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]

Thank you for bringing this to their attention! Look forward to updates

[Luke_H]

Thanks AntS! Least its being addressed

[JAMES4578]

Glad to see that some action is being taken to address the issue and hopefully improve the experience for customers.  Not that it affects me personally.

[LCDeez]

Ditto, thanks for bringing this to their attention. Maybe we'll get a fix sooner than later.

[jayh89]

Where do you find the latest software updates? Like, I know how to update my TV but if I want to know what each update does?

[JAMES4578]

---

@jayh89 wrote:
Where do you find the latest software updates? Like, I know how to update my TV but if I want to know what each update does?

---

Updates are often firstly available via uploading to USB from the Samsung  Support site https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/     However the purpose of the update is not displayed.

A change log is given on the US site but is generic.  For 2020 Tv's it states:

Model : Q950T, Q900T, Q850T, Q800T, Q90T, Q80T, Q8DT, Q70T, Q7DT, LS03T, LS01T
- Version : 1301.5
- Improved usability 1. Improved picture quality 2. Improved browser performance 3. Improved app performance 4. Improved stability 5. Improved usability of input devices.

The German community  seem to get more specifics at times but I do not yet see added information on 2020 models.    There is some detail on earlier models which I will link here as  I think best to have that   on seperate thread https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/tv/tv-firmware-changelogs-on-german-community 

[JAMES4578]

Hopefully some members will find this information beneficial.

[JAMES4578]

Had originally posted changelog directly here so now amended, now will post some information from German Moderator here  , if by any chance Moderators feel this is not the best place that is fine.

I do not recommend installing the software of another country on your TV. As far as I know, that's not possible either. In any case will not solve problems for instance with jerky pictures.

In general, there are global updates that can be installed over the air. And there are regional updates that can only be installed via USB. For example, if a higher number was displayed in France, it may be because it only deals with French issues. However, it may also appear in France first, because there is some problem that is particularly pressing and the same software will later be released later  in other markets.

DavidB
* Samsung Community Moderator

[JAMES4578]

Link to the German thread set up by  @ DavidB

is here https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/tv/aktuelle-changelogs 

[jayh89]

Thank you! How often are updates? I notice my TV is 1115 but there is a 1115.5 out but my TV doesn’t seem to find it?