Google TV Streamer + Samsung TV Q90T / Q60T = HDR10+ issues

[tal_sarid]

Hi, I have a pretty weird and specific issue with two of my Google TV Streamers.

Every time I watch HDR10+ content while the frame-rate matching feature is on, I have a weird blinking on the outlines of stuff in the image, especially visible on text like in the subtitles. On the TV, it switches between the HDR10+ icon and the normal HDR icon again and again constantly and it also makes the TV UI super-slow while doing it, sometimes even completely unresponsive until I stop the playback.

My setup includes 4 TVs - Samsung Q90T, Q60T and two QN90B's and 4 streamers - CCwGTV 4K (2020), NVIDIA Shield TV (2017) and two new GTVS's.

I did some digging and this is what I found out so far:

1. The issue happens on both of my GTVS I have, specifically with the Samsung Q60T and Q90T but not with the QN90B. Both the CCwGTV and NVIDIA Shield streamers work fine with all 4 TVs without the said issue.

2. It happens on several apps like Netflix, Plex and Jellyfin.

3. It only occurs when on 24Hz but not on 60Hz when frame-rate matching is off (@ 4K resolution). So I think it is not related to some bandwidth issues between the TV and the streamer.

4. It doesn't occur on all HDR content, it seems to be affecting only HDR10+ content specifically.

5. I tried different cables to no avail. I tried the one that came with the NVIDIA Shield TV and the several new Club3D CAC-1372 cables.

6. The software is fully updated on all TVs and streamers. On the GTVS the software build is UTTK.250305.003.

Does it happen to you too? Any advice?

[Derickf]

Hi @tal_sarid,

Thank you for posting in the community. I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing issues with your two new Google TV Streamers when playing HDR10+ content with frame matching, leading to constant HDR mode switching and a slow or frozen TV interface. I appreciated the steps you tried to solve the problem and all the relevant information shared. I'm happy to assist.

To gather the necessary information, please answer the following questions:

• When did the issue start?
• Were there any changes in your TV settings prior to the issue?
• Are both the Google Home app and your streaming apps updated to the latest version?
• Are the Google TV Streamer devices plugged in directly to the modem or connected via Wi-Fi?
• Have you tried rebooting your TV and Google TV Streamer devices?
• Have you attempted a factory reset of the Google TV Streamers' data?
• Does the issue occur during casting or when streaming directly from your Google TV Streamer device on the TV?
• Have you tried plugging the Google TV Streamer device into other HDMI ports on the same TV?

I'll be waiting for your reply.

Best regards.

Derick.

[tal_sarid]

Hi Derick,

As a side note, when I wrote "frame matching" in OP, I've meant "frame-rate matching" of course, my mistake.

• Q: When did the issue start?
  A: From the moment I got the GTVS. I have two of them that I bought separately and both has the issue.
• Q: Were there any changes in your TV settings prior to the issue?
  A: Nothing special aside from enabling "Input Signal Plus" which enables 4K @ 60Hz HDR (without it, the video output is limited to 4K @ 30Hz). This option is sometimes enabled by default when plugging the GTVS to the TV for the first time (it also does that with CCwGTV 4K).
• Q: Are both the Google Home app and your streaming apps updated to the latest version?
  A: Yes.
• Q: Are the Google TV Streamer devices plugged in directly to the modem or connected via Wi-Fi?
  A: I'm using an Ethernet cable connected to both of the streamers. Internet speed test on the streamers shows ~900Mbps.
• Q: Have you tried rebooting your TV and Google TV Streamer devices?
  A: Of course, including disconnecting from AC power. The issue persists.
• Q: Have you attempted a factory reset of the Google TV Streamers' data?
  A: No, but again, this issue started from the scratch with two brand new GTVS I have and two TVs I have. Later software updates I got since I bought them didn't resolve the issue either and both of them doesn't have the issue when connected to a different TV (which is not the Samsung Q60T or Q90T). I also have a CCwGTV 4K (2020) that doesn't have the issue with any of my TVs.
• Q: Does the issue occur during casting or when streaming directly from your Google TV Streamer device on the TV?
  A: I didn't try casting HDR10+ content so far, if it is even possible. The issue occurred to me when streaming directly from my GTVS while using apps like Netflix, Plex and Jellyfin.
• Q: Have you tried plugging the Google TV Streamer device into other HDMI ports on the same TV?
  A: Yes, tried all ports and it didn't help unfortunately.

Thanks for reaching back,
Tal

[Derickf]

Hi there!

Thanks for your reply; the information you provide will help us to keep improving the experience with Google TV Streamer devices.

Our team would like to learn more about this behavior. When you have a moment, please fill out a report using the Google Home app by following the steps below:

1. Make sure the mobile device or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network or signed in or linked to the same account as the Google Nest, Home, or Google Streaming device.
2. Open the Google Home app.
3. Tap, then hold the device’s tile.
4. Select Settings and then Recognition & Sharing.
5. Enable Reporting: Turn on Send Google TV Streamer device usage and crash reports to Google.
6. Please use the keyword "Google TV Streamer + Samsung TV Q90T / Q60T = HDR10+ issues" in your report.

I hope this information helps.

Best regards,

Derick.

[tal_sarid]

Unfortunately I didn't have the option "Send Google TV Streamer device usage and crash reports to Google." visible in my Google Home app so I submitted a feedback instead from the device itself while attaching logs and a full bug report. I included the requested phrase in the summary of the feedback as requested. 

Thanks and waiting for your response, 

Tal

[tal_sarid]

Hi Derick,

I discovered that this bug has been plaguing the Samsung Q90T (and probably the Q60T and maybe more 2020 Samsung TVs) for several years with the Amazon Firestick Max too, which has the same MediaTek chipset as the Google TV Streamer. See the comments here that describe that same phenomena: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/2020-samsung-q90t-owners-thread-no-price-talk.3138076/page-672?post...

Pay attention that while the Q90T and Q60T have problems with other streamers too, the HDR10+ & frame rate matching works great on them with the older Google Chromecast with Google TV 4K (which has Amlogic chipset instead) so the TVs alone are not to blame here. Is there any chance to investigate this compatibility issue with the said TVs and the MediaTek chipset? Maybe a chipset firmware patch might finally fix this old issue.

Thanks,
Tal