Dual screen or multi-monitor tearing with NVIDIA, AMD / ATi or Intel in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal was introduced. Thankfully there is an easy workaround to have tear free video on all screens.

I tested this with NVIDIA and TV-Out and it works even better then in previous Ubuntu releases. I don’t have to choose anymore on which screen to sync in the NVIDIA X Server Settings.

Open CompizConfig-settings manager (if you don’t find it, just install it from Ubuntu Software Center) and look for the plugin Workarounds.

• Check -> Force full screen redrews (buffer swap) on repaint
• Uncheck -> Don’t wait for video sync

Open NVIDIA X Server Settings

• Enable X Server XVideo Settings -> Sync to VBlanck
• Enable OpenGL Settings -> Sync to VBlank
• Disable DFP…(name of your screen) -> Force Full Gpu Scaling (for me this is not necessary to do)

Open Startup Applications and add a new program:

• Name: antitearing
• Command: bash -c “sleep 2; compiz –replace”

Reboot and enjoy a tear free screen!