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2020 QLED T models (Q80T, Q90T, Q800T, Q900T) HDR game mode brightness / local dimming bug

(Topic created on: 10-05-2020 11:59 PM)
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Rauttis
Explorer
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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

2,028 REPLIES 2,028
Iskandarkebab
Pioneer
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Btw, have you noticed difference between standard and high local dimming? Because, at least with games, I ser no difference.

jayh89
Helping Hand
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Nah I can't see any difference between standard and high. I use standard generally. 

jayh89
Helping Hand
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Although, just to clarify. I have only really saw the global dimming happen on HDR game mode with GMP off. It doesn't appear to happen when not using HDR. 

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RouDeR
Pathfinder
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It happens outside of Game Mode for me when using Local Dimming set to High

jayh89
Helping Hand
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Ah. I’ve not tried that. Hopefully Samsung know what they’re looking for to fix it!
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Iskandarkebab
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Yup, It also happens in HDR content, including streaming platforms. 

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jayh89
Helping Hand
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Can’t say I’ve noticed that! And I’ve watched HDR Netflix... I certainly see it in games.
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Branjo
Student
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Hey guys, I am having the same issue also. For me I notice it only happens while on my PlayStation (using game mode) . If I watch Netflix thru the Netflix app on the tv there is no problem however if I watch Netflix thru the PlayStation game mode enabled it does this awful dimming . I have called the support and had it looked at by a level 2 agent and they remote connected and made some changes but it's still happening . Waiting on another call from them to let them know it's still happening . 

jayh89
Helping Hand
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This is exactly the same for me. Thankfully, the Samsung folk are looking in to it and we can all hope for a fix soon! I don't think any Samsung person from support can help on an individual basis at the moment, as it really looks like a firmware issue on all QLED TVs.
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RouDeR
Pathfinder
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@Branjo 

Hey man, can you record with a phone/camera your next support session, just in case if it works so we can know what to adjust in the service menu?

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