10-05-2020 11:59 PM - last edited 05-08-2020 05:09 PM
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:
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
07-07-2020 08:13 PM
Just a heads up, using the service menu could void your warranty. I would let the support team do it but I wouldn't mess with it yourself.
07-07-2020 09:23 PM
If Samsung concluded a customer had caused a fault by inadvertently changing something on the service menu, yes that likely would invalidate the warranty.
I do not work for Samsung or make Samsung Products but provide independent advice and valuable contributions.
07-07-2020 09:44 PM
Hi everyone - I was experiencing the exact same issue. GM reduces the brightness substantially, which makes games like COD virutally unplayed during the day. I turned off VRR on my console, and it fixed the brightness issue.
That said, it's not a fix. I bought this TV for VRR and other enhancements for a better gaming experience. Turning off VRR is not a solution - it's merely a bandaid fix till Samsung rolls out a proper solution.
Hopefully, changing the VRR feature will increase your TV's brightness as well. I found it completely by accident, and thought I would share.
07-07-2020 09:49 PM
07-07-2020 10:10 PM
Um, VRR negates Game Mode. You can't have both GM and VRR on together. At least, that's what people on AVS lead me to believe. VRR and Freesync should be a separate thing no?
07-07-2020 10:13 PM
VRR and Game Motion Plus cannot be activated at the same time. Game Mode is activated automatically even with VRR. Turning off VRR doesn't dim my brightness anymore. I played for about an hour today, and didn't experience this issue.
07-07-2020 10:16 PM
07-07-2020 10:17 PM
07-07-2020 10:18 PM
Yikes, this is potentially a TV ruining issue then. Next gen consoles will all have this dimming bug while using VRR and this pretty much means a class action lawsuit coming down because everyone will be using VRR on the new consoles. Big oof, really bad look.
07-07-2020 10:19 PM
Gave it a google and no, only Xbox supports it. It might be a bandaid for Xbox users! Sadly not others 😞