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Sony's eagerly anticipated PlayStation 5 introduces a suite of new display features that, in order to get the best out of what the game console can offer, may require a TV upgrade. Unfortunately, Sony has not made it easy with its own range of "Ready for PS5" TVs not quite ready for all of PS5's new features.
Sony's PS5, along with the rival Xbox Series X console from Microsoft, will take gamers firmly into the world of 4K with super smooth 120 frames per second gaming. Along with the high resolution and refresh rate, gamers can also expect low latency gaming (under 7.2ms), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support. All of these features require a TV fitted with the new HDMI 2.1 port and to also specifically support these features via the on-board processor (as well as a dedicated game mode to reduce post-processing, which can add 10's of microseconds to the display lag).
Gamers wanting to get the best out of their PS5, or Xbox Series X, will most likely need a TV upgrade as HDMI 2.1 has only become common in this year's range of TVs. Sony has tried to make the upgrade process easier by introducing a "Ready for PS5" label for its new range of TVs, but it appears that even Sony's TVs with this label may in fact be missing some key features, at least at launch.
So while Sony's XH90/X900H has the "Ready for PS5" label, it won't have these advanced HDMI 2.1 features until some time later via a firmware update. Another "Ready for PS5" TV, the 8K Sony ZH8/Z8H, will not even include ALLM and VRR support.
Gamers might have better luck with non-Sony products from LG and Samsung, with the companies promising all of these features on some of their top-end TVs.
The PS5 is expected to launch in time for the Christmas shopping season, while the Xbox Series X will launch at roughly the same time.
Sony's PS5, along with the rival Xbox Series X console from Microsoft, will take gamers firmly into the world of 4K with super smooth 120 frames per second gaming. Along with the high resolution and refresh rate, gamers can also expect low latency gaming (under 7.2ms), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support. All of these features require a TV fitted with the new HDMI 2.1 port and to also specifically support these features via the on-board processor (as well as a dedicated game mode to reduce post-processing, which can add 10's of microseconds to the display lag).
Gamers wanting to get the best out of their PS5, or Xbox Series X, will most likely need a TV upgrade as HDMI 2.1 has only become common in this year's range of TVs. Sony has tried to make the upgrade process easier by introducing a "Ready for PS5" label for its new range of TVs, but it appears that even Sony's TVs with this label may in fact be missing some key features, at least at launch.
So while Sony's XH90/X900H has the "Ready for PS5" label, it won't have these advanced HDMI 2.1 features until some time later via a firmware update. Another "Ready for PS5" TV, the 8K Sony ZH8/Z8H, will not even include ALLM and VRR support.
Gamers might have better luck with non-Sony products from LG and Samsung, with the companies promising all of these features on some of their top-end TVs.
The PS5 is expected to launch in time for the Christmas shopping season, while the Xbox Series X will launch at roughly the same time.