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

[MJ1931]

Somebody Auto colour is terrible, game mode default is native (SDR & HDR) say no more

[AV2020]

It should be left on auto, it will detect the incoming signal and produce the correct colors based in the information it's receiving. Native just basically overrides the signal and sets the colors the TVs native specs which can lead to oversaturation.

[AV2020]

It is your TV. Enjoy what suits you. 😉

[MJ1931]

I just think that samsung dont use auto colour as default for game mode on their flagship Q850 whatever 8K TV 11 grand that says it all to me, okay lets just agree that dynamic is the worse thing ever in mankind

[Soccercrazy1]

I see alot of arguing on picture settings which is the reason why I didn't want to post mine to start with. You will always have the "Natural" purist and the ones looking for a true HDR wow factor. Let's keep this thread about the problems because everyone will enjoy there own tv the way they want.

I also have very dark VRR and the colors are wonky.

[jayh89]

Agreed with soccerboy. One last question, do people use standard or warm1/2 for games? And why? 

[MJ1931]

This is about your problems but sort of brings up picture settings, is contrast enhancer off?

[MJ1931]

Standard, best white whites for me

[MJ1931]

Imagine a documentary about antartica, if you use warm2 it looks like the penguins are walking in the sahara desert, no more picture talk now.

[AZGreg]

Imagine actually believing that auto color space is bad and native is the way to go. People like that are the exact reasons stores set their displays to the wonky inaccurate settings they do. A sucker is born every minute, I guess.