diff --git a/DOCS/interface-changes.rst b/DOCS/interface-changes.rst
index 6504db556a..cf53a934a1 100644
--- a/DOCS/interface-changes.rst
+++ b/DOCS/interface-changes.rst
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ Interface changes
         - "audio-channels" (use "audio-params/channel-count")
         - "audio-format" (use "audio-codec-name")
       (the properties equivalent to the old semantics are in parentheses)
+    - remove deprecated --vo and --ao sub-options (like --vo=opengl:...), and
+      replace them with global options. A somewhat complete list can be found
+      here: https://github.com/mpv-player/mpv/wiki/Option-replacement-list#mpv-0210
+    - remove --vo-defaults and --ao-defaults as well
     - remove deprecated global sub-options (like -demuxer-rawaudio format=...),
       use flat options (like --demuxer-rawaudio-format=...)
  --- mpv 0.22.0 ---
diff --git a/DOCS/man/ao.rst b/DOCS/man/ao.rst
index 0e45b1e96e..5984abaa1c 100644
--- a/DOCS/man/ao.rst
+++ b/DOCS/man/ao.rst
@@ -10,11 +10,6 @@ syntax is:
 If the list has a trailing ',', mpv will fall back on drivers not contained
 in the list.
 
-``--ao-defaults=<driver1[:parameter1:parameter2:...],driver2,...>``
-    Set defaults for each driver.
-
-    Deprecated. No replacement.
-
 .. note::
 
     See ``--ao=help`` for a list of compiled-in audio output drivers. The
diff --git a/DOCS/man/vo.rst b/DOCS/man/vo.rst
index f695ba0f6f..6ff4b42604 100644
--- a/DOCS/man/vo.rst
+++ b/DOCS/man/vo.rst
@@ -10,11 +10,6 @@ syntax is:
 If the list has a trailing ``,``, mpv will fall back on drivers not contained
 in the list.
 
-``--vo-defaults=<driver1[:parameter1:parameter2:...],driver2,...>``
-    Set defaults for each driver.
-
-    Deprecated. No replacement.
-
 .. note::
 
     See ``--vo=help`` for a list of compiled-in video output drivers.
diff --git a/audio/out/ao.c b/audio/out/ao.c
index b624f4196c..6cf8de2d88 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao.c
@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ static bool get_desc(struct m_obj_desc *dst, int index)
         .priv_size = ao->priv_size,
         .priv_defaults = ao->priv_defaults,
         .options = ao->options,
+        .options_prefix = ao->options_prefix,
         .global_opts = ao->global_opts,
-        .legacy_prefix = ao->legacy_prefix,
         .hidden = ao->encode,
         .p = ao,
     };
@@ -127,11 +127,12 @@ const struct m_obj_list ao_obj_list = {
     .allow_unknown_entries = true,
     .allow_trailer = true,
     .disallow_positional_parameters = true,
+    .use_global_options = true,
 };
 
 static struct ao *ao_alloc(bool probing, struct mpv_global *global,
                            void (*wakeup_cb)(void *ctx), void *wakeup_ctx,
-                           char *name, char **args)
+                           char *name)
 {
     assert(wakeup_cb);
 
@@ -155,12 +156,9 @@ static struct ao *ao_alloc(bool probing, struct mpv_global *global,
         .def_buffer = opts->audio_buffer,
         .client_name = talloc_strdup(ao, opts->audio_client_name),
     };
-    struct m_config *config =
-        m_config_from_obj_desc_and_args(ao, ao->log, global, &desc,
-                                        name, opts->ao_defs, args);
-    if (!config)
+    ao->priv = m_config_group_from_desc(ao, ao->log, global, &desc, name);
+    if (!ao->priv)
         goto error;
-    ao->priv = config->optstruct;
     return ao;
 error:
     talloc_free(ao);
@@ -171,9 +169,9 @@ static struct ao *ao_init(bool probing, struct mpv_global *global,
                           void (*wakeup_cb)(void *ctx), void *wakeup_ctx,
                           struct encode_lavc_context *encode_lavc_ctx, int flags,
                           int samplerate, int format, struct mp_chmap channels,
-                          char *dev, char *name, char **args)
+                          char *dev, char *name)
 {
-    struct ao *ao = ao_alloc(probing, global, wakeup_cb, wakeup_ctx, name, args);
+    struct ao *ao = ao_alloc(probing, global, wakeup_cb, wakeup_ctx, name);
     if (!ao)
         return NULL;
     ao->samplerate = samplerate;
@@ -206,7 +204,7 @@ static struct ao *ao_init(bool probing, struct mpv_global *global,
             talloc_free(ao);
             return ao_init(probing, global, wakeup_cb, wakeup_ctx,
                            encode_lavc_ctx, flags, samplerate, format, channels,
-                           rdevice, redirect, NULL);
+                           rdevice, redirect);
         }
         goto fail;
     }
@@ -313,8 +311,7 @@ struct ao *ao_init_best(struct mpv_global *global,
             mp_verbose(log, "Using preferred device '%s'\n", dev);
         }
         ao = ao_init(probing, global, wakeup_cb, wakeup_ctx, encode_lavc_ctx,
-                     init_flags, samplerate, format, channels, dev,
-                     entry->name, entry->attribs);
+                     init_flags, samplerate, format, channels, dev, entry->name);
         if (ao)
             break;
         if (!probing)
@@ -571,7 +568,7 @@ struct ao_device_list *ao_hotplug_get_device_list(struct ao_hotplug *hp)
             break; // don't add unsafe/special entries
 
         struct ao *ao = ao_alloc(true, hp->global, hp->wakeup_cb, hp->wakeup_ctx,
-                                 (char *)d->name, NULL);
+                                 (char *)d->name);
         if (!ao)
             continue;
 
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_alsa.c b/audio/out/ao_alsa.c
index 91c8e2d3fc..d63a760d73 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_alsa.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_alsa.c
@@ -1196,15 +1196,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_alsa = {
     .wakeup    = ao_wakeup_poll,
     .list_devs = list_devs,
     .priv_size = sizeof(struct priv),
-    .options = (const struct m_option[]) {
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("device", "alsa-device"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("resample", "alsa-resample"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("mixer-device", "alsa-mixer-device"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("mixer-name", "alsa-mixer-name"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("mixer-index", "alsa-mixer-index"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("non-interleaved", "alsa-non-interleaved"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("ignore-chmap", "alsa-ignore-chmap"),
-        {0}
-    },
     .global_opts = &ao_alsa_conf,
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_audiounit.m b/audio/out/ao_audiounit.m
index 7411a1a1dd..31703525a9 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_audiounit.m
+++ b/audio/out/ao_audiounit.m
@@ -195,7 +195,4 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_audiounit = {
     .pause          = stop,
     .resume         = start,
     .priv_size      = sizeof(struct priv),
-    .options = (const struct m_option[]){
-        {0}
-    },
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_coreaudio.c b/audio/out/ao_coreaudio.c
index 3a7aa2eac1..ba0dd9b0ba 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_coreaudio.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_coreaudio.c
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ struct priv {
     AudioStreamID original_asbd_stream;
 
     int change_physical_format;
-    int exclusive;
 };
 
 static int64_t ca_get_hardware_latency(struct ao *ao) {
@@ -143,9 +142,7 @@ static int init(struct ao *ao)
 {
     struct priv *p = ao->priv;
 
-    p->exclusive |= ao->init_flags & AO_INIT_EXCLUSIVE;
-
-    if (!af_fmt_is_pcm(ao->format) || p->exclusive) {
+    if (!af_fmt_is_pcm(ao->format) || (ao->init_flags & AO_INIT_EXCLUSIVE)) {
         MP_VERBOSE(ao, "redirecting to coreaudio_exclusive\n");
         ao->redirect = "coreaudio_exclusive";
         return CONTROL_ERROR;
@@ -429,9 +426,7 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_coreaudio = {
     .priv_size      = sizeof(struct priv),
     .options = (const struct m_option[]){
         OPT_FLAG("change-physical-format", change_physical_format, 0),
-        OPT_FLAG("exclusive", exclusive, 0,
-                 .deprecation_message = "use --audio-exclusive"),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "coreaudio",
+    .options_prefix = "coreaudio",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_jack.c b/audio/out/ao_jack.c
index 56c7e28544..2ad3cad586 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_jack.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_jack.c
@@ -246,13 +246,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_jack = {
     .uninit    = uninit,
     .resume    = resume,
     .priv_size = sizeof(struct priv),
-    .options = (const struct m_option[]) {
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("port", "jack-port"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("name", "jack-name"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("autostart", "jack-autostart"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("connect", "jack-connect"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("std-channel-layout", "jack-std-channel-layout"),
-        {0}
-    },
     .global_opts = &ao_jack_conf,
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_null.c b/audio/out/ao_null.c
index 7c0c745b12..7b288a8245 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_null.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_null.c
@@ -241,5 +241,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_null = {
         OPT_CHANNELS("channel-layouts", channel_layouts, 0),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "ao-null",
+    .options_prefix = "ao-null",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_openal.c b/audio/out/ao_openal.c
index aba049445d..a1fd95ab18 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_openal.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_openal.c
@@ -374,5 +374,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_openal = {
                             DEVICE_OPT_DEPRECATION),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "ao-openal",
+    .options_prefix = "ao-openal",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_opensles.c b/audio/out/ao_opensles.c
index dd20dbf1d0..5357ab4920 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_opensles.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_opensles.c
@@ -246,5 +246,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_opensles = {
         OPT_INTRANGE("sample-rate", cfg_sample_rate, 0, 1000, 100000),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "opensles",
+    .options_prefix = "opensles",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_oss.c b/audio/out/ao_oss.c
index 5bf5fec29b..c0446eb2aa 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_oss.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_oss.c
@@ -653,5 +653,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_oss = {
         OPT_STRING("mixer-channel", cfg_oss_mixer_channel, 0),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "oss",
+    .options_prefix = "oss",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_pcm.c b/audio/out/ao_pcm.c
index 169a1b94a1..4e5ec0a319 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_pcm.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_pcm.c
@@ -224,5 +224,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_pcm = {
         OPT_FLAG("append", append, 0),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "ao-pcm",
+    .options_prefix = "ao-pcm",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_pulse.c b/audio/out/ao_pulse.c
index 5a68553e88..6c6a517f2a 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_pulse.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_pulse.c
@@ -841,5 +841,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_pulse = {
         OPT_FLAG("latency-hacks", cfg_latency_hacks, 0),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "pulse",
+    .options_prefix = "pulse",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_rsound.c b/audio/out/ao_rsound.c
index 5ecb39b9d3..9689a9e0b8 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_rsound.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_rsound.c
@@ -162,6 +162,6 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_rsound = {
             .deprecation_message = "request --audio-device support on issue tracker"),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "rsound",
+    .options_prefix = "rsound",
 };
 
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_sdl.c b/audio/out/ao_sdl.c
index d9d00628b6..1564e26120 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_sdl.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_sdl.c
@@ -212,5 +212,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_sdl = {
         OPT_FLOAT("buflen", buflen, 0),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "sdl",
+    .options_prefix = "sdl",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_sndio.c b/audio/out/ao_sndio.c
index f60fa303e5..e0fd9f0296 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_sndio.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_sndio.c
@@ -324,5 +324,5 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_sndio = {
                    DEVICE_OPT_DEPRECATION),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "ao-sndio",
+    .options_prefix = "ao-sndio",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_wasapi.c b/audio/out/ao_wasapi.c
index 17f3e98653..b2e035d3dc 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_wasapi.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_wasapi.c
@@ -496,11 +496,4 @@ const struct ao_driver audio_out_wasapi = {
     .hotplug_init   = hotplug_init,
     .hotplug_uninit = hotplug_uninit,
     .priv_size      = sizeof(wasapi_state),
-    .options        = (const struct m_option[]) {
-        OPT_FLAG("exclusive", opt_exclusive, 0,
-                 .deprecation_message = "use --audio-exclusive"),
-        OPT_STRING("device", opt_device, 0, DEVICE_OPT_DEPRECATION),
-        {NULL},
-    },
-    .legacy_prefix = "ao-wasapi",
 };
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_wasapi.h b/audio/out/ao_wasapi.h
index 6dd130b50f..ea9f5c2bad 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_wasapi.h
+++ b/audio/out/ao_wasapi.h
@@ -92,8 +92,6 @@ typedef struct wasapi_state {
 
     // ao options
     int opt_exclusive;
-    int opt_list;
-    char *opt_device;
 
     // format info
     WAVEFORMATEXTENSIBLE format;
diff --git a/audio/out/ao_wasapi_utils.c b/audio/out/ao_wasapi_utils.c
index 320bb6767b..8b12ef4d5c 100644
--- a/audio/out/ao_wasapi_utils.c
+++ b/audio/out/ao_wasapi_utils.c
@@ -858,10 +858,7 @@ static LPWSTR select_device(struct mp_log *l, struct device_desc *d)
 bstr wasapi_get_specified_device_string(struct ao *ao)
 {
     struct wasapi_state *state = ao->priv;
-    bstr device = bstr_strip(bstr0(state->opt_device));
-    if (!device.len)
-        device = bstr_strip(bstr0(ao->device));
-    return device;
+    return bstr_strip(bstr0(ao->device));
 }
 
 LPWSTR wasapi_find_deviceID(struct ao *ao)
diff --git a/audio/out/internal.h b/audio/out/internal.h
index 3ddc1becb9..b35f20fba2 100644
--- a/audio/out/internal.h
+++ b/audio/out/internal.h
@@ -182,8 +182,8 @@ struct ao_driver {
     int priv_size;
     const void *priv_defaults;
     const struct m_option *options;
+    const char *options_prefix;
     const struct m_sub_options *global_opts;
-    const char *legacy_prefix;
 };
 
 // These functions can be called by AOs.
diff --git a/options/m_config.c b/options/m_config.c
index dea7a4dd10..256e4653e7 100644
--- a/options/m_config.c
+++ b/options/m_config.c
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 
 #include "m_config.h"
 #include "options/m_option.h"
+#include "common/common.h"
 #include "common/global.h"
 #include "common/msg.h"
 #include "common/msg_control.h"
@@ -268,6 +269,39 @@ struct m_config *m_config_from_obj_desc_noalloc(void *talloc_ctx,
     return m_config_new(talloc_ctx, log, 0, desc->priv_defaults, desc->options);
 }
 
+static struct m_config_group *find_group(struct mpv_global *global,
+                                         const struct m_option *cfg)
+{
+    struct m_config_shadow *shadow = global->config;
+    struct m_config *root = shadow->root;
+
+    for (int n = 0; n < root->num_groups; n++) {
+        if (cfg && root->groups[n].group && root->groups[n].group->opts == cfg)
+            return &root->groups[n];
+    }
+
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+// Allocate a priv struct that is backed by global options (like AOs and VOs,
+// anything that uses m_obj_list.use_global_options == true).
+// The result contains a snapshot of the current option values of desc->options.
+// For convenience, desc->options can be NULL; then priv struct is allocated
+// with just zero (or priv_defaults if set).
+void *m_config_group_from_desc(void *ta_parent, struct mp_log *log,
+        struct mpv_global *global, struct m_obj_desc *desc, const char *name)
+{
+    struct m_config_group *group = find_group(global, desc->options);
+    if (group) {
+        return mp_get_config_group(ta_parent, global, group->group);
+    } else {
+        void *d = talloc_zero_size(ta_parent, desc->priv_size);
+        if (desc->priv_defaults)
+            memcpy(d, desc->priv_defaults, desc->priv_size);
+        return d;
+    }
+}
+
 static struct m_config_option *m_config_find_negation_opt(struct m_config *config,
                                                           struct bstr *name);
 
@@ -277,40 +311,8 @@ static int m_config_set_obj_params(struct m_config *config, struct mp_log *log,
 {
     for (int n = 0; args && args[n * 2 + 0]; n++) {
         bstr opt = bstr0(args[n * 2 + 0]);
-        const char *val = args[n * 2 + 1];
-        struct m_config_option *co = m_config_get_co(config, opt);
-        if (!co) {
-            co = m_config_find_negation_opt(config, &opt);
-            if (!co)
-                continue;
-
-            if (val && val[0])
-                return -1; // no parameter allowed
-
-            val = "no";
-        }
-        struct m_config *target = config;
-        bool is_legacy = co->opt->type == &m_option_type_subopt_legacy;
-        bool force_legacy = !!desc->legacy_prefix;
-        if (is_legacy || force_legacy) {
-            // Legacy: redirect deprecated sub-options to global ones.
-            char tmp[100];
-            const char *newopt;
-            if (is_legacy) {
-                newopt = co->opt->priv;
-            } else {
-                snprintf(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "%s-%.*s", desc->legacy_prefix,
-                         BSTR_P(opt));
-                newopt = tmp;
-            }
-            assert(global);
-            target = mp_get_root_config(global);
-            mp_warn(log, "Using suboptions is deprecated. Use the global '--%s' "
-                         "option instead of '%.*s' suboption.\n", newopt,
-                         BSTR_P(opt));
-            opt = bstr0(newopt);
-        }
-        if (m_config_set_option(target, opt, bstr0(val)) < 0)
+        bstr val = bstr0(args[n * 2 + 1]);
+        if (m_config_set_option(config, opt, val) < 0)
             return -1;
     }
 
@@ -334,21 +336,6 @@ struct m_config *m_config_from_obj_desc_and_args(void *ta_parent,
     if (m_config_set_obj_params(config, log, global, desc, args) < 0)
         goto error;
 
-    if (desc->legacy_prefix) {
-        assert(global);
-        struct m_config *root = mp_get_root_config(global);
-        // In this mode, the AO/VO will still access the options via its priv
-        // struct (like with real sub-options). We have to copy them over.
-        for (int n = 0; n < config->num_opts; n++) {
-            struct m_config_option *co = &config->opts[n];
-            char opt[100];
-            snprintf(opt, sizeof(opt), "%s-%s", desc->legacy_prefix, co->name);
-            struct m_config_option *g = m_config_get_co_raw(root, bstr0(opt));
-            assert(g);
-            m_option_copy(co->opt, co->data, g->data);
-        }
-    }
-
     return config;
 error:
     talloc_free(config);
@@ -457,34 +444,83 @@ static void add_sub_options(struct m_config *config,
     };
 
     struct m_config_option next = {
-        .name = parent ? parent->name : "",
+        .name = "",
         .group = group,
     };
+    if (parent && parent->name && parent->name[0])
+        next.name = parent->name;
+    if (subopts->prefix && subopts->prefix[0]) {
+        assert(next.name);
+        next.name = subopts->prefix;
+    }
     add_options(config, &next, new_optstruct, new_optstruct_def, subopts->opts);
 }
 
-static void add_global_subopts(struct m_config *config,
-                               const struct m_obj_list *list)
+#define MAX_VO_AO 16
+
+struct group_entry {
+    const struct m_obj_list *entry;
+    struct m_sub_options subs[MAX_VO_AO];
+    bool initialized;
+};
+
+static struct group_entry g_groups[2]; // limited by max. m_obj_list overall
+static int g_num_groups = 0;
+static pthread_mutex_t g_group_mutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
+
+static const struct m_sub_options *get_cached_group(const struct m_obj_list *list,
+                                                    int n, struct m_sub_options *v)
+{
+    pthread_mutex_lock(&g_group_mutex);
+
+    struct group_entry *group = NULL;
+    for (int i = 0; i < g_num_groups; i++) {
+        if (g_groups[i].entry == list) {
+            group = &g_groups[i];
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    if (!group) {
+        assert(g_num_groups < MP_ARRAY_SIZE(g_groups));
+        group = &g_groups[g_num_groups++];
+        group->entry = list;
+    }
+
+    if (!group->initialized) {
+        if (!v) {
+            n = -1;
+            group->initialized = true;
+        } else {
+            assert(n < MAX_VO_AO); // simply increase this if it fails
+            group->subs[n] = *v;
+        }
+    }
+
+    pthread_mutex_unlock(&g_group_mutex);
+
+    return n >= 0 ? &group->subs[n] : NULL;
+}
+
+static void init_obj_settings_list(struct m_config *config,
+                                   const struct m_obj_list *list)
 {
     struct m_obj_desc desc;
     for (int n = 0; ; n++) {
-        if (!list->get_desc(&desc, n))
+        if (!list->get_desc(&desc, n)) {
+            if (list->use_global_options)
+                get_cached_group(list, n, NULL);
             break;
+        }
         if (desc.global_opts)
             add_sub_options(config, NULL, desc.global_opts);
-        if (desc.legacy_prefix && desc.options) {
-            // Legacy: auto-add sub-options as global options (using the prefix).
-            struct m_config_option parent = {
-                .name = desc.legacy_prefix,
-                .group = 0,
-            };
-            struct m_sub_options *conf = talloc(config, struct m_sub_options);
-            *conf = (struct m_sub_options){
+        if (list->use_global_options && desc.options) {
+            struct m_sub_options conf = {
+                .prefix = desc.options_prefix,
                 .opts = desc.options,
                 .defaults = desc.priv_defaults,
                 .size = desc.priv_size,
             };
-            add_sub_options(config, &parent, conf);
+            add_sub_options(config, NULL, get_cached_group(list, n, &conf));
         }
     }
 }
@@ -560,9 +596,8 @@ static void m_config_add_option(struct m_config *config,
             init_opt_inplace(arg, co.data, co.default_data);
     }
 
-    // (The deprecation_message check is a hack to exclude --vo-defaults etc.)
-    if (arg->type == &m_option_type_obj_settings_list && !arg->deprecation_message)
-        add_global_subopts(config, (const struct m_obj_list *)arg->priv);
+    if (arg->type == &m_option_type_obj_settings_list)
+        init_obj_settings_list(config, (const struct m_obj_list *)arg->priv);
 
     if (arg->name[0]) // no own name -> hidden
         MP_TARRAY_APPEND(config, config->opts, config->num_opts, co);
diff --git a/options/m_config.h b/options/m_config.h
index 16eba317f0..1e199cacd9 100644
--- a/options/m_config.h
+++ b/options/m_config.h
@@ -134,6 +134,9 @@ struct m_config *m_config_from_obj_desc_and_args(void *ta_parent,
     struct mp_log *log, struct mpv_global *global, struct m_obj_desc *desc,
     const char *name, struct m_obj_settings *defaults, char **args);
 
+void *m_config_group_from_desc(void *ta_parent, struct mp_log *log,
+        struct mpv_global *global, struct m_obj_desc *desc, const char *name);
+
 // Make sure the option is backed up. If it's already backed up, do nothing.
 // All backed up options can be restored with m_config_restore_backups().
 void m_config_backup_opt(struct m_config *config, const char *opt);
diff --git a/options/m_option.c b/options/m_option.c
index 4ef5481ceb..6baa87c163 100644
--- a/options/m_option.c
+++ b/options/m_option.c
@@ -2719,7 +2719,8 @@ static int get_obj_param(struct mp_log *log, bstr opt_name, bstr obj_name,
 static int m_obj_parse_sub_config(struct mp_log *log, struct bstr opt_name,
                                   struct bstr name, struct bstr *pstr,
                                   struct m_config *config, int flags, bool nopos,
-                                  struct m_obj_desc *desc, char ***ret)
+                                  struct m_obj_desc *desc,
+                                  const struct m_obj_list *list, char ***ret)
 {
     int nold = 0;
     char **args = NULL;
@@ -2737,6 +2738,16 @@ static int m_obj_parse_sub_config(struct mp_log *log, struct bstr opt_name,
         r = split_subconf(log, opt_name, pstr, &fname, &fval);
         if (r < 0)
             goto exit;
+
+        if (list->use_global_options) {
+            mp_err(log, "Option %.*s: this option does not accept sub-options.\n",
+                   BSTR_P(opt_name));
+            mp_err(log, "Sub-options for --vo and --ao were removed from mpv in "
+                   "release 0.23.0.\nSee https://0x0.st/uM for details.\n");
+            r = M_OPT_INVALID;
+            goto exit;
+        }
+
         if (bstr_equals0(fname, "help"))
             goto print_help;
         r = get_obj_param(log, opt_name, name, config, fname, fval, flags,
@@ -2831,7 +2842,7 @@ static int parse_obj_settings(struct mp_log *log, struct bstr opt,
         struct m_config *config = m_config_from_obj_desc_noalloc(NULL, log, &desc);
         bstr s = bstr0(desc.init_options);
         m_obj_parse_sub_config(log, opt, str, &s, config,
-                               M_SETOPT_CHECK_ONLY, nopos, NULL, &plist);
+                               M_SETOPT_CHECK_ONLY, nopos, NULL, list, &plist);
         assert(s.len == 0);
         talloc_free(config);
     }
@@ -2841,7 +2852,7 @@ static int parse_obj_settings(struct mp_log *log, struct bstr opt,
         if (!skip)
             config = m_config_from_obj_desc_noalloc(NULL, log, &desc);
         r = m_obj_parse_sub_config(log, opt, str, pstr, config,
-                                   M_SETOPT_CHECK_ONLY, nopos, &desc,
+                                   M_SETOPT_CHECK_ONLY, nopos, &desc, list,
                                    _ret ? &plist : NULL);
         talloc_free(config);
         if (r < 0)
diff --git a/options/m_option.h b/options/m_option.h
index d784d8f54d..8faaad2133 100644
--- a/options/m_option.h
+++ b/options/m_option.h
@@ -117,6 +117,8 @@ struct m_obj_desc {
     const void *priv_defaults;
     // Options which refer to members in the private struct
     const struct m_option *options;
+    // Prefix for each of the above options (none if NULL).
+    const char *options_prefix;
     // For free use by the implementer of m_obj_list.get_desc
     const void *p;
     // If not NULL, options which should be set before applying other options.
@@ -132,10 +134,6 @@ struct m_obj_desc {
     const char *replaced_name;
     // For convenience: these are added as global command-line options.
     const struct m_sub_options *global_opts;
-    // Evil hack to essentially force-move .options to global_opts. All options
-    // will be added as global options with the given prefix, and using
-    // sub-options will be treated as deprecated and redirected.
-    const char *legacy_prefix;
 };
 
 // Extra definition needed for \ref m_option_type_obj_settings_list options.
@@ -151,6 +149,8 @@ struct m_obj_list {
     bool allow_unknown_entries;
     // This helps with confusing error messages if unknown flag options are used.
     bool disallow_positional_parameters;
+    // Each sub-item is backed by global options (for AOs and VOs).
+    bool use_global_options;
 };
 
 // Find entry by name
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ typedef int (*m_opt_string_validate_fn)(struct mp_log *log, const m_option_t *op
 
 // m_option.priv points to this if OPT_SUBSTRUCT is used
 struct m_sub_options {
+    const char *prefix;
     const struct m_option *opts;
     size_t size;
     const void *defaults;
@@ -714,12 +715,6 @@ extern const char m_option_path_separator;
                        .type = &m_option_type_subconfig,        \
                        .priv = (void*)&subconf)
 
-// Same as above, but for legacy suboption usage, which have no associated
-// field (no actual data anywhere).
-#define OPT_SUBSTRUCT_LEGACY(optname, subconf)                      \
-    {.name = optname, .offset = -1, .type = &m_option_type_subconfig,      \
-     .priv = (void*)&subconf}
-
 // Provide a another name for the option.
 #define OPT_ALIAS(optname, newname) \
     {.name = optname, .type = &m_option_type_alias, .priv = newname, \
diff --git a/options/options.c b/options/options.c
index 442c29297a..c57847bc28 100644
--- a/options/options.c
+++ b/options/options.c
@@ -150,8 +150,6 @@ const struct m_sub_options stream_cache_conf = {
 
 static const m_option_t mp_vo_opt_list[] = {
     OPT_SETTINGSLIST("vo", video_driver_list, 0, &vo_obj_list, ),
-    OPT_SETTINGSLIST("vo-defaults", vo_defs, 0, &vo_obj_list,
-                     .deprecation_message = "deprecated, use global options"),
     OPT_CHOICE_C("hwdec-preload", hwdec_preload_api, 0, mp_hwdec_names),
     OPT_SUBSTRUCT("sws", sws_opts, sws_conf, 0),
     OPT_FLAG("taskbar-progress", taskbar_progress, 0),
@@ -510,8 +508,6 @@ const m_option_t mp_opts[] = {
 
 //---------------------- libao/libvo options ------------------------
     OPT_SETTINGSLIST("ao", audio_driver_list, 0, &ao_obj_list, ),
-    OPT_SETTINGSLIST("ao-defaults", ao_defs, 0, &ao_obj_list,
-                     .deprecation_message = "deprecated, use global options"),
     OPT_STRING("audio-device", audio_device, UPDATE_AUDIO),
     OPT_FLAG("audio-exclusive", audio_exclusive, UPDATE_AUDIO),
     OPT_STRING("audio-client-name", audio_client_name, UPDATE_AUDIO),
diff --git a/options/options.h b/options/options.h
index 4ddf9d1490..fa2a96c3b2 100644
--- a/options/options.h
+++ b/options/options.h
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #include "common/common.h"
 
 typedef struct mp_vo_opts {
-    struct m_obj_settings *video_driver_list, *vo_defs;
+    struct m_obj_settings *video_driver_list;
 
     int taskbar_progress;
     int ontop;
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ typedef struct MPOpts {
 
     int auto_load_scripts;
 
-    struct m_obj_settings *audio_driver_list, *ao_defs;
+    struct m_obj_settings *audio_driver_list;
     char *audio_device;
     int audio_exclusive;
     char *audio_client_name;
diff --git a/video/out/opengl/video.c b/video/out/opengl/video.c
index 498d89259e..3bd67c29fe 100644
--- a/video/out/opengl/video.c
+++ b/video/out/opengl/video.c
@@ -428,95 +428,6 @@ const struct m_sub_options gl_video_conf = {
     .change_flags = UPDATE_RENDERER,
 };
 
-#define LEGACY_SCALER_OPTS(n)                \
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY(n, n),                           \
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY(n"-param1", n"-param1"),         \
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY(n"-param2", n"-param2"),         \
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY(n"-blur",   n"-blur"),           \
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY(n"-wparam", n"-wparam"),         \
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY(n"-clamp",  n"-clamp"),          \
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY(n"-radius", n"-radius"),         \
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY(n"-antiring", n"-antiring"),     \
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY(n"-window", n"-window")
-
-const struct m_sub_options gl_video_conf_legacy = {
-    .opts = (const m_option_t[]) {
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("dumb-mode", "opengl-dumb-mode"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("gamma", "opengl-gamma"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("gamma-auto", "gamma-auto"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("target-prim", "target-prim"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("target-trc", "target-trc"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("target-brightness", "target-brightness"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("hdr-tone-mapping", "hdr-tone-mapping"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("tone-mapping-param", "tone-mapping-param"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("pbo", "opengl-pbo"),
-        LEGACY_SCALER_OPTS("scale"),
-        LEGACY_SCALER_OPTS("dscale"),
-        LEGACY_SCALER_OPTS("cscale"),
-        LEGACY_SCALER_OPTS("tscale"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("scaler-lut-size", "scaler-lut-size"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("scaler-resizes-only", "scaler-resizes-only"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("linear-scaling", "linear-scaling"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("correct-downscaling", "correct-downscaling"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("sigmoid-upscaling", "sigmoid-upscaling"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("sigmoid-center", "sigmoid-center"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("sigmoid-slope", "sigmoid-slope"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("fbo-format", "opengl-fbo-format"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("dither-depth", "dither-depth"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("dither", "dither"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("dither-size-fruit", "dither-size-fruit"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("temporal-dither", "temporal-dither"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("temporal-dither-period", "temporal-dither-period"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("alpha", "alpha"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("rectangle-textures", "opengl-rectangle-textures"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("background", "background"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("interpolation", "interpolation"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("interpolation-threshold", "interpolation-threshold"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("blend-subtitles", "blend-subtitles"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("user-shaders", "opengl-shaders"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("deband", "deband"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("deband-iterations", "deband-iterations"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("deband-threshold", "deband-threshold"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("deband-range", "deband-range"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("deband-grain", "deband-grain"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("sharpen", "sharpen"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("icc-profile", "icc-profile"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("icc-profile-auto", "icc-profile-auto"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("icc-cache-dir", "icc-cache-dir"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("icc-intent", "icc-intent"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("icc-contrast", "icc-contrast"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("3dlut-size", "icc-3dlut-size"),
-
-        OPT_REMOVED("approx-gamma", "this is always enabled now"),
-        OPT_REMOVED("cscale-down", "chroma is never downscaled"),
-        OPT_REMOVED("scale-sep", "this is set automatically whenever sane"),
-        OPT_REMOVED("indirect", "this is set automatically whenever sane"),
-        OPT_REMOVED("srgb", "use target-prim=bt709:target-trc=srgb instead"),
-        OPT_REMOVED("source-shader", "use :deband to enable debanding"),
-        OPT_REMOVED("prescale-luma", "use opengl-shaders for prescaling"),
-        OPT_REMOVED("scale-shader", "use opengl-shaders instead"),
-        OPT_REMOVED("pre-shaders", "use opengl-shaders instead"),
-        OPT_REMOVED("post-shaders", "use opengl-shaders instead"),
-
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("lscale", "scale"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("lscale-down", "scale-down"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("lparam1", "scale-param1"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("lparam2", "scale-param2"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("lradius", "scale-radius"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("lantiring", "scale-antiring"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("cparam1", "cscale-param1"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("cparam2", "cscale-param2"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("cradius", "cscale-radius"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("cantiring", "cscale-antiring"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("smoothmotion", "interpolation"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("smoothmotion-threshold", "tscale-param1"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("scale-down", "dscale"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("fancy-downscaling", "correct-downscaling"),
-
-        {0}
-    },
-};
-
 static void uninit_rendering(struct gl_video *p);
 static void uninit_scaler(struct gl_video *p, struct scaler *scaler);
 static void check_gl_features(struct gl_video *p);
diff --git a/video/out/opengl/video.h b/video/out/opengl/video.h
index 54b7022f27..3b5f452bf4 100644
--- a/video/out/opengl/video.h
+++ b/video/out/opengl/video.h
@@ -137,7 +137,6 @@ struct gl_video_opts {
 };
 
 extern const struct m_sub_options gl_video_conf;
-extern const struct m_sub_options gl_video_conf_legacy;
 
 struct gl_video;
 struct vo_frame;
diff --git a/video/out/vo.c b/video/out/vo.c
index cbd2ca87c8..72a47af227 100644
--- a/video/out/vo.c
+++ b/video/out/vo.c
@@ -176,8 +176,8 @@ static bool get_desc(struct m_obj_desc *dst, int index)
         .priv_size = vo->priv_size,
         .priv_defaults = vo->priv_defaults,
         .options = vo->options,
+        .options_prefix = vo->options_prefix,
         .global_opts = vo->global_opts,
-        .legacy_prefix = vo->legacy_prefix,
         .hidden = vo->encode || !strcmp(vo->name, "opengl-cb"),
         .p = vo,
     };
@@ -196,6 +196,7 @@ const struct m_obj_list vo_obj_list = {
     .allow_unknown_entries = true,
     .allow_trailer = true,
     .disallow_positional_parameters = true,
+    .use_global_options = true,
 };
 
 static void dispatch_wakeup_cb(void *ptr)
@@ -214,7 +215,7 @@ static void dealloc_vo(struct vo *vo)
 }
 
 static struct vo *vo_create(bool probing, struct mpv_global *global,
-                            struct vo_extra *ex, char *name, char **args)
+                            struct vo_extra *ex, char *name)
 {
     assert(ex->wakeup_cb);
 
@@ -254,11 +255,9 @@ static struct vo *vo_create(bool probing, struct mpv_global *global,
     mp_input_set_mouse_transform(vo->input_ctx, NULL, NULL);
     if (vo->driver->encode != !!vo->encode_lavc_ctx)
         goto error;
-    vo->config = m_config_from_obj_desc_and_args(vo, vo->log, global, &desc,
-                                                 name, vo->opts->vo_defs, args);
-    if (!vo->config)
+    vo->priv = m_config_group_from_desc(vo, vo->log, global, &desc, name);
+    if (!vo->priv)
         goto error;
-    vo->priv = vo->config->optstruct;
 
     if (pthread_create(&vo->in->thread, NULL, vo_thread, vo))
         goto error;
@@ -283,8 +282,7 @@ struct vo *init_best_video_out(struct mpv_global *global, struct vo_extra *ex)
             if (strlen(vo_list[n].name) == 0)
                 goto autoprobe;
             bool p = !!vo_list[n + 1].name;
-            struct vo *vo = vo_create(p, global, ex, vo_list[n].name,
-                                      vo_list[n].attribs);
+            struct vo *vo = vo_create(p, global, ex, vo_list[n].name);
             if (vo)
                 return vo;
         }
@@ -296,7 +294,7 @@ autoprobe:
         const struct vo_driver *driver = video_out_drivers[i];
         if (driver == &video_out_null)
             break;
-        struct vo *vo = vo_create(true, global, ex, (char *)driver->name, NULL);
+        struct vo *vo = vo_create(true, global, ex, (char *)driver->name);
         if (vo)
             return vo;
     }
diff --git a/video/out/vo.h b/video/out/vo.h
index 99e6ccabae..724e03ca41 100644
--- a/video/out/vo.h
+++ b/video/out/vo.h
@@ -312,17 +312,16 @@ struct vo_driver {
     const void *priv_defaults;
 
     // List of options to parse into priv struct (requires priv_size to be set)
-    // Deprecated. Use global options or global_opts instead.
+    // This will register them as global options (with options_prefix), and
+    // copy the current value at VO creation time to the priv struct.
     const struct m_option *options;
 
-    // Global options to register if the VO is compiled in.
-    // mp_get_config_group() or other function can be used to access them.
-    const struct m_sub_options *global_opts;
+    // All options in the above array are prefixed with this string. (It's just
+    // for convenience and makes no difference in semantics.)
+    const char *options_prefix;
 
-    // Evil hack: add .options as global options, using the provided prefix.
-    // For further evilness, the options will be copied to the priv struct
-    // like with normal .options behavior.
-    const char *legacy_prefix;
+    // Registers global options that go to a separate options struct.
+    const struct m_sub_options *global_opts;
 };
 
 struct vo {
@@ -356,7 +355,6 @@ struct vo {
 
     struct m_config_cache *opts_cache; // cache for ->opts
     struct mp_vo_opts *opts;
-    struct m_config *config; // config for ->priv
 
     bool want_redraw;   // redraw as soon as possible
 
diff --git a/video/out/vo_direct3d.c b/video/out/vo_direct3d.c
index c99ea372f6..63de6fee4a 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_direct3d.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_direct3d.c
@@ -1747,5 +1747,5 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_direct3d = {
     .priv_size = sizeof(d3d_priv),
     .priv_defaults = &defaults,
     .options = opts,
-    .legacy_prefix = "vo-direct3d",
+    .options_prefix = "vo-direct3d",
 };
diff --git a/video/out/vo_drm.c b/video/out/vo_drm.c
index 7e642e391c..92357587c5 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_drm.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_drm.c
@@ -490,5 +490,4 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_drm = {
     .wait_events = wait_events,
     .wakeup = wakeup,
     .priv_size = sizeof(struct priv),
-    .legacy_prefix = "drm",
 };
diff --git a/video/out/vo_image.c b/video/out/vo_image.c
index f799a97fe9..e1bc1aab20 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_image.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_image.c
@@ -160,18 +160,6 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_image =
     .name = "image",
     .untimed = true,
     .priv_size = sizeof(struct priv),
-    .options = (const struct m_option[]) {
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("jpeg-quality", "vo-image-jpeg-quality"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("jpeg-smooth", "vo-image-jpeg-smooth"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("jpeg-source-chroma", "vo-image-jpeg-source-chroma"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("png-compression", "vo-image-png-compression"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("png-filter", "vo-image-png-filter"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("format", "vo-image-format"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("high-bit-depth", "vo-image-high-bit-depth"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("tag-colorspace", "vo-image-tag-colorspace"),
-        OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("outdir", "vo-image-outdir"),
-        {0},
-    },
     .preinit = preinit,
     .query_format = query_format,
     .reconfig = reconfig,
diff --git a/video/out/vo_null.c b/video/out/vo_null.c
index 39c1bf6361..fcf8dc9051 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_null.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_null.c
@@ -101,5 +101,5 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_null = {
         OPT_DOUBLE("fps", cfg_fps, M_OPT_RANGE, .min = 0, .max = 10000),
         {0},
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "vo-null",
+    .options_prefix = "vo-null",
 };
diff --git a/video/out/vo_opengl.c b/video/out/vo_opengl.c
index 2517ba7412..508ba9cda9 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_opengl.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_opengl.c
@@ -62,40 +62,13 @@ struct vo_opengl_opts {
     int pattern[2];
 };
 
-#define OPT_BASE_STRUCT struct vo_opengl_opts
-static const struct m_sub_options vo_opengl_conf = {
-    .opts = (const m_option_t[]) {
-        OPT_FLAG("opengl-glfinish", use_glFinish, 0),
-        OPT_FLAG("opengl-waitvsync", waitvsync, 0),
-        OPT_INT("opengl-swapinterval", swap_interval, 0),
-        OPT_CHOICE("opengl-dwmflush", dwm_flush, 0,
-                ({"no", -1}, {"auto", 0}, {"windowed", 1}, {"yes", 2})),
-        OPT_FLAG("opengl-dcomposition", allow_direct_composition, 0),
-        OPT_FLAG("opengl-debug", use_gl_debug, 0),
-        OPT_STRING_VALIDATE("opengl-backend", backend, 0,
-                            mpgl_validate_backend_opt),
-        OPT_FLAG("opengl-sw", allow_sw, 0),
-        OPT_CHOICE("opengl-es", es, 0, ({"no", -1}, {"auto", 0}, {"yes", 1})),
-        OPT_INTPAIR("opengl-check-pattern", pattern, 0),
-        OPT_INTRANGE("opengl-vsync-fences", vsync_fences, 0,
-                     0, NUM_VSYNC_FENCES),
-
-        {0}
-    },
-    .defaults = &(const struct vo_opengl_opts){
-        .swap_interval = 1,
-        .allow_direct_composition = 1,
-    },
-    .size = sizeof(struct vo_opengl_opts),
-};
-
 struct gl_priv {
     struct vo *vo;
     struct mp_log *log;
     MPGLContext *glctx;
     GL *gl;
 
-    struct vo_opengl_opts *opts;
+    struct vo_opengl_opts opts;
 
     struct gl_video *renderer;
 
@@ -133,7 +106,7 @@ static void resize(struct gl_priv *p)
 static void check_pattern(struct vo *vo, int item)
 {
     struct gl_priv *p = vo->priv;
-    int expected = p->opts->pattern[p->last_pattern];
+    int expected = p->opts.pattern[p->last_pattern];
     if (item == expected) {
         p->last_pattern++;
         if (p->last_pattern >= 2)
@@ -151,7 +124,7 @@ static void draw_frame(struct vo *vo, struct vo_frame *frame)
     struct gl_priv *p = vo->priv;
     GL *gl = p->gl;
 
-    if (gl->FenceSync && p->num_vsync_fences < p->opts->vsync_fences) {
+    if (gl->FenceSync && p->num_vsync_fences < p->opts.vsync_fences) {
         GLsync fence = gl->FenceSync(GL_SYNC_GPU_COMMANDS_COMPLETE, 0);;
         if (fence)
             p->vsync_fences[p->num_vsync_fences++] = fence;
@@ -159,7 +132,7 @@ static void draw_frame(struct vo *vo, struct vo_frame *frame)
 
     gl_video_render_frame(p->renderer, frame, gl->main_fb);
 
-    if (p->opts->use_glFinish)
+    if (p->opts.use_glFinish)
         gl->Finish();
 }
 
@@ -171,30 +144,30 @@ static void flip_page(struct vo *vo)
     mpgl_swap_buffers(p->glctx);
 
     p->frames_rendered++;
-    if (p->frames_rendered > 5 && !p->opts->use_gl_debug)
+    if (p->frames_rendered > 5 && !p->opts.use_gl_debug)
         gl_video_set_debug(p->renderer, false);
 
-    if (p->opts->use_glFinish)
+    if (p->opts.use_glFinish)
         gl->Finish();
 
-    if (p->opts->waitvsync || p->opts->pattern[0]) {
+    if (p->opts.waitvsync || p->opts.pattern[0]) {
         if (gl->GetVideoSync) {
             unsigned int n1 = 0, n2 = 0;
             gl->GetVideoSync(&n1);
-            if (p->opts->waitvsync)
+            if (p->opts.waitvsync)
                 gl->WaitVideoSync(2, (n1 + 1) % 2, &n2);
             int step = n1 - p->prev_sgi_sync_count;
             p->prev_sgi_sync_count = n1;
             MP_DBG(vo, "Flip counts: %u->%u, step=%d\n", n1, n2, step);
-            if (p->opts->pattern[0])
+            if (p->opts.pattern[0])
                 check_pattern(vo, step);
         } else {
             MP_WARN(vo, "GLX_SGI_video_sync not available, disabling.\n");
-            p->opts->waitvsync = 0;
-            p->opts->pattern[0] = 0;
+            p->opts.waitvsync = 0;
+            p->opts.pattern[0] = 0;
         }
     }
-    while (p->opts->vsync_fences > 0 && p->num_vsync_fences >= p->opts->vsync_fences) {
+    while (p->opts.vsync_fences > 0 && p->num_vsync_fences >= p->opts.vsync_fences) {
         gl->ClientWaitSync(p->vsync_fences[0], GL_SYNC_FLUSH_COMMANDS_BIT, 1e9);
         gl->DeleteSync(p->vsync_fences[0]);
         MP_TARRAY_REMOVE_AT(p->vsync_fences, p->num_vsync_fences, 0);
@@ -389,7 +362,6 @@ static int preinit(struct vo *vo)
     struct gl_priv *p = vo->priv;
     p->vo = vo;
     p->log = vo->log;
-    p->opts = mp_get_config_group(vo, vo->global, &vo_opengl_conf);
 
     int vo_flags = 0;
 
@@ -399,29 +371,29 @@ static int preinit(struct vo *vo)
     if (alpha_mode == 1)
         vo_flags |= VOFLAG_ALPHA;
 
-    if (p->opts->use_gl_debug)
+    if (p->opts.use_gl_debug)
         vo_flags |= VOFLAG_GL_DEBUG;
 
-    if (p->opts->es == 1)
+    if (p->opts.es == 1)
         vo_flags |= VOFLAG_GLES;
-    if (p->opts->es == -1)
+    if (p->opts.es == -1)
         vo_flags |= VOFLAG_NO_GLES;
 
-    if (p->opts->allow_sw)
+    if (p->opts.allow_sw)
         vo_flags |= VOFLAG_SW;
 
-    if (p->opts->allow_direct_composition)
+    if (p->opts.allow_direct_composition)
         vo_flags |= VOFLAG_ANGLE_DCOMP;
 
-    p->glctx = mpgl_init(vo, p->opts->backend, vo_flags);
+    p->glctx = mpgl_init(vo, p->opts.backend, vo_flags);
     if (!p->glctx)
         goto err_out;
     p->gl = p->glctx->gl;
 
-    p->glctx->dwm_flush_opt = p->opts->dwm_flush;
+    p->glctx->dwm_flush_opt = p->opts.dwm_flush;
 
     if (p->gl->SwapInterval) {
-        p->gl->SwapInterval(p->opts->swap_interval);
+        p->gl->SwapInterval(p->opts.swap_interval);
     } else {
         MP_VERBOSE(vo, "swap_control extension missing.\n");
     }
@@ -454,21 +426,7 @@ err_out:
     return -1;
 }
 
-static const struct m_option legacy_options[] = {
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("glfinish", "opengl-glfinish"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("waitvsync", "opengl-waitvsync"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("swapinterval", "opengl-swapinterval"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("dwmflush", "opengl-dwmflush"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("dcomposition", "opengl-dcomposition"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("debug", "opengl-debug"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("backend", "opengl-backend"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("sw", "opengl-sw"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("es", "opengl-es"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("check-pattern", "opengl-check-pattern"),
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("vsync-fences", "opengl-vsync-fences"),
-    OPT_SUBSTRUCT_LEGACY("", gl_video_conf_legacy),
-    {0},
-};
+#define OPT_BASE_STRUCT struct gl_priv
 
 const struct vo_driver video_out_opengl = {
     .description = "Extended OpenGL Renderer",
@@ -484,6 +442,28 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_opengl = {
     .wakeup = wakeup,
     .uninit = uninit,
     .priv_size = sizeof(struct gl_priv),
-    .options = legacy_options,
-    .global_opts = &vo_opengl_conf,
+    .options = (const m_option_t[]) {
+        OPT_FLAG("opengl-glfinish", opts.use_glFinish, 0),
+        OPT_FLAG("opengl-waitvsync", opts.waitvsync, 0),
+        OPT_INT("opengl-swapinterval", opts.swap_interval, 0),
+        OPT_CHOICE("opengl-dwmflush", opts.dwm_flush, 0,
+                ({"no", -1}, {"auto", 0}, {"windowed", 1}, {"yes", 2})),
+        OPT_FLAG("opengl-dcomposition", opts.allow_direct_composition, 0),
+        OPT_FLAG("opengl-debug", opts.use_gl_debug, 0),
+        OPT_STRING_VALIDATE("opengl-backend", opts.backend, 0,
+                            mpgl_validate_backend_opt),
+        OPT_FLAG("opengl-sw", opts.allow_sw, 0),
+        OPT_CHOICE("opengl-es", opts.es, 0, ({"no", -1}, {"auto", 0}, {"yes", 1})),
+        OPT_INTPAIR("opengl-check-pattern", opts.pattern, 0),
+        OPT_INTRANGE("opengl-vsync-fences", opts.vsync_fences, 0,
+                     0, NUM_VSYNC_FENCES),
+
+        {0}
+    },
+    .priv_defaults = &(const struct gl_priv){
+        .opts = {
+            .swap_interval = 1,
+            .allow_direct_composition = 1,
+        },
+    },
 };
diff --git a/video/out/vo_opengl_cb.c b/video/out/vo_opengl_cb.c
index c66f6d434c..85e06ff598 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_opengl_cb.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_opengl_cb.c
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ static void copy_vo_opts(struct vo *vo)
     // copy the struct with an assignment.
     // Just remove all the dynamic data to avoid confusion.
     struct mp_vo_opts opts = *vo->opts;
-    opts.video_driver_list = opts.vo_defs = NULL;
+    opts.video_driver_list = NULL;
     opts.winname = NULL;
     opts.sws_opts = NULL;
     p->ctx->vo_opts = opts;
@@ -529,13 +529,6 @@ static int preinit(struct vo *vo)
     return 0;
 }
 
-#define OPT_BASE_STRUCT struct vo_priv
-static const struct m_option options[] = {
-    OPT_SUBOPT_LEGACY("debug", "opengl-debug"),
-    OPT_SUBSTRUCT_LEGACY("", gl_video_conf_legacy),
-    {0},
-};
-
 const struct vo_driver video_out_opengl_cb = {
     .description = "OpenGL Callbacks for libmpv",
     .name = "opengl-cb",
@@ -548,5 +541,4 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_opengl_cb = {
     .flip_page = flip_page,
     .uninit = uninit,
     .priv_size = sizeof(struct vo_priv),
-    .options = options,
 };
diff --git a/video/out/vo_rpi.c b/video/out/vo_rpi.c
index acec865c6b..4824ac2616 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_rpi.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_rpi.c
@@ -933,5 +933,5 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_rpi = {
     .uninit = uninit,
     .priv_size = sizeof(struct priv),
     .options = options,
-    .legacy_prefix = "rpi",
+    .options_prefix = "rpi",
 };
diff --git a/video/out/vo_sdl.c b/video/out/vo_sdl.c
index 76f336ffeb..e32e89aaf3 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_sdl.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_sdl.c
@@ -1032,5 +1032,5 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_sdl = {
     .flip_page = flip_page,
     .wait_events = wait_events,
     .wakeup = wakeup,
-    .legacy_prefix = "sdl",
+    .options_prefix = "sdl",
 };
diff --git a/video/out/vo_vaapi.c b/video/out/vo_vaapi.c
index 0b741850b0..4aa1ef37df 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_vaapi.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_vaapi.c
@@ -696,5 +696,5 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_vaapi = {
         OPT_FLAG("scaled-osd", force_scaled_osd, 0),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "vo-vaapi",
+    .options_prefix = "vo-vaapi",
 };
diff --git a/video/out/vo_vdpau.c b/video/out/vo_vdpau.c
index 757c31e32f..eb89301e94 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_vdpau.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_vdpau.c
@@ -1164,5 +1164,5 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_vdpau = {
         OPT_REPLACED("output_surfaces", "output-surfaces"),
         {NULL},
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "vo-vdpau",
+    .options_prefix = "vo-vdpau",
 };
diff --git a/video/out/vo_wayland.c b/video/out/vo_wayland.c
index 6a7b18a6c5..37ab4c7858 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_wayland.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_wayland.c
@@ -677,6 +677,6 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_wayland = {
         OPT_FLAG("rgb565", use_rgb565, 0),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "vo-wayland",
+    .options_prefix = "vo-wayland",
 };
 
diff --git a/video/out/vo_xv.c b/video/out/vo_xv.c
index 1cc5b0197b..cbc64433ee 100644
--- a/video/out/vo_xv.c
+++ b/video/out/vo_xv.c
@@ -933,5 +933,5 @@ const struct vo_driver video_out_xv = {
         OPT_REMOVED("no-colorkey", "use ck-method=none instead"),
         {0}
     },
-    .legacy_prefix = "xv",
+    .options_prefix = "xv",
 };