The next-gen is just around the corner, and if you are already preparing what will be your control center for the next few months, we have bad news to give you, and that is that you will not be able to buy the perfect screen for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The reason? Does not exist.
The 120 Hz mess
With PlayStation 5 and the new Xbox Series X, we will enjoy something more than 4K resolution, and that is that the consoles will be able to move images at a speed of 120 images per second . This will be a quite impressive qualitative leap compared to the current generation of consoles, and although it will be a very specific mode that will not be reached with all games (especially those that demand more), it will be available in many indie games.
But of course, to enjoy this visual wonder we will need a screen that is capable of offering us a rate of images at that speed, and that is where you will find the problems. Yes, you will have to change monitors and television to take full advantage of the capabilities of the new consoles, but it will not be an easy task. And no, we are not talking about having a prohibitive price, which too, but about the few and no options that you will have in the market.
Why won’t a 144Hz monitor work?
You are probably confused. If there are currently plenty of monitors with refresh rates of 120, 144 and even 240 Hz, why can’t I use these spectacular models on the new consoles? Simply because you will not reach 120 Hz with them.
The problem is in the connection that these monitors offer. Most of them offer DisplayPort and HDMI ports, the first of them being in charge of reaching the 144 Hz rate and leaving HDMI in the classic 60 Hz of always. So, since the new consoles do not include DisplayPort, the only option will be to connect them to the screens at 60 Hz, thus losing the possibility of playing at 120 Hz.
DisplayPort is designed to be used in computers with graphics cards with this port, so consoles are left without any type of option available. Yes, there are no options on the market.
Monitors with HDMI 2.1
But then how can I play at 120Hz with my PS5? The secret will be in the HDMI standard. In order to play at that refresh rate, you need a display that offers HDMI 2.1. As far as televisions are concerned, there are already several models on the market that offer the connection, and Sony has prepared a series of updates for some of its models that will update the port to be able to offer images at 120 Hz. The problem will be whether you prefer or you need to play at a desk instead of the living room.
If what you are looking for is a 24, 27 or 32-inch monitor that you can use both with your computer and with your new console, the options today are nil. There is no monitor with HDMI 2.1 input that you can buy, so one month after the launch of the new consoles the options are nil.
The first HDMI 2.1 monitors
For now, the only halo of hope is in the EVE Spectrum, a monitor created by a brand that was born as a result of a series of users dissatisfied with what the market offers. Something like “I cook it, I eat it” these electronics crazy people must have thought, tired of not finding the perfect monitor, they decided to design it themselves.
The result is a 27-inch monitor with 4K resolution, 144 Hz refresh rate through HDMI 2.1 and a spectacular price of 699 euros (to which you have to add 100 euros for the base). This would be the perfect monitor for consoles (if you are looking for 27 inches), although unfortunately it is still in development and the first units are expected to begin shipping in December, arriving a little later than the launch of PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Another that has shown its future options is ASUS, which in August presented its new 27, 32 and 43-inch monitors. These monitors stand out as the first gaming models with HDMI 2.1 certification, although unfortunately they still do not have a confirmed release date, so we will have to keep waiting until the end of the year to find out more about them.
A very demanding generation change
As you can see, the leap to the new generation implies a very important change with which to enjoy the experience 100%, but we must also take into account how difficult it will be to choose a monitor or television for that case.