2020 QLED T models (Q80T, Q90T, Q800T, Q900T) HDR game mode brightness / local dimming bug

[Rauttis]

I bought a Q80T a couple of days ago and have noticed a really annoying issue when using the tv with the combination of HDR and game mode.

I'm fairly certain this is a software bug in the TV since I can reproduce this issue with 100% accuracy, and it happens on the dot at the same moment every time. It's basically on a timer.

Basically when the game is displaying a HDR signal and game mode is enabled, exactly after 6 minutes the brightness of the TV suddenly drops by around 20 (50 -> 30). The value of brightness setting doesn't actually change however. Messing with the brightness setting does not restore the brightness to it's original state, but changing the local dimming setting from standard to low and then back to standard does. Switching game mode off and then back on also fixes the issue, but then it happens again EXACTLY after 6 minutes (I've timed this with a stopwatch).

Has anyone else experienced this issue? Or can someone maybe test this on their TV to see if you can reproduce it?

Exact repro steps on how I can reproduce this 100% of the time on the PS4 Pro:

1. Set brightness to max (50)
2. Set local dimming to standard (bug happens on high as well)
3. Enable game mode
4. Turn off game motion plus
5. Turn off intelligent mode and all the brightness related settings in eco settings, as these can influence the brightness level of the tv.
6. Launch a game that runs in HDR
7. Start your stopwatch
8. Do whatever you want in the game or you can also go back to PS4 menus, find a bright scene where you can notice a brightness drop easily
9. When the stopwatch hits 6 minutes, you should see the TVs brightness suddenly drop by a large amount. By eye the brightness drop seems about equal to dropping the brightness from 50 -> 30 by hand.
10. Go to picture settings and set local dimming to low (brightness does not change)
11. Set local dimming back to standard (brightness suddenly jumps to the original level. Brightness can be restored by switching input away and back as well, or by disabling and re-enabling game mode)
12. And again after EXACTLY 6 minutes the bug again repeats and the brightness drops down again

Some other notes: The PS4 has a screensaver that basically dims the screen if it is idle for a while. This is not the cause of this, this happens even when the console is in active use and the brightness can be restored temporarily by changing the local dimming setting like described above. I have not managed to reproduce this issue with game mode off, so it seems to be related to game mode.

Software version: 1304

[Xxspawnxx]

I bought this q90t because i thought IT would be a great TV for gamer. And now this. I think about to buy the cx 9 indeed.

[Dylan_1]

It sucks. This tv is so good and this is the only thing ruining it for me. And they are taking no initiative to fix it. 

[Dylan_1]

Will this ever get fix. Please fix it. 

[jdk2087]

It’s a real bummer because aside from the CX the Q line(some of them) is absolutely killer for next gen consoles when they drop in November. I was either going with the 65” CX or the 75” Q80T. I ultimately went with the Samsung because I wanted bigger and my living room has a lot of windows/light. I hope/wish they fix this so I can I completely enjoy this tv. 

[Suriya]

I have CX it's nothing when it's come to the gaming picture quality. Apart from PC users vrr,FrSnc,Gsnc it's nothing just crushing blacks. If you're a console gamer and care about gaming picture quality like other presets definitely q95t is the best choice because of buggy firmware with game-mode dimming and rainbow tints everyone started to hate this

[NoobNoob]

I think I'll take the Sony X900H 55". It looks a bit lower than the Samsung Q80T 55" but it's also cheaper, and I haven't seen anyone complaining about a bug like this for this model.

I would like an Oled, but the price is higher and I saw that there were risks of burns, it is not ideal for gaming as I will do.

Too bad for Samung, it's quite annoying to see this kind of bug, especially if it's present on models from more than two years ago...

And thank you for this topic and for your messages (here and on differents reviews and videos Youtube I saw) to warn future buyers like me of this issue.

I sincerely hope that an update will come out with a fix so that you can all enjoy your TV properly.

[Mordechai]

Hey there, the Sony X900H was my go to alternative as well but beware - it does not have Sonys X-Wide Viewing Angle so the colors will wash out from any viewing angle that isnt directly in front of the TV.

[NoobNoob]

Hello ! Yeah, thanks for the info, that's what I saw too. But unfortunately it is also the only one which has HDMI 2.1 ports and which will be ready for next gen consoles from what I have seen (with a future update).
Too bad the Sony X950H does not have these HDMI 2.1 ports, otherwise I would have chosen this one I think.

[Q80T]

I have a brightness bug in games check out video to see if you have the same issue.

[Xxspawnxx]

Got an e-mail. They work on the problem.

I hope so.