Best TV Settings for PS5 and Xbox Series X Explained

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Modern gaming consoles are capable of stunning visuals, high frame rates, and advanced HDR effects. However, even the best TV can deliver poor results if its settings are not properly configured.

Out of the box, many TVs apply heavy image processing designed for movies and broadcast content. These features often increase input lag, distort motion, and negatively affect clarity in games.

This guide explains the best TV settings for PS5 and Xbox Series X in a technical yet practical way, showing what each option does and why it matters for gaming performance and image quality.

Best TV Settings for PS5 and Xbox Series X Explained: The Core Principles

Before diving into specific adjustments, it’s important to understand the main goals of gaming TV settings:

• Minimize input lag

• Preserve accurate motion

• Maintain proper HDR brightness and contrast

• Avoid artificial image enhancements

The objective is not to make the image look “sharper” or “brighter” artificially, but to display the game as cleanly and responsively as possible.

Enable Game Mode or Low Latency Mode

Game Mode is the most important setting for console gaming.

It disables heavy image processing that increases input lag, such as:

• Motion interpolation

• Noise reduction

• Advanced scaling filters

• 
  

With Game Mode enabled, many modern TVs achieve input lag below 10 milliseconds.

Some TVs automatically activate Game Mode when a console is detected using Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), but it’s still worth verifying manually.

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Turn Off Motion Smoothing and Interpolation

Features often labeled as:

• Motion Flow

• TruMotion

• Auto Motion Plus

• Smooth Motion

These are designed to make movies look smoother by inserting artificial frames.

For gaming, they cause:

• Increased input lag

• Visual artifacts

• Unnatural motion

Always disable motion smoothing for the best gaming experience.

Adjust HDR Tone Mapping Properly

HDR tone mapping controls how brightness is distributed across highlights and shadows.

Some TVs offer options such as:

• Dynamic tone mapping

• HGIG mode

• Static HDR

For gaming, HGIG (if available) is usually recommended because it allows the console to control HDR brightness accurately based on the TV’s capabilities.

If HGIG is not available, a neutral or standard tone mapping mode is often the best choice.

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If you're looking for the best gaming TVs, or the best gaming monitors for PS5 and PS5 Pro and monitors for Xbox Series X, check our full buyer’s guides.

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Best TV Settings for PS5 and Xbox Series X Explained in HDR Calibration

Both PS5 and Xbox Series X include built-in HDR calibration tools.

These tools help match the console’s HDR output to the TV’s peak brightness.

When running calibration:

• Follow on-screen brightness instructions carefully

• Avoid over-brightening highlights

• Ensure dark details remain visible

Proper calibration improves HDR realism significantly.

Best TV Settings for PS5 and Xbox Series X Explained for Sharpness and Clarity

Most TVs apply artificial sharpening by default.

While this may look impressive in stores, it often creates halos and noise in games.

For best results:

• Set sharpness to low or neutral

• Avoid edge enhancement features

Games already render at high resolution and do not need artificial sharpening.

Set Color Temperature to Warm or Neutral

Cool color modes often push blue tones to make images look brighter.

For gaming accuracy:

• Use Warm or Neutral color temperature settings

• Avoid overly cool presets

This produces more natural-looking colors and improves skin tones and lighting realism.

Enable VRR and High Refresh Rate Modes

If your TV supports VRR and 120Hz gaming:

• Enable VRR in TV settings

• Enable 120Hz or high refresh rate mode

• Confirm console output settings

These features improve smoothness and reduce stutter in supported games.

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Adjust Black Level and Contrast Correctly

Incorrect black level settings can crush shadow detail or wash out blacks.

Ensure:

• Black level matches the console’s output range (usually limited or auto)

• Contrast is high but not clipping highlights

Proper adjustment preserves detail in both bright and dark scenes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overusing dynamic picture modes

Dynamic or vivid modes boost brightness and colors unnaturally, often harming gaming accuracy.

Leaving processing features enabled

Noise reduction, edge enhancement, and motion processing should remain off.

Skipping HDR calibration

Poor HDR setup can make games look too dark or overly bright.

Do Different TVs Require Different Settings?

While the core principles remain the same, exact values vary by brand and model.

OLED, Mini-LED, and QLED TVs may handle brightness and contrast differently.

The goal is always:

• Low latency

• Clean image

• Accurate HDR

Not copying exact numbers from another TV.

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Final Thoughts

Optimizing TV settings is one of the easiest ways to dramatically improve console gaming performance and image quality.

By enabling Game Mode, disabling unnecessary processing, calibrating HDR correctly, and adjusting core picture settings, PS5 and Xbox Series X players can unlock smoother gameplay, lower input lag, and more realistic visuals.

Rather than relying on generic presets, understanding what each setting does allows gamers to tailor their TV for the best possible experience.

With proper configuration, even mid-range TVs can deliver excellent gaming performance.

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Best TV Settings for PS5 and Xbox Series X: Frequently Asked Questions

Should I always use Game Mode for gaming?

Yes. Game Mode reduces input lag by disabling heavy image processing, making gameplay more responsive on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Is motion smoothing bad for gaming?

Yes. Motion smoothing increases input lag and can create visual artifacts. It should always be turned off for gaming.

What is the best HDR setting for console gaming?

HGIG mode is usually the best option when available, as it allows the console to control HDR brightness accurately. Otherwise, a neutral tone mapping mode works best.

Do I need to recalibrate HDR when changing TVs?

Yes. Each TV has different brightness capabilities, so HDR calibration should be performed whenever you connect a console to a new display.

Can proper TV settings improve gaming performance?

While settings do not increase frame rate, they reduce input lag, improve motion clarity, and optimize HDR, making gameplay feel smoother and more responsive.

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