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[IbizaPocholo]

Microsoft Explains Xbox Series X Dynamic Latency Input, Says Ultra-Low Latency Is Critical for Gaming

Microsoft's Jason Ronald explained how Dynamic Latency Input works on Xbox Series X, adding that ultra-low latency is going to be critical.

wccftech.com

Major Nelson (AKA Larry Hryb) interviewed Jason Ronald (Partner Director of Program Management at Team Xbox) in his podcast #647, titled 'What You Can Expect From the Next Generation of Gaming'. During the lengthy chat, Ronald explained how Dynamic Latency Input will provide the most responsive gaming experience with Xbox Series X.

One of our focus areas, gamers really demand a low latency experience and they want to have the most precise and responsive controls. So what we've really done is we've analyzed the end to end pipeline to really identify every area of the pipeline where we can reduce latency and Dynamic Latency Input (DLI) is a new technology we've introduced, which actually allows the game to get the most recent input from the player. That way you don't miss your input even if your input happens between different frames. And when we talk about games running at 120 frames per second, that ultra-low latency is critical to having a really great gaming experience, so we knew we needed to improve everything from the controller to the console as well as the console to the TV with new features in HDMI 2.1 such as auto low latency mode (ALLM) or variable refresh rate (VRR). And it's really about getting the player to have that great immersive experience at all times.

And that's the thing, we're really proud of the experience that we have on Xbox One today, but as we think about the next generation, we knew that we needed to really focus on eliminating as much [latency] as possible.

 

[BlackTron]

It makes me feel like such an elitist that this kind of thing is piquing my interest in the Series X.

This is a gaming feature mentality that flies in the face of Xbox One launch, which I appreciate more than the 12TF.

 

[Exentryk]

I wonder if this tech can help xcloud steaming? Might be more useful there. Gamepass + xcloud + low latency sounds like a good combo.

 

[FeldMonster]

I wonder if this tech can help xcloud steaming? Might be more useful there. Gamepass + xcloud + low latency sounds like a good combo.

Lower latency can only help.

My biggest question is how this will work with existing Xbox One peripherals. It has been confirmed that Xbox One controllers will work on Xbox Series X, but does this low latency solution require the new controllers, or is it simply firmware/software? I don't fully understand how DLI works, so it is hard for me to say.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Yep, this is why I still game on CRTs. The latency introduced by wireless + poor software + lag from the panel's scaler can make a considerable difference.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Sounds good and all. But the typical game and gamer, is this feature really going to make a difference?

 

[nani17]

All hail the PC ma's..... Of its a console hmmm what's the difference these days....

*Leaves room*

 

[LemmingWithaParachute]

Sounds good and all. But the typical game and gamer, is this feature really going to make a difference?

could of said the same going from 1080p to 4k.

 

[SleepDoctor]

Sounds good and all but im skeptical it'll make much of a difference. Hope I'm wrong tho.

 

[ZehDon]

I’ll need to see some real world examples of this having a meaningful impact, because this sounds like BS buzz words.

If you’re gaming is running at 30FPS, and the vast majority do, then there’s only 30 frames in which to demonstrate the players input. You can poll the hardware as much as you want - the player only sees an update every 33ms or so. It’s one of the reasons why 60FPS feels more responsive - you can see an update every 16ms, giving more feedback to the player, resulting in the feeling of more responsiveness.
We’ll also just ignore the issues that modern Smart TVs introduce with their post processing, rendering a lot of this stuff “moot”, I guess.

 

[squidilix]

Latency negative like Stadia ?

 

[LemmingWithaParachute]

Latency negative like Stadia ?

Cant have latency if you dont exist.

 

[Poppyseed]

I’ll need to see some real world examples of this having a meaningful impact, because this sounds like BS buzz words.

If you’re gaming is running at 30FPS, and the vast majority do, then there’s only 30 frames in which to demonstrate the players input. You can poll the hardware as much as you want - the player only sees an update every 16ms or so. It’s one of the reasons why 60FPS feels more responsive - you can see an update every 8ms, giving more feedback to the player, resulting in the feeling of more responsiveness.
We’ll also just ignore the issues that modern Smart TVs introduce with their post processing, rendering a lot of this stuff “moot”, I guess.

I think you mean 33ms frame time for 30fps playback, and 16ms for 60fps playback.

 

[darkinstinct]

Lower latency can only help.

My biggest question is how this will work with existing Xbox One peripherals. It has been confirmed that Xbox One controllers will work on Xbox Series X, but does this low latency solution require the new controllers, or is it simply firmware/software? I don't fully understand how DLI works, so it is hard for me to say.

This and battery life. Twice as many controller signals will take a toll on energy consumption.

 

[pr0cs]

This and battery life. Twice as many controller signals will take a toll on energy consumption.

Maybe, but doubtful as much as a totally unused led that can't even be turned off

 

[ZehDon]

I think you mean 33ms frame time for 30fps playback, and 16ms for 60fps playback.

Hah - yep, I sure did.

 

[siekro1983]

They kinda of features get me excited for netgen gaming.

 

[Jigsaah]

I wonder if this tech can help xcloud steaming? Might be more useful there. Gamepass + xcloud + low latency sounds like a good combo.

Pretty sure they already implement that in xcloud to some extent. I'd expect it would be even more pronounced when you're not streaming though in this case.

 

[CyberPanda]

Nice.

 

[SidViscous]

It doesn't really explain what the tech is, you can already poll inputs at whatever frequency you want. GT polls inputs at 120hz, despite rendering at 60hz.

 

[LazyParrot]

Seems like a pointless gimmick to me. It's not like input lag was ever an issue on Xbox consoles to begin with.

 

[dagZ]

Seems like a pointless gimmick to me. It's not like input lag was ever an issue on Xbox consoles to begin with.

you are probably a casual gamer then, and thats totally fine.

 

[Iorv3th]

"Dynamic Latency" makes it sound like Latency isn't always the same and is constantly moving around.

 

[LazyParrot]

you are probably a casual gamer then, and thats totally fine.

Far from it. I've been doing the whole high refresh rate/low latency gaming thing for nearly 20 years, and I've probably spent well over $1000 on monitors, mice and other peripherals during that time. If there's a way to increase responsiveness, I've probably done it.

The only thing MS is doing that's going to have a perceivable impact on responsiveness is going to be the higher refresh rate. Anything beyond that won't be felt by players, especially considering how many of them play on TVs that aren't set up for gaming.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

I cheered for this feature when it was first announced.

I turn on Nvidia low-latency mode for all my PC games now, can’t game without it on PC.

major win for XSX and hopefully PS5 too

this is as important to me as resolution. I picked my 1440p monitor almost specifically because it had the best input responsiveness I could find

 

[quickwhips]

Lower latency can only help.

My biggest question is how this will work with existing Xbox One peripherals. It has been confirmed that Xbox One controllers will work on Xbox Series X, but does this low latency solution require the new controllers, or is it simply firmware/software? I don't fully understand how DLI works, so it is hard for me to say.

Im guessing new hardware as they mention the controllers leveraged a new custom wifi but could also do bluetooth.

 

[Hendrick's]

It doesn't really explain what the tech is, you can already poll inputs at whatever frequency you want. GT polls inputs at 120hz, despite rendering at 60hz.

It sounds like marketing BS to me. I don't see how anything other than simply using HDMI 2.1 would actually improve latency.

 

[psorcerer]

You can poll the hardware as much as you want - the player only sees an update every 33ms or so.

That's enough.
BTW for 30 fps you need to pull input at at least 60 hz. Do I need to explain why?

 

[SirKicksalot]

They'll implement this eventually: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-force-unleashed-60fps-tech-article

 

[Spukc]

Yep, this is why I still game on CRTs. The latency introduced by wireless + poor software + lag from the panel's scaler can make a considerable difference.

WORD f zero GX crt ALL THE WAY

 

[Vtecomega]

Seems like a pointless gimmick to me. It's not like input lag was ever an issue on Xbox consoles to begin with.

Input latency is huge on the xbox elite 2. It drives me insane.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Maybe my reflexes are too slow now but playing shooters with whatever the latency is seems fine to me.

nit sure if improved latency willl mean much

 

[Dolomite]

Maybe my reflexes are too slow now but playing shooters with whatever the latency is seems fine to me.

nit sure if improved latency willl mean much

I feel like it'll be an important but thanksless feature. Most widely employed by esports or competitive online gamers/ Streamers imo

 

[Nikana]

Maybe my reflexes are too slow now but playing shooters with whatever the latency is seems fine to me.

nit sure if improved latency willl mean much

A lot of games on Xbone and PS4 have latency of over 100 ms. If they could get that done to 50ms consistently I think thats a huge win.

 

[semicool]

This probably means most the pro console gamers and streamers will probably game on XSX because of this competitive advantage and responsiveness.

Ps5 will be for console casuals

XSX for hardcore, competitive console gaming enthusiasts and pro console gamers and streamers

 

[Vtecomega]

Do I need HDMI 2.1 to take advantage of this?

 

[Nikana]

Do I need HDMI 2.1 to take advantage of this?

This is from the controller to the console.

 

[Vtecomega]

Input latency is huge on the xbox elite 2. It drives me insane.

Still an issue. I had to switch to PS4.

 

[Vtecomega]

This is from the controller to the console.

Oh that's awesome to hear. Ive always had issues with Xbox controller latency.

 

[MarkMe2525]

I mean it "sounds real cool" and checks a box. I don't honestly think your going to be able to tell the difference between Xbox and PS5 when it comes to input lag. Maybe this can very slightly help when I'm console streaming to me phone or nvidia shield in the bedroom.

 

[TLZ]

Anything that reduces input lag is good.

 

[ZywyPL]

One of the most interesting next-gen features for me. I'm curios if/how much impact it will really have on the games, because realistically, you just need high framerates for low input-lag, there's no other way around it, a 60FPS game like CoD plays like a dream, let alone the upcoming 120FPS titles, so the question is will the DLI make any noticeable difference in those games, if at all? And on the opposite spectrum we have 30FPS titles that simply play like shit no matter what, so will the DLI do any good for those games? The tech sounds cool in theory, but I'm afraid that in reality, at the end of the day it will all go down to the usual 30vs60vs120FPS.

 

[Tygeezy]

A lot of games on Xbone and PS4 have latency of over 100 ms. If they could get that done to 50ms consistently I think thats a huge win.

A lot of it probably has to do with 60 hz + vsync buffered frames, plus saturated gpu which causes the render queue to fill up, and a display with high input lag.

the controller or mouse is pretty much the lowest input latency in the chain. You get 1-2 ms of latency from a wireless mouse or gamepad.

 

[cormack12]

Anything that reduces input lag is good.

That's where I'm at - I'm also at the point it's not going to make a shit bit of difference in RDR2 or GTA V. Be interesting to see what Valhalla and Watch Dogs plays like though. Ubi usualy have responsive controls and animations.

 

[MrFunSocks]

Not gonna make a lick of difference to 99% of people. This will only make any noticeable difference to playing games with VRR screens at >100fps.

 

[Garani]

XSX for hardcore, competitive console gaming enthusiasts and pro console gamers and streamers

Could be, but "DLI" sounds like bullshit buzz-wording to me. Show me the goods, and then we'll talk about it.