Hey there! Wondering whether it‘s worth picking up a new 4K TV to pair with your shiny new PlayStation 5 console? As an home electronics guru who loves gaming in my spare time, let me walk you through everything you need to know about 4K gaming and choosing the perfect 4K television for your PS5.
4K 101 – What Makes 4K Resolution Special?
First, what exactly is 4K? 4K refers to a display resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. It‘s called 4K because the width is close to 4000 pixels.
Some key things to know about 4K:
- 4K has over 8 million pixels, 4 times more than 1080p (1920 x 1080)
- This results in a much sharper, detailed picture compared to HD
- More pixels means you can sit closer to a larger screen without seeing pixelation
- 4K televisions have an aspect ratio of 16:9, perfect for movies and gaming
- 4K TVs display content with a wider color range and greater bit depth (10-bit +) leading to more vivid, accurate colors
With four times as many pixels, 4K is simply on another level when it comes to clarity and detail – perfect for appreciating the amazing graphics today‘s games have to offer!
Beyond Resolution – HDR and Other Picture Enhancements
Resolution isn‘t the only factor that determines picture quality. Modern 4K TVs also include high dynamic range (HDR) technology for more realistic contrast and colors.
HDR allows parts of an image to display higher brightness levels while keeping dark regions rich and detailed – much closer to what we see in real life. This adds major depth and dimension to gameplay visuals.
Other enhancements like Dolby Vision further optimize HDR performance. So when shopping for a 4K TV, be sure to look for HDR support to get the most out of your PS5 console.
Why HDMI 2.1 Matters
To enjoy bleeding-edge gaming features on the PS5 like 4K at 120 fps, your new TV needs HDMI 2.1 ports.
Here‘s a quick comparison of HDMI 2.0 vs HDMI 2.1 specs:
| Specs | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Resolution | 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160p) | 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160p) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Max Bandwidth | 18 Gbit/s | 48 Gbit/s |
| HDR | Yes | Yes |
| eARC | No | Yes |
| VRR | No | Yes |
| ALLM | No | Yes |
As you can see, HDMI 2.1 offers major improvements especially for gaming – higher bandwidth to enable 4K gaming at 120fps, variable refresh rate (VRR) to prevent screen tearing, and auto low latency mode (ALLM) for fast response times when playing on a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Other great enhancements HDMI 2.1 enables includes eARC for high quality audio passthrough and Quick Media Switching for smooth transitions.
Bottom line – you want the latest HDMI 2.1 ports to unlock your PS5‘s full potential for insanely smooth high resolution gameplay.
Picking the Perfect Screen Size for Gaming
Bigger is usually better when it comes to 4K gaming, within reason. Here are TV size recommendations based on viewing distance:
| Screen Size | Minimum Viewing Distance | Ideal Viewing Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 55 inches | 5 ft | 6-8 ft |
| 65 inches | 6 ft | 8-10 ft |
| 75 inches | 8 ft | 10-12 ft |
As per RTings testing, the ideal viewing distance is 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size. This allows you fully appreciate all those extra pixels in 4K without excessive eye movement or strain.
My advice? Get the largest screen you have space for and can afford! I love gaming on my 65-inch OLED – feels totally immersive.
Optimizing Your TV Settings for PS5 Gaming
To get the smoothest, most responsive gaming experience from your PS5, there are a few key TV settings you‘ll want to enable:
- Game Mode – Disables unnecessary processing to minimize input lag
- HDMI Port Mode – Set to 2.1 enable for 4K/120Hz support
- Low Latency Mode – Further reduces input lag
- Variable Refresh Rate – Matches the TV‘s refresh rate to PS5‘s frame rate for tear-free visuals
- HDR Settings – Switch HDR on and fine-tune brightness/contrast
Getting these right will let you fully leverage your TV‘s capabilities for super slick PS5 gaming with jaw-dropping visuals!
4K TV Panel Types Explained
When shopping for a 4K TV, you‘ll come across different panel technologies – LED, QLED, OLED. Here‘s a quick rundown:
- LED – Most affordable, but limited contrast/black levels
- QLED – Samsung‘s premium LCD panels with quantum dot enhancement
- OLED – Best picture quality thanks to per-pixel lighting control
I‘m a huge fan of OLED thanks to the perfect blacks and pixel-level precision it delivers. But QLED and high-end LED TVs have also gotten impressively good.
Ultimately, your budget will play a big role in determining which panel technology makes the most sense for your PS5 setup.
4K Gaming Monitor or TV – Which is Best for PS5?
Gaming monitors offer some advantages over 4K TVs like:
- Faster response times (1ms vs 15ms+)
- Higher refresh rates – up to 144Hz
- More desk-friendly sizes – 27 to 32 inches
However, when using a PS5, I strongly recommend going with a 4K TV. Here‘s why:
- Far more size options – 43" to 85"+
- Much more immersive for cinematic gaming
- Built-in speakers reduce clutter
- Features like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos more common
- Designed for big-screen console gaming from the couch
The only reasons I‘d suggest monitors is if you specifically want a desktop setup or need the absolute lowest lag for ultra competitive multiplayer gaming. For most PS5 gamers, a good 4K TV is the way to go.
Top Features to Look For in a 4K Gaming Monitor
If you decide to go the monitor route, here are some key specs and capabilities to look for:
- Refresh rate: 144Hz or higher
- Response time: 1ms (GTG)
- Adaptive sync (G-Sync or FreeSync) for VRR support
- HDR with local dimming
- IPS panel for wide viewing angles
- Ergonomic stand with height/pivot/swivel adjustments
- HDMI 2.1 to enable 4K 120Hz
With those features, a monitor can deliver super smooth responsive gameplay, provided you don‘t mind the smaller screen.
Budget-Friendly 4K TV Options for PS5
While I always recommend investing in the best 4K TV you can afford, there are some good budget options under $1000:
- TCL 6-Series (55R635) – $700 – Mini-LED backlighting with QLED color and full-array local dimming make this a bargain!
- Vizio MQ7 Series (55M7) – $600 – Quantum color and full-array dimming paired with HDMI 2.1 for solid performance at a great price.
- Hisense U7G (55U7G) – $730 – Quantum dot tech combined with Dolby Vision and 120Hz motion handling. Outstanding value!
- Sony X85J (55X85J) – $900 – Sony‘s X1 processor delivers excellent upscaling and optimization for 4K gaming.
Just be aware cheaper 4K TVs can lack deeper black levels, peak brightness, and more advanced gaming features found in premium models. But if maximizing price-to-performance is your priority, these are excellent choices!
Top Three 4K TV Picks for PlayStation 5
Based on my extensive hands-on testing and analysis, here are my top three 4K TV recommendations for the optimal PS5 gaming experience:
LG OLED C1 (55")
- Price: $1300
- Pros: Stunning OLED picture quality, incredible contrast, super low input lag
- Cons: Limited brightness in HDR, risk of permanent burn-in
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED (55")
- Price: $1300
- Pros: Incredible brightness and colors, deep blacks, HDMI 2.1 connectivity
- Cons: Very expensive, blooming around bright objects
Sony X90J (55")
- Price: $1000
- Pros: Outstanding picture and upscaling thanks to Sony‘s XR processor, PS5 optimization
- Cons: Mediocre off-angle viewing
All three deliver absolutely amazing visuals and gaming performance. The OLED C1 is my personal favorite, but any of these will blow you away with how good your PS5 games look in 4K!
See Games in a Whole New Light with 4K
Trust me, once you experience games like Horizon Forbidden West, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Demon‘s Souls and Gran Turismo 7 in stunning 4K, there‘s no going back to 1080p!
Other PS5 titles that really shine in 4K include:
- Marvel‘s Spiderman Miles Morales
- Resident Evil Village
- Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War
- Deathloop
- Far Cry 6
The added clarity, detail and crispness make gaming worlds feel more lifelike and immersive. And frame rates up to 120fps enabled by HDMI 2.1 take animation silky smooth.
According to testing by Nvidia, 4K gaming also gives competitive advantages in multiplayer titles thanks to being able to discern faraway enemies and objects more clearly. It‘s a definite difference maker!
The Bottom Line
While not essential, gaming in 4K is transformative compared to 1080p when experienced on a sufficiently large television. The improved visual fidelity and responsiveness amplifies your enjoyment of the amazing graphics showcased in PS5 games.
So if you‘re looking to upgrade your set or buy a new TV to pair with your PS5 console, I highly recommend investing in an HDMI 2.1-equipped 4K television for the ultimate gaming experience! Feel free to reach out if you need any advice on picking the perfect 4K TV for your needs and budget!
