Gaming TVs

You Can Connect Almost Any TV to a Game Console, But ...

Since all TV consoles of the last decade come equipped with an HDMI connector, it is possible to connect them to virtually any TV that features the connector too. This connection will work, but you may not get the maximum image quality possible. Most modern televisions have caught up with the previous generation of consoles, however, only a small percentage of televisions on the market today can use the full potential of the latest so-called next-gen consoles.

We Recommend a Large Diagonal for a Good Gaming Experience

Large HD TVs are now more affordable than ever. In general, the larger the diagonal, the more the viewer is drawn into the action. However, it also depends on the resolution and viewing distance. If you sit too close to a large TV, you will have to twist your neck to see the edges of the screen. You can also play on 32" TVs, but that just doesn't feel right. A proper gaming TV should have a diagonal of at least 55 inches.

Below, you can find some inspiration in the table containing the minimum, optimal and also maximum recommended viewing distances.

*Depending on the visibility of pixels, this is an approximate value. For more information, see Recommended viewing distance.

4K Resolution As a Standard for Gaming TVs

Due to the availability of 4K televisions, we now consider them to be the standard. You can play on the PlayStation 4 Pro and the Xbox One X in 4K resolution, the recently released PlayStation 5 and Xbox One X consoles are capable of producing up to 8K resolution. In the near future, however, there are not going to be enough console games that are ready for 8K.

Refresh Rate Is Important for Smoothness

The new Xbox Series and the PlayStation 5 consoles allow you to play at up to 120 frames per second (fps). This is a theoretical maximum, most games should run at 60 fps in 4K. However, some action and racing games will actually target the 120-frame limit. If you want to make the most of your console, you should be interested in 120fps* gaming TVs. Otherwise most 50/60Hz televisions will be enough to handle 60 fps.

*Manufacturers usually state a refresh rate of 100Hz. In this case, the TV should be able to handle up to 120 frames. However, this is not guaranteed, so always check beforehand.

Gaming Mode Reduces "Input Lag"

Many TVs are equipped with a special gaming mode, which is a feature that limits all picture enhancements and thus reduces the so-called input lag. Nowadays, televisions analyze the incoming video signal and then improve it using various algorithms. This processing takes tens of milliseconds and such a delay is undesirable for gaming purposes. Gaming TVs should have the lowest possible "input lag", ideally under 10ms. Unfortunately, the lowest achievable input lag can be found very rarely in TV parameters.

Play in HDR

Another parameter that you should not forget to check when choosing a gaming TV is the dynamic range. The new consoles support the HDR10 high dynamic range standard, which makes the image deeper and more vivid. If you have a suitable TV, it will be able to display very bright whites and also very dark colours, ideally absolute black and also many more shades of grey. Now you may be able to recognize a silhouette emerging from the darkness sooner than before. You can read more in the article What is HDR and How Does it Work?

• Xbox Series - HDR10, Dolby Vision
• PlayStation 5 - HDR10, Dolby Vision support has not yet been confirmed

Gaming TVs Support HDMI 2.1 and 2.0

HDMI now exists in several versions that specify the maximum achievable transmission characteristics. The HDMI 2.1 standard guarantees the above-mentioned 120Hz, VRR, full support for HDR standards and resolutions up to 10K. If your TV is equipped with an HDMI 2.1 connector, it should meet all these parameters and take full advantage of all the features of the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. HDMI 2.0 is enough if you want to connect all other console models.

• HDMI 2.0 - up to 4K, 60Hz, HDR
• HDMI 2.1 - up to 10K, 120Hz, HDR, VRR (variable refresh rate)

OLED, QLED or NanoCell?

When choosing a gaming television, we should also pay attention to the type of its display panel that defines the general characteristics of the image. All TVs that we offer use LED backlighting and a liquid crystal layer. This solution is economical and at the same time produces a very high-quality image. Some manufacturers have modified LED technology to achieve an even more impressive image. NanoCell (LG) and QLED (Samsung, TCL, Hisense) televisions contain additional layers, which further filter the light and create more vivid colours and higher contrast. The darkest black is displayed by OLED televisions based on organic diodes, which colour and emit the light themselves.