If you enjoy gaming, then enabling game mode on your smart TV is an absolute must. Game mode significantly improves gaming performance by reducing input lag – the time it takes for your button presses to register on-screen. This makes gaming feel much more responsive so you can react faster during action-packed gameplay.
But do all smart TVs actually support a game mode? And how do you turn this essential feature on? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about game mode on smart TVs. With the right settings, your big-screen TV can become the ultimate large-format gaming display.
What Exactly Does Game Mode Do?
Let‘s start by understanding what game mode actually does behind the scenes.
When game mode is disabled, your smart TV is using various video processing effects that maximize image quality for movies and TV shows, but are detrimental to gaming. These include settings like motion smoothing (the "soap opera effect"), noise reduction, and sharpening.
Great for video, bad for gaming.
By turning these settings off or lowering them, game mode significantly reduces input lag, which is the time between pressing a button and seeing the result.
According to detailed lag analysis by RTings.com across numerous TVs, game mode reduces input lag by anywhere from 30-80ms to 15-20ms. That‘s obviously a massive improvement and the difference between feeling sluggish and highly responsive.
For example, Samsung‘s own testing found game mode on 2022 Neo QLED TVs cut input lag from 100ms to an impressively low 10ms. Testing my LG OLED CX TV, the input lag went from 49ms without game mode to just 13ms with it enabled – nearly 4x more responsive!
Lower input lag translates directly into a better, more fluid gaming experience. And shaving off every millisecond matters when playing competitively online.
What TV Brands Include Game Mode?
The major television manufacturers recognize the importance of game mode for providing an optimized gaming experience. As a result, game mode is included on most modern smart TVs from major brands:
Samsung – Game mode is enabled automatically when a game console is detected on recent models. There are also robust game mode settings to tweak.
LG – Found under "Game Optimizer" settings on LG TVs. Also offers genre-specific modes for FPS, sports games, etc.
Sony – Listed as "Game Picture Mode" on Sonys. Also includes HDMI settings to enable faster response times.
Vizio – Called "Game Low Latency" mode on Vizio smart TVs. Reduces lag and disables processing.
TCL Roku TVs – Simply turn on "Game mode" in the picture settings to reduce lag for gaming.
Hisense – "Game mode" settings are available on most Hisense Android TV models.
Of course there are always exceptions, but virtually any TV from those major brands in the last 2-3 years will include some form of game mode option in its menus.
Older TVs lacked dedicated gaming features, but game mode is considered essential in modern televisions aimed at a wide audience. For the best results, try using a TV from the last 1-2 years.
What TV Size is Best for Gaming?
When selecting a TV for gaming, you‘ll want to consider the ideal screen size based on your seating distance and room size. Here are some general guidelines:
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For console gaming on a couch, aim for 55 inches or larger. This fills your field of view for immersive gameplay. I use a 65" OLED TV for couch console gaming and it feels perfect.
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For PC gaming at a desk, prioritize higher refresh rates and opt for a 32 to 42 inch screen. You‘ll appreciate the higher pixel density and lower input lag.
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Larger screen sizes tend to have higher input lags. For ultra-competitive esports gaming, a 24 to 27 inch monitor is ideal for minimizing lag.
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In smaller bedrooms, a 43 to 50 inch TV provides an engaging gaming experience without dominating the room.
No matter the size, you‘ll want to enable game mode to get the fastest possible response. Larger screens definitely help you get more engrossed in gameplay, but fast reflexes matter most.
Should You Game in HDR?
Modern game consoles and many PC games support high dynamic range (HDR) visuals. This greatly expands the color gamut and contrast ratio compared to standard dynamic range (SDR) content.
The results are more vibrant, lifelike colors and increased detail in shadows and highlights. Combined with a high peak brightness TV, HDR makes games look incredible.
However, HDR can also increase input lag by 10-20ms based on HardwareUnboxed testing. If you play competitive multiplayer games where every millisecond matters, it may make sense to disable HDR. For single player experiences, the tradeoff is likely worth it.
Interestingly, Samsung‘s Game Bar includes a setting to automatically disable HDR when it would increase lag in game mode. So if you have a compatible Samsung TV, you can essentially get the best of both worlds!
What Refresh Rates Are Optimal?
The refresh rate determines how many times per second your TV updates the image. Standard is 60Hz, while 120Hz and 144Hz are becoming more common.
Higher refresh rates lead to smoother motion clarity, especially in faster paced games. This is most applicable to gaming on PCs, where frames rates can surpass 60fps.
For 60fps console gaming, a 60Hz screen is fine. Since new frames are matched to the 60Hz refresh, there is no added benefit. But a 120Hz TV will provide smoother motion and lower input lag.
Additionally, some TVs like the LG C2 OLED support variable refresh rate (VRR). This matches the refresh to the frame rate being output by the console or PC. The end result is perfectly smooth gaming with no screen tearing.
Use the Fastest Connections Available
To maximize gaming performance, you‘ll want to utilize the highest bandwidth, lowest latency connections between your gaming devices and TV:
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For consoles, use the HDMI 2.1 ports on your TV if available. Some TVs have special low-latency HDMI ports. These offer higher bandwidth for 4K 120Hz and variable refresh rates.
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When connecting a PC, use the DisplayPort input if your graphics card supports it. DisplayPort typically has lower input lag than HDMI.
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For the best signal quality, upgrade to ultra high speed 48Gbps HDMI cables. Avoid cheap cables or excessive lengths.
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Enable Enhanced HDMI formats in your TV settings for lowest latency like Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate.
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If possible, use a wired ethernet connection on game consoles instead of WiFi for minimal network latency.
Every millisecond counts, so using the right connections and cables ensures your TV and consoles communicate as fast as possible. This directly results in a more responsive, lag-free gaming experience.
Don‘t Neglect Your Gaming Audio
Visuals might get all the attention when gaming, but crisp, immersive audio is equally important. Be sure to:
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Select a dedicated Game audio mode on your TV if available. It disables extra processing that can delay sound effects.
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Enable any virtual surround modes like Dolby Atmos for fully immersive audio. Sound coming from all directions amplifies the experience.
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Adjust audio delay to sync sound perfectly with video. Account for any lag in your TV‘s game mode.
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For the best quality, use earc HDMI and optical audio connections to your sound system. This avoids lossy analog conversions.
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Alternatively, invest in a soundbar designed for gaming with HDMI passthrough and auto game mode detection.
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For competitive gaming, consider a headset so you can clearly hear opponents‘ locations and audio cues.
Just like game mode optimizes the video side, these tips will maximize your gaming audio for a truly immersive experience.
What Are The Best Game Mode Settings For Different TVs?
To help you get your smart TV‘s game mode optimized for gaming, here are the ideal settings for popular models:
For LG C2 OLED TVs
- Picture Mode: Game Optimizer
- OLED Motion Pro: Off
- Black Stabilizer: 13
- HDR Tone Mapping: HGIG
- Variable Refresh Rate: Enabled
- Low Latency: On
For Samsung QN90B Neo QLED TVs
- Game Motion Plus: Off
- LED Clear Motion: Off
- Local Dimming: High
- Dynamic Black EQ: 13
- Auto Low Latency Mode: On
- Variable Refresh Rate: On
For Sony X90K LED TVs
- Picture Mode: Game
- Motionflow: Off
- Video Signal Type: Game
- Auto Game Mode: On
- Auto Low Latency Mode: On
- Auto HDR tone mapping: On
For Vizio P-Series Quantum TVs
- Picture Mode: Game
- Clear Action: Off
- Reduce Noise & Interference: Off
- Active Full Array: Medium
- Variable Refresh Rate: Enabled
- Auto Game Mode: On
These settings will give you smooth, responsive gaming with low input lag across many popular TV models. Be sure to also enable HDR if supported.
In Summary
Here are the key pointers to take away:
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Enable game mode in your TV settings for faster response times and lower input lag. This one step vastly improves gaming.
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Most big TV brands now include game mode. Check under video/picture settings.
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Bigger TV sizes immerse you more, but competitive gaming demands fast reflexes first. Balance screen size and features.
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Weigh visual improvements from HDR against potential small latency increases before enabling it.
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Faster refresh rates, newer connections and proper cables ensure maximum performance.
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Don‘t neglect audio! Headsets or a gaming soundbar provide key competitive advantages.
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Follow the recommended picture settings for your particular TV model to finely tune game mode.
With game mode and the right display settings, your smart TV can provide an incredibly responsive, high-performance gaming display comparable to dedicated gaming monitors. The ability to play games across sprawling 50, 60 and even 80+ inch screens makes for an epic gaming environment – and game mode enables it.
So now that you know what game mode is, why it matters for gaming, how to access it, and how to dial it in for optimal performance, it‘s time to experience your favorite games on the big screen like never before!
