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

[CypherXCII]

I'm from the Netherlands and i contacted Samsung support today and they were aware of the dimming bug only they couldn't tell when there is an update for the problem

[Djf2884]

Tired of waiting, I've returned my q80t and my q800t sound bar to replace them by sony hardware, x900h and zf9.

Samsung never again for me.

[jayh89]

I just had this conversation with Samsung UK/EU 2 mins ago... see the pic. 

[Keitoki]

it's good bro, stay away from scamsung,  sadly i can't return my tv/sound bar...

Scamsung never again

[Suriya]

Maybe not everyone on samsung as chatting support could know this right? I'm 100% sure samsung know about this issue which is confirmed by UAE samsung technical team head 2 months before he personally contacted me and confirmed that overseas developers are alerted about this bug. And they have the beta version of upcoming update primarily for game-mode improvements and bug fixing and which they hope it'll fix everything. They're waiting for the approval from samsung overseas to install it on my TV to close the complaint which has been opened for more than 3 months. 

[daparky]

If you're waiting that long for a ticket to get resolved, i think it's time to give up?

I might end up going with the Sony X900H or just wait for next years model. I have a KS8000 which works perfectly in game mode so waiting 12 months aint gonna hurt.

[Suriya]

Currently there is no TV to stand nearly to q95t. Have tried everything in my apartment somebody has x900h which i used to play same titles on ps4 pro and i have just replaced my b9 oled in another room to cx 55. trust me after using q95t for some days both tv seems dim/dull washed-out picture on game-mode. And the complaint was opened three months before but the beta update information came on sep beginning only between they have tried multiple times physically to fix this but they couldn't. but if the upcoming update didn't fix the dimming bug I'm going to claim refund. i have pre-orderd ps5 before that i have to make a decision.

[jayh89]

Where are you getting such in depth info? Nobody I’ve spoken to seems to have a clue. You’re the ONLY one getting info apparently. 

[QuantumP]

😂😂😂 Sure, naive is an understatement for you.

[QuantumP]

Exactly. No official would communicate with the general public with that in depth information. I think Suriya is a troll.