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 won't hold my breath... but thanks for the info.

[Keitoki]

don't buy it dude... so much problems (dimming and ghosting) keep your $ for a good tv.

[Alieksij]

An update will come, eventually. If it’ll fix anything, is a different story.

[Snir4]

May I ask where you got the information from the update on 26? And with you have something to show that you are based on? I'm waiting for this update like oxygen ... I hope to get some relief

[Suriya]

Go back few pages to see where I'm getting informations 

[jdk2087]

Suriya, I thank you for all the information you’ve provided. I would like to think you didn’t go out of your way to fake all those emails. Which I don’t think you did. Because that’s time consuming and would be dumb especially about a software issue on a tv. BUT, it really is looking like you need to blast this dude on Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, etc. If we have proof that it’s an actual Samsung employee and it gets out that they know about the issue but aren’t resolving it.....then things would start moving. 

I understand it’s not even the remotely the right thing to do. But, so is acknowledging a widely known issue on a product that is thousands of dollars and not fixing it. *Especially* when a Samsung engineer tech can 100% reproduce it with the steps given by OP. 

[LCDeez]

As long as they fix this before the PS5 rollout, I can be patient. The moment the console is out and this isn’t fixed, I’m getting a refund through my warranty. 

[Suriya]

Its not from emails. Samsung officials contacted overseas developers and confirmed

[daparky]

Yep, i'm in the market for new TV and the q90t seems like the perfect choice for next gen console but sitting on the fence until these issues get fixed. Samsung have just under 2 months to sort it otherwise i'll probably end up getting Sony X900H (XH90) or the LG CX.

[QuantumP]

Sure... 

No digital proof of your communications with them and apparently you speak to them on the phone and they speak to the overseas developers on your behalf. 

Funny that as ChrisM who is a support moderator on here says they cannot confirm when the next update is. 

So why would these Samsung officials tell you and not ChrisM who works for Samsung and liaises with their customers. 

Seems convenient that you do not have email proof of your statements. And we have to take your word for it.

And now you have plucked another random date out of thin air. The 26th....

You are either a strange troll or being trolled by these "Samsung officials"

Yes, I agree you have issues with your TV along with others. But this "I am important act with insider information" is rather strange.