PlayStation Is Adding An Important Function To Consoles
Sony is ever-expanding the functionality of the PlayStation 5, and the console is rolling out a hugely important function this week.
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Sometimes console functionality takes a long time to improve. Though Sony is usually on top of keeping their consoles at the highest level possible, some functions that should have been there since the PlayStation 5 launched, slipped through the cracks. One of those functions is the variable refresh rate. Sony has announced that this function would be rolling out to consoles sometime this week. Although it has been a year and a half since the PS5 graced our lives, it has taken Sony a bit longer to implement this into everyone’s consoles.
What is a variable refresh rate? Well, it’s basically a function to help smooth out the functionality of a game in relation to the console and television that players are using. The variable refresh rate essentially links up to games that might run at a lower performance threshold and matches the PlayStation 5 to that functionality. Should a game only run at 60 frames per second, the VRR kicks in to balance the game out if the TV can handle more than the 60 FPS. This function is meant to stop screen tearing and frame rate drop issues when playing games that can handle more or fewer frames. VRR also functions to stop input lag from happening, which will ensure more responsive times when pressing a button on your controller. If you have ever wondered why you swore you hit the jump button in a game and it seemed to not register, that is due to frame rate issues and the TV you are using. VRR is meant to correct that.
VRR is an important function that should have been given to PlayStation 5 at launch because most people had likely not had a 4K capable television at the time. This functionality would have made it smoother to play many of the games that were running at 60 FPS or higher. It may not have been many, but it still would have been nice to have gone he the console launched in 2020. Now that 4K TVs are a mainstay, and they can handle much more in terms of FPS outputs, it’s great that the PS5 can now adjust for this. Also, there are now 8K TVs coming out that could theoretically handle even more frame rate output, so the VRR coming in at this juncture is even better for games that appreciate those lightning-quick frames output.
PlayStation is continually upgrading its consoles in response to how much more powerful TVs are and the games being made in new engines. VRR can help balance all this out without causing frame rate drops, especially for those who aren’t packing the higher-end TVs just yet. Load times being nearly non-existent is certainly something that all PS5 users love, and if VRR can help make games load even faster somehow, we might all be in heaven. If you happen to be lucky enough to have a PS5 right now, be on the lookout for when the VRR update happens. This will go nicely with the new PS Plus model that is rolling out a massive collection of old games from the PS1, PS2, and PS3 eras. This new model is launching in June.
