Most PS5 software updates are small stability fixes, but every now and then we get something more substantial. This week, a new PS5 software update was released, and among other things, the update adds support for 1440p output, which should be a boon for PS5 players with QHD game screens.
While there’s a lot to like about the new functionality, it does have one major snag: it doesn’t work with the PS5’s Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) feature.
Sony has identified new PS5 software update features on official PlayStation Blogand it is safe to say that the decision is at the heart of the story.
While the blog post outlines YouTube’s voice search features and PS app improvements, the 1440p resolution is the main addition this time around.
What is 1440p and how does it affect VRR?
To put things into perspective, let’s define some terms. Resolution refers to the number of pixels in a particular screen, whether it is a smartphone, computer monitor, or TV. Higher resolutions contain more pixels, which can produce more detailed images. Older monitors and TVs often support Full HD resolution, which is 1920 x 1080 pixels, or 1080p, for short. Newer monitors and TVs often support UHD, which is 3840 x 2160 pixels, or 4K for short. From the start, the PS5 has supported both of these decisions.
The problem came in the middle: QHD screens, which are in the middle between 1080p and 4K. Many computer screens are QHD, specifically 2560 x 1440 pixels, or 1440 pixels. This resolution tends to strike a healthy balance between resolution and frame rate, especially for mid-range gaming PCs. The problem is that if you connect the PS5 to a QHD screen, it will default to 1080p, even though it is capable of displaying a much higher resolution.
Now that the PS5 supports 1440p resolution, gamers who connect their PS5 consoles to gaming monitors can enjoy better graphics. (There aren’t really any 1440p TVs around, as it’s not a common format for video content.) We tested the 1440p options on the PS5, and they work as advertised. If you go to your PS5’s Settings menu and choose Screen & Video, you can then try out the new Test 1440p Output option. It will let you know if your screen supports 1440p resolution and/or 120Hz refresh rate.
However, at the bottom of the Sony blog post there is one major caveat: “VRR on PS5 supports 1080p and 4K video output but not 1440p.”
What are you missing without VRR?
For those who haven’t tried it, VRR is a feature that Sony implemented a few months ago; The Xbox Series X has had it since its launch. It’s an “exactly what it says on the box” feature, which constantly adjusts the frame rate as you play the game, rather than locking it in at a fixed refresh rate, like 60Hz or 120Hz.
In theory, this means smoother gameplay and more fluid graphics – in practice, it depends a lot on the game and the screen.
Since the PS5 supports VRR for both 1080p and 4K outputs, the lack of access to 1440p means gamers with gaming monitors have to put up with another drawback that doesn’t affect TV users. There is still some hope for the future. It took Sony two years to implement 1440p output, but it’s finally here.
The VRR of the new resolution is probably a few updates away.
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