Will PS4 Pro work on old TV?

As an electronics specialist and gaming enthusiast, I often get asked if buying a new PlayStation 4 Pro is worthwhile for those still using older "legacy" TVs. While the PS4 Pro is capable of 4K resolution and high dynamic range (HDR) for enhanced visuals, you can still benefit even without the latest cutting edge display.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about pairing the PS4 Pro with older TVs to help you decide if upgrading your console is justified over investing in a new TV first.

## Defining the Capabilities of the PS4 Pro

Compared to the original PS4, Sony‘s PS4 Pro console brings some significant hardware improvements:

* **4K graphics** – The PS4 Pro can output games and media at up to 3840 x 2160 pixels (2160p). This provides over 8 million pixels for ultra sharp detail compared to 1080p‘s 2 million pixels.

* **HDR (high dynamic range)** – With support for the HDR10 standard and a wider color gamut, compatible TVs can display a greater range of color and contrast for more realistic, nuanced visuals.

* **Higher framerates** – Select games can render up to 60fps (frames per second) for smoother animation compared to the PS4‘s 30fps limit. This enhances responsiveness especially for fast-paced action titles.

To take advantage of these capabilities requires a TV that supports modern standards like 4K, HDR, and HDMI 2.0. But those with older 1080p sets can still benefit in certain ways.

## Defining "Old TVs"

There are two main categories of older or "legacy" TVs to consider in terms of PS4 Pro compatibility:

### CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)

These large, boxy TVs utilizing cathode ray tube technology represent the oldest televisions. They are characterized by a curved display and standard definition resolutions topping out at 480i/1080i, with no native support for HDMI.

### Early HD Flatscreens

The first wave of 1080p flatscreen TVs emerged in the late 2000s transitioning from analog to digital HDMI inputs. While considered high definition, their max resolution is 1920 x 1080 (1080p) without 4K or HDR capability.

Modern conveniences like smart TV platforms, apps, digital assistants, and advanced gaming features are also absent on these early flatscreen models.

## HDMI Connectivity Requirements

A PS4 Pro requires an HDMI input on the TV to transmit audio and video. The HDMI port must support HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

* For 1080p gaming, an **HDMI 1.4 port** with Ethernet is sufficient along with a High Speed HDMI cable. This can handle up to 1080p at 60Hz.
* For 4K gaming, an **HDMI 2.0 port** is needed along with a Premium High Speed HDMI cable. This provides enough bandwidth for 4K 60Hz signals.

**CRT TVs** do not natively have HDMI and cannot be easily modified to add it. Adapters like HDMI to component video do not work for PS4 consoles either due to HDCP requirements. So CRTs have zero PS4 Pro compatibility.

## Benefits of PS4 Pro on 1080p TVs

Without a 4K television, you won‘t be able to display native 2160p visuals from the PS4 Pro. However, there are still some compelling benefits over the standard PS4 when gaming on a 1080p screen:

### Supersampling for Improved Image Quality

The PS4 Pro is capable of internally rendering games at resolutions higher than 1920 x 1080p, including native 4K. The console will then downscale the image to match your TV‘s 1080p output.

This process is called supersampling and results in some key visual benefits:

* Reduced jagged edges and shimmering artifacts
* Finer detail resolved from the higher rendering resolution
* Improved anti-aliasing to smooth out edges and textures
* Less noticeable pixelation

The difference can be subtle on some games but provides a boost in overall image clarity compared to rendering natively at 1080p.

### Enhanced Framerates

Some PS4 titles on the Pro can render up to 60fps compared to the standard 30fps cap. First person shooters, racing sims, fighting games, and other genres especially benefit from the doubled frame rate.

The faster response and smoother animations this enables leads to a more immersive, realistic gaming experience. Input lag is also reducedallowing for better precision and reaction times.

### Other Visual Enhancements

Depending on the game, developers can take advantage of the PS4 Pro‘s extra horsepower in other ways like increasing environmental and texture detail, improving lighting and shadows, using higher resolution assets, and enhancing effects.

So while not full 4K, image quality can still surpass the base PS4 in noticeable ways despite the 1080p output limitation. HDR is not supported however – this requires a 4K HDR-compatible television.

## Recommended 1080p TVs for PS4 Pro

To get the optimal experience using a PS4 Pro with an older 1080p television, some key factors to look for include:

* **Low input lag** – Critical for responsive, lag-free gameplay. Aim for less than 30ms input lag with HDR disabled in Game Mode on your TV.

* **High refresh rate** – 120Hz is ideal for smoothing out motion and preventing judder that can ruin fast gaming action.

* **Fast response time** – How quickly pixels can change colors. Under 10ms is great while 20ms or higher can cause distracting motion blur.

* **Game mode** – Special preset that disables post-processing to minimize latency. Be sure to enable for gaming.

Based on these criteria, here are some solid 1080p TV options to consider paired with a PS4 Pro:

| TV Model | Size | Input Lag | Refresh Rate | Response Time |
|-|-|-|-|-|
| Sony X85J | 50", 55", 65" | 15ms | 60Hz | 7ms |
| TCL 4 Series | 50", 55" | 14ms | 60Hz | 8ms |
| Hisense A6G | 50", 55" | 15ms | 60Hz | 16ms |
| Vizio V-Series | 40", 50" | 15ms | 60Hz | 8ms |

I would stay in the 40 to 65 inch range to appreciate the enhanced details – don‘t go too small! Models with native 120Hz panels are ideal but good motion handling at 60Hz also works.

Prioritize low input lag numbers and quick response times. Be sure to calibrate the optimal gaming settings too – I‘ll cover that later.

## Why CRT TVs Don‘t Work with PS4 Pro

As mentioned earlier, CRT or cathode ray tube televisions are completely incompatible with the PS4 Pro. Here‘s why:

* **No HDMI input** – CRT TVs only have analog inputs like coaxial, composite, S-video, and component video. The PS4 Pro lacks any analog A/V outputs.

* **HDCP requirements** – HDCP 2.2 is required for 4K output and even standard HD video requires HDCP 1.4. CRTs do not support HDCP digital copy protection.

* **Maximum resolution** – CRT TVs max out at 480i/1080i resolutions. PS4 Pro requires at least 720p output.

* **Display size** – PS4 games are designed for larger widescreen displays. CRT screens are 4:3 ratio and smaller than modern TV sizes.

While niche adapters like HDfury can add HDMI to CRTs, they are expensive and suffer from copy protection issues. It‘s just not feasible to use a PS4 Pro with a CRT television unfortunately.

## Key Settings for Optimal Gaming Performance

To get the most responsive, lag-free gaming experience from your PS4 Pro, there are some key settings you‘ll want to adjust:

### On Your PlayStation 4 Pro:

* Set **Resolution** to Automatic
* Enable **Boost Mode** under System Settings
* Under Saved Data, check both Application Saved Data and Game Presets boxes
* Set Power Saving to Off – enables HDR/deep color output in rest mode

### On Your TV Display:

* Select **Game Mode** picture preset
* Disable unnecessary processing like Motion Smoothing, Noise Reduction
* Set Sharpness lower (25-50 range) to avoid edge ringing artifacts
* Match **Aspect Ratio** to console – 16:9 or Automatic
* Use **Bitstream** or Bitstream DTS audio output
* Set HDMI Black Levels to match video output range from PS4 Pro

Calibrating brightness, contrast, color, and tint will also help dial in optimal picture quality – I can provide suggested settings in a separate guide.

## Future-Proofing Your PS4 Pro Setup

To get the longest lifespan from your PS4 Pro, here are some upgrades to consider down the road:

**New 4K TV** – Once more affordable models supporting 4K, HDR, HDMI 2.1, and 120Hz refresh rates become available, this will unlock the PS4 Pro‘s full capabilities. Look for sets with high peak brightness, full array local dimming, quantum dot technology, and OLED is ideal.

**PS5** – Likely launching in 2020, the PS5 will again push the envelope on gaming graphics, performance, and features. Your PS4 Pro library will carry over and see benefits.

**HDMI 2.1 Cables** – To keep up with evolving standards, upgraded 48Gbps HDMI cables will provide plenty of overhead for 4K 120fps gaming and beyond. Don‘t skimp on poorly made cables.

Investing in a sound system, whether a soundbar or discrete surround speakers, will also heighten the experience. Take time to optimize settings as your gear evolves.

## Summary – Revitalizing Your Gaming With PS4 Pro

While true native 4K gaming requires an Ultra HD television, even gaming at 1080p sees notable improvements with the PS4 Pro over the base PS4 model. Technologies like supersampling and faster framerates can give new life to an older HD flatscreen.

Just be sure your TV has an HDMI port – CRTs unfortunately won‘t work. Prioritize fast response times and low input lag when selecting a 1080p display along with proper calibration. This will provide responsive, smooth gaming with enhanced visuals on supported titles.

As you start to push your PS4 Pro‘s capabilities, a 4K HDR TV will become enticing to unlock its full potential. But in the meantime, you can still benefit without immediately upgrading your television. Hopefully this guide gives you confidence that a PS4 Pro is a worthwhile investment now and also when you eventually join the 4K gaming era.