Do you have a next-gen console and want to enjoy the best gaming experience in your living room? To do this, you’ll need a television with very specific features for optimal gaming conditions: a gaming TV. We’ll explain.
What are the key criteria when choosing a gaming TV?
Screen resolution
Screen resolution is the number of pixels displayed on the screen. This data is expressed as width x height, but there are also commercial names associated with each screen resolution:
- High Definition (HD) for a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels (720p);
- Full HD (FHD) for a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (1080p);
- Quad HD (QHD) for a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (1440p);
- Ultra HD (UHD) or 4K for a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels (2160p);
- 8K for a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels (4320p).
As a reminder, each pixel is a tiny point of light composed of red, green, and blue (RGB) subpixels. The higher the resolution, the more detailed and sharp the image. The more pixels there are on the screen, the more precise the textures, the better defined the objects, and the more readable the text. And the greater the visual comfort. The perception of high resolution is even more striking on a large screen. However, an ultra-high definition image will be more resource-intensive to ensure display, particularly a graphics card capable of maintaining satisfactory fluidity.
The display frequency
It determines the smoothness of the image on your TV. Measured in hertz (Hz), the display frequency corresponds to the number of images displayed per second. A 60 Hz TV refreshes the image 60 times per second, while a 120 Hz TV does so 120 times.
When it comes to gaming, a higher frame rate improves fluidity and reduces motion blur, especially in fast-paced games like first-person shooters or racing simulations. A 120Hz gaming TV is ideal for taking advantage of the 120 frames per second (fps) that modern consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X can produce. This drastically reduces the risk of micro-stuttering and ghosting, i.e., the persistent trace of the previous image.
Demanding gamers will be able to demonstrate the best responsiveness during their competitive sessions thanks to a better perception of moving images. Even in more “contemplative” open-world video games, a high refresh rate – some televisions offer 144 Hz or even 240 Hz – results in a more natural image.
Screen size
A large screen enhances the immersive dimension of a video game. It widens the field of vision and allows you to enjoy every detail, whether in an FPS or an open world. Conversely, a small screen will reduce the experience, both in terms of visual richness and the pleasure of evolving in the video game
However, the screen size must be consistent with the resolution for optimal display quality. A 24-inch gaming TV is suitable for HD or Full HD resolution (up to 1080p). In the case of a 32-inch TV, it’s better to push towards Quad HD resolution (1440p) to avoid a blurry image up close. Beyond 40 inches, Ultra HD (4K) is essential, while 8K is the preserve of very large formats (over 65 inches).
The choice of screen size for your gaming TV is also dictated by the distance that can be placed between the gamer and the device. The viewing distance is indeed decisive in the quality of the experience: too far away, you miss details; too close, your field of vision will not cover the screen in its entirety, nd you will notice the pixels. The larger the television screen, the longer the viewing distance must be for an optimal experience. It will be approximately 1 meter for a 24-inch TV, compared to 1.30 m for a 32-inch TV, 1.70 m for a 55-inch TV, a nd 2 m for a 65-inch TV.
Input lag and response time
Input lag refers to the delay between the action performed by a player, for example, when they press a button on their controller, and its display on the screen. It is measured in milliseconds (ms) and impacts in-game responsiveness, especially for FPS or fighting games. High input lag can create a feeling of latency, affecting precision and gaming comfort. And the gamer’s performance! Input lag should not be confused with response time, which is related to the time it takes for a pixel to change state. The latter is linked to image processing or panel technology.
To minimize this effect, modern TVs incorporate a game mode, reducing image post-processing to speed up display. Ideally, an input lag of less than 10-15 ms is recommended for a smooth experience. This is what a QLED TV offers, for example. A high-performance gaming TV will also be able to display a response time of less than 1 ms, like an OLED TV, for example, where an LCD TV will have a response time between 1 and 5 ms.
Display technologies
Some TVs feature HDR (High Dynamic Range), a technology that enhances contrast, brightness, and color richness, delivering a more realistic and immersive picture. Unlike SDR (Standard Dynamic Range), HDR displays a wider range of tones between dark and bright areas, avoiding areas that are too black or too bright.
When it comes to gaming, an HDR TV enhances the experience by making graphics more detailed and vibrant. Night scenes retain their detail without being too dark, while explosions and lighting effects gain in intensity. Combined with a high refresh rate, e—especially from 120 Hz, it ensures smooth and responsive immersion. The experience becomes more captivating thanks to greater visual depth and realism.
To fully enjoy HDR, you need a compatible television (HDR10, Dolby Vision, etc.) and a video game that supports this technology.
Another relevant technology on a gaming TV is the VRR function, which stands for variable refresh rate. The benefit: a display frequency adapted to the graphics processor to deliver the best possible image.
The ALLM function allows you to speed up image display via the HDMI connection, as does the QFT function which reduces latency.
The connection
The HDMI input is essential on a gaming TV to connect the device to a video game console. But according to the HDMI standard, the experience will not be the same. With an HDMI 2.0 input, the maximum bitrate is limited to 18 Gb/ss, which is suitable for a TV whose display frequency does not exceed 60 Hz. Beyond that, you will have to rely on an HDMI 2.1 input and its maximum bitrate raised to 48 Gb/s to take advantage of a refresh rate of 100 Hz, 120 Hz, or 144 Hz. HDMI 2.1 also allows you to benefit from VRR, ALL, ,M ,and QFT functions to optimize the fluidity of the image, and even dynamic HDR, which pushes the benefits of HDR further. And HDMI 2.2 will arrive soon…
What is the ideal configuration for a gaming TV?
In the best of all possible worlds, a 55-inch or larger 4K TV with an OLED or QLED display, HDR technology, HDMI 2.1 connectivity, and a 120Hz refresh rate would be ideal for gaming. Such a TV would have a Game Mode to allow you to enjoy optimal conditions with your video game console.
Korean brands LG and Samsung are key players in this segment. LG’s 65C4 OLED TV, for example, ticks all these boxes: 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), 100 Hz refresh rate, HDR10 and Dolby Vision technology, Game Optimizer mode, HDMI 2.1 port, etc.
Samsung is in the same category with its TQ65S95D TV offering the same diagonal (65 inches), the same resolution and a refresh rate boosted to 144 Hz thanks to the VRR function, as well as HDR+ technology.
TCL is playing the value card with its QLED Pro 55C75B TV, a 55-inch 4K television with a 144 Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2 1 and improved HDR technology (HDR Pro+). Philips (The One range) and Sony ( Bravia range ) are also in the game when it comes to gaming TVs.
