The PlayStation PS5 console not only ushered in a whole new generation of highly realistic graphics. Alongside more realistic graphics and higher frame rates also came much higher resolutions. Where past console generations were capped at 1080p resolutions, the PlayStation 5 console can output games at an amazing 4K!

As such, you’ll need a television screen that can allow you to output your games with such clarity. Luckily, there’s a lot of choice when it comes to finding the perfect gaming TV. If you want a display that’s truly perfect for gaming, you’ll want an OLED model. OLED models allow for much faster response times, for intuitive and smooth gaming!

But when it comes time to grab a gaming TV, many people worry whether modern consoles, like the PS5, can put an OLED display at risk of screen burn-in. Would the PS5 console increase this risk? And how can you prevent screen burn-in from happening while gaming? We Reliant tech experts have put together this ultimate guide to find out once and for all!

Can A PS5 Cause Screen Burn-In On An OLED TV?

OLED displays are put at risk when they’re tasked with maintaining a static image for hours at a time. Maintaining a static image puts a lot of strain on a number of the pixels that make up the display. Over the course of a number of hours, this strain will cause the pixels to be overburdened. This leads to them burning out.

As a result, most OLED TVs are built with sleep timers. These automatically turn the TV display off after a distinct period of inactivity. Of course, this keeps the pixels from being overloaded and prevents burn-in.

The trouble is that many video games include static elements that take up screen space during gameplay. Think health bars or small mini-maps that stick to the corners of the screen. These are static elements that can slowly result in burn-in. Of course, because the TV is constantly receiving an input signal, a sleep timer will not kick in and prevent burn-in.

OLED displays are put at risk of burn-in when tasked with maintaining images on-screen. This means that things like health bars and maps in your favourite PS5 games could put your OLED TV at risk!

This does mean that PS5 gaming could potentially increase the risk of screen burn-in on an OLED display. However, it’s worth noting that you would need to be gaming for multiple hours in a row in order for your TV to be put at risk. If you’re a casual gamer with only a few hours for gaming, it won’t be too much of a concern. If you’re an avid gamer, you’ll need to be a little more careful.

Luckily, there are quite a few things you can do to minimise the risk of screen burn-in when gaming on PS5.

How Can You Avoid Screen Burn-In On An OLED TV?

Use Pixel Shift

Pixel shift is a special technology found in most OLED TVs. If your OLED TV has this technology, we strongly recommend using it whenever you are gaming on PS5! Essentially, pixel shift works by moving the pixels around slightly after an amount of time has passed. We don’t mean that your TV screen’s image will suddenly change massively. Instead, each of the pixels will simply shift slightly.

This allows plenty of time for individual pixels to take a breather, keeping them from being overloaded. It also helps to keep static elements like health bars from overloading their pixels.

For the most part, pixel shift is unnoticeable. In the heat of the moment, you won’t notice the brightness levels or colours shifting slightly. Pixel shift can truly be the hero of your gaming TV, keeping the display safe without you even noticing!

Lower The Brightness

Wherever possible, it’s also best to lower the brightness of your display. We’d recommend lowering your display’s brightness by 1 or 2 increments whenever you have it on.

This puts less of a strain on the brightest of pixels. Helping to extend their overall lifespan. This not only protects your OLED TV’s display but also allows the TV to last much longer!

Minimise HUD Elements

The “HUD”, or “Heads-Up Display”, refers to information that is communicated to the player through visual elements on the game screen. Elements like your mini-map, your health bar, and even mission objectives all exist as part of the HUD! In most games, these HUD elements are designed to stick to the screen whenever you’re playing. This can help you to stay in control, but it can also put an OLED TV at risk.

It’s worth checking the settings of your favourite games for toggleable HUDs! Toggling a game’s HUD on and off, as needed, allows you to lessen the strain placed on an OLED display!

Luckily, many modern games allow you to toggle the HUD to your needs. For instance, some games allow you to change the HUD so that it only displays when a certain button is pressed. This helps to ensure that no pixels are put under strain while playing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can PS5 Gaming Cause Screen Burn-In On An OLED TV?

PS5 gaming only puts your OLED TV at risk if you leave static images on-screen for hours at a time. For instance, leaving your console on the home menu can quickly lead to screen burn. Smaller static elements like gaming HUDs can also pose a risk. However, there’s plenty you can do to avoid screen burn-in. Make sure to use pixel shift, lower your TV’s brightness, and minimise your game’s HUD elements!

Is OLED TV Good For PS5?

Absolutely! The PS5 console is able to produce realistic graphics, and output at 4K resolution! An OLED TV will allow 4K gaming on PS5 to really shine. This is thanks to the improved colour and contrast offered by OLED display technology. OLED displays also have very low latency, to allow you to feel in perfect control!

Is OLED Or QLED Better For Gaming?

When it comes to choosing the perfect TV for gamers, both OLED and QLED displays are great options. OLED can offer increased contrast and higher response times. While QLED TVs can boast more realistic colours and often higher refresh rates. It’s worth taking the time to consider what you want out of your dream gaming TV!