Put your pitchforks down, because Sony has been reasonably clear that PlayStation 5’s new VRR feature will only work with new-gen titles, but now we have real-world evidence confirming that’s the case. With the functionality rolling out this week, people have been putting it through its paces, and, just to confirm, it doesn’t work with PS4 games.
In its blog post on the matter, the platform holder stressed that VRR “enhances visual performance for PS5 games” and that “gameplay in many PS5 titles feels smoother”; the language in the console’s system settings also makes clear that it will only work with new-gen content. As a point of comparison, Xbox Series X|S offers FreeSync in addition to VRR for those older titles.
So that’s the state of play with VRR on PS5 for the moment; we figured it was worth posting a clarification for those unclear. Remember that the feature will work with all PS5 titles if you enable the Apply to Unsupported Games option in the system settings. However, a selection of releases have been specifically optimised for the feature, and you can find All VRR Optimised Games for PS5 through the link.
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There aren't many PS4 games that don't consistently hit their fps targets on PS5 so this shouldn't be a big deal, really
It isn't working on PS5 games, not up to 120Hz.
LG and Panasonic owners are reporting that the PS5 claims via its dashboard (under video output information) 'the connected HDMI device only supports up to 60Hz' which clearly isn't true.
Another own goal Sony.
Thing is, not many people like to read, they just see a string of words together and grab their forks based purely on assumption.
Well there goes my hopes of stable 60fps in Bloodborne on a stock PS5
@Lloyd1nspace Bloodborne has a 30fps cap so this feature wouldn't work on that anyway. This smooths the visible framerates, it doesn't double framerates
@mittensknox Bloodborne runs like a dog with 3 legs on a treadmill. Crazy that they haven’t even attempted to do anything with it since release.
Personally I’m unbothered. I bought a ps5 to play ps5 games and I’d rather they focus their efforts and resources on the current rather than the past. Ps4 had its day. So it’s applause from my end
@Woogy then check your setup. The results especially in the Insomniac games are fantastic. I took long to finally get this feature but it’s pretty good.
@UFCfan agreed, although I’d be happy to see Sony do more back compat stuff like MS have. But what I really care about here is VRR being used to improve existing current gen games(all of which for me at least are by insomniac!)
@nessisonett
Well it's Fromsoftware. Their 'greatest game ever in the world' Elden Ring doesn't run well either and still looks like a mess with poor lighting and some real jank.
One does not play a Fromsoftware game for the visuals; that's for sure.
@elpardo1984 yes that’s true. I obviously recognise that a significant amount of gamers are into back compat. It’s just something I personally am not into at all. I’m personally not here to recognise all, only myself and I disagree with their assessments
More ***** implementations from Sony
Got to admit it is kind of a letdown. I always thought when VRR finally arrives it’ll be like XSX. But all in all I’m happy PS5 finally got some of that VRR ‘magic’.
Very good feature, changed the way I game now
One could say… gamechanging
Please enlighten me. Seems like SONY purposely made the HDMI 2.1 requirement for VRR in order to sell more TVs. To my knowledge VRR does not require HDMI 2.1 and I've read the XSX actually functions well on HDMI 2.0 w/ VRR. My monitor is 2.0 and as such VRR on my PS5 is greyed out.
So...the PS5 recognizes that my TV has VRR (up to 60Hz); but I haven't noticed the AMD FreeSync Tag pop up in the corner of my TV (like it does on Xbox). So I can't tell if it's even working.
I have the "use on Unsupported Games" enabled.
Neither Nioh Remastered nor Asto's Playroom seemed to enable it - and I have it On in my TV's Picture settings.
My TV is a 2021 Vizio MQ7.
@BartoxTharglod Flight Simulator unlocks the framerate with VRR. There was another game that also got a similar unlock feature when VRR is enabled; but the name eludes me - I think it was a third-party title, too.
I am not sure what you mean by "loss in picture quality" with VRR enabled. VRR has been amazing for Elden Ring on Xbox as it doesn't stutter when framerate lowers. Same with Tales of Arise in Resolution Mode. It all just looks consistent.
Haha, worse, but still lol. Yet even so it's STILL one of the best games i've ever played. But yes it IS crazy that they haven’t even attempted to do anything with it since release, ESPECIALLY as Japan Studio were part of development and Lance MacDonald who did the 60fps hack was willing to share his learnings. A shame.
Bloodborne at 60FPS
Cool.no surprise there.word up son
@Woogy I have an LG C1 and it works a treat. Fidelity mode on miles morales was hitting 118-119 frames per second.
Edit: scratch that. I hadnt changed the setting 😂. This was performance RT mode.
@GamingFan4Lyf PS5 doesnt support Freesync so it wont pop up.
@Lloyd1nspace If Bloodborne had an unlocked framerate it wouldn't need VRR to hit 60fps as the raw power of the PS5 is able to do that. Monster Hunter World for instance is a rock solid 60fps on PS5 due to its framerate being unlocked.
Then only reason I can't play Bloodborne is the 30fps limit.
@Weebleman That makes...zero sense...but okay. Why would a console with an AMD architecture NOT support an AMD technology?!
Talk about the most "Nintendo" move ever! LOL!
@GamingFan4Lyf because..... Sony 🤷♂️
Frankly the only thing that bothers me about this news is that Sony continues to do sloppy work.
Except for their awesome exclusive line-up, everything else has at least one caveat : hardware, software, even subscriptions. They just can't seem to do a 100% good thing in those departments, the all must have a serious down side, that most of the time is not visible straight away.
I could give examples but there's really no need, every Playstation console owner or PS+/Now subscriber knows them....
Should also be aware VRR doesn’t currently work with some VRR supported tvs on ps5. Think there was a list on Reddit it might be worth checking out if you’re thinking of picking up a new tv
@GamingFan4Lyf You may think it doesn't make sense, but he's right. FreeSync is a specific implementation of VRR - it's not the only one, and it's not the one Sony is using for the PS5.
This also addresses @Gator_Rican who was asking about HDMI 2.1.
There are currently THREE flavors of VRR in the market - Freesync and G-Sync are not the same, as they're from different vendors (and work with older HDMI specs). HDMI 2.1 VRR is not the same, either. It's the HDMI 2.1 version of VRR - and that's what Sony is using. If you have an HDMI 2.0 monitor with Freesync or G-Sync support, it won't work with the 2.1 VRR that Sony's using - you need an HDMI 2.1-compliant monitor.
EDIT: I should point out, this isn't news - it was actually explained before the PS5 hit the market. Found an article from summer 2020 explaining the differences and which ones the PS5 and XBox SX would support. Though it didn't predict that backwards-compatible games would be treated differently, or that the PS5 wouldn't get VRR until April 2022, but it did predict it wouldn't get Freesync, because Sony said so way back then.
@Voltan that argument isn’t going to fuel the console wars though.
@Reeneman there’s nothing wrong with my set up or anyone else’s over on AVForums.
The PS5 is offering conflicting information under the video resolution information menu. It confirms the TVs are capable of 120Hz in SDR and HDR but, then contradicts itself by claiming, as previously stated, 'the connected HDMI device only supports up to 60Hz'.
My TV plays Dirt 5 in (locked) 120Hz and was one of the first to be able to do so.
#frustrating
Check the information on your PS5 under video resolution information and tell me it says different to mine.
Thanks for the FYI, though I kinda expected it would be PS5 only.
Well, it'd be nice for some sort of framerate unlock with PS4 games (and make me likely to play some of them again, or even the first time) one step at a time, I guess.
Well, that is very disappointing. Especially when xbox can do that.
@BartoxTharglod Thank you for your reply and taking the time to do screenshots.
Where on your info banner under 'information for the connected HDMI device' mine says 48-60Hz, regardless of whether I have a game playing or not. Dirt 5 is locked at 120hz, it isn't variable (the game's up to date).
And as I previously stated, I'm not the only fella over on AVForums, scratching their heads, with the same information being presented to them, via Panasonic and LG OLED TVs.
I'm watching football all weekend now but, I'll go through the motions of breaking down my set up Monday and re-seating the HDMI lead, after I replace it, just as a process of elimination. I already reset the TV.
Edit; actually, @BartoxTharglod can you please confirm what make and model TV you have?
@BartoxTharglod Yes, as previously stated, it states up to 120Hz in the SDR and HDR menu and I can play Dirt 5 at 120Hz but, it is locked at 120Hz and not variable.
I think I'm going to raise a support ticket with Panasonic.
Thanks again though for your replies.
@BartoxTharglod My TV allows both Dolby Vision and VRR. But my TV also doesn't require the Game picture settings to use Low-Latency Mode or VRR (though, the Xbox still forces it when ALLM mode is engaged, which is a shame - but I managed to calibrate it well).
I will say that, other than the fact my TV isn't 120Hz and it has some weird quirks (sometimes the sound bugs out and requires a full reboot), it's got some features that beat out the expensive TV's.
For example, it can handle both Dolby Vision AND HDR10+. I think LG only do Dolby Vision. I know some Sony's only do Dolby Vision. Samsung only do HDR10+ and will never do Dolby Vision because Samsung helped fund/develop HDR10+.
The color gamut on the TV is also better than LG OLED - so it gets MUCH closer to the full BT .2020 color.
@RobN I’ve read that the XBX and XBS both are capable of doing VRR on freeSync HDMI 2.0 tvs/monitors. Is this a lie?
@sword_9mm Many certainly play Fromsoft games for its visuals so that's pretty false there. There's a reason Elden Ring, Bloodborne, DS3 and Sekiro are praised are praised for its visuals and that's because they have amazing art styles.
@BartoxTharglod I've got to the bottom of the problem.
It is because Sony isn't using Freesync to utilise VRR. Sony are relying on the HDMI 2.1 standard for VRR delivery.
This doesn't only exclude Panasonic TV owners like myself, but also countless monitor owners that solely rely on Freesync.
A crazy decision on Sony's part, especially when you consider the processor used in the PS5 is made by AMD.
I'm seriously thinking of getting a series X for all my day to day gaming and keeping the PS5 for the Sony exclusives only.
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