tech
April 18, 2026
You Bought an Expensive HDMI 2.1 Cable for Nothing: You Must Also Turn On This Option on Your TV for the Best Picture
Buying an expensive HDMI 2.1 cable is not enough to get the best possible picture on your new TV. To truly enjoy the full power of your PS5 or Xbox console, you must manually enable an option called Enhanced format. Without this step, your device will operate at reduced capacity despite the modern equipment you paid for.

TL;DR
- Buying an expensive HDMI 2.1 cable isn't enough for the best picture quality on a new TV.
- Users must manually enable the 'Enhanced format' option in TV settings for full PS5 or Xbox performance.
- This setting is required to enable features like VRR and Dolby Vision, essential for 120 FPS gaming and preventing visual issues.
- Check and enable Enhanced mode on the specific HDMI port connected to your console, as different ports may have different capabilities.
- Intermediate devices like receivers or soundbars also need to have Enhanced mode enabled for a seamless experience.
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