How To Set Up PS5 For HDR Gaming?

Getting started with HDR gaming on your PS5 is easy and ensures you receive those vivid colours, punchy contrast, and a more real-world picture. An HDR-compatible TV and the proper settings on the TV and console before you begin. With everything set up, PS5™ can then automatically sense HDR, delivering the optimal visual quality with supported games. It gives you a sharper and more vibrant look to your gaming experience.

How Do You Set Up a PS5 for HDR Gaming?

Configuring HDR on your PS5 can really enhance your experience. What HDR does is increase the brightness of the colours, the shadows become more pronounced, and the whole image looks more real. For optimal results, some settings will need to be verified on your PS5 and your TV. It only takes a few steps, and once done, your games will look a lot clearer and brighter.

1. Check If Your TV Supports HDR

Check your TV first (supports HDR). Check for names like HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HDR Compatible. Almost all new 4K TVs are capable of HDR, but don't assume that all models will support it (especially older or low-cost models). Additionally, check your TV manual to see which HDMI port you should be using to experience HDR.

2. Use the Right HDMI Port and Cable

An HDMI 2.1 or an HDMI 2.0 cable will always do the trick. The HDMI cables are capable of handling the high bandwidth needed for HDR. Plug your PS5 into the HDMI port on the TV labeled 4K/HDR/ARC/eARC. HDR brute-force will be a no-go when connected to the wrong port.

3. Enable HDR on Your TV

On your TV settings, enable features like:

1. HDR Mode
2. Enhanced HDMI Mode
3. Game Mode

This ensures that HDR signals are correctly passed from the PS5 to the TV. Additionally, Game Mode also decreases latency, which results in more seamless actual gameplay.

4. Turn On HDR in PS5 Settings. On your PS5:

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Screen and Video
3. Open Video Output
4. Set HDR On When Supported

5. Enable In-Game HDR

In some games, HDR needs to be enabled in the graphics settings. Most importantly of all, be sure to check the options menu. With everything set here, the colours, contrast, and overall image quality while gaming on your PS5 should be much brighter and more realistic. HDR gives your overall experience life and fun!

How To Adjust HDR Brightness On PS5?

PS5 HDR brightness is essential, and you know how to get the best picture from your TV. High or low brightness can make games appear washed out or too dark. Step one: Head to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Adjust HDR brightness. Within , you will see the one option called Adjust HDR. When you select it, the PS5 will flash three screens with brightness symbols.

For every AC display, you need to adjust the brightness level until the symbol is just visible. It helps your PS5 (and your TV) identify the correct black and white levels. It likewise makes colours appear more true to life. If your symbol is too bright or dark, turn it down a notch at a time until it is nearly disguised. Don’t rush, since proper HDR settings can enhance your gaming experience considerably.

If certain games still appear too dark, inspect the HDR settings in-game. In many games, the brightness and contrast are controllable independently. And ensure your TV is running with Game Mode in order to boost the HDR signal.

What PS5 Video Output Settings Are Best For HDR?

Maximizing HDR output on PS5 requires setting up the video output settings correctly. Navigate first to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Resolution: The very first option to take a look at. For appropriate HDR quality, select Automatic or 2160p if your television can handle 4K. Then, set HDR to On When Supported so your PS5 can automatically change to HDR for HDR-compatible titles.

4K Transfer Rate is yet another critical setting. Leave this on Automatic so that the PS5 can send the correct signal to your TV. Also, check the RGB Range. Most TVs perform well with Automatic; it adjusts the colour range to your display type. If the colours seem washed out, toggle between Full and Limited to see which looks better.

Enable Deep Colour Output as well and set it to Automatic too. That enables the PS5 to take advantage of 10-bit colour, which is required for HDR. TV supports 120Hz or VRR. Turn on Leave Video Output at 120Hz or VRR On for smooth gameplay. Lastly, ensure your HDMI port on your TV is set to Enhanced Mode so your PS5 will send its full HDR signal. All of these settings combined will deliver bright highlights, deeper blacks, and the best HDR gaming experience on your PS5.

How To Set PS5 Colour Format (RGB / YUV) For HDR?

One significant step in achieving the best HDR picture is ensuring you have the correct colour format on your PS5. However, the two essential types are RGB and YUV. Except for some high-mid or upper-tier TVs, RGB tends to be for monitors, while YUV (you'll probably see for this one YUV420 and YUV422) is more suited for most TVs in HDR. To ensure this is appropriately set, navigate to Settings → Screen and Video → Video Output, find Colour format and select Automatic. This enables the PS5 to establish what capabilities your TV has and select the appropriate HDR option.

The PS5 will default to RGB automatically if your TV supports full RGB at 4K and HDR. However, a lot of TVs may not support complete RGB at decently high resolutions with HDR so that the PS5 might resort to YUV422/ YUV420. While these formats slightly reduce the colour information, HDR can work correctly without flickering or other screen issues.

In case the colours appear washed out or too dark, you can try switching between RGB and YUV manually. HDR TVs mainly perform with YUV formats as they are mostly capable of the highest brightness levels while stabilizing HDR through an extensive range of HDR content. For most users, the best option is to leave it in Automatic mode.

What If PS5 Says “HDR Not Supported” On The TV?

When your PS5 says HDR Not Supported, it usually means the TV or HDMI is not HDR-ready. So first of all, you need to check if your TV really supports HDR. You should also check if the user manual or the TV box has some labels like HDR10, 4K HDR, or Dolby Vision, etc. If your TV does support HDR, double-check that you're connecting the PS5 to the correct HDMI port, which is usually going to be labelled HDMI 2.0 / 2.1, 4K HDR, or ARC/eARC.

Then, in your TV settings, enable HDR Mode, Enhanced HDMI Mode, HDMI Deep Colour, or similar settings. Other TVs have HDR turned off by default, and you have to turn it on manually. Ensure to use a suitable High-Speed HDMI cable as well. The PS5 actually ships with an HDMI 2.1 cable, so if you do have one of those, that's the best one to use.

Under the PS5 Settings, navigate to Screen and Video > Video Output and set up HDR to On When Supported. In addition, you can try restarting the PS5 and your TV to refresh the connection. If you still see the message, try another HDMI port, or update your PS5 firmware and TV software. Most older TVs only support HDR over specific ones. After that, your PS5 should recognize HDR without a hitch.

Conclusion

PS5 HDR setup is easy if your TV and console settings are in order. Using the correct HDMI input, proper video output settings, and appropriate HDR calibration can deliver brighter colours and a more lifelike image. HDR can cause games to appear sharper, more intricate, and more fun. By following these steps, you can enjoy fluid and gorgeous HDR gaming on your PS5.

FAQ’s

1. Is HDR worth it for PS5 gaming?

HDR is technically the best, providing brighter, more colourful, and more realistic visuals when the game allows it and the TV supports it.

2. How often should I recalibrate HDR on my PS5?

You should recalibrate HDR whenever you change TVs, switch picture modes, or encounter brightness issues. Typically, once you set it up, you rarely need to adjust it.

3. Does the in-game HDR setting also need to be enabled along with PS5 HDR?

A lot of games require HDR to be activated within the game menu as well, mind. For best results, both PS5 HDR and in-game HDR need to be enabled.)

4. Should I set PS5 HDR to “On When Supported” or “Always On”?

Choose On When Supported for accurate colour. “Always On” could over-brighten non-HDR material and make the image seem unnatural.

5. Why does my PS5 HDR make the screen too dark?