So you finally got a PS5. Since the PS5 is expensive and hard to get, I’m sure you want it to work at its best so that your games look as good as possible when you play them. This probably makes you wonder if you should buy a new HDMI 2.1 cord just for the PS5 system.
You can use a PS5 with HDMI 2.0 because none of the games for the PS5 have graphics that are good enough for HDMI 2.1 yet. Only games that run in 8KHD at 60 frames per second need HDMI 2.1. Most PS5 games are made to run at 60 frames per second in 4K, which is what HDMI 2.0 can do.
Don’t worry if what I just said sounds like complete nonsense to you if you’re not a gamer. In the paragraphs that follow, I’ll explain in detail how HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 are different, which one is better, and how to make each work best for your system.
Using HDMI 2.0 With The PS5
Before you freak out and think you need a new HDMI cable or, heaven forbid, a new TV, let me reassure you that your old HDMI 2.0 ports and cables will work with your new PS5. But there are a few things that can’t be done.
You will not have the best graphics experience possible. Your games won’t run at the highest possible frame rate. The frame rate is how many pictures are shown every second. The picture on the screen looks smoother when the frame rate is higher.
HDMI 2.0 is by no means bad. It can show 4KHD video at 60 frames per second and 8K video at 30 frames per second. As a point of comparison, the human brain can only process about 10–12 frames per second. Anything faster than that is seen as full motion by the brain. So, if you have an HDMI 2.0, your games won’t be jumpy or slow. They will look great.
Using HDMI 2.1 With The PS5
As I said, HDMI 2.0 will work fine for your games. They will play and look fine. But HDMI 2.1 will make some games and other content look much smoother and play at a much higher resolution.
HDMI 2.0 can only show 30 frames per second of 8KHD images, but HDMI 2.1 can show 60 frames per second of 8KHD images. It can also show 120 frames per second of 4KHD images, while HDMI 2.0 can only show 60 frames per second.
HDMI 2.1 can support resolutions of up to 10K, but games and movies aren’t at that level yet.
HDMI 2.0 Vs. HDMI 2.1: Which Is Good For PS5?
When you play games, especially the more and more popular online games, you want the experience to go as smoothly as possible. As you react in real time to what’s happening on the screen, a seamless experience makes you feel like the controller is an extension of your body.
HDMI 2.1 is better for PS5 gaming. Even though HDMI 2.0 can give you a good experience on a basic level, thanks to the PS5’s advanced hardware, HDMI 2.1 can take your experience to an even higher level by giving you higher frame rates and better picture quality resolutions.
In the simplest terms, HDMI 2.1 lets you watch your games, movies, and TV shows at very high frames per second with a high-quality picture. The picture will be clear, and the screen will move very smoothly. This is great for watching movies and playing games.
Consider Price Constraints
It’s also important to keep in mind that your budget can play a role in which HDMI cable you choose for your PS5.
You can get an HDMI 2.1 cable for a fair price, and it will definitely increase your frame rate, making the action on-screen smoother. If you decide to go this route, I recommend this PEUZAVA 48Gbps Ultra High-Speed HDMI 2.1 Cord from Amazon. It works with a number of gaming systems, including the PS5, and it costs a fair amount.
But an 8K TV costs a lot more than its 4K counterpart. As was already said, the PS5 can’t even output in 8K. So setting up your PS5 for 8K gaming is not a great idea right now.
Conclusion
The difference between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 is clear here. HDMI 2.1 gives you a lot of processing power, but you don’t need all of it. Not many people play 8K games yet. Even though the PS5 has an HDMI 2.1 port, it doesn’t even support 8K output. Sony only lets it go up to 4K.
Even games with better graphics on the PS5 can run at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, which is easy to do with an HDMI 2.0 cable. If you’re not a pro gamer looking for that little extra edge, you don’t need an HDMI 2.1 cable.
In the end, if you use an HDMI 2.0 cable and port, your PS5 will work fine. Since the PS5 doesn’t yet support 8K output, HDMI 2.0 is the better choice between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1. You can still play your games in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, which is how most PS5 games with better graphics work.
Optimizing PS5 For Use With HDMI 2.0
The easiest way to make sure your HDMI 2.0 cable connects your PS5 to your TV in the best way possible is to make sure the cable is plugged into the right HDMI port on your TV.
You need to connect the HDMI 2.0 cable from your PS5 to the HDCP 2.2 port on your TV. This is a high-bandwidth port on your TV that lets you play games and stream high-quality movies. Most TVs made in the last few years have this feature.
In older TVs, the ports themselves often had labels that said which port had the most bandwidth. The port on the TV with the most bandwidth will be marked with the word “Best.”
Final Thoughts
HDMI 2.1 is a technology that is very powerful and useful. The only problem is that it was made a little too early.
Yes, HDMI 2.1 can give you very high-quality video at very fast frame rates. But the rest of the hardware is still behind. In the end, it makes perfect sense to use an HDMI 2.0 cable when playing games on a PS5.