Gaming TV: What Makes A Good Gaming TV?

Gaming TV: One of the main factors in the technological evolution of video games is the increase in immersion and gaming experience.

With that, searching for a TV for ideal games has become increasingly common among gamers. And so that these factors can be taken advantage of in the best possible way, we will explain what characteristics and resources a television must have to be considered good for games.

Basic Points That Cannot Be Ignored In A Gaming TV

Connectivity is important to check before buying a TV in any form of use and playing video games is no different. In the past, just the infamous AV input was enough. TVs have more than one HDMI input with different types, which can be 1.0, 1.4, 2.0, or 2.1. Within those types, a good gaming TV will feature either the 2.0 or 2.1 types, with both being the best for current-gen consoles. 

Wifi connection is currently a basic feature on Smart TVs. USB inputs and Bluetooth connection can further enrich the experience using external devices, although they are not crucial. 

What Size And Type Of Screen Is Ideal For A Gaming TV?

“Calculating” the ideal screen size on a TV for games follows the same logic as understanding the ideal screen size for just watching television: having a space reserved for where the device will be; after all, the bigger the screen, the bigger it will be. its weight and size, and know how far you will be from the screen. The distance doesn’t have to be exact, but it’s important to have a sense of it so you can make the most of what your TV offers without being subject to vision problems. 

The type of screen is OLED or QLED? OLEDs, widely present in LG models, have a good viewing angle, are thin, and have high-quality contrast. On the other hand, Samsung’s QLEDs can reproduce more realistic and sharper images, mainly because they have quantum dots that increase the brightness intensity. 

And despite being more expensive compared to simpler models, such as LED TVs, OLED or QLED are the ones with the greatest potential to increase immersion and provide a higher experience in video games.

Resolution, Frequency, And Response Time

Televisions with Full HD resolution were the protagonists in this medium for a long time. But since the launch of PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X, 4K resolution has become a reality, and since then, it’s been the ideal resolution on a gaming TV. PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Series S are current generation consoles running games in 4K resolution. Therefore, having a TV in the largest possible size according to the location and distance you will be from the screen, with OLED or QLED technology, and with 4K resolution, is the “basic combo” to enjoy the maximum visual quality of games.

As for the frequency, the recommended minimum is 60 Hz. However, as the frequency is directly linked to the fluidity of the images, the ideal choice will depend on what games you will play. If the focus is on adventure games, single-player with a focus on the campaign, the 60 Hz will handle the job without major problems. Higher frequencies like 90 or 120 Hz are better options for online games like competitive FPS. 

While the frequency can vary depending on the game you want to play, having a low response time is paramount for any genre. Because of this, it is important to choose a television with a low input lag. Input lag is the response time between a command made on the controller and its playback on the TV, so the shorter, the better. Generally, a good low input lag for games is below 20 milliseconds, with models like the LG NANO86, which has a response time between 15 and 16 milliseconds.

Features And Technologies That Can Enrich The Experience

The key features of a good gaming TV have already been covered. Still, some extra features and elements, like High Dynamic Range or HDR, can enhance your gameplay. HDR is a function present both on some TVs and on monitors, and its main utility is to balance the contrast levels between light and dark areas, resulting in greater sharpness, in addition to also displaying greater brightness and being able to reproduce colors more widely. 

Some of these features and technologies are related to performance, seeking to smooth the game and make the experience more fluid. Seeking greater synchronicity between TV and console, some models have Free sync technology, or G-Sync, which causes the frames sent to the TV to load completely before being displayed. Therefore, the display of images is done cleanly and flawlessly.

Also Read: Is The Headphone Volume Low? See What To Do