Buzz
For most gamers, the PS5 is a simple plug-and-play experience. You connect it to your TV, and it automatically detects whether you have a 1080p or 4K screen, providing a seamless gaming experience. But for those of us using a 1440p monitor instead of a TV, Sony's previous lack of support for this resolution was frustrating. Well, get ready to celebrate: 1440p is now supported on PS5!
The Importance of 1440p on PS5
When it comes to movies and TV, there are two key resolutions: 1080p and 4K. 1080p is considered “Full HD,” while 4K offers four times the pixel count (that’s a lot of pixels). However, gaming handles these resolutions differently. While 1080p and 4K gaming are common, the intermediate 1440p resolution is highly sought after by many.
If you're aiming to play games at the highest possible quality, anything less than 4K might feel like a downgrade. But in fact, 1440p is an outstanding resolution for gaming. As Mytour’s Brendan Hesse explains, 1440p has twice the pixels of 1080p, and it requires a less expensive monitor compared to a 4K display. While 4K has twice the pixels of 1440p and four times that of 1080p, the visual difference isn’t as noticeable, especially when you're gaming up close to the monitor.
1440p is typically a consideration for PC gamers who weigh hardware costs against performance, but it's not as common for console players. For one, most people prefer gaming on a TV, which typically only offers 1080p or 4K resolutions. Additionally, on PlayStation, 1440p wasn’t available until now: Sony transitioned from 1080p to 4K last generation and focused on enhancing 4K gaming for the PS5, rather than adding another resolution.
1440p is a win for any game you play: If the game supports native 1440p output, it’ll look stunning. However, even if only 4K is available, downscaling to 1440p still brings benefits like antialiasing (the process of smoothing out jagged edges in the game). One downside, though, is that the PS5 doesn’t yet support variable refresh rates at 1440p. Hopefully, Sony will address this in future updates.
1440p on PS5 is currently being tested in beta
Here’s another limitation: Although Sony has finally introduced 1440p as an option, it's currently only available to PS5 beta testers. The feature will eventually be available to all PS5 users, but for now, it’s limited to those participating in the beta trial software.
Unlike, for instance, Apple’s iOS 16 beta, Sony’s beta program isn’t open, meaning you can’t just register your PS5 and immediately install the software. However, it's not completely restricted either: Sony allows anyone to apply for a spot in the beta, as long as they meet the following criteria:
You must be at least 18 years old
You must reside in one of these regions or countries: United States, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Germany
You must have an active PSN account in good standing, along with a valid email address
You must provide detailed and accurate feedback to Sony Interactive Entertainment (“SIE”) regarding your use of the beta software, following the manner and format specified by SIE
If you're selected, you'll be able to enroll your device and get an early preview of upcoming features, like 1440p gaming.
How to enable 1440p on PS5
To enter for a chance to access 1440p on PS5, visit Sony’s official PS5 beta sign-up page. Click on “Register now” or scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Sign In.” Log in using your PSN credentials, then return to the original page, check the box agreeing to the participation terms, and hit “Submit.” Keep an eye on your inbox for confirmation from Sony about your beta registration.
Once your device is enrolled, go to Settings > Screen and Video, then select “Video Output” followed by “Resolution.” From there, simply change the resolution from 4K (or whatever your PS5 is currently set to) to 1440p.
[The Verge]
