How to Calibrate HDR on PS5 and Xbox for Budget TVs.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) can make games look more vibrant, with brighter highlights, richer colours, and improved detail in dark scenes. However, on budget TVs, incorrect HDR settings can make games look washed out, overly dark, or less colourful than expected.
The good news is that you don’t need an expensive television to improve your HDR gaming experience. With the right TV settings and console calibration, you can get a more balanced picture on your PS5 or Xbox Series X|S.
1. Prepare Your TV Before Calibration
Before adjusting your console, make sure your TV is configured correctly.
Enable HDR on the correct HDMI port. Some TVs require you to enable an enhanced HDMI setting before HDR works properly. Depending on the brand, this might be called HDMI UHD Color, Input Signal Plus, or HDMI Deep Color.
Switch to Game Mode. Game Mode reduces input lag, making controls feel more responsive. It also provides a consistent starting point for picture adjustments.
Disable unnecessary picture enhancements. Dynamic contrast, vivid picture modes, and artificial sharpening can interfere with accurate image reproduction. Start with these features disabled, then adjust only if the picture genuinely improves.
Keep brightness and backlight settings separate. On many LCD TVs, the backlight or panel brightness controls overall screen output, while the brightness control may affect shadow detail. Their behaviour varies by model.
Remember that not every budget TV supports HDR equally well. A television may accept an HDR signal without having the brightness or contrast needed to display HDR effectively.
2. How to Calibrate HDR on PS5
The PS5 includes a built-in HDR adjustment tool that helps match its output to your television.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings on your PS5.
- Select Screen and Video.
- Choose Video Output.
- Select Adjust HDR.
- Follow the on-screen instructions for each calibration screen.
During calibration, adjust the displayed symbols according to the instructions. Don’t simply increase brightness because a brighter image looks more impressive. The goal is to preserve highlights and visible detail without making the picture unnecessarily bright.
Under the HDR menu, choose On When Supported if you want non-HDR games and apps to remain in standard dynamic range rather than being converted to HDR output.
Official instructions are available in the PlayStation HDR adjustment guide.
3. How to Calibrate HDR on Xbox Series X|S
Xbox Series X and Series S also include a dedicated HDR calibration tool.
Here’s how to use it:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Open Profile & system > Settings.
- Select General > TV & display options.
- Open Setup.
- Select Calibrate HDR for games.
- Follow the on-screen instructions for each test pattern.
Adjust each screen until it matches the instructions provided by the calibration tool. Avoid making the image brighter than necessary, as this can remove detail from bright areas.
You can also open 4K TV details under TV & display options to check which display capabilities your Xbox detects.
For additional guidance, see the official Xbox HDR setup guide.
4. Recommended HDR Settings for Budget TVs
There is no single setting combination that works for every television. However, these are useful starting points:
| TV setting | Recommended starting point |
|---|---|
| Picture mode | Game Mode |
| HDR | Enabled when supported |
| Dynamic contrast | Off initially |
| Sharpness | Neutral or default |
| Colour temperature | Warm or Standard, depending on preference |
| Energy-saving mode | Off if it limits brightness |
| Dynamic tone mapping | Test against the TV’s other HDR options |
If your TV supports HGiG, you can test it with compatible games. Otherwise, use the TV’s standard HDR tone-mapping option and compare results.
After calibrating your console, check whether the TV uses separate picture settings for HDR content. Some models switch to a different picture profile when an HDR game launches.
5. What If HDR Looks Worse Than SDR?
If HDR looks dull, grey, or too dark after calibration, first check that HDR is enabled on the correct HDMI input and that your TV is in Game Mode.
Next, repeat the console’s calibration process while the TV is using its normal HDR gaming settings. Check the game’s own HDR brightness or paper-white controls, too.
If the picture still looks worse than SDR, your TV may have limited HDR brightness or contrast. Turning HDR off for that game can be a reasonable choice. HDR support alone doesn’t guarantee a better picture on every television.
FAQs
Should I use HDR on a budget TV?
Try it and compare the results with SDR. If HDR preserves detail and produces a more balanced picture, keep it enabled. If it looks consistently washed out or too dark, SDR may look better.
Should I set PS5 HDR to Always On?
For most players, On When Supported is a sensible choice because it leaves non-HDR content in SDR. Always On converts non-HDR content to HDR output, which doesn’t make it native HDR.
Does HDR calibration increase FPS?
No. HDR changes how brightness, contrast, and colour are displayed. It doesn’t directly improve frame rates.
Why do my HDR settings look different in each game?
Games can use different HDR implementations and include their own brightness controls. Keep your TV and console settings consistent, then adjust individual games when necessary.
Do I need an expensive TV for good HDR gaming?
No, but the TV’s actual brightness, contrast, and HDR capabilities matter more than the HDR label alone. Calibration can improve the picture, but it cannot overcome every hardware limitation.
Final Verdict
For budget TVs, the best HDR results come from enabling the correct HDMI setting, using Game Mode, and carefully completing the PS5 or Xbox calibration tool. Fine-tune individual games afterward, and don’t be afraid to use SDR when it produces a better picture.
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