Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 in post-test – Firmware 1622 gives free rein to the AMD FreeSync Premium Pro pipeline with 1000 nits

1 - Introduction, Features and Specs 2 - How we measure: Equipment and Methods 3 - Color-Performance @ Default Settings 4 - HDR-Performance 5 - Conclusion

Conclusion

If you own a Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 with an AMD graphics card, you should definitely update to the new firmware 1622. Samsung has given the FreeSync Premium Pro pipeline a good boost and now the OLED G8 can also unfold its full potential with an AMD GPU. Unfortunately, the EOTF tracking does not follow the ST.2084 and therefore not the intention of the Creator. It would be nice if Samsung could improve this again. Above all, that the tone mapping functions, e.g. Basic and Advanced, have an influence, as can be seen and measured at NVIDIA. Then the customer can decide whether they want it exactly or not.

I also think it’s good that Samsung doesn’t release updates that improve something and make something else worse. They obviously check before releasing firmware updates to customers. Personally, I suspect that the FreeSync Premium Pro pipeline still doesn’t do exactly what it’s supposed to. There is no other explanation for the problems and differences to NVIDIA. Why AMD is taking a special path here by performing the HDR tone mapping on the GPU is not clear to me in any way. The NVIDIA way basically always works (tone mapping is done by the monitor), so you know who is ultimately responsible for the deviation – the monitor manufacturer.

In my opinion, Samsung has done the right thing and made the Peak 1000 Nits mode possible for AMD users. One step at a time. Every OLED can do HDR, but how exactly you actually use it in the end is a completely different matter. I expect all manufacturers to follow ST.2084 in the factory settings. Regardless of the mode (400 or Peak 1000) and, above all, regardless of the graphics card. Additional features with which the customer can then adjust their picture as they wish are still welcome. But these differences must finally stop. HDR is an international standard. If manufacturers don’t even manage to comply with it, trouble is always inevitable. With this in mind, see you in the forum.

One more comment:
It came as it had to come, because I had just finished testing and the FW update 1641 arrived. I’ll take a look at it, and if there are any further improvements/improvements, I’ll update this article.

I bought the monitor myself and I’m using it as a gaming monitor. There was no influence on the tests and results. There was also no compensation for expenses and no obligation to publish by Samsung or anyone else.