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

[AZGreg]

I'm also getting the faint upward scrolling lines in game mode with game motion plus turned off 😕

[Suriya]

I would say you're seeing a better black which is equivalent to the movie mode because you kept gamma-3 and shadow detail-3 you should have keep both of these settings to default before taking photos for comparisons between game-mode local dimming vs outside game-mode.

And you definitely going to miss more details by keeping gamma and Shadow details low. More than 25 color is really oversaturated. I think default game-mode settings looks absolutely fine.

If you need a cleaner natural look on game-mode just you have to turn

contrast enhancer OFF,

color space to Auto,

Color tone to warm 2.

This is exactly what the game meant to be.

For me all default settings on game-mode looks excellent in my q95t

[CypherXCII]

I notice (also before the new update) with Netflix and even blu-ray movies (slightly) dark scenes with some lighting that the image is a bit snowy, pixelated. How do you avoid this? maybe with certain settings? Right calibration? My settings for Netflix/blu-ray

Filmmakermode

Brightness: 50

Contrast: 50

Sharpness: 0

Color: 25

Tint G/R: 0

Image sharpness settings: Auto

Local dimming: Low

Contrast enhancer: Low

Color tone: Warm 1

[Soccercrazy1]

I have those settings for both on and off for shadow detail and gamma. They were the exact same settings. Truthfully I did not go back and edit those since the update but I will go check it out now that local dimming is better.

[AV2020]

Everyone, whatever you do, do not use soccercrazys picture settings. They are a legit way to ruin the picture. They are the worst settings I have ever come across and he is not viewing an accurate picture at all. But if he likes that sort of thing then it is up to him. But they are terrible and gamma and colours are all messed up and things in minus values like shadow details etcc.. Awful. 

That is not how you set a picture up correctly. I can post mine later on today as mine has been professionally calibrated and looks stunning. Plus I have a spears and munsil calibration disc to check the correct settings. 

For those who are complaining that game mode vrr is dark. I do not have this issue with my Xbox one x. It looks stunning and perfect. 

[Soccercrazy1]

I never said they are natural and said it's just how I like it. Getting calibrated means you got the white balance done for you which I have not done. I am looking for a more vibrant bright picture with lots of contrast. Maybe it's something I'm craving coming from OLED. Looking forward to your settings.

[Suriya]

There is no way to calibrate game-mode because 100/120 points white balance will never visible under game-mode picture settings. 

[jayh89]

Interesting to see some of you use "warm1/2" for colour in game mode. I prefer "standard" I think... What are these vertical lines people are talking about? Is this an issue with VRR/freesync on xbox? I use PS4 Pro at the mo and these potential VRR issues are a worry for PS5.

[DUSKTILLDAWN]

Yes with.vrr on its way too dark and I don't mean I just need to adjust my eyes dark ,with game motion plus off games look fine but my Xbox dash which is grey and static,or any grey to black background ,has scrolling lines continuously others have seen them I'm not blind,because of these issues I'm forced to use GMP with 1notch for colour return,as that looks great ,but GMP off scrolling lines on dash ,freesync HDR way to dark ,don't forget I don't think PS4 people have freesync HDR , therefore messes up hgig pic aswell,so yes I'd be worried as I have edge lit q60r here from last year and not sane issues HDR freesync on that is nice ,but overall tvsTV is dimmer than q90t

[jayh89]

Is VRR too dark with GMP off or on? Or both?