Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology is designed to eliminate screen tearing and reduce stuttering, providing a smoother gaming experience. However, recent reports have indicated that PlayStation 5 and its more powerful variant, the PS5 Pro, are experiencing prevalent VRR stuttering issues. Digital Foundry, a trusted source for gaming hardware analysis, has now confirmed these issues after rigorous testing. This article delves into the details of the problem, its impact on games, and potential solutions for gamers facing this frustrating issue.
The confirmation from Digital Foundry highlights a significant problem for PlayStation gamers, especially those who invested in VRR-compatible displays to enhance their gaming visuals. Knowing the specifics of the issue is the first step toward finding a fix, whether it comes from Sony or through user-implemented workarounds.
Digital Foundry Confirms VRR Stuttering on PS5 and PS5 Pro
After months of user reports and speculation, Digital Foundry has officially confirmed that both the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro are experiencing stuttering problems when VRR is enabled. The issue manifests as a consistent stutter occurring approximately every eight seconds, disrupting the smoothness that VRR is intended to provide.
According to their analysis, this problem affects a range of games, including both first-party Sony titles and third-party releases. The regularity of the stutter makes it particularly noticeable and detracts from the overall gaming experience. Digital Foundry’s investigation involved testing various displays and firmwares to isolate the cause of the issue. Their findings point towards a problem within the PlayStation consoles themselves, rather than external factors like specific TV models or settings.
Understanding VRR Technology
To fully grasp the implications of this issue, it’s important to understand how VRR works. VRR dynamically adjusts the display’s refresh rate to match the frame rate output by the console. This synchronization eliminates screen tearing and reduces stuttering, resulting in a smoother visual experience.
Traditionally, console games are locked to specific frame rates like 30fps or 60fps to maintain visual stability. However, when frame rates fluctuate, it can lead to noticeable stuttering and tearing. VRR mitigates these issues by allowing the display to adapt to the console’s output in real-time, within a specified range. This technology is particularly beneficial in graphically demanding games where frame rate consistency is challenging to achieve.
Affected Games and Examples
Digital Foundry’s testing revealed that numerous games are affected by the VRR stuttering issue on PlayStation consoles. Some prominent examples include The Last of Us Part 1 and 2, Diablo 4, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, Metaphor Refantazio, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy. These titles exhibit the stuttering problem, diminishing the benefits of VRR.
Conversely, some games appear to be unaffected by the issue, such as Dragon’s Dogma 2, Immortals of Aveum, God of War Ragnarok, and Gran Turismo 7, at least within the scope of Digital Foundry’s testing. The inconsistency suggests that the problem may be influenced by specific game engines, VRR implementation, or other underlying factors.
Technical Analysis: The 120Hz Spike
One of the key findings from Digital Foundry’s analysis is the occurrence of a momentary spike to 120Hz on refresh rate monitors when the stuttering issue manifests. This spike suggests that the console is briefly dropping out of VRR mode and reverting to a fixed refresh rate, causing the visible stutter.
The consistency of this phenomenon across different displays, including LG OLED TVs, Samsung mini-LED displays, and OLED PC monitors, indicates that the problem lies within the PlayStation consoles themselves. This discovery rules out the possibility of the issue being solely related to specific TV models or firmware versions.
Xbox VRR: A Contrasting Experience
Interestingly, Digital Foundry noted that Xbox consoles do not exhibit the same VRR stuttering issues as the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro. In multi-platform games where the problem is evident on PlayStation, the Xbox versions operate smoothly with VRR enabled. This disparity underscores that the issue is specific to Sony’s implementation of VRR technology.
The robust performance of VRR on Xbox provides a contrasting experience, highlighting the need for Sony to address the issues on their consoles. Gamers who own both PlayStation and Xbox consoles may notice a significant difference in VRR performance, further emphasizing the problem’s exclusivity to the PlayStation platform.
Potential Solutions and Workarounds
Until Sony provides an official fix for the VRR stuttering issue, gamers can explore potential solutions and workarounds to mitigate the problem. One simple solution is to disable VRR in the system software menu and revert to a standard fixed refresh rate. While this eliminates the benefits of VRR, it can also remove the stuttering issue.
Another workaround is to restart the game periodically when the stuttering emerges. Although not ideal, this temporary fix can provide a smoother gaming experience for a limited time. It’s worth noting that the issue seems to manifest after approximately 20 minutes of gameplay, so frequent restarts may help alleviate the problem.
Conclusion: Addressing the VRR Stuttering Issue
Digital Foundry’s confirmation of the VRR stuttering issues on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro consoles highlights a significant problem for gamers seeking a smooth visual experience. The issue, characterized by a consistent stutter occurring every eight seconds, affects numerous games and diminishes the benefits of VRR technology.
While potential solutions like disabling VRR or restarting games can provide temporary relief, a comprehensive fix from Sony is needed to fully resolve the problem. In the meantime, gamers should stay informed about potential updates and workarounds to optimize their gaming experience on PlayStation consoles. As FYM News continues to report on this developing issue, stay tuned for more updates and insights.
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