Screen tearing and frame skipping on Samsung QLED TVs

Discussion about displays and related hardware including MiSTer filters and video settings.
User avatar
jlancaster86
Posts: 147
Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2020 1:33 pm
Has thanked: 129 times
Been thanked: 35 times

Screen tearing and frame skipping on Samsung QLED TVs

Unread post by jlancaster86 »

Following on from the Samsung TV discussion in this thread since it was getting off-topic. To quote myself in that thread:
jlancaster86 wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 1:20 pm I'm not sure if this is related, but I've started having issues with my Samsung Q80T since it updated to firmware 2014.1 today. I had been using "vsync_adjust=1" just fine for the last six months, but now it (and "vsync_adjust=2") results in the frame skipping and weird tearing/ripples at the bottom of the screen others have mentioned in the thread. It seems "vsync_adjust=1" can temporarily work after some fiddling (like turning Game Mode on and off), but it looks like I'm stuck using "vsync_adjust=0" for now.
I've been doing some more testing (with "vsync_adjust=1"), and it seems that by turning Game Mode off and on again, the TV resyncs and the tearing and frame skipping disappear. However, this apparently needs to be done every time that HDMI input is engaged; switching to another input and back will reintroduce the problem, which can then again be fixed by cycling Game Mode again.

I've been testing mainly with the NES core, and it doesn't seem to matter if I cycle Game Mode while in that core or the menu core; the issue gets fixed either way (till the HDMI input is switched, of course).

This is most likely an issue with Samsung's firmware, and it's unlikely anything could be done about it from the MiSTer side, but I thought my findings might be useful to other users tearing their hair out.

Another tip: be sure to have "Game Motion Plus" enabled to prevent colours from being messed up due to screen dimming (it's really obvious in Super Mario Bros. when Mario is surrounded by black, like in the screen telling you how many lives you have). Everything else in "Game Mode Settings" should be off/0, though.
User avatar
darksakul
Posts: 352
Joined: Mon May 25, 2020 4:34 pm
Has thanked: 397 times
Been thanked: 73 times

Re: Screen tearing and frame skipping on Samsung QLED TVs

Unread post by darksakul »

What model Samsung TV you have?
It is my great regret that we live in an age that is proud of machines that think and suspicious of people who try to.
User avatar
jlancaster86
Posts: 147
Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2020 1:33 pm
Has thanked: 129 times
Been thanked: 35 times

Re: Screen tearing and frame skipping on Samsung QLED TVs

Unread post by jlancaster86 »

darksakul wrote: Sun Sep 05, 2021 10:26 pm What model Samsung TV you have?
A Samsung Q80T.
User avatar
darksakul
Posts: 352
Joined: Mon May 25, 2020 4:34 pm
Has thanked: 397 times
Been thanked: 73 times

Re: Screen tearing and frame skipping on Samsung QLED TVs

Unread post by darksakul »

Whats the MiSTer output resolution set to?

I do know many of these consoles original hardware aren't a perfect 60hz or even 59.94hz (refresh of analog NTSC broadcasts.
Like the Neo Geo is at 59.18hz, the NES is at 59.826Hz,the SNES is at 60.08hz.
At least Dodonpatchi has a 60hz mode.
It is my great regret that we live in an age that is proud of machines that think and suspicious of people who try to.
Hagiographer
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2023 8:49 am
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Screen tearing and frame skipping on Samsung QLED TVs

Unread post by Hagiographer »

I have a Samsung Q70 and experience this as well. It only happens to me when Freesync is set to "on" and I'm playing a game with a refresh rate under 59.94. So console PAL game, Robocop arcade core, etc causes the behavior. Normally not a problem but at least for the Robocop arcade core, when I turn off Freesync, I get a "Mode Not Supported" message on my TV with the VSync=2 setting.

Post Reply