HDR content problems

[Benlfc1]

Hi.

Just wanted to post to ask if anyone else is having issues when watching any type of HDR content through Sky Q, whether it be on demand HDR content or when watching the Sky Sports UHD (401) channel or watching HDR content through any of the built in apps (Netflix, Prime Video etc.)?

I have a Philips 50PUS8909 television and since having it I've been having issues where the picture will quickly flash and then return to normal but then will do it again over and over randomly, when it does it the HDR signal notification in the bottom right corner of the TV comes up each time, non HDR content is absolutely fine.

I know it's not the TV as when I watch HDR content directly through the apps built into the TV everything is fine, I've also had the TV exchanged so I can completely rule that out, I've also changed the HDMI lead to different ports, bought a new HDMI cable and also had the box replaced by Sky.

Sky are saying it's possible that it's a similar issue to one they had with Samsung TV's a few years ago and no timeframe on a fix.

Anyone else having similar issues?

[hrai]

I had a bit of a Google and there have been similar issues with Philips TV in the past going back to 2019.

The only commonality I could see was trying to use 10 bit HDR so maybe rather than letting the Q box finding it for you maybe try setting it to 8 bit?

Another post did mention that a firmware update for their Philips TV fixed things so that might be worth looking at as well

[Benlfc1]

@hrai whilst you can set to 8 bit unfortunately you then don't have HDR content at all as it's only available with 10 bit. The TV is 10 bit compatible though 

[The+Gwim+Weaper]

Had the same issues. Just downgraded the Philips TV firmware (it updated on Thursday night). Since going back to the previous Philips firmware, the HDR issue (screen going black/switching from HDR/non-HDR) has stopped.  This isn't a Sky Q issue, it's a "latest Philips firmware" issue.

[Benlfc1]

@The+Gwim+Weaper

My software version is up to date with no updates available.

What is your version? Mine is TPN248E_V248.004.025.191.

Just to note though this has been happening between software updates for me so downgrading wouldn't fix it for me anyway  

[Benlfc1]

@The+Gwim+Weaper

Your issue also doesn't sound like it's the same as mine going off your comment though, the issue isn't that it switches between HDR and non HDR content, the issue is when watching any type of HDR content through Q the screen will flash very briefly and quickly with the HDR notification in the bottom right corner coming on when it does it 

[The+Gwim+Weaper]

My Philips TV (65OLED809) updated it's firmware on Thursday night.  Watching angry Sky Q content would go bright/ darker, and get brief black screen while watching. This started happening after the TV firmware updated.  Reverting back to the previous TV firmware resolved the issue.  I believe the Sky Q box has HLG HDR, and I think the latest Philips TV firmware just has issues with this.  So the issue for me is older Sky Q hardware (without the latest HDR support) not playing nicely with the latest Philips firmware (which is trying to support the latest Dolby Vision+ etc).  Anyway, my picture on the Philips 809 is now stable with the Philips firmware downgrade.  Perhaps, if Sky Q supported the later HDR formats, there wouldn't be an issue using the latest Philips firmware.

[moletp]

@The+Gwim+Weaper 

So I suppose the question is, HOW did you revert the tv firmware back?

[Benlfc1]

@moletp wouldn't work for me anyway.

Are you having the same issue?

[The+Gwim+Weaper]

The LG TV has update history in the settings. I just downloaded the version that was installed prior to the HDR issues.  Extracted it to a MBR formatted FAT32 8GB partitioned USB drive.  Pulled the power cable out, inserted the USB drive into the USB 2.0 (black) socket, and the plugged the power lead back in.  Nothing else to do - the TV boots, sees the USB drive, and installed the firmware.  All the screen flashing black and constantly switching from HDR/non-HDR stopped (just like it was before the Thursday auto-firmware update). I did set the TV not not auto-update again. 😉

[Chodley]

Eh? Is it a Philips or an LG?

and all Sky boxes use the same HLG HDR for broadcast content. They also support HDR10 for 3rd party streaming content but not Dolby Vision.

HLG isn't "old". It's just different, necessarily so to be backwards compatible with SDR TVs as you only get one broadcast that has to work on both. To be honest the number of people out there who want 4k but only have SDR screens is so low, I kind of wonder why they bothered developing it. (albeit HDR isn't 4k only but it is on Sky Q)

[The+Gwim+Weaper]

Sorry - the TV is a Philips (recently upgraded from an LG).  HLG is already 10 years old. I think manufacturers focus more on 10, 10+, and Vision, as these are newer.

[Chodley]

None of those are backwards compatible with SDR displays, the key benefit of HLG (among and contributing to its downsides) and HDR10 is also 10 years old. DV is actually a year older (I was surprised to find out just now 😀)

HDR10+ and DV are probably not suited to broadcast as they are more complex and would slow down the transmission chain. I'm guessing a bit here.

Anyway, sounds like you and the OP have different experiences of the older Philips firmware.

[Benlfc1]

This issue seems to have been rectified with a replacement box, I can't remember the hardware version of my previous box however it was the 2TB box with the silver trim and larger power supply, now I have the 32B206 and I am yet to encounter the issue I have been having so fingers crossed I'm not speaking to soon and it's now fixed.