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]

Samsung have calibrated their game mode how they see fit using all consoles as guinea pigs, my guess is using calibration tools better than some geezer in a van who charges you 100 quid.

[AV2020]

MJ1931 you clearly are a troll. A geezer in a van? Look up Dci-P3 bt1886 and rec2020 calibration.

Enjoy your incorrect out of the box wrong settings. You probably have your TV on dynamic mode too😂

You are basically arguing against film directors, game developers, game console makers and creators of HDR and the different colour standards. Just because you believe the out of the box settings are correct as Samsung set them like that. You even have artificial sharpening on LOL. 

Basically you are saying all professional reviewers are wrong too LOL

Enjoy your loss of detail with contrast enhancer on and blown out highlights.

And Suriya you haven't got a clue either. Native expands the colour space beyond the details the picture is receiving. But yeah you think over saturation is good. 🤣

[MJ1931]

TV Filmmaker Mode (Default), then just 3 adjustments

Game Mode (Default)

One of you guys made 8 adjustments to game mode, that is way out i`m sorry

[MJ1931]

One of you guys was messing with gamma, shadow detail, local dimming on game mode WTF

[AV2020]

There is no content to take advantage of film maker mode at the moment. It is early tech. 

[AV2020]

Let's agree to disagree. It is pointless. 

[AV2020]

If you want genuine answers. Then Google is your friend and will educate you. 

[MJ1931]

Movie was the best and only preset to use, but Filmmaker Mode is completely stripped back to raw image then you build it up how see fit, but the raw image still coming through is pure you basically just raise brightness a bit.

[AZGreg]

I use Warm1 thank you very much. Again, console manufacturers recommend that as well. Warm2 is a little much for gaming IMO.

But dynamic contrast enhancements are a relic from older TVs with lower nits. These TVs don’t need it. All you’re doing is blowing out details. Go play a game that has blue skies and various levels of white clouds. Turn contrast enhancer off and I guarantee you’ll get more detail in the sky then you had with contrast enhancer on high.

Then again, this is probably all wasted on someone who leaves sharpness at 10 🤣

[MJ1931]

Just done a lap of the nurbergring norschleif (6 minutes 29 secs) just thought I would get that out there

Default is gorgeous the blue of the sky to the green of the trees that line the track, it looks dull like its overcast without contrast enhancer