Why is My PS4 Resolution So Bad?
If you’re experiencing a poor resolution while playing games or watching content on your PlayStation 4 (PS4), you’re not alone. Many users have complained about the same issue, and we’re here to help you troubleshoot it. In this article, we’ll walk you through some common causes and solutions for why your PS4 resolution might be disappointing.
Confirm System Software Version and Firmware Updates
First and foremost, make sure that your TV’s system software is up-to-date and that the firmware has the latest version.
Why is my PS4 resolution so bad?
- In some cases, outdated system software or firmware can cause display issues, such as a low resolution.
- A simple solution is to check if there are any software updates available and install them.
Setting the Resolution in PS4 Settings
Additionally, you can adjust the resolution of your PS4 to improve the quality of display. Here’s how:
How to Change the Resolution
- To change the resolution on your PS4:
- Settings,
- select Sound and Screen and then
- Video Output Settings
- Set the Resolution to the desired setting from the drop-down list.
- Here, you can select from pre-defined settings or manually
E.g., 1080p@60Hz, 1080p@144Hz, 4K@24Hz, etc.
.
- Now, save your changes to apply these settings.
In this example, 1080p@60Hz is a basic setting that may help improve compatibility with your TV and reduce blurriness, but it isn’t the highest quality possible.
Downscaling and Output Resolution
Understanding the difference between upscale, downscale, and output resolution is essential to optimize performance and display quality. Here, we’ll break them down:
- Upscale: Scaling up or increasing the resolution from a lower bitrate to a higher bitrate for better pixel density and picture quality.
- A good example of upscaled media is when you upgrade a DVD resolution to Blu-ray or 4K.
- Downscale: Contrary to upscale, this is when software or hardware reduces the resolution from the original bitrate to a lower one for rendering purposes.
- In many cases, devices like PS4 downsample content for efficient rendering if the source doesn’t supply the desired resolution.
- Output resolution: The actual display resolution set based on the source video’s actual resolution and the capability of the gaming console, streaming service, or multimedia player.
4K and PS4
PS4 Pro support 4K Ultra HD. If you are using a supported device and your source content permits it, you will be able to obtain 4K resolution when playing those games.
Important consideration:
While PS4 allows for 4K support, it’s crucial to remember that true 4K (3840 x 2160) requires proper 4K-capable hardware such as the PS4 Pro or PS4 Slim to ensure display quality.
**Comparison of Gaming Consoles for 4K Support**
| **Console Name** | **4K Resolution Support**
| — | —
| Nintendo Switch | **No true 4K support, 1080p at 60 FPS**
| Original PS4 | **No** (upscaling to HD or lower for non-compliant games)
| PS4 Slim | **No**
| PS4 Pro | **Yes, but only to play 4K-capable games**, not all PS4 games**
**4K Netflix Support in PS4**
PlayStation 4 with Netflix app support allows you to take advantage of **Ultra HD support**, but with some crucial caveats.
-
If you play Netflix on PS4, you **won’t need a** 4K device, **but streaming quality is not always
guaranteed in 4K quality**. **It generally depends on your internet speed**, as speeds of at least- 5Mb/s for standard-definition (480p),
- 10Mb/s for high definition (720p and 1080i),
- 25Mb/s for full 1920×1080 progressive scan resolutions (1080p),
**Can PS4 read 4K disc?**
No, **PS4 devices do not support 4K Blu-rays**. Blu-ray compatibility is only possible for standard resolutions like 1080p and lower quality.
**Resolutions That PS4 Supports**
| Resolution | Possible Output |
|---|---|
| 1080i | 1080i |
| 1080p | 1080p |
| 720p | 720p |
| 480p/576p | 480p/576p |
If you haven’t tried already, ensure to **update your PS4 software** by going to Settings, then System software update, and let the console find and install the latest available update for your PS4.
**Checking PS4 Graphics Settings and Adjusting Them**
If upgrading your PS4 firmware doesn’t bring about a desired improvement, it would be worth examining and adjusting graphic settings for PS4 apps or games, **as not all of these apps always provide optimal visual quality initially**.
In addition, you’ll want to check and adjust image settings in the PlayStation 4 preferences to ensure they suit your equipment and viewing habits for the best enjoyment.
In the end, after troubleshooting the issue using the above hints, if your resolution remains too low, you should consider resetting your PS4.