Possible, but nothing’s ever for certain. We’ve seen input-lag improvements with firmware updates on last year’s QLEDS, OLEDS and a few others as well though. It usually doesn’t get worse, only better from what I’ve seen if that’s something that you’re worried about ;)

However something’s weird with the QxxTs though: Game Mode is overly-bright (like, gamma-wise) but the second you enable freesync and send a VRR signal: the image is a LOT darker again.

Jul 21, 2020 02:33 AM By KindOldRaven

60

However something’s weird with the QxxTs though: Game Mode is overly-bright (like, gamma-wise) but the second you enable freesync and send a VRR signal: the image is a LOT darker again.

I noticed with the xbox one x that VRR is only actually used if the resolution is set to 4k (based on re-selecting the source on the Q80T which displays the resolution and refresh rate in the top right corner for a few seconds). Same with HDR.

On 1080p and 1440p resolutions, even though the xbox has “Allow Variable Frame Rate” enabled, the TV never gets it. It stays at the fixed refresh rate, and HDR is not used.

When 4k is enabled, VRR is enabled and HDR is enabled. I can tell the image appears darker (better) when HDR is in use. I’ve seen this on both Call of Duty Modern Warfare and Gears 5, both games that support 4k HDR.

I am currently playing on 1080p @ 120hz fixed, because that is the lowest input lag of about 5ms. I would like to go to 4k with VRR and HDR if the input lag would stay below 10ms, because the visuals are stunning. With a FPS like Call of Duty Modern Warfare I do notice a difference between the 15ms and 5ms input lag, my shots hit right during fast action sequences when running at the lower input lag and my overall playing performance and reaction times are much better. I hope the input lag at 4k with VRR improves with either a firmware update or when using an HDMI 2.1 source like the Xbox Series X, it doesnt seem right that it would be that much worse on the higher resolution on a 120hz native box like the Q80T.

There is a newer firmware version out as of June 22, 2020, version 1301. I wonder if RTINGS could retest this set on this newer firmware version.

I think it’s simply because they are using 120Hz modes to test VRR in 1080p and 1440p, but 60Hz mode in 4K. 120Hz has about 50% of the latency on this TV.

It is a bit strange, we don’t know why it’s doing this though. We’ll retest it with future test bench updates, it’s possible that it’ll be fixed. @mjnichol, the issue isn’t the difference between the input lag at 4k vs. 1080p and 1440p with VRR, it’s that enabling VRR with 1080p and 1440p signals reduced the input lag, whereas at 4k it increased the input lag.

Jul 21, 2020 09:06 AM By OP rkneeshaw

16

I noticed with the xbox one x that VRR is only actually used if the resolution is set to 4k (based on re-selecting the source on the Q80T which displays the resolution and refresh rate in the top right corner for a few seconds). Same with HDR.
On 1080p and 1440p resolutions, even though the xbox has “Allow Variable Frame Rate” enabled, the TV never gets it. It stays at the fixed refresh rate, and HDR is not used. When 4k is enabled, VRR is enabled and HDR is enabled. I can tell the image appears darker (better) when HDR is in use. I’ve seen this on both Call of Duty Modern Warfare and Gears 5, both games that support 4k HDR. I am currently playing on 1080p @ 120hz fixed, because that is the lowest input lag of about 5ms. I would like to go to 4k with VRR and HDR if the input lag would stay below 10ms, because the visuals are stunning. With a FPS like Call of Duty Modern Warfare I do notice a difference between the 15ms and 5ms input lag, my shots hit right during fast action sequences when running at the lower input lag and my overall playing performance and reaction times are much better. I hope the input lag at 4k with VRR improves with either a firmware update or when using an HDMI 2.1 source like the Xbox Series X, it doesnt seem right that it would be that much worse on the higher resolution on a 120hz native box like the Q80T. There is a newer firmware version out as of June 22, 2020, version 1301. I wonder if RTINGS could retest this set on this newer firmware version.

VRR works for me in 1080p 60, 1440p 60, 4k 60. I think the firmware or TV’s are just… rather buggy. But I can’t use VRR at the moment with my Q90T since it darkens the image so much (it messes with local dimming or contrast or gamma or something that can’t be corrected) and I’m trying to figure out if my panel’s defective. I’ve tried EVERYTHING but I can’t get it to work correctly.

Adam, what I see in the review is:

1080p@120: 5.4ms, which goes up to 6.4ms with VRR 1440p@120: 5.3ms, which goes up to 7.2ms with VRR 4K@60: 9.8ms, which goes up to 15.7ms with VRR

So, I was assuming the difference is simply due to 1080p and 1440p VRR running at 120Hz, and 4K VRR running at 60Hz.

If you start instead with the @60Hz values for 1080p and 1440p, then you are right about it dropping with VRR, but that’s probably not an equal comparison.

I’d argue its more of an equal comparison if you compare the effects of VRR across all resolutions at the same refresh rate.

So using review data: 1080p@60: 10.1ms, which goes down to 6.4ms with VRR 1440p@60: 9.8ms, which goes down to 7.2ms with VRR 4K@60: 9.8ms, which goes up to 15.7ms with VRR

Its odd.

Jul 23, 2020 02:24 PM By mjnichol

130

Adam, what I see in the review is: 1080p@120: 5.4ms, which goes up to 6.4ms with VRR 1440p@120: 5.3ms, which goes up to 7.2ms with VRR 4K@60: 9.8ms, which goes up to 15.7ms with VRR So, I was assuming the difference is simply due to 1080p and 1440p VRR running at 120Hz, and 4K VRR running at 60Hz. If you start instead with the @60Hz values for 1080p and 1440p, then you are right about it dropping with VRR, but that’s probably not an equal comparison.

It’s still a bit more of an increase at 4k than the other measurements. 1080p and 1440p VRR input lags were measured at 120Hz, and the input lag increased 20% and 35% respectively, and 4k VRR was measured at 60Hz, and the input lag increased by about 60%.

@rkneeshaw, that’s not an accurate comparison, as the VRR input lag is always measured at the max refresh rate supported by that resolution. So the 1080p and 1440p input lags you’re comparing aren’t at the same refresh rate.

@rkneeshaw, that’s not an accurate comparison, as the VRR input lag is always measured at the max refresh rate supported by that resolution. So the 1080p and 1440p input lags you’re comparing aren’t at the same refresh rate.

Ah, got it, ok that makes sense then.

i have the QA55Q80TAWXXY model and tv reports version 1115 to be the lastest WTF as of 28/07/2020 cant update TV online or off

There’s a new firmware version out, 1402.1, dated Sept 29, 2020. But I dont see any release notes on it. The notes I can find say version 1301.5 (the previous version).

I think RTings is still trying to get their hands on a new nvidia card to test high bandwidth stuff like 4k@120hz with VRR. I wonder if this firmware version will help change any of the test results for input lag?

not for us australians. maybe in another two weeks like last time. thats good. about to order 3080 STRIX baby. OC.

In the manual Samsung says that basically all their HDMI 2.1 QLEDs do not support 4K/120 when combined with VRR. So I dont think it will work even with a HDMI 2.1 compatible GPU/console.

For the initial question: 1080p and 1440p: Here VRR increases refresh rate from 60Hz to whatever your GPU is capable of 4K: Here VRR cannot increase refresh rate over 60Hz so input lag does not decrease, but increase.

One thing that should be considered: The input lag only shows the lag of the TV itself, not the lag of the game engine. If you have fewer fps (for example because you go from 1080p to 4K or because you cap it at 60fps) lag of the game engine will greatly increase. Also enabling vsync will increase input lag by about 1 frame.

To have a low input lag you should either: .) Have your TV at 120Hz + VRR and limit ingame fps at around 118fps .) Have your TV at 120Hz without VRR and play with vsync off

Someone in the Q80T thread at avsforum.com claims they are able to get VRR with an RTX 3000 series card at 4K/120Hz, so I think the manual was being conservative and based on only HDMI 2.0. Once more people have these newer cards we’ll have a more definitive answer.

Thanks rtings for updating the input lag results!

4k @ 120hz with VRR is like 7.x ms, that’s a nice improvement, and makes a lot of sense now.

The 4k @ 120hz input lag values are great!

I can confirm with the Xbox Series X I am running 4k @ 120hz with VRR enabled on HDMI port 4. I’m playing warzone in 4k and I’m seeing the hz values fluctuate between 100-120, keeping in sync with the frame rates being produced by the Xbox.

It works! And its beautiful!