For the smoothest open-world play, use the console’s automatic display detection, enable VRR and 120Hz where your TV supports them, turn on Game Mode or ALLM, and calibrate HDR instead of guessing at slider values. On PS5, start at Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output with Resolution, VRR, 120 Hz Output and Video Transfer Rate set to Automatic, and HDR set to On When Supported. On Xbox Series X|S, open Settings > General > TV & Display Options, run 4K TV details, select the display’s highest supported resolution and refresh rate, then enable HDR10, Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate only when the display reports support.
These settings improve consistency, but they cannot turn a 60Hz television into a 120Hz display or make every game render at 120 frames per second. The game’s own performance mode, your TV’s HDMI port, cable, firmware and the display’s VRR range all determine the final result.
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What “smooth” means in an open-world game
Large open worlds produce uneven rendering loads. A scene with a quiet road, distant landscape and a few characters may render quickly; a busy city, weather effect or combat encounter may take longer. The visible result depends on four separate qualities:
- Smoothness: Refresh rates of 120Hz and variable refresh rate (VRR) can make motion and frame pacing more consistent when the game’s output changes.
- Detail: 4K (2160p) resolution and HDR can preserve fine geometry, text and highlight detail when the display and game implement them well.
- Latency: Game Mode and ALLM reduce television processing that would otherwise delay controller input.
- Compatibility: The console, game, TV or monitor, HDMI port, cable and firmware must all support the selected combination.
A 4K/60Hz television can still deliver a good open-world experience. 4K/120Hz is an optional ceiling, not a requirement, and a game must offer a 120Hz-compatible mode before the console can output that mode.
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Best PS5 display settings
On the PS5, go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. The console detects the TV’s capabilities and selects the best available resolution automatically. Start with these values, then use the troubleshooting changes only if you see a specific problem.
| PS5 option | Recommended setting | Purpose and exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Automatic | Lets the PS5 choose the highest mode the display reports. Select 2160p temporarily when diagnosing a 4K handshake or detection issue. |
| VRR | Automatic | Synchronizes display refresh with the console’s changing output on a compatible HDMI 2.1 VRR display. |
| Apply to Unsupported Games | Try only when needed | Can apply VRR behavior to a title without native VRR support, but results vary by game and display. |
| 120 Hz Output | Automatic | Allows games with a 120Hz mode to use it. It does not force every game to render at 120 frames per second. |
| ALLM | Enabled on the TV when supported | Lets the television switch to its low-latency mode. When VRR output is active, the PS5 can still trigger low-latency behavior even if ALLM is set Off. |
| HDR | On When Supported | Outputs HDR only for supported games and video. Follow it with the PS5’s Adjust HDR tool for this particular display. |
| Video Transfer Rate | Automatic | Preserves the available 4K/120Hz and full-bandwidth color formats. If flicker persists, test -1 and then -2 as diagnostic limits; both reduce available bandwidth. |
Set PS5 resolution and refresh detection
- Open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output.
- Leave Resolution on Automatic. If the TV is not being recognized as 4K, select 2160p briefly and check whether the signal stabilizes.
- Set 120 Hz Output to Automatic. A compatible game and display are still required for 120Hz output.
- Set VRR to Automatic. If a game lacks native VRR support, test Apply to Unsupported Games and keep it only if the title remains stable.
- Use Test 1440p Output when you own a 1440p monitor or want to verify that mode. Supported resolutions and VRR behavior should be checked on the current console software.
Configure HDR without washing out the picture
Choose HDR: On When Supported, then run Adjust HDR. HDR is not a universal brightness preset: the visible result depends on the panel’s peak brightness, local dimming, tone mapping and the game’s own HDR implementation. If a game has its own HDR calibration screen, use it after the console adjustment and judge shadow detail and highlight clipping in the game scene.
When to use PS5’s VRR override
VRR dynamically synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the PS5’s graphical output. Sony describes this as a way to minimize or eliminate frame-pacing problems and screen tearing on HDMI 2.1 VRR-compatible TVs and monitors. The effect is title-, display-, firmware- and visual-mode dependent. The unsupported-games switch is therefore a test, not a guaranteed upgrade: leave it off when it introduces brightness changes, flicker or unstable motion.
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PS5 8K and PS5 Pro qualification
8K output on PS5 Pro has separate requirements and disables VRR while 8K output is active. That mode is outside a smooth 4K open-world setup; use the 4K path above when VRR and consistent motion are the priority.
Best Xbox Series X|S display settings
On either Xbox Series X or Series S, open Settings > General > TV & Display Options. Run 4K TV details before changing advanced options. The report shows what the television tells the console it can accept, which is more useful than relying on a port label alone.
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| Xbox option | Recommended setting | Purpose and exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Display’s maximum supported resolution | Use the highest resolution confirmed by 4K TV details. |
| Refresh rate | Display’s maximum supported refresh rate | Choose 120Hz only when the display, selected HDMI port and cable support it reliably. |
| HDR10 | On when supported | Enables HDR10 output for compatible displays and games. |
| Auto HDR | On when supported | Allows the console’s Auto HDR treatment for compatible games; turn it off for diagnosis if artifacts appear. |
| Variable Refresh Rate | On when supported | Helps synchronize refresh with changing output. Disable it temporarily when investigating flicker or compatibility faults. |
| Calibrate TV | Run once after the connection is stable | Use the Xbox calibration screens for black level, contrast and other display controls. |
| Calibrate HDR for Games | Run after HDR10 is enabled | Sets the game HDR reference for this display rather than applying a generic value. |
Verify Xbox capabilities first
- Go to Settings > General > TV & Display Options.
- Select 4K TV details and read each capability the display reports.
- Set the highest resolution and refresh rate that the report confirms.
- Open Advanced > Video modes and enable HDR10, Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate only when the display supports each feature.
- Run Calibrate TV, then Calibrate HDR for Games, following the on-screen visibility patterns.
Use Xbox’s diagnostic fallbacks
If you see artifacts, a blank screen or an unstable signal, Microsoft’s documented diagnostic approach is to turn off VRR or HDR and test again. If VRR is more important than 120Hz on your particular display, change the refresh rate to 60Hz and compare stability. These are isolation steps, not universal final settings; restore the feature that works once the cause is identified.
Connect the console and TV for full bandwidth
Display settings cannot overcome a connection that is limited to an older port, a marginal cable or an intervening device that cannot pass the signal. Work through this physical checklist before changing game settings.
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- Enable the TV’s enhanced HDMI mode. On Sony televisions this is called Enhanced format (Advanced) for a 4K/120Hz console. Other brands use names such as HDMI UHD Color or an enhanced HDMI mode.
- Use an appropriate cable. Start with the cable supplied with the console or a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120Hz. Xbox specifically recommends its included Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for the full benefits of HDMI 2.1.
- Connect directly while troubleshooting. Plug the console into the TV or monitor rather than routing it through an AV receiver or soundbar. Those devices can introduce bandwidth limits or an HDMI handshake failure.
- Update firmware. Install current TV and AV-receiver firmware before changing advanced picture options. HDMI 2.1 compatibility has often depended on firmware fixes and updated capability reporting.
- Turn on Game Mode or ALLM. Game Mode minimizes additional image processing. Leave motion interpolation and cinema processing off for console play unless you deliberately prefer that look and accept added input latency.
How to choose 4K/60Hz versus 4K/120Hz
Use the following decision framework rather than treating 120Hz as automatically superior.
| Priority | Practical choice | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Reliable image with broad compatibility | 4K at 60Hz, Game Mode, HDR when supported | A 4K display and a stable HDMI connection. This remains a strong option for open-world games. |
| More fluid camera movement and lower frame-time visibility | 4K at 120Hz with VRR | A compatible 4K/120Hz VRR display, the correct HDMI 2.1 input, suitable cable, current firmware and a game mode that supports 120Hz. |
| Maximum consistency on a troublesome setup | 60Hz with VRR or HDR temporarily disabled for testing | Use only while isolating flicker, artifacts or handshake problems; re-enable features after the fault is found. |
A console set to 120Hz does not make every game render at 120 frames per second. The title must provide a 120Hz or performance mode, and its output can still vary with scene complexity. VRR helps by matching refresh timing to those changes; it does not create additional rendering power.
Why VRR helps open-world scenes
Without VRR, the display refreshes on a fixed schedule while the console may deliver frames at changing intervals. A mismatch can appear as tearing or uneven frame pacing. With VRR, the display changes its refresh timing to follow the console’s output within the display’s supported range. This is particularly useful when an open-world game moves between light traversal, dense settlements and effects-heavy combat.
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VRR behavior is not identical across games. A title may have a native VRR patch, a 120Hz performance mode, a 60Hz mode, or none of these. Display firmware, the selected picture mode and the panel’s VRR range also matter. Judge the result in the game you actually play rather than assuming that a console menu confirmation guarantees identical behavior everywhere.
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HDR can add brighter highlights and more visible tonal separation, but it is not automatically better on every display. Peak brightness, local dimming, tone mapping and the game’s mastering determine whether highlights look natural or clipped and whether dark areas retain detail.
- Enable HDR only when the display reports HDR support.
- Run the console’s calibration tool after the HDMI mode and Game Mode are configured.
- Repeat the game’s own HDR calibration when the title provides one.
- Compare a bright sky, a reflective surface and a dark interior; do not judge solely from a console dashboard.
- If HDR introduces artifacts or an unstable signal, disable it temporarily on Xbox while diagnosing the connection. On PS5, keep HDR on when supported and address bandwidth or cable faults first.
Fix a choppy-looking picture
Check whether the game is actually using a performance mode
Open-world games often separate visual modes. A quality-oriented mode may prioritize resolution or effects, while a performance mode targets more responsive motion. The console’s 120Hz setting cannot select a game’s mode for you. Check the title’s video or graphics menu and test the available modes in the same busy area of the world.
Confirm the display is in Game Mode
Motion smoothing, cinema processing and other interpolation can change the appearance of camera movement while adding processing delay. Disable them for a baseline test, enable Game Mode or ALLM, and then compare controller response and panning. If you prefer interpolation’s look, treat it as a deliberate visual trade-off rather than a fix for inconsistent game output.
Use VRR only within a stable signal chain
Confirm VRR is enabled on both the console and the TV, that the console is connected to a VRR-capable port, and that the game and display mode support it. If the picture becomes less stable after enabling VRR, turn it off temporarily, update firmware and test the direct connection before trying the unsupported-game option on PS5.
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Fix flicker, black screens or intermittent signal loss
PS5 diagnostic sequence
- Check that the cable is the supplied cable or a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
- Move the console to the TV input labeled for 4K/120Hz, HDMI 2.1 or VRR.
- Confirm the TV’s enhanced HDMI format is enabled.
- Connect the PS5 directly to the TV, bypassing a receiver or soundbar.
- Leave Resolution, VRR, 120 Hz Output and Video Transfer Rate on Automatic.
- If flicker remains, test Video Transfer Rate at -1 and then -2. These settings reduce available 4K/120Hz and full-bandwidth color formats, so use them as a diagnostic compromise rather than a preferred upgrade.
- Update the TV, receiver and PS5 software, then retest at 4K/60Hz before returning to 4K/120Hz.
Xbox diagnostic sequence
- Run 4K TV details and verify that the expected resolution, refresh rate, HDR and VRR capabilities are reported.
- Test the included or certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable in the TV’s full-bandwidth port.
- Enable the TV’s enhanced HDMI mode and use Game Mode.
- Turn off VRR in Advanced > Video modes and test. If the signal stabilizes, the issue is associated with VRR compatibility, firmware or the display’s operating range.
- Turn off HDR10 and Auto HDR for a separate test if artifacts remain.
- Set refresh rate to 60Hz when 120Hz is unstable, then update firmware and retest 120Hz.
- Bypass receivers and soundbars until the direct TV connection is reliable.
Check the settings after a TV, cable or firmware change
Capability detection can change after a firmware update, a different HDMI socket or a new receiver. Re-run the relevant console report—PS5’s Video Output information or Xbox’s 4K TV details—and verify the TV’s enhanced HDMI mode again. A setting that worked on one input may fail on another because manufacturers do not always equip every HDMI socket identically.
A practical final configuration
For a compatible 4K/120Hz VRR television, the baseline is straightforward: direct console connection, certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, enhanced HDMI input mode, Game Mode or ALLM, PS5 Resolution/VRR/120 Hz Output/Video Transfer Rate on Automatic with HDR On When Supported, or Xbox maximum confirmed resolution and refresh rate with HDR10, Auto HDR and VRR enabled. Calibrate HDR on the console and in the game, then select the game’s performance mode when responsive motion matters more than maximum effects.
For a 4K/60Hz television, keep the same Game Mode, HDR calibration and direct-connection practices. Leave unsupported 120Hz options out of the chain; a stable 4K/60Hz signal is preferable to a flickering 120Hz negotiation. If a display cannot maintain VRR or HDR reliably, disable the troublesome feature, solve the cable, port or firmware issue, and add it back one option at a time.
What the settings cannot promise
- 120Hz output does not mean every game runs at 120 frames per second.
- VRR support and behavior vary by game, display, firmware and visual mode.
- HDR quality depends on the display’s brightness, dimming system, tone mapping and game implementation.
- PS5 1440p support should be verified with Test 1440p Output on the current console software.
- No universal frame-rate, latency or stutter percentage applies across all PS5 and Xbox open-world games.
Configure the signal for the hardware you own, verify it with the console’s capability screens, and change one variable at a time when troubleshooting. That approach delivers the smoothest result the game and display can actually produce without sacrificing stability for a menu label.
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