I tested VRR on PS5 and it's great – but Xbox Series X does it better

PS5 VRR isn’t quite as good as I hoped

[Nitrowolf2]

Hopefully Sony expands on it more. Would love to be able to use my monitor with the feature but sadly it’s not hdmi 2.1

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I feel like the lack of Display Port was a missed opportunity here.

[Philaroni]

I have to agree with you, both Sony and MS I feel missed a chance for that. I can't tell you how many times people complain about lack of support on both the Sony and MS side. Sure MS does it better but to be honest they both kind of suck.

[Eonjay]

For an initial showing its great and Insomniac has shown the absolute best implementation that needs to become the standard. But this is just the start improvements will be needed and we don't want to see VRR become a crutch. We want the expereince to be optomized for folks with VRR and without VRR. Also about the lack of PS4 support... its not actually needed on PS5. Remember the PS5 maxes out every PS4 title for the most part. There are no drops so no need for VRR. You don't want to use VRR just because its there. There are alot of negative image quality side effects on most tvs when using VRR. So only use it when you need it.

[darthv72]

i dont even have a screen that supports VRR in any form. Nice to know that if I get one that supports the PS5, it will also support the Series X. Can't say the same about the other way.

[blackblades]

1st lets complain that Sony dont have vrr, now that they have it lets complain that it's not good as the other console vrr.

[Jin_Sakai]

Or it’s the fact that it took Sony over one and half years to release vrr and Series X still does it better.

[blackblades]

So what's the big difference, what the samo samo BC support.

[Nitrowolf2]

@blackblades

Well the system wide VRR including old titles is still nice to have . Believe it or not there are still some new games releasing on PS that only have a PS4 release, Shadow Warrior 3 comes to mind as very recent one, but there are a good chunk of indie games too.

On top of that, Series supports FreeSync whereas the PS5 doesn’t, locking it out of bunch of TV’s and Monitors that are already capable of HDR VRR 144Hz unless they are equipped with HDMI 2.1, and on the monitor front, HDMI 2.1 is still pretty costly

[DarXyde]

Better late than never, I say. An argument could be made for removing the Gold paywall with f2p honestly.

Late and inferior, sure. Sony is always late with hardware updates for features that should have been there from the start. Remember DLNA on PS3? Spotify support on PS4? Wasn't long ago people were wondering about storage expansion with PS5 either. It's par for the course with Sony.

Personally, these features (storage withstanding) have never been big priorities for me. Can't take advantage of vrr anyway. Where they come up short on hardware updates, they more than make up for with stellar software. That's where I keep my focus.

Totally understand wanting the feature and being a little disappointed that its implementation is not as good, but in a weird way, it's like Switch Online: you anticipate it, but deep down, you never really expected it to be the best at all. From what I can tell, it's still an excellent addition and it's nothing to scoff at just because Xbox does it better.

[fr0sty]

So it not being available on older gen games that already run at max framerate on ps5 and don't even need it is what makes it so "inferior"? Because it doesn't go as low as a completely unplayable 20fps? Because a proprietary format only supported by a handful of PC monitors isn't included?

[Nitrowolf2]

A lot of people already own monitors that can take advantage of VRR yet the ps5 doesn’t support them cause the 2.1 lock out

People aren’t going to just drop hundreds on a new monitor or tv to replace one that’s just a few years old that works with vrr on everything else, so of course people will have complaints about the implementation.

I can’t use my VRR monitor myself and looked at the price of monitors with 2.1. They’re not cheap, I could get a tv that supports it and 3 times the size yet have no clue where to put that

[Knightofelemia]

Buy the new tv put the old one in a bedroom for a spare, sell it, or donate it. And Black Friday people will drop the cash on a new monitor or tv they do it on Boxing Day in Canada. Best Buy orders a lot of tv's during those times so does Walmart as well. I upgraded my old 50inch to a 65inch LED and I keep my old one as a spare it still has lots of life left to it. I keep it because it can hook up component unlike my new 65inch which can't.

[Nitrowolf2]

@Knight

Yes because buying a whole new TV to replace a TV/monitor that has VRR functionality working on PC/Xbox is worth the price just to get it to work on a machine that took over a year and a half to get it with limited support . I’m going to wait for Sony to issue more updates and have my fingers crossed that this isn’t the just it for VRR from them.

[BlackDoomAx]

i have only hdmi 2.0 and VRR still works on my PS5.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

@Knightoffelemia,

I'm not replacing a 4/5 year old TV yet, that's just a waste of money, I'd rather wait for a larger selection of HDMI 2.1 TVs.

[SurgicalMenace]

So because Sony, who manufacturers their own TVs, isn't supporting what you already have, they're inferior? MS has no choice but to support any and all, but Sony is putting out cutting edge tech in their products. You want the support buy the TV, if you're not willing go without. Simple

Why does Sony have to give freely to garner the favor of individuals not even willing to buy their products? Sony doesn't make monitors, so either pony up for a 4k Master Series or the like or settle for the limits of your monitor.

[SurgicalMenace]

@Nitrowolf

I mean, you're the one crying/complaining so just enjoy what your XB/PC offers. No need to be bothered with Sony if you've got everything you need across the street.

[Neonridr]

I mean it's a fair point. Imagine releasing a feature significantly later than the competition and it not be as fully fleshed out. I'd be upset too.

[King_Noctis]

So you mean people should accept the feature even if it is half baked?

[ChubbyBlade]

My lord you’re salty

[dumahim]

pointing out that it isn't as good as other implementations is just complaining now?

[ABizzel1]

Xbox is better in the sense that it targets a lower VRR limit down to 40fps/Hz while PS5 is currently stuck at 48fps/Hz. This means games that drop below 48fps lose VRR support on PS5 momentarily, and the reality is in games that need VRR that 8fps different is really a big benefit for Xbox.

That being said games shouldn't be targeting those fps to begin with. VRR is there to help, not be a solution to lazy developers.

[SurgicalMenace]

That's because Sony are forward thinkers and their main focus is what benefits the PS5 not previous consoles. That's a waste of time and money. Most could care less about how old games are supported on the PS as we're growing quite the backlog of current generation games.

[ABizzel1]

VRR isn't just about last-gen games though. Do PS4 games need VRR.... in most cases no IMO, is Xbox better because of it...again no IMO.

What helps Xbox be better is that current-gen games that are running "up to" 60fps but have wildly dips, like Elden Ring, VRR helps with a lot of the issues that come with an inconsistent framerate. Elden Ring is generally in the 50's, but it can drop down to the low 40s and high 30's (rarely). Since Xbox has a lower VRR threshold it holds up better in games like Elden ring, where the PS5 will go back to tearing, because the VRR starts at 48fps/Hz instead of 40 like Xbox.

The other area where Xbox is "better" is their software implementation, which basically doubles (and as a results doubles/halves) the rendering of the frame basically making VRR function as low as 20fps/Hz or as high as 120fps/Hz even in games that didn't truly support those targets. It produces a slightly worse image on screen, but it can save some old games that weren't quite 30fps (the Medium) at least performance-wise, and it can make some games smooth as butter offering a pseudo 120fps instead of 60.

The Xbox implementation is better all around, it's not just about old games as the comments or this article I guess makes it seem like. But it is ridiculous that this is even becoming a VRR vs debate in the comments when this is supposed to be a good beneficial feature for gamers. This is why I don't support these trash sites with clicks because that's all they're looking for.

[SurgicalMenace]

Let's see? Sony releases a library of games first to take advantage of a visual feature, but MS does it better? Yeah it took Sony longer, as they've got games, consoles, and TVs in development. MS only has features to focus on, at this point. My VRR is being used better on the PS5 because there are actually next gen games taking advantage of the feature. It's always something though. I guess, enjoy VRR more on XB while playing last generation games and BC. Not one game that can graphically rival Spiderman, Ratchet, Returnal, Horizon, GT7 or Demon's Souls.

[Rimeskeem]

It feels like Microsoft is a software company and Sony is a hardware company - wait...

[mkis007]

huh? This is a software thing though.

[Mr Logic]

Whoosh

[RedDevils]

Need to dig deeper.

[Shane Kim]

So this multi billion dollar company can't hire some software developers to implement a better version of VRR?

[Christopher]

Hire better developers than the richest software company ever?

[SurgicalMenace]

Not sure of you guys noticed but Sony is focused on releasing games. The XB has no games so MS is focused on features.

[Levii_92]

Hmmm interesting.. but i'll wait until Digital Foundry makes a video about it.

[--Onilink--]

They already had a pretty good 20min discussion about it on their DF weekly show, so they might not do a dedicated video

[RaidenBlack]

Its here:
https://n4g.com/news/247761...

[darthv72]

you're in luck... https://youtu.be/3v2aks-su2...

[SierraGuy]

I've already watched a few comparison vids that prove Sony's implementation of vrr to be SUPERIOR to Xbox.

The 40fps lock with triple frame compensation for 120hz mode is one reason.

4k 120hz full raytracing ...yeehaw.

Agreed though wait for digital foundry.

[--Onilink--]

What are you talking about? 40fps mode is not VRR and only Insomniac has done it anyway.
Plus even Insomniac has unlocked the framerate in that 40hz mode with the VRR update because its better if it can go higher…
Sony’s implementation of VRR as it is right now is objectively worse than Xbox or PC, there is really nothing to argue there.
It doesnt support FreeSync, the VRR floor is 48 instead of 40 and there is no LFC on a system level, which is why Insomniac had to do their own software level LFC.
All Sony has to do is enable support for Freesync instead of just HDMI Forum VRR and all those issues go away

[darkrider]

It's crazy how far some go that try and get clicks. Whats even more funny it's that maybe not even 10% of ps5 and series x owners got TV vrr ready... Vrr is pointless if studios make their games run like they should and not expect some TV feature to help smooth the frames... This type of stuff is exactly like when df is making a review of a game running on the most expensive gpu that 3% of gamers have. Casual gamers are 90% and not the way around.

[Bladesfist]

Nah, VRR makes a lot of sense, it allows you to run without capped framerates and not experience tearing, so instead of a game that runs always at a 60fps cap you can get a 60fps floor.

[--Onilink--]

Not as crazy as how quickly people jump to defend companies even when the criticism is perfectly valid.
It shouldnt matter how many people use VRR when discussing the implementation of VRR that a company just released.
Leaving out freesync actually makes it so even less people can use it with the PS5 and it also means the effective range starts at 48hz rather than 40 with FreeSync, meaning it’s easier to fall out of the VRR range.

[thesoftware730]

@ dark

So pointless that your favorite gaming company added it.

Are you saying Sony made a pointless move in providing a feature for 10% of its fanbase and future-proofing their system?

I think that is the first time I have seen you say something negative about anything Sony has done...even their loyal to a fault fan is questioning them now.

[ChubbyBlade]

You heard it here folks. Not everyone has the ability to use a feature so don’t bother talking about it. Go watch fortnite news because that’s what everyone has.

[Z501]

Even if you have hdmi 2.1. It still doesn't work with FreeSync or G-Sync.
BenQ line is an example.

[lio_convoy]

I didn't test it and it's great without it too! I think I'll save myself a thousand bucks and just keep playing games on my regular tv. 😝

[Aloymetal]

Ok.

[Babadook7]

The only issue that affects me, is the 48 Hz lower limit of VRR. But I heard that each game that gets an official patch will not have this lower limit. So the issue going forward will be better as more games are patched or released, I would think.

[--Onilink--]

No, thats not the case. The updates are really up to the developer on what they decide to do.

The only one so far that seems to have done something regarding drops below the 48hz floor is Insomniac (and only in the Fidelity mode, not on Performance modes, though its much harder for those modes to go below 48fps anyway).
They also took the opportunity to loosen the Adaptive resolution since they dont need to target a specific framerate anymore, so the modes got a slight res bump.

But the other games with updates just uncapped the framerate in their performance modes as far as I’m aware, which is not a bad thing either, its just Insomniac went the extra mile.

[thesoftware730]

The LG C1 is on a steep sale, I got one like 4 months ago.

I'm not suggesting people go buy it just for PS5's wonky VRR, but if you are in the market it's an amazing T.V

[SurgicalMenace]

It's okay for games but lacks everywhere else. It lacks the more feature rich options available.

[GameBoyColor]

Setup correctly its phenomenal for movies and other content. I think peak brightness is 700+ nits and oled contrast is still unbeatable. Unless you want to look at the sun of 1000+ nit tvs the c1 is still the best tv out there imo and has every feature a gamer needs.

[thesoftware730]

Like what? Please inform me.

It's a fully loaded set bro, and one of the best for any forms of media, expecially games.

[SinisterKieran]

When I can afford a capable tv, I’ll try it out.

[Mikeyy]

What even is the point of VRR on consoles? I've never once witnessed a console game screen tear.

[Bathory666]

I love VRR. But after using it, i actually prefer game mode just to get the auto dimming and peak luminance settings that are not avail in vrr. A lot of tv features are turned off for vrr and these two really effect the brightness picture and hdr. If the game is optimized and runs great as it is, i would stick with game mode. But if there’s screen tearing and unstable frame rate, use vrr to fix that (elden ring). But your still sacrificing features just to stabilize the framerate and hopefully one day, they will make a tv that can handle everything.

[ironmonkey]

Same, prefer the game mode

[Bathory666]

I use game mode for games that already run quite well. I really hate we are still sacrificing pictures modes just to get stabilization and low latency in games.

[--Onilink--]

Its called an oled haha, its already here.
The brightness issues when using VRR are on LCD TVs due to the full array local dimming being completely disabled when using VRR, which I would say its probably more on TV manufacturers not having bothered to work on a decent implementation rather than a limitation on the hardware.
It cant be easier to control each individual pixel on an OLED and doing VRR vs a couple hundred dimming zones in a FALD TV

[Bathory666]

Oled has burn in and can’t reach the brightness levels lcd can. Your oled ain’t that great either boo. All tvs have positives and negatives.

[--Onilink--]

1.Burn in hasnt been an issue for quite a while unless all you do is play countless hours of the same game every single day.
2. There are already OLEDs pushing to the 1000nit area, even Samsung is going OLED now.
3. While actually staying on the topic of what was being discussed, which is VRR, LCDs are the ones with major issues with brightness, contrast and color when VRR is enabled because local dimming is disabled, so even if you had a top of the line QLED with great brightness, color, etc, that all goes to s*** when you turn on VRR.
The same is not true of an OLED

[Babadook7]

That’s too bad. I take it you have a Samsung? That’s going by what John from DF said in the VRR article.

[CobraKai]

My tv only has 2.1 ports and one is taken up by my eARC soundbar. It’s be nice if Sony upgraded their Soundbars to support VRR so I don’t have to switch between my Xbox and PS for VRR.

[Bathory666]

I think they might make a switcher/splitter for hdmi 2.1. Mines the same. Only two ports support 4k/120

[46player]

100% agree. For my Samsung Q80T it’s better in 120hz mode with VRR off.