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Unmasking the Imperfections: The Cons of VRR on PS5

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Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology has been hailed as a game-changer for console gaming, promising smoother visuals and reduced screen tearing. However, like any technology, VRR on the PlayStation 5 isn’t without its drawbacks. The cons range from limited compatibility and technical glitches to performance inconsistencies and potential visual compromises. It’s essential to understand these shortcomings to determine whether VRR is truly beneficial for your specific gaming setup and preferences.

Delving into the Drawbacks of VRR on PS5

While VRR offers clear benefits, several potential issues can detract from the experience:

Limited VRR Range: The PS5’s VRR range is capped at 48Hz-120Hz. This means if a game’s frame rate drops below 48fps, VRR is no longer effective, and you may experience judder or other visual artifacts. This is especially noticeable in graphically demanding games or during intense action sequences. Lower VRR ranges, such as the 20-120Hz offered on some high-end TVs, offer a better overall experience.
Compatibility Issues: Not all TVs and monitors support VRR, and even among those that do, compatibility isn’t always guaranteed. Some displays might exhibit a black screen, flickering, or other graphical anomalies when VRR is enabled. Check your display’s specifications and compatibility with the PS5 before enabling VRR.
Loss of Features: In some cases, enabling VRR can disable other desirable display features, such as local dimming on LCD TVs or black frame insertion (BFI). Local dimming enhances contrast and black levels, while BFI reduces motion blur. Losing these features can negatively impact image quality.
Game-Specific Problems: Some games may have inherent issues when VRR is enabled. This could manifest as unsmooth camera movements, inconsistent frame pacing, or even game crashes. Developers need to optimize their games for VRR to ensure a seamless experience, and not all games are perfectly optimized.
Perceived Unsmoothness: Even within the VRR range, fluctuating frame rates can still be noticeable and result in a perceived lack of smoothness, despite the absence of screen tearing. VRR masks the problem of variable frame rates but doesn’t eliminate it entirely. This is particularly true if the frame rate fluctuates wildly. It’s worthwhile, but it doesn’t magically make a variable framerate feel super smooth. The framerate is still varying and you’ll still notice it. It just kind of papers over the cracks better and prevents tearing.
Input Lag Increase (Potential): Although VRR is generally advertised as reducing input lag, some users have reported a slight increase in input lag with VRR enabled on certain displays. This is often a complex interplay of display settings and individual perception, but it’s something to be aware of.
Flickering Issues on IPS Panels: Some users have reported flickering issues, especially on IPS monitors running at 120Hz or higher, when VRR is enabled and the PS5’s graphics mode is set to “Fidelity.”
Uneven Performance Boosts: While VRR can unlock the framerate and allow for higher performance in some games, the gains are not always consistent. Some games may see a significant improvement, while others may only experience a marginal increase.
Developer Optimization Required: The effectiveness of VRR heavily relies on how well developers optimize their games for the technology. If a game isn’t properly optimized, VRR might not provide the intended benefits, or it could even introduce new issues.
Lack of Low Framerate Compensation (LFC): The PS5’s VRR implementation lacks dedicated Low Framerate Compensation (LFC), which is present in some higher-end displays and on PC. LFC duplicates frames when the framerate drops below the VRR range, extending the range and preventing judder. The absence of LFC on PS5 means that the VRR feature has to stop working when the framerate goes under 48 FPS.
Visual Compromises for Performance: In some cases, developers might prioritize higher frame rates with VRR enabled, which could lead to visual compromises such as lower resolution or reduced graphical settings.
Confusion with other Settings: Getting the best VRR experience can sometimes involve navigating a complex web of display and console settings, which can be confusing for casual users. Incorrect settings can negate the benefits of VRR or even introduce new problems.
Not Essential for All Games: Games that already maintain a stable 30fps or 60fps frame rate might not benefit significantly from VRR. In these cases, the potential downsides of VRR might outweigh the benefits.
Diminished Returns with High Refresh Rates: If you already have a display with a high refresh rate (e.g., 144Hz or higher), the benefits of VRR might be less noticeable, especially if the game’s frame rate is consistently high.
Future-Proofing Hype: The hype surrounding VRR as a future-proofing technology is a disadvantage when used as a primary motivator to buy new displays and consoles. While it’s certainly a beneficial feature, it shouldn’t be the sole determining factor in your purchase decision. A solid 30/60fps experience is often more visually appealing than a fluctuating frame rate with VRR.

VRR on PS5: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is VRR and how does it work?

VRR stands for Variable Refresh Rate. It’s a technology that allows a display to dynamically adjust its refresh rate to match the frame rate output by a gaming console or PC. This eliminates screen tearing and reduces stuttering, resulting in a smoother visual experience. The goal is for the display to refresh the image at the same rate the console is outputting images.

2. What is the VRR range on PS5?

The VRR range on the PS5 is 48Hz-120Hz. This means VRR is active when the game’s frame rate falls within this range. If the frame rate drops below 48fps, VRR is disabled.

3. Will VRR work with any TV or monitor?

No, VRR requires a display that specifically supports the technology. Look for displays that are advertised as HDMI 2.1 VRR or AMD FreeSync compatible (some TVs are Freesync compatible which can be beneficial).

4. How do I enable VRR on my PS5?

To enable VRR on your PS5, go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > VRR and select “Automatic” or “On.” Also, ensure that VRR is enabled in your display’s settings as well.

5. What is HDMI 2.1 and why is it important for VRR?

HDMI 2.1 is the latest version of the HDMI standard and provides the bandwidth necessary to support VRR at 4K resolution and high frame rates (up to 120Hz). While some VRR implementations exist on HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.1 offers the best possible VRR experience.

6. Does VRR increase input lag?

In most cases, VRR reduces input lag by ensuring the display is always in sync with the console’s output. However, some displays might exhibit a slight increase in input lag with VRR enabled.

7. What is Low Framerate Compensation (LFC) and does the PS5 support it?

Low Framerate Compensation (LFC) is a technology that duplicates frames when the frame rate drops below the VRR range, effectively extending the range and preventing judder. The PS5 does not have a dedicated LFC feature.

8. Can VRR cause flickering?

Yes, VRR can sometimes cause flickering, especially on IPS panels running at 120Hz or higher. This is often related to how the display handles the fluctuating refresh rate.

9. Are there any games that don’t work well with VRR on PS5?

Yes, some games may have inherent issues when VRR is enabled, such as unsmooth camera movements, inconsistent frame pacing, or even crashes. This often depends on how well the game is optimized for VRR. Some games straight up not working with VRR (and it’s apparently a problem on both PS5 and XSS/X), unsmooth camera movements in VRR in some games, some games not looking smooth in VRR for no reason.

10. Does VRR affect the resolution of my games?

VRR itself doesn’t directly affect resolution. However, in some cases, developers might prioritize higher frame rates with VRR enabled, which could lead to visual compromises such as lower resolution or reduced graphical settings. Because our titles are already built to have very stable frame rates, the main effect of the VRR system setting will be to slightly increase dynamic image resolution targets.

11. Should I always have VRR enabled on my PS5?

Not necessarily. If you experience issues with a particular game or prefer the visual fidelity of other display features, you can disable VRR. It’s best to experiment and see what works best for you.

12. Is VRR the same as AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync?

AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync are specific VRR implementations used primarily in PC gaming. The PS5 supports HDMI Forum VRR, which is a more universal standard compatible with a wider range of displays. Some TVs are Freesync compatible which can be beneficial.

13. How much of a performance increase can I expect with VRR on PS5?

The performance increase varies depending on the game and the graphical settings. Some games may see a significant improvement in frame rates, while others may only experience a marginal increase. In 4K Fidelity mode, activating VRR results in performance gains of 12-13%, and as much as 25% in some cases, over the old 40fps limit.

14. Is VRR essential for enjoying PS5 games?

No, VRR is not essential. Many games are designed to run at a stable 30fps or 60fps, providing a perfectly enjoyable experience without VRR. VRR is an additional upgrade but not essential. You’ll still get a rock solid, standard 30/60fps Console experience because that’s what developers target for their Quality modes because the vast majority of Console gamers haven’t got VRR/120hz TV’s.

15. Where can I learn more about gaming and educational resources?

Explore the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for valuable insights into the intersection of gaming and education. This resource offers a wealth of information for educators, researchers, and anyone interested in the power of games as learning tools.

Understanding the potential drawbacks of VRR on PS5 is crucial for making informed decisions about your gaming setup. While VRR offers significant benefits in certain situations, it’s not a perfect solution and may not be suitable for all games or displays. By weighing the pros and cons, you can determine whether VRR is truly enhancing your gaming experience.