rerun119 Did you also install the LAV filters?
I recommend using the k-Lite standard codec pack.
It has the LAV filters and also comes with a helpful tool to reset all your codecs and filters to their default values.
You can find them here: https://codecguide.com/download_kl.htm
If you purchased the HEVC codec from the Microsoft store, you do not need to rebuy it as long you use the same Microsoft/Windows account.
But, you can also get them for free on the k-lite website!
Here: https://codecguide.com/media_foundation_codecs.htm
For SLR only "HEVC video (a.k.a. H.265)" is needed from this page.
If you have installed everything and still have issues.
Which monitor(s) do you have connected to your PC? And their settings. resolution, refresh rates. And which kind of cable, HDMI, Display Port, USB-C?
Try disabling any secondary monitors while using the headset. Use Display Port instead of HDMI when possible.
Only have one monitor? Lower the refresh rate to 60-75 if it is a high refresh rate monitor. If it's more than 1080p, try lowering it to 1080p.
Disable V-sync or any other 'sync' technique anywhere you can find it. Windows settings, driver settings, any tool or app settings, etc. - This actually sounds like a plausible cause based off of your description of the behavior.
Are you using any display dongles or output converters? DP to HDMI for example.
I'm not suggesting these as permanent solution, but it will give us a better understanding of what the cause may be.
Can you check for driver updates for your GPU?
Do you have an integrated GPU in your system? - Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard, and go to the Performance tab as shown in fenderwq 's image. See if there are more than one GPU's in the list. The GPU's are always at the bottom of the list. - GPU 0, GPU 1 etc
Pitool will override (most of) the Steam settings. So here it is normal the smoothing on Steam didn't change anything.
For !! -> VIDEO <- !!, never use smoothing!
- There's no benefit doing so.
- It degrades image sharpness (looks like a light Gaussian blur)
- Can cause lag.
- Codecs/video filters are better suited for this if you really need to adjust the image. Usually these settings are already built into the video player UI and settings.