For better visibility and responsiveness on PS5, first confirm what your display and game support, then enable 120 Hz, VRR, or ALLM only where compatible. Calibrate HDR and in-game image controls for your screen and preferences; no single preset improves every shooter or display.
Check what your PS5 and display support
Before changing settings, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Review Information for the Connected HDMI Device and Current Video Output Signal to see the connected screen’s reported resolution, VRR, and HDR capabilities. Available features depend on the display, HDMI connection, game, and selected game mode. With resolution set to Automatic, PS5 selects the highest resolution the TV supports. Sony’s PS5 video output guide describes these options.
Which PS5 video settings should you change?
| Setting | Useful starting point | What it does and when to adjust it |
|---|---|---|
| 120 Hz Output | On, if the display and the specific game support 120 Hz | Enables 120 Hz output for games that support a 120 Hz frame rate; it does not make every game render at 120 fps. If a monitor or other display has output problems, Sony recommends turning it off. |
| VRR | Automatic, if supported by the display and game | Synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with PS5 output and may reduce tearing or frame-pacing issues. Results vary. Try Apply to Unsupported Games only if you are prepared to check for unexpected visual effects. |
| ALLM | Leave available or automatic on a supported TV | Automatically switches a compatible TV to its low-latency mode during gameplay. Check the TV’s specifications; HDMI 2.1 branding alone does not guarantee support for every feature. Sony notes that VRR output can trigger low-latency mode even when ALLM is Off. |
| HDR | On When Supported is a cautious choice if you do not want SDR content converted | Always On converts unsupported content to HDR output; On When Supported leaves unsupported content in SDR. Use Adjust HDR and each game’s calibration controls for your display rather than assuming one option is best for competition. |
| RGB Range | Automatic | Change it only if the HDMI device does not report range information correctly and you have a range mismatch. |
Find VRR, 120 Hz Output, ALLM, HDR, Adjust HDR, Deep Color Output, and RGB Range in Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Sony explains that VRR may smooth supported games and that results depend on the game, TV, and selected visual mode. Hideaki Nishino’s PlayStation Blog explanation, published April 25, 2022, describes the feature; its original game list is not a current compatibility list, since game support can change with patches.
How to troubleshoot 4K/120 Hz output
If 4K/120 Hz is missing or unstable, check the signal path before buying accessories. The PS5 includes an HDMI cable, which may already be suitable.
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- Confirm that the TV or monitor specifically supports 4K at 120 Hz and that its firmware is current.
- Connect the PS5 directly to the display where possible, rather than through a receiver, and use the HDMI port that supports 4K/120 on that display.
- Try the included PS5 cable or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz.
- On PS5, check Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output; set Resolution to Automatic or 2160p, and Video Transfer Rate to Automatic.
- If the screen flickers, try setting Video Transfer Rate to -1 or -2. Sony says this can help, but it limits some output formats.
These checks follow Sony’s 4K resolution and video output troubleshooting guidance.
Adjust the game’s own visibility and motion options
Menus differ by shooter, so treat these as options to inspect rather than universal settings or guaranteed performance gains. The official guidance here does not establish a single numerical preset for an unspecified game.
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- Performance or frame-rate mode: If responsiveness is your priority, try the mode that prioritizes frame rate. The game may make resolution or other visual trade-offs, which vary by title.
- Motion blur: If moving targets look smeared, test a lower setting or turn it off. Whether that looks clearer is personal and game-specific.
- Field of view (FOV): Use the slider if the game offers one. A wider view shows more peripheral space but can make distant targets appear smaller; choose a setting that remains comfortable to track.
- Brightness and HDR calibration: Follow the game’s calibration screen and your display’s Adjust HDR controls. Raising brightness indiscriminately can wash out dark areas and weaken intended contrast.
- Reticle, color, and accessibility: Configure available options around your visual needs and the game’s controls.
Display controls can help, but may conflict
Monitor menus are separate from PS5 settings, and their behavior is model-specific. For example, Sony’s SDM-27U9M2 guide describes a Black equalizer from 0 to 10, with higher values improving visibility in dark areas on that monitor. The same guide documents motion-blur reduction, response-time modes (Standard, Fast, Faster), and a Latency control: higher Latency values reduce latency but reduce blur reduction. These are not universal recommendations for other screens. Sony SDM-27U9M2 monitor guide
That monitor also illustrates a trade-off: enabling Adaptive-Sync/VRR prevents adjustment of Motion blur reduction, and blur reduction does not work below a 100 Hz input signal. Check your own monitor’s manual to see whether its clarity, latency, and variable-refresh features can operate together.
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