As gaming technology continues to evolve, the demand for higher resolution and better performance is on the rise. The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a popular gaming console among gamers worldwide.
One of the frequently asked questions about the PS4 is whether it can support 1440p resolution. In this article, we’ll explore the capabilities of the PS4 and discuss whether it can do 1440p.
What is 1440p?
Before we dive into the PS4’s capabilities, let’s define what 1440p means. 1440p, also known as Quad HD (QHD), is a display resolution that is four times sharper than 720p and twice as sharp as 1080p.
It has a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of 109 pixels per inch (PPI). 1440p provides sharper and more detailed images than 1080p, making it an ideal resolution for gaming and content creation.
Can the PS4 do 1440p?
The short answer is no; the PS4 cannot do 1440p natively. The PS4’s maximum output resolution is 1080p, which means it can only display images up to 1920 x 1080 pixels. If you connect your PS4 to a 1440p monitor, the console will automatically downscale the output to 1080p, resulting in a lower quality image.
However, there are some workarounds that can enable you to play games on your PS4 in 1440p.
One option is to use a device called a scaler or upscaler, which can take a lower resolution signal and upscale it to a higher resolution. This can allow you to connect your PS4 to a 1440p monitor and have it display images at that resolution, even though the console itself is not capable of producing a native 1440p output.
However, it’s worth noting that upscaling does not provide the same level of detail and image quality as a native resolution output. This is because upscaling involves stretching the existing pixels to fill the higher resolution display, rather than having a higher number of pixels to begin with.
As a result, images may appear slightly blurry or pixelated when upscaled, especially if you’re used to the sharpness of a true 1440p display.
Another option for getting higher resolution output from your PS4 is to use a device called a capture card. A capture card allows you to record or stream gameplay footage from your PS4 to a computer, and many models are capable of capturing video at 1440p or higher.
This means that you could play games on your PS4 at 1080p resolution, but capture the video output at 1440p for recording or streaming purposes.
Using a 1440p monitor with a PS4
Although the PS4 cannot output 1440p natively, you can still use a 1440p monitor with your console. When you connect a 1440p monitor to your PS4, the console will automatically downscale the output to 1080p.
However, if your monitor has a feature called “Super Resolution” or “Virtual 4K,” you can enable it to upscale the 1080p image to 1440p. This will not result in true 1440p resolution, but it can provide a better image quality than the default 1080p output.
Using a 4K monitor with a PS4
Another option for playing games in higher resolution on your PS4 is to use a 4K monitor. The PS4 Pro, which is an upgraded version of the PS4, supports 4K resolution.
When you connect a PS4 Pro to a 4K monitor, you can play games in 2160p resolution, which is four times sharper than 1080p. However, not all games are optimized for 4K resolution, so you may not see a significant improvement in image quality in some games.
Summary
In conclusion, the PS4 cannot output 1440p resolution natively, but there are workarounds that can enable you to play games in higher resolution. If you have a 1440p monitor with “Super Resolution” or “Virtual 4K” feature, you can enable it to upscale the 1080p image to 1440p, although the image quality may not be as good as true 1440p resolution.
Alternatively, you can use a PS4 Pro with a 4K monitor to play games in 2160p resolution, which is four times sharper than 1080p. Ultimately, the choice of monitor and console depends on your preference and budget.