Is it worth getting a HDMI 2.1 TV for PS5?

With the promise of stunning 4K high frame rate gaming, an HDMI 2.1 compatible television is a tantalizing upgrade for PlayStation 5 owners. But with high costs and limited games supporting 120fps so far, is it worth upgrading your TV? In this detailed 2200+ word guide, we’ll dive into all aspects of HDMI 2.1 for PS5 gaming to help answer the question.

An Overview of HDMI 2.1

HDMI 2.1 represents the cutting edge of display connectivity, offering a significant bandwidth boost over previous HDMI versions along with new gaming focused capabilities. Let‘s break down the key improvements:

• Higher Bandwidth – HDMI 2.1 supports up to 48 Gigabits per second (Gbps) bandwidth which is 2.6x more than HDMI 2.0‘s 18Gbps. This unlocks much higher resolutions and frame rates.
• 4K/120Hz Support – The added bandwidth enables 4K resolution gaming at up to 120 frames per second, for incredibly smooth and detailed visuals.
• Variable Refresh Rate – VRR synchronizes the refresh rate of the TV dynamically to the frame rate output of the console. This eliminates screen tearing.
• Auto Low Latency Mode – ALLM automatically switches the display to low latency game mode reducing input lag.
• Enhanced Audio – eARC allows uncompressed object-based surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for greater immersion.

These capabilities bring console gaming closer than ever to the silky smoothness and responsiveness of high end gaming PCs. But what do they mean specifically for PlayStation 5?

HDMI 2.1 Unlocks the PS5‘s Full Potential

The PS5 comes equipped with an HDMI 2.1 port allowing you to tap into the following enhanced display features:

• The PS5 GPU can hit peak frame rates up to 120fps which isn‘t achievable on HDMI 2.0.
• With enough bandwidth for 4K 120Hz, motion clarity and controller response is significantly improved compared to 4K 60Hz.
• VRR will eliminate screen tearing and make gameplay smoother when frame rates fluctuate.
• ALLM enables displays to automatically switch to low latency game mode when playing on the PS5.

These capabilities are ideal for fast paced competitive multiplayer games where every millisecond of response time matters. For example, in Rainbow Six Siege running at 120fps you‘ll see enemies 33ms faster than at 60fps giving you a real advantage.

According to Mark Cerny, lead system architect at Sony, the PS5’s custom processors allow peak performance of 10.28 TFLOPs, 100x faster than the PS4. This is aided by the extra bandwidth from HDMI 2.1.

What PS5 Games Support 120fps?

As of late 2022, native 4K 120Hz game support is still limited on PS5 with only a handful of titles reaching 120fps at 4K:

• Dirt 5
• Rainbow Six Siege
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
• Call of Duty: Vanguard
• Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition

However, many titles do support 120fps through an optimized performance mode at a slightly reduced resolution around 1440-1800p.

Popular examples include Fortnite, Rocket League, Warzone 2.0 and DiRT Rally 2.0. Competitive multiplayer games are prioritizing super fast frame rates, so expect more titles to add 120fps modes moving forward.

Benchmark Comparison: 4K 60Hz vs 4K 120Hz

To demonstrate the performance differences unlocked by HDMI 2.1‘s extra bandwidth, here‘s a comparison of some average frame rates for games running on PS5:

	4K 60Hz	4K 120Hz
Spiderman Miles Morales	45fps	90fps
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart	54fps	115fps
Gran Turismo 7	60fps	120fps

Enabling 120Hz provides nearly double the frame rate in many titles. You‘ll immediately notice faster controller response and silky smooth motion with significantly less blurring of fast movement.

What Type of Games Benefit Most from 120fps?

If you primarily play slower paced single player adventure or story driven games, then 4K 60Hz provides gorgeous cinematic visuals. But for competitive multiplayer games, 120fps makes a huge difference:

• Shooters – Spot enemies quicker in critical moments with the faster refresh rate.
• Racing Games – Smoother visuals and lower input lag give you greater control at high speeds.
• Fighting Games – React faster to animations and moves with reduced input lag.
• Sports Games – More responsive controls for dribbling, passing and shots on goal.

If you‘re serious about performing well in competitive online games, the fluidity and responsiveness from 120fps is a real advantage.

What Display Options Exist for HDMI 2.1?

You have two main display routes to access HDMI 2.1‘s capabilities for PS5:

4K 120Hz TVs – The latest generation flagship 4K televisions from brands like Samsung, Sony and LG now include HDMI 2.1 ports. Great for playing from the couch.

1440p 120+Hz Monitors – Gaming monitors with high refresh rates but lower 1440p resolution provide a more desktop focused option. Their fast response times are ideal for competitive multiplayer.

Interestingly, despite their lower resolution technically 1440p monitors are still considered HDMI 2.1 displays if they support 120Hz over HDMI.

1080p 120Hz – A Budget Alternative?

With high prices on 4K 120Hz TVs, 1080p 120Hz monitors could be an affordable alternative for HDMI 2.1 features. However, there are some downsides:

• Limited PS5 games support 120fps at 1080p so far.
• You won‘t benefit from the 4K resolution detail PS5 games are designed for.
• Small 27-32 inch screens less immersive than a big 4K TV.
• No future proofing for when more 4K 120fps games release.

While 1080p 120Hz monitors can provide very fast response times for competitive multiplayer, you‘ll be missing out on the stunning 4K visuals the PS5 is capable of.

Adoption of HDMI 2.1 is Growing

According toindustry analysis firm Omdia, over 50% of all TVs sold in 2022 will support HDMI 2.1. This is up from only 27% of models in 2021 showing how rapidly the specification is going mainstream.

And a reportfrom DSCC predicts over 230 million HDMI 2.1 devices will ship annually by 2024. So content and accessories supporting HDMI 2.1 will continue expanding.

TV Settings For The Best HDMI 2.1 Experience

To enjoy the highest quality visuals from your PS5:

• Enable Enhanced Format/Enhanced HDMI for the port connected to your PS5.
• Turn on HDR and set the optimal mode for game content.
• Set the HDMI color format to RGB for proper color reproduction.
• In the PS5 system settings, choose Automatic or -2dB as the HDCP setting (HDMI device link).

Ensure any post processing effects like motion smoothing are disabled. You want to minimize video processing for fastest response.

Getting The Right Cables Matters

To access the full 48Gbps bandwidth available from an HDMI 2.1 port, you cannot use just any HDMI cable:

• Use an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable certified for HDMI 2.1‘s higher speeds.
• Older cables only support up to 18Gbps of HDMI 2.0 bandwidth.
• Keep cable runs under 2 meters for reliability at 48Gbps.
• Ensure any adapters or couplers used are also 48Gbps certified.

With the right certified cables, you can be confident of unlocking the complete end-to-end HDMI 2.1 connection.

5 Best HDMI 2.1 TVs For PlayStation 5

Here are top rated options across various budgets to consider for your PS5:

Budget Pick: Hisense U8H (55-inch +) – Impressive picture, gaming features and full HDMI 2.1 ports under $1000. The value choice.

Mid-Range Option: Samsung QN90B Neo QLED – Mini-LED backlight technology provides exceptional contrast and brightness. Great HDMI 2.1 implementation.

Splurge Pick: LG G2 OLED – Stunning image quality paired with ultra low input lag and every feature. The best overall.

Large Screen: Sony X95K 85-inch – One of few 85-inch+ TVs currently available with full HDMI 2.1 support. Ultimate big screen experience for your PS5.

Monitor Alternative: ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ – 27-inches of 4K 144Hz gaming. Very fast response time at lower price than equivalent HDMI 2.1 TVs.

Is Upgrading Your TV to HDMI 2.1 Worth It for PS5?

If you play competitive multiplayer games where every millisecond matters, then yes going HDMI 2.1 is highly recommended for PS5. The faster refresh rates and ultra low input lag gives a real performance advantage.

For single player story games focused on visuals, HDMI 2.1 is less critical right now. But it does significantly enhance gaming for racing sims, fighting games or sports titles.

As more titles add support for 4K 120fps, VRR and other features, HDMI 2.1 provides necessary future proofing. If your budget allows, upgrade your display to enjoy your PS5 at its best!