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

[jayh89]

I’m confused. Some saying there are no issues. Some saying their is an issue. Wonder if it’s just a setting somewhere that needs adjusted on those saying VRR is broke?

[DUSKTILLDAWN]

With both freesync and GMP disabled can you check Xbox settings look at static grey background in settings others have seen same issue as me and posted here,during gameplay it's harder to notice but during menu it's there and makes freesync dark for me my brightness at 50 freesync HDR is not as bright as your 30 if you was in freesync HDR warzone

[CypherXCII]

I checked it but i dont have this problem. Can you take a pic perhabs?

[CypherXCII]

I've no Idea but my vrr doesnt look like its broken.

[AV2020]

Picture settings

Normal HD and 4K TV viewing:

Picture Mode: Movie

Picture Size Settings: 16:9 Standard and Fit to screen (ON)

Expert Settings:

Brightness: 22

Contrast: 45

Sharpness: 0

Colour: 25

Tint: 0

Apply Picture Settings: All Sources

Picture Clarity Settings: Off

Local Dimming: Standard

Contrast Enhancer: Off

Film Mode: Auto

Colour Tone: Warm2

Gamma: BT.1886

BT.1886: 0

Shadow Detail: 0

RGB Only Mode: Off

Colour Space Settings: Auto

The above settings are for normal viewing. For HDR Content, copy the above, but let the TV auto set the brightness and contrast to 50. Also set local dimming to High. And if you get black crush on scenes, then adjust the shadow detail slider to +5.

Game mode settings:

HGIG: Enabled for HDR Gaming

External Device Manager/Game Mode Settings

Game Mode: On

Dynamic Black Equalizer: 0

Game Motion Plus Settings: Off or it should be greay out anyway if VRR is on.

Picture Mode: Game (Should be greyed out)

Picture Size Settings: 16:9 Standard and Fit to screen (ON)

Expert Settings for non and HDR gaming:

Brightness: 25

Contrast: 45

Sharpness: 0

Colour: 25

Tint: 0

Local Dimming: High

Contrast Enhancer: Off

Colour Tone: Warm1

Gamma: BT.1886

BT.1886: 0

Shadow Detail: 0

RGB Only Mode: Off

Colour Space Settings: Auto

[jayh89]

Ignore

[QuantumP]

Picture settings

Normal HD and 4K TV viewing:

Picture Mode: Movie

Picture Size Settings: 16:9 Standard and Fit to screen (ON)

Expert Settings:

Brightness: 22

Contrast: 45

Sharpness: 0

Colour: 25

Tint: 0

Apply Picture Settings: All Sources

Picture Clarity Settings: Off

Local Dimming: Standard

Contrast Enhancer: Off

Film Mode: Auto

Colour Tone: Warm2

Gamma: BT.1886

BT.1886: 0

Shadow Detail: 0

RGB Only Mode: Off

Colour Space Settings: Auto

The above settings are for normal viewing, like Netflix and broadcast content. For HDR Content, copy the above, but let the TV auto set the brightness and contrast to 50. Also set local dimming to High. And if you get black crush on scenes, then adjust the shadow detail slider to +5.

Game mode settings:

HGIG: Enabled for HDR Gaming

External Device Manager/Game Mode Settings

Game Mode: On

Dynamic Black Equalizer: 0

Game Motion Plus Settings: Off or it should be greyed out anyway if VRR is on.

Picture Mode: Game (Should be greyed out)

Picture Size Settings: 16:9 Standard and Fit to screen (ON)

Expert Settings for non and HDR gaming:

Brightness: 25

Contrast: 45

Sharpness: 0

Colour: 25

Tint: 0

Local Dimming: High

Contrast Enhancer: Off

Colour Tone: Warm1

Gamma: BT.1886

BT.1886: 0

Shadow Detail: 0

RGB Only Mode: Off

Colour Space Settings: Auto

After setting the above game mode settings, also make sure you calibrate the HDR settings on your game console, like the HDR calibration app on PS4 and Xbox.

[jayh89]

Are these the ones you got professionally calibrated?

[QuantumP]

Yes, but I am not going to provide white balance and colour space values as every panel is different and should be left untouched if you do not have a colour meter.

[ad1994]

Can't for the life of me get the update to download. My USB won't work and either will my 'Check for Update'.