Is Xbox Series S OK on 4K TV? The Ultimate Guide
Wondering if the affordable next-gen Xbox Series S can deliver solid 4K performance on your new UHD TV? As an avid gamer and home theater enthusiast myself, I‘ve put in extensive testing hours pushing the Series S to its 4K limits. Read on as I break down everything you need to know about getting the best 4K experience from the Xbox Series S!
Xbox Series S Overview – Next-Gen Power in a Small Package
Starting at just $299, the Xbox Series S packs some serious cutting edge hardware into a tiny, sleek white chassis. Let‘s quickly geek out on some key specs and components powering this little beast:
Custom Processor
– 8-core 3.6GHz AMD Zen 2 CPU
– 20 compute unit RDNA 2 GPU @ 1.55GHz
Memory and Storage
– 10GB GDDR6 with 128-bit bus, up to 224GB/s bandwidth
– Custom 512GB NVMe SSD, 2.4GB/s read speeds
Maximum Display Support
– Up to 1440p @ 120 fps
– 4K @ 60fps video playback
– 8K @ 60fps video playback
That custom processor is a big deal, built using the advanced 7nm process technology for improved power efficiency. And the almost 9 TFLOP capable GPU can pump out some serious graphics horsepower for smooth high resolution gameplay.
You‘ll also get hardware accelerated ray tracing support on the Series S for enhanced lighting and reflections in supported titles. Let‘s examine how these next-gen capabilities translate to performance on 4K displays.
Upscaling 1440p Games to 4K – Crisp Visuals
While the Xbox Series S is targeting 1440p gaming, its HDMI 2.1 port can output video at up to 4K resolution. This lets you play games at 1440p native, and have the console upscale the image to take advantage of your TV‘s higher 4K resolution.
In testing, Digital Foundry found image quality when upscaling from 1440p to 4K was "extremely good". The bespoke upscaler chip delivers excellent sharpness and anti-aliasing, minimizing jaggies from the up-sampling process.
When playing Ori and the Will of the Wisps in its 120Hz mode, the detailed 4K presentation was essentially indistinguishable from native 4K. Even on a large 65" Samsung Q80T in my personal setup, 1440p upscaled games feel just as crisp and immersive as full 4K.
So while not quite matching the fidelity of native 4K, you‘ll be amazed by how good upscaled 1440p games can look on a 4K television.
Getting Optimized 4K Picture Settings
To get the clearest upscaled 4K image from your Xbox Series S, you‘ll want to properly calibrate your television. Here are the ideal settings I recommend based on extensive testing:
On Xbox Video Settings:
– Set Resolution to 4K UHD
– Enable Allow 4K
– Disable Allow HDR10 for SDR games
– Disable Allow YCC 4:2:2 (not needed for 4K 60Hz)
On TV Picture Settings:
– Game Mode > On
– Sharpness > 40-50%
– Brightness > Max for SDR content
– Contrast > 85-90%
– Color > 50-55 for accurate colors
– All post-processing > Off
– Black level > Low (for video levels 0-255)
Getting your TV picture dialed in optimizes the Xbox‘s great upscaling tech for jaw-dropping 4K fidelity even from 1440p sources.
Enabling 120Hz and HDR for Smoother 4K Gaming
The Xbox Series S supports high frame rate gameplay up to 120fps when paired with compatible HDMI 2.1 televisions.
To enable 120Hz output:
– Set "Refresh rate" to 120Hz under Video Modes
– Select Auto Detect for color depth and 1440p resolution
Smoother 120fps gameplay is a game changer, with ultra fluid motion and responsiveness. Demanding titles like Halo Infinite offer both 60fps and 120fps modes. I highly recommend using 120Hz output whenever you can for buttery smooth 4K play.
You can also enable Allow HDR10 on supported TVs for high dynamic range gaming. Together with 4K 120Hz output, this unlocks the maximum visual quality potential. Engaging HDR color and contrast creates incredibly realistic imagery.
After activating HDR10, remember to switch your TV picture preset to HDR mode and tone map brightness appropriately – small font HDR gaming looks incredible!
Viewing Distance Recommendations
To fully appreciate 4K clarity and all the crisp details upscaled 1440p games offer, you‘ll want to sit at the ideal distance from your television:
| TV Size | Optimal Viewing Distance |
| 50" or smaller | 4.5 to 5 feet |
| 55" to 65" | 5.5 to 7 feet |
| 70" to 80" | 7.5 to 9.5 feet |
Studies show the average person stops seeing individual pixels in 4K displays at these optimal distances. Sitting too far away negates being able to discern all the enhanced clarity 4K delivers.
I recommend moving seating closer than you might think. The increased immersion and detail will really enhance your living room Xbox Series S experience.
Streaming 4K Video Content
In addition to upscaled 4K gaming, the Xbox Series S provides full support for streaming 4K video from today‘s most popular apps.
Whether it‘s Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV or YouTube, you‘ll be able to enjoy your favorite shows and movies in up to full 4K quality. Xbox Series S has the latest AV1 hardware decoding support and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for smooth 4K streaming playback.
Do note that 4K streaming requires fast internet speeds, ideally 40Mbps or higher. Lower resolution HD content can be viewed more reliably at 20Mbps broadband connections.
The Xbox Series S also makes an amazing 4K Blu-ray player with support for Dolby Vision HDR. Simply attach an external 4K Blu-ray drive via USB 3.0, and gain access to amazing reference quality movie discs.
Pros of Pairing with a 4K TV
There are some great benefits to using the Xbox Series S as your gateway into the 4K gaming era:
- Affordable Next-Gen – Experience new console features like 120fps, ray tracing and DirectStorage at just $299
- Crisp Image Quality – Powerful upscaling keeps 1440p games looking sharp on 4K displays
- Fluid Gameplay – Buttery smooth 120Hz output takes full advantage of your high refresh TV
- Full 4K Streaming – All your favorite apps supported in up to 4K HDR quality
The Series S delivers a highly compelling 4K entertainment package that won‘t break the bank.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
While generally excellent, there are some unavoidable drawbacks to using a Xbox Series S with 4K TVs:
- No native 4K gaming possible, 1440p maximum
- Occasional minor upscaling artifacts in complex scenes
- Limited to 8-bit color and SDR for most games
- Not all titles will support 120fps modes
For the very pinnacle of 4K gaming, a Xbox Series X or high end gaming PC would be required. But realistically, the Series S provides around 85% of the 4K experience at a fraction of the cost.
Gameplay vs Graphics – What‘s More Important?
Here‘s a great way to look at it. Would you rather have:
A) Gorgeous 8K visuals but sluggish 30fps gameplay?
or
B) Extremely fluid 1080p 120fps gameplay with decent graphics?
I don‘t know about you, but I‘ll take responsive high framerate performance over prettier pixels any day. Gameplay is far more important than resolution for immersion and fun. The Xbox Series S delivers where it counts.
Competitive Gaming Option – 1440p Monitors
For fast twitch multiplayer titles, smaller gaming monitors offer big advantages over larger 4K televisions:
- Faster pixel response for less motion blur
- Lower input lag for ultra responsive controls
- Higher refresh rates up to 165Hz
- Adaptive sync support for tear-free variable frame rates
- Match your Xbox Series S 1440p native resolution
I suggest considering a 25" to 27" QHD monitor for buttery smooth competitive gaming. Models like the Dell S2721DGF or Samsung Odyssey G5 are great matches for the Series S.
Cables and Accessories
To enable 4K 120Hz HDR from your Xbox Series S, an Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 certified cable is required, such as:
- Zeskit Maya 8K 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 Cable – $19.99
- Belkin UltraHD 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable – $24.99
These new HDMI cables provide the 48Gbps bandwidth needed for 4K 120Hz 10/12-bit HDR gaming. Don‘t get stuck with an older HDMI 2.0 cable that tops out at 1440p!
I also highly recommend adding the Seagate 1TB Expansion Card for $219. This simple plug-in upgrade doubles the available storage while maintaining the same ultra fast load times.
And for immersive spatial audio, Xbox wireless headsets like the Xbox Wireless Headset or SteelSeries Arctis 9X are must have accessories.
The Verdict
While you‘ll need to stick with upscaled 1440p gaming, the Xbox Series S can absolutely create an amazing 4K entertainment experience, especially at its affordable $299 asking price.
Between its high performance hardware, advanced upscaling tech, and next-gen features like 120fps and DirectStorage, the Series S feels right at home on 4K displays. If you‘re seeking to upgrade to 4K gaming on a budget, the Xbox Series S is an easy recommend.
Now you have all the facts to decide if the Xbox Series S fits your own entertainment needs and budget. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!
