If you're looking for the best TV for a PS5 or Xbox Series X console, now is the time to get one. Most of the 2021 TV lines from TV manufacturers are out in the wild, and these brands have been lucky enough to respond to the releases of these next-gen consoles by offering more game modes, improved refresh rates, and more. Of the HDMI 2.1 inputs we have. I've never seen it before. But if you only have one of these consoles, as we think most next-gen gamers do, it's important to note that the TV requirements for the PS5 and Xbox Series X (and, of course, Xbox Series S from lower quality) are not exactly the same. If you've bought a high-end gaming TV, don't worry too much. A TV with a good picture, low input lag, and HDMI 2.1 specs (like 4K/120Hz pass-through and variable refresh rate/VRR) will work fine with either console. Dedicated game modes are also quite common these days, whether on TVs or projectors, meaning your screen's processor will prioritize smooth movements and responsible inputs over incredibly cinematic detail. The main difference is in format support, with Sony and Microsoft taking very different positions when it comes to integration with HDR and 3D audio standards. This is what you need to know.
Dynamic game
As much as the Xbox and PlayStation consoles are seen as bitter enemies, along with their fan bases, the point is that the PS5 and Xbox Series X are pretty similar pieces of hardware. After all, they are essentially gaming PCs with custom AMD chipsets and equivalent performance (although they do vary slightly in places). However, one place where they really vary is with HDR. The Xbox Series X is an outstanding HDR console with its Dolby Vision support, which will at some point enable high-end HDR gaming, probably for Halo Infinite, for one, and is already in testing for a number of Xbox Insiders. Of course, the PS5 doesn't support Dolby Vision, and while we're told there's no exclusivity deal between Microsoft and Dolby, it's clear the format doesn't quite match up to plans. Sony immediately for its line of consoles. This is further complicated by the variance in HDR support on today's smart TVs. While any 4K TV (and even some HDTVs) supports the basic HDR10 format, the more premium Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats are much less consistent. These premium formats add metadata that helps calibrate your TV picture on a scene-by-scene basis, but only for compatible titles that have been released in these formats. Newer Samsung TVs only support HDR10+, while LG prefers Dolby Vision, though Philips, Panasonic and Vizio displays widely support both. The problem here is that you can buy a great gaming TV for your PS5, but if it doesn't have Dolby Vision, you wouldn't be setting yourself up for top-end gaming with an Xbox Series X or Xbox in the future. Series S.
Ring
However, this is not all. Xbox series consoles also support Dolby Atmos, which is a 3D surround sound format, best known for a multi-speaker setup for immersive game sound, but also a great sense of depth in the ceiling, bars sound system and in-ear headphones. Sony opted not to include Dolby Atmos, preferring to push its own Tempest 3D AudioTech solution. You'll find it compatible with a number of PS5 games, including Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered, Astro's Playroom, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Demon's Souls, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which includes incoming support for various titles. new too. But it doesn't pack quite the punch that Atmos did in our tests, with our time with the official PS5 Pulse 3D wireless headset leaving us a bit disappointed. “Unfortunately, none of the games we've tested with the headset so far sounded as immersive as, say, a Dolby Atmos movie due to the limited nature of 3D sound, but 3D AudioTech was better to try than not hear at all. not at all,” we wrote. While Atmos is also supported by many high-end Dolby Atmos TVs, soundbars, and speakers, Sony's 3D audio is not. Adam Vjestica, Games Editor at TechRadar, tells us that "you can use any wired or wireless USB gaming headset to experience the effects of 3D audio," if the headset is good enough to hear the difference, but it won't. it still has no impact on the sound of your TV. We previously spoke with Sony's gaming division about how the PS3's 5D audio technology will continue to develop as Sony continues to receive feedback from developers and designers. Kenichi Imai, deputy head of the software engineering group at SIE, told us, “As Mark Cerny mentioned earlier, the audio experience is something that will continue to evolve. Moving forward, we will continue to strive to deliver the most immersive experiences possible on PS5 and explore ways to further enhance the 3D audio experience. Imai added that "we're always exploring ways to bring a more immersive experience for our players, but we don't have anything to share at this time," suggesting that the format may come to more audio material in the future. It would certainly be a Kind of a first if it only came to Sony TVs, but it could cripple a lot of angry gamers if it didn't become more prevalent or manufacturer independent.
Choose sides
The main differences here are in a number of select HDR and dynamic 3D audio formats, which won't affect most games, players or TVs right now. For those who want to get the most out of their gaming hardware, these specs will only become more important, especially as more games are able to properly use the enhanced picture and sound. The easiest answer here is to go with a TV that meets all of these Xbox requirements, in case you have (or ever want) an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S in your home. And the specific audio standard used with the PS5 hasn't made a specific request on your TV choice yet, meaning that shouldn't influence your buying decision just yet. However, if you're happy with a PS5 or aren't worried about the promise of Dolby Vision gaming for years to come, you don't have to worry so much. When Dolby Vision gaming actually hits the market, of course, it might even be time to upgrade your gaming TV again.