• Hardware

  • Sony TV: factory reset gave instant eye-strain

Hi all,

Yesterday my Sony TV xg9505 finally refused to play video from USB longer than 10 minutes (it stopped and showed a black screen), so I decided to reset TV to factory settings for the first time since 2020, after taking screenshots of the image settings. The TV got last OTA update in 2021, I suppose

And what might you think? He started the eye-strain. I set exactly the same settings as in screenshots. I haven't measured the results using Opple4 yet, but I have measurements (sine-wave PWM, modulation depth, brightness level) taken before the factory reset

Hopefully I can find influence image settings. I also had a thought - could the problem be caused by the fact that we are “accustomed” to the old PWM? Old phone that we have been using for more than 4 years, an old OS that we have been using for more than 4 years without updates... Maybe the optic nerve is “so used to it” that the new modulation or form of PWM causes severe discomfort...?

    I just measured PWM at night and compared it with the old one:

    And same for light sensor OFF

    I updated the TV OTA through the "Updates" menu once, in 2021. There were no further updates, with the exception of cosmetic changes to the interface in 2023 (without user's approval).

    I did a factory reset and got... PWM shape change! From a safe sine to a pointed one that causes pain in the eyes!

    Who knows how to force old 2020 year firmware on Sony TV?

      simplex could the problem be caused by the fact that we are “accustomed” to the old PWM?

      In my experience yes, I have often have problems going back to devices which were previously fine. I have a laptop I use once or twice a year at most. It takes a day or so for the eye strain to go away and for it to become comfortable. I've experienced it a few times with spare monitors as well.

          Seagull In my experience yes

          You have safe devices, or can adapt for everyone without headaches later?

              simplex Who knows how to force old 2020 year firmware on Sony TV?

              Last time I checked it was impossible to downgrade recent Sony TVs, including my 2019 model. Unless this has changed just recently, we should always make sure to completely disconnect Sony TVs from the Internet.

              What you could do is turn off or restart the TV and see if it helps. I have to do this all the time if I switch HDMI input channels, because switching them will make the backlight flicker slightly stronger than before, causing symptoms. But I have a different model. Be aware you will probably look at PWM during the boot. You should be able to reboot by holding the power button on the remote control for like 8 seconds.

                  KM Be aware you will probably look at PWM during the boot

                  Ok, will check, thank you!

                  Btw, I made 2nd factory reset last night without ethernet connection, and got 614hz PWM and same "new" wavetype… Today TV has connection, perhabs 737 hz will back

                    simplex

                    I have safe devices, and others that if I don't use regularly I need a brief re-adaption period. Thanks to having recovered around 75% since my eyestrain/migraines started, I can now adopt to all devices and software with enough time.

                        Seagull

                        How did you manage to get 75% healed...small daily “injections”, or long breaks and alternating devices? And are there any unsafe devices left - do they have PWM, dithering, pixel inversion reasons...?

                            Small measurements of some settings affect PWM modulation depth and cause eye-strain:

                            To reduce PWM, you need to set:

                            • Light sensor = OFF

                            • Clearness ( BlackFrameInsertion ) = Min

                            • Local screen dimming = OFF

                            • X-Tended Dynamic Range = OFF

                            simplex

                            Around 6 years ago I stopped eating red meat and dairy to treat inflammatory bowel disease. I had an immediate improvement, and have continued to heal a noticeable amount year on year. To my surprise, 2 years in I noticed the migraines I got from screens had reduced in intensity a lot, and continued to do so, now many devices which used to cause migraines are now fine, and others reduce in intensity each time I use them. From what I have read, autoimmune disease's lower serotonin, and that lower serotonin levels increase the risk of migraines. By finding and treating the cause of my autoimmune disease, I have raised my serotonin and thus also improved my screen induced migraines.

                            The devices which still cause me problems are all IPS LCD displays, I do not know what separates them visually from other screens.

                              9 days later

                              I also have an auto imune disease…

                              simplex Who knows how to force old 2020 year firmware on Sony TV?

                              Not possible. The only way I could think to do it would be to find another model of that TV that has not been upgraded and swap the control boards over.

                              There were no further updates, with the exception of cosmetic changes to the interface in 2023 (without user's approval).

                              That's what they said. You have no idea what other changes they introduced. Remember a change they may think to be completely innocuous may trigger our symptoms. It should be standard policy to never, ever update anything ever. TV's especially should be offline to avoid pushed updates

                                  ensete TV's especially should be offline to avoid pushed updates

                                  TV got some background updates and PWM wave style looks pretty similar than before factory reset. I mean, I turn it off, but in next morning I found some interface updates and … no eye-strain.

                                  Same firmware version, same settings, "hidden night updates"

                                    dev