW I only play on a single monitor, but it wouldn't surprise me if multi-monitor setups can hit it more easily, perhaps because they are driving more pixels (and therefore a number of buffers in the game will be larger, VRAM usage will be increased... Wild speculation here, but I wonder if VRAM fragmentation might be a contributing factor as well? No idea how to measure that...)
FWIW I only play on a single monitor, but it wouldn't surprise me if multi-monitor setups can hit it more easily, perhaps because they are driving more pixels (and therefore a number of buffers in the game will be larger, VRAM usage will be increased... Wild speculation here, but I wonder if VRAM fragmentation might be a contributing factor as well? No idea how to measure that...)

2x Geforce GTX 980 in SLI provided by NVIDIA, i7 6700K 4GHz CPU, Asus 27" VG278HE 144Hz 3D Monitor, BenQ W1070 3D Projector, 120" Elite Screens YardMaster 2, 32GB Corsair DDR4 3200MHz RAM, Samsung 850 EVO 500G SSD, 4x750GB HDD in RAID5, Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 7 Motherboard, Corsair Obsidian 750D Airflow Edition Case, Corsair RM850i PSU, HTC Vive, Win 10 64bit

Alienware M17x R4 w/ built in 3D, Intel i7 3740QM, GTX 680m 2GB, 16GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM, Win7 64bit, 1TB SSD, 1TB HDD, 750GB HDD

Pre-release 3D fixes, shadertool.py and other goodies: http://github.com/DarkStarSword/3d-fixes
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DarkStarSword or PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/DarkStarSword

#7
Posted 06/22/2015 10:17 AM   
Surely this has got to be a driver bug. For me started in Dragon age Inquisition and most new AAA titles are having the same issue. However it does not occur on any 3d supported or fixed game before that era of driver. Does seem to be dx 11 games only as well. Funny enough, I Played DA:I in surround 3d and it actually seemed more stable with less issues than when running on a single screen. DA:I Lords of the fallen. Witcher 3 GTAV It's all been an issue in, and I could be forgetting one or two. To me it seems to coincide with the CM mode release
Surely this has got to be a driver bug.

For me started in Dragon age Inquisition and most new AAA titles are having the same issue. However it does not occur on any 3d supported or fixed game before that era of driver.

Does seem to be dx 11 games only as well.

Funny enough, I Played DA:I in surround 3d and it actually seemed more stable with less issues than when running on a single screen.

DA:I
Lords of the fallen.
Witcher 3
GTAV

It's all been an issue in, and I could be forgetting one or two. To me it seems to coincide with the CM mode release

i7-4790K CPU 4.8Ghz stable overclock.
16 GB RAM Corsair
EVGA 1080TI SLI
Samsung SSD 840Pro
ASUS Z97-WS
3D Surround ASUS Rog Swift PG278Q(R), 2x PG278Q (yes it works)
Obutto R3volution.
Windows 10 pro 64x (Windows 7 Dual boot)

#8
Posted 06/22/2015 10:28 AM   
Just as an interesting data point- I can run this on 353.06 with a second monitor enabled, and it's working OK. 3D engages, and was working well, game looks great. Also SLI 760. I agree there is likely something off with the drivers, but it's hard to tease out the actual problem.
Just as an interesting data point- I can run this on 353.06 with a second monitor enabled, and it's working OK. 3D engages, and was working well, game looks great. Also SLI 760.

I agree there is likely something off with the drivers, but it's hard to tease out the actual problem.

Acer H5360 (1280x720@120Hz) - ASUS VG248QE with GSync mod - 3D Vision 1&2 - Driver 372.54
GTX 970 - i5-4670K@4.2GHz - 12GB RAM - Win7x64+evilKB2670838 - 4 Disk X25 RAID
SAGER NP9870-S - GTX 980 - i7-6700K - Win10 Pro 1607
Latest 3Dmigoto Release
Bo3b's School for ShaderHackers

#9
Posted 06/26/2015 03:08 AM   
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