The PlayStation 5, a powerhouse of gaming technology, presents a unique challenge when paired with ultrawide monitors. While the PS5 boasts stunning visuals in its native 16:9 aspect ratio, the wider landscape of ultrawide displays (typically 21:9 or even 32:9) introduces compatibility issues. This comprehensive guide will navigate you through the complexities, shedding light on the current limitations, exploring effective workarounds, and peering into the future of ultrawide gaming on the PS5.

The Limitations of PS5 on Ultrawide Monitors

The PS5's core design prioritizes the 16:9 aspect ratio. This means that when connected to an ultrawide monitor, you'll encounter either black bars on the sides (letterboxing) or, if the console attempts to fill the entire screen, image stretching and distortion. These issues stem from the fundamental incompatibility between the console's native output and the ultrawide display's wider format.

Aspect Ratio and Resolution Mismatch

The most prominent limitation is the difference in aspect ratio. PS5 games primarily output in 16:9 (1080p, 1440p, or 4K), while ultrawide monitors commonly use 21:9 aspect ratios (e.g. 2560x1080, 3440x1440, 5120x1440). This incompatibility directly leads to either letterboxing (black bars) or image stretching, impacting the visual fidelity of the game.

Resolution Support and Upscaling

While the PS5 supports resolutions up to 4K (2160p), this support primarily targets 16:9 displays. Ultrawide monitors often boast resolutions like 2560x1080 or 3440x1440, which aren't natively supported. The console therefore performs upscaling, converting the 16:9 output to fit the ultrawide screen. This upscaling process, while workable, can compromise image sharpness and detail, resulting in a less crisp picture than native ultrawide support would offer. For example, upscaling 1080p to fill a 3440x1440 ultrawide monitor will inevitably sacrifice some visual fidelity.

Game-Specific Compatibility

A further complication is game-specific compatibility. Not all PS5 games are optimized for ultrawide displays. While some titles might offer native ultrawide support (like Horizon Forbidden West, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Destiny 2), many others will only render in their native 16:9 aspect ratio, leading again to black bars or distortion. Even within titles offering support, the implementation quality can vary, with some showing better integration than others.

PS5 Compatibility with Ultrawide Monitors

The lack of native ultrawide support doesn't mean the experience is entirely unsatisfactory. Several workarounds and adjustments can significantly enhance your PS5 gameplay on an ultrawide monitor. However, understanding the limitations and tailoring your setup accordingly is crucial.

Exploring Native Support (or Lack Thereof)

Sony has not yet incorporated native ultrawide support in the PS5's firmware. While future updates could change this, as of October 2023, the workaround method remains the primary approach, involving adjusting display settings to mitigate the effects of the aspect ratio discrepancy. This includes carefully specifying a resolution within the PS5's video output settings that your ultrawide monitor supports, balancing sharpness with the unavoidable image scaling required to fill the ultrawide screen.

How Set Up Your PS5 on an Ultrawide Monitor?

Setting up your PS5 for an ultrawide monitor involves a careful configuration process to minimize any drawbacks stemming from the incompatibility.

1. Connect Your PS5: Use a high-speed HDMI cable (HDMI 2.1 is recommended for optimal bandwidth) to connect your PS5 to your ultrawide monitor. Older HDMI versions can present bandwidth limitations.
   
2. Access PS5 Settings: Navigate to "Settings" on your PS5, then select "Screen and Video."
   
3. Adjust Resolution: Within the "Video Output" settings, choose a resolution supported by your monitor. For 21:9 ultrawide monitors, resolutions like 2560x1080 or 3440x1440 are common choices. You need to balance resolution and performance; a higher resolution might result in lower frame rates.
   
4. Fine-tune Display Area: In the "Screen" tab, look for options to adjust the display area. This allows you to fine-tune how the 16:9 image is displayed on the ultrawide screen, minimizing black bars or distortion. Experimentation here is key; different monitors have varying control options.
5. Enable HDR (if applicable): If both your PS5 and monitor support HDR (High Dynamic Range), enabling this setting will significantly enhance the visual quality, providing a wider color gamut and improved contrast.
   

Image Credit: BenQ website

A Detailed Comparison of Best Ultrawide Monitors for PS5 Gaming in 2024

Choosing the right ultrawide monitor is crucial for a good PS5 gaming experience. Here's a comparison of several top contenders from late 2023, highlighting their features, price points, and performance characteristics:

Note: Prices and availability are subject to change. Always check current pricing before purchasing.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with PS5 on Ultrawide Monitors

Even with careful setup, you might encounter issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot common problems:

Fixing Stretched or Squished Images

1. Verify PS5 Display Settings: Ensure that the PS5 is set to a resolution compatible with your ultrawide monitor (e.g. 2560x1080 or 3440x1440) and that the aspect ratio isn't forced to something other than your monitor's native aspect ratio.
2. Check Monitor Settings: Access your monitor's settings menu. Look for options related to aspect ratio or display scaling. Select the appropriate setting to match the input signal from the PS5. Consider options such as “just scan,” “full,” or similar.
3. Update Graphics Drivers (If applicable): If you use PS Remote Play on a PC, make sure your display drivers are up-to-date. This is less critical when directly connected to the monitor but can still impact performance.
   
4. Examine Cable Connections: Ensure you're using a high-quality HDMI cable (HDMI 2.1 recommended), properly connected at both ends. Experiment with different ports on your monitor as well. A faulty cable or loose connection can introduce display errors.
5. Reset Display Settings (if necessary): As a last resort, sometimes you may need to perform a reset of the PS5 and monitor display settings to start fresh, and reconfigure everything manually and accurately.

Adjusting Settings for 1440p (3440x1440) Resolution

The 3440x1440 resolution is a popular choice for ultrawide monitors. Achieving optimized performance at this resolution involves a balance between image quality and frame rate. You may need to adjust in-game settings (like shadows or anti-aliasing) if your PS5 struggles to maintain a smooth frame rate at 3440x1440 on a given title.

A very sharp image on your monitor does not necessarily guarantee a high frame rate. In some graphically demanding games your PS5 might struggle to maintain a high frame rate at this resolution. Consider lowering some graphics settings for certain games to improve performance, especially at higher refresh rates.

The Future of Ultrawide Gaming on PS5

While native ultrawide support isn't currently present on PS5, there's ongoing speculation and hope for future updates. Sony might consider integrating native support in future firmware updates or, more likely, in a successor console.

Potential Improvements in Native Resolution Compatibility

The potential improvements include:

• Native 21:9 and 32:9 Support: Future firmware updates could directly support 21:9 and potentially even 32:9 aspect ratios, eliminating the need for workarounds.

• Enhanced Resolution Options: Increased compatibility with resolutions like 3440x1440, 5120x1440 and others currently unsupported.

• Improved Upscaling Algorithms: Even if native support isn't immediately implemented, better upscaling algorithms could produce sharper, higher-quality images when filling ultrawide screens.
  

Hot Question: Can PS5 Support True Ultrawide Gaming?

The technical challenges hindering true ultrawide support on the PS5 stem mainly from its internal architecture and software design, not from hardware limitations. While the console’s hardware capability may be sufficient to support higher resolutions and wider aspect ratios, the software stack requires extensive adjustments to effectively and efficiently handle such outputs without introducing excessive latency or image degradation. However, given the increasing demand and the success of ultrawide gaming on PC platforms, a future PS5 update or any upcoming consoles might incorporate native support, making the ultimate answer a resounding "potentially yes."

Conclusion

While the PS5's current lack of native ultrawide support presents certain challenges, it doesn't negate the potential for an improved gaming experience. By carefully selecting a compatible monitor, adjusting settings, and understanding the various workarounds, you can leverage the advantages of ultrawide displays, enhancing your PS5 adventures. The future may bring native support, but even without it, the benefits for many gamers far outweigh the compromises.

We hope this comprehensive guide has given you some insights into PS5 on ultrawide monitors. If you have any further questions or would like to share your experiences about it, please leave a comment below. Don't forget to share this article with your friends and colleagues who may benefit from the information. Happy browsing!

FAQ

My PS5 games show black bars on my ultrawide monitor, even after adjusting settings. What should I do?

Persistent black bars despite adjustments usually point to game-specific incompatibilities. Some games simply don't support ultrawide resolutions, regardless of your monitor and console settings. Check if the game developers have released any patches or updates that add ultrawide support for your selected monitor. Additionally, consider various workarounds such as using a different HDMI port, replacing your HDMI cable to ensure a high enough bandwidth, and checking the aspect ratio setting directly on your monitor. In some instances, you might even need to slightly "force" a resolution by adjusting the PS5’s resolution settings to match a supported resolution on your monitor. However, it requires doing manual trials and checks with your monitor's configuration settings as well. Ultimately, if no game-specific patches exist to implement ultrawide support, your only options might be to live with letterboxing or accept some degree of image stretching.

Will future PS5 firmware updates address the ultrawide monitor compatibility issues?

While there's no confirmed timeline for native ultrawide support in PS5 firmware updates, it remains a possibility. Sony might prioritize this feature based on community demands and overall market trends. However, any such update would likely involve significant engineering effort because it's not a simple adjustment of settings; it involves how the PS5's GPU processes game rendering, and how games are designed to receive such inputs from ultrawide monitors. The improvements in such updates would likely include native support for higher resolutions and wider aspect ratios for smoother gameplay. Currently, however, the prospect remains speculative, with no concrete roadmap provided by Sony.

Is it worth investing in an ultrawide monitor for PS5 gaming, considering the current limitations?

Whether an ultrawide monitor is worth the investment for PS5 gaming depends on your priorities and expectations. The enhanced immersion of a wider field of view is undeniable, especially in many racing or strategy games. However, you must accept some compromises in image fidelity and game compatibility. Some titles might simply never offer optimal ultrawide experiences. If you're a hardcore gamer who prioritizes the absolute best possible visuals, and you play primarily games that support native ultrawide, then upgrading may be very beneficial. If your gaming preferences can tolerate some compromises, and you want a wide display to enhance the immersion and visual experience, then it may still be a beneficial investment. Carefully weigh the benefits of a wider field of view against the potential drawbacks caused by the lack of native support during purchase.