Gaming on a television has never been better. With the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and high-end gaming PCs pushing 4K resolution at 120 frames per second, modern TVs need to keep up with demanding specifications. However, out of the box, most TVs aren't optimised for gaming. The wrong settings can introduce noticeable input lag, motion blur, and visual artifacts that diminish your gaming experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get the best gaming performance from your TV.
Understanding Input Lag and Why It Matters
Input lag is the delay between pressing a button on your controller and seeing the corresponding action on screen. While a few milliseconds might seem insignificant, in fast-paced games—especially competitive shooters, fighting games, or racing titles—high input lag puts you at a genuine disadvantage. You're reacting to events that have already happened, not what's currently occurring.
Most TVs introduce input lag through picture processing. Features like motion smoothing, noise reduction, and image enhancement take time to apply, adding delay between receiving the signal and displaying it. The solution is Game Mode, which disables these processing features to minimise lag.
For competitive gaming, aim for under 15ms of input lag. For casual gaming, under 30ms is acceptable. Most TVs in Game Mode achieve 10-20ms. Input lag above 50ms becomes noticeably problematic for most players.
Enabling Game Mode: Your First Step
Every major TV manufacturer includes a Game Mode option, though the location varies by brand. On Samsung TVs, look under Settings > General > External Device Manager > Game Mode. LG places it in Settings > Picture > Picture Mode > Game. Sony uses Settings > Display & Sound > Picture > Picture Mode > Game.
Modern TVs often include Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches to Game Mode when a compatible gaming console is connected. This feature requires HDMI 2.1 and is supported by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Enable ALLM in your console's settings and ensure your TV's HDMI port settings allow for automatic switching.
One important note: enabling Game Mode typically disables motion smoothing and some picture enhancement features. Your games might initially look slightly different—perhaps less "smooth" in motion—but this is the correct appearance, showing the game's actual frame output without artificial interpolation.
Maximising Refresh Rate: 60Hz vs 120Hz
Refresh rate determines how many times per second your TV updates the image. A 60Hz panel displays 60 frames per second maximum, while 120Hz panels can display up to 120 frames per second. For PS5 and Xbox Series X owners, 120Hz capability means significantly smoother gameplay in supported titles.
To achieve 4K at 120Hz, you need HDMI 2.1 ports—standard HDMI 2.0 can only handle 4K at 60Hz. Check your TV's specifications and ensure you're using the correct port, as many TVs only have HDMI 2.1 capability on specific ports (often labeled "4K 120Hz" or "Game").
Not all HDMI ports are equal. Premium TV models often reserve HDMI 2.1 functionality for only one or two ports. Always connect your console to the correct port to access 4K 120Hz and VRR features.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Explained
Variable Refresh Rate technology allows your TV to synchronise its refresh rate with your console's frame output in real-time. Instead of a fixed 60Hz or 120Hz, the TV adjusts dynamically—if a game dips to 95fps, your TV displays at 95Hz. This eliminates screen tearing and stuttering that occurs when frame rates don't match the display's fixed refresh.
VRR implementations include HDMI Forum VRR (supported by PS5 and Xbox), AMD FreeSync, and NVIDIA G-Sync. Most gaming-focused TVs support at least HDMI VRR and FreeSync. Xbox consoles work with all three standards, while PS5 uses HDMI VRR.
To enable VRR, check both your TV settings (usually under Game Mode options) and your console settings. On PS5, navigate to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > VRR. On Xbox, go to Settings > General > TV & Display Options > Video Modes > Variable Refresh Rate.
Picture Settings for Gaming
Within Game Mode, you still have control over picture settings. Here are optimal starting points:
Brightness and Contrast
Use your game's brightness calibration screen if available. Set TV brightness so that the darkest black you should see is barely visible, and adjust contrast so bright whites don't lose detail. Avoid maxing out contrast, which can crush bright details.
HDR Gaming Settings
For HDR games, enable HDR Game Mode if your TV offers it—this optimises HDR processing for gaming rather than movies. Ensure HDR is enabled on your console (PS5: Settings > Screen and Video > HDR; Xbox: Settings > General > TV & Display Options > Video Modes > Allow HDR10). Some TVs have separate Game Mode settings for SDR and HDR content.
Colour and Sharpness
Keep colour temperature on "Warm" or "Standard" for accurate colours. Reduce or disable artificial sharpness enhancement—set it to 0 or low values, as games render their own sharpness. Over-sharpening creates harsh edges and visual noise that developers didn't intend.
Disable motion interpolation/motion smoothing features completely for gaming. These features create the "soap opera effect" and introduce significant input lag. On Samsung it's called "Motion Smoothing," on LG it's "TruMotion," and Sony calls it "Motionflow."
Console-Specific Optimisation
PlayStation 5 Settings
Navigate to Settings > Screen and Video and verify: Output Resolution is set to Automatic or 2160p (4K), Enable 120Hz Output is on, HDR is enabled if your TV supports it, and VRR is enabled. Under Game Presets, you can set default preferences for Performance Mode vs Resolution Mode across games.
Xbox Series X Settings
Go to Settings > General > TV & Display Options. Run the "Calibrate HDR for Games" tool if you haven't already—it's one of the best built-in calibration tools available. Enable Allow Variable Refresh Rate, Allow Auto Low Latency Mode, and Allow 4K at 120Hz if your TV supports it.
PC Gaming
For PC gaming, ensure your graphics card supports HDMI 2.1 if you want 4K 120Hz. In Windows Display Settings, set your TV to the highest supported refresh rate. Enable G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD) in your graphics driver settings. Consider using Game Mode on your TV even though PC allows more granular control.
Reducing Motion Blur
Motion blur occurs when fast-moving objects appear smeared on screen. OLED TVs have near-instantaneous pixel response times, virtually eliminating motion blur. LED/QLED TVs may exhibit more blur, particularly VA panel models. Some TVs offer Black Frame Insertion (BFI), which flashes a black frame between content frames to reduce blur—useful if your TV struggles with motion clarity, though it reduces overall brightness.
Sound Latency Considerations
If using external speakers or a soundbar, audio lag can become noticeable during gaming. Use your TV's audio settings to enable "Game Mode" for audio if available, or look for "Lip Sync" or "Audio Delay" adjustments. For the lowest latency, connect headphones directly to your controller (PS5 and Xbox both support this) to bypass TV audio processing entirely.
With these settings optimised, your TV is now configured to deliver the best possible gaming experience. Remember that optimal settings can vary by game—some titles may benefit from slight adjustments to brightness or HDR. Take time to explore each game's display options and fine-tune to your preference.