As technology evolves, the TVs we have available look better and better, so it’s natural that we would want our games to take full advantage of them. The newest systems, like the PlayStation 5, heavily benefit from a 4K TV, but is it required?
A 4K TV is not required for a PS5, but will bring advantages like displaying games in a higher resolution, playing games at a higher frame rate/refresh rate, and will display a wider array of colors and contrast with HDR or Dolby Vision.
You can play every PS5 game on a 1080p TV, but upgrading to a 4K set will take your gaming experience to the next level, read on to find out how.
Are 4K TVs Required for PS5?
4K TVs are not a requirement to play on PS5, you could plug your PS5 into a 1080p TV and still play the exact same games, stream the same content, and never miss out. However, if you choose to invest in a 4K TV, you might find that it is more than a worthy upgrade, especially when paired with a PS5.
What Benefits Do 4K TVs Have for the PS5?
Here is why a 4K TV is better for gaming on the PS5:
- Higher Resolution. The biggest and most obvious advantage is the resolution jump from 1080p to 4K. PS5 games will be made with 4K resolution in mind, and even older games will look better played on a 4K TV because they will be upscaled.
- Better Framerate. One thing many don’t know is that frame rate can actually depend on your display. This is measured through refresh rate. If a TV has a high refresh rate, it will play games at a high frame rate. Some 4K TVs have refresh rates of 125HZ, allowing you to play games at 120 fps.
- HDR and Dolby Vision. The biggest visual bump will come from HDR or Dolby Vision modes on your 4K TV. These modes display content at a much larger dynamic range, allowing for wider display of colors and contrast.
So as you can see, there is no shortage of reasons why you should upgrade to a 4K TV if you plan on getting a PS5. If you want to see the difference for yourself, you can get a good idea from checking out the TVs at an electronics store. The 4K displays will give you a sense of what you can expect from your games.
Why This is Worth It
TVs have gotten much better in recent years thanks to new display technology allowing for better screens, higher resolutions, and sharper colors. Meanwhile, games have also seen huge advances and leaps in graphical quality and gameplay.
It’s only natural that both TVs and game consoles need to be upgraded over time to take advantage of all the new features. So while you can have a flawless experience playing your PS5 on a 1080P TV, if you’ve never experienced what 4K can provide your gaming experience then you are missing out.
Making the Right Choice for a 4K TV
So if you want to upgrade your gaming experience, you should make sure to get the right TV for you. There are many factors to be aware of, like will you play mostly games, or will you watch movies as well? Do you play in a dark room or a light room? These factors will influence which TV you choose.
If you care more about performance, then you should look for TVs with a higher refresh rate. If you care more about how things look, then you can focus on display technology like OLED and QLED. However, as you get into the higher price ranges you’ll find that you won’t need to compromise because the top-of-the-line TVs like the LG OLED will be the best experience for both.
What Should You Look for in a 4K TV
There are certain features you want to make sure will be included in your TV in order to have the best gaming experience. These are either HDR or Dolby Vision, compatibility with high-speed HDMI cables, and a high refresh rate.
If your TV is limited to a 60HZ refresh rate, you’ll be able to play games at a max of 60fps, but a 125 HZ refresh rate will let you play games at 120FPS. Depending on your preference, a lower refresh rate could be a worthy tradeoff for the lower price of a TV, or a deal breaker.
Next, you’ll also want to pick up accessories like a high speed HDMI cable. Even if you have the best TV in the world and a PS5 fresh off the shelf, you wont get to utilize the features of both unless you connect them with an HDMI cable compatible with 4K and high refresh rates.
One other recommendation is to calibrate your TV once you get it. Most TVs out of the box don’t look as good as they have the potential to be because they aren’t calibrated properly. You can get a professional to do this or you can do it yourself by looking up which brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc. options are best for the model you choose.
What Kind of 4K TVs are Good for Gaming
There is no shortage of great TVs out there in all kinds of budget ranges with a diverse array of features. Some of the best TVs for gaming on Amazon are the LG OLED models, which boast near perfect black levels, which are excellent for dark rooms, and feature high refresh rates so you won’t compromise performance for the resolution. More budget friendly options on Amazon include TLC QLED models which feature 60hz refresh rates.
Concluding Thoughts
While a 4K TV is not necessary for a PS5, it will impact how you play, and provide benefits such as showing games in greater resolution, playing games at a higher frame rate/refresh rate, and presenting a broader range of colors and contrast with HDR or Dolby Vision. There are several reasons why you should upgrade to a 4K TV if you plan on purchasing a PS5, and it will improve your overall gaming experience significantly.