- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Test Methodology Coverage
- When It Matters
- Our Tests
- Additional Information
- Conclusion
- Comments
- 7.81%480p @ 59.94Hz (Widescreen)
- 7.81%720p @ 59.94Hz
- 15.63%1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
- 9.38%1080p @ 120Hz
- 3.13%1080p @ 144Hz
- 15.63%4k @ 60Hz
- 15.63%4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
- 9.38%4k @ 120Hz
- 9.38%4k @ 120Hz @ 4:4:4
- 3.13%4k @ 144Hz
- 3.13%8k @ 30Hz Or 24Hz
TVs have to support a wide range of input resolutions and refresh rates to work with external video sources, both old and new. Every source is different, from DVD players to the latest video game consoles. When buying a new TV, it's important to know which formats it supports so you can rest assured that your existing equipment will work properly. We use a PC and a variety of other sources to check for a range of different formats and ensure they work properly.
Test results
Test Methodology Coverage
Our supported resolution testing hasn't really changed much over the years. The specific formats we test have changed and evolved over the years as TVs support new resolutions and new refresh rates, but the test itself is done the same way. As such, our results are directly comparable across all test formats, but the scores for the overall box aren't comparable, as the list of tests we run changes almost every test update. Our most recent test methodology update, version 1.12, removed all tests related to 1440p. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work.
When It Matters
Although 4k TVs are becoming the norm, most content, such as from broadcast TV or cable TV, is still delivered in 720p and 1080p, or in some cases, 480p. This isn't an issue for most people, as these are standard resolutions that have evolved over the years, and most modern TVs can display them properly. It's more important to support a wide range of formats for gaming; as different console generations target different combinations of resolution and refresh rate, not all TVs support all formats. Most recent consoles also offer different performance modes, so you can choose to prioritize motion handling over graphics fidelity, for example. As for chroma 4:4:4, this is only important for text clarity when using the TV as a PC monitor.
Our Tests
To perform our tests, we use our dedicated testing PCs and adjust the PC's output resolution and frame rate. We begin the test by connecting the PC to the TV using an HDMI cable and then enabling the setting that allows for a full bandwidth signal on the TV.
We run each supported resolution test one by one, setting the computer to output that format and using the TV's information bar to confirm that it's displaying the expected signal. When necessary, we disable GPU scaling on our PC; otherwise, the PC will scale everything to the TV's native resolution. For the three tests that use chroma 4:4:4, we switch to the TV's dedicated PC mode and check if 4:4:4 is displayed properly. The TV has to display not only the resolution but also the text properly to pass those tests.
If a specific combination of resolution and refresh rate isn't available in the list on our PC, we'll set a custom resolution to try to force it instead.
Resolution
Even though most TVs support a wide selection of resolutions, every display has one native resolution, which is determined by the number of pixels that make up the display. This test determines the native resolution of the display. The vast majority of TVs have a 4k resolution, but there are still a few 1080p and 8k displays.
480p @ 59.94Hz (Widescreen)
This test is important for users with older DVD players with no upscaling that send a 480p anamorphic signal. Most players offer built-in upscaling, so even if you're watching DVDs, the player is upscaling to at least 1080p before outputting the signal to the TV. If your player has built-in upscaling, this test doesn't matter.
720p @ 59.94Hz
The 720p @ 59.94Hz test is only important if you have a cable box that's limited to this resolution. Many newer boxes automatically upscale to 4k, but older cable and satellite TV systems are often limited to 720p or 1080i signals.
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
This test is only important for people who want to use the TV as a PC monitor. Chroma 4:4:4 is an uncompressed video format, which is necessary if you want proper text clarity from a PC. It's not important for gaming, as consoles don't usually use this format, and most PC game engines are designed to display text properly without it. Almost all TVs support this format, which requires an HDMI 2.0 source.
1080p @ 120Hz
This test is important for console gamers and PC gamers who may be running older hardware that doesn't support higher-bandwidth signals over HDMI. This format is fairly easy to achieve, even with moderate hardware.
1080p @ 144Hz
This format is only important for PC gamers running on older hardware that doesn't support higher-bandwidth HDMI signals or for gamers running high-end games on moderate hardware, as it's easier to maintain high frame rates with a lower resolution.
4k @ 60Hz
This test is important for anyone, as it's the most basic format most TVs released in 2025 support. All 4k TVs should pass this test, as it doesn't require extra bandwidth, so even older sources that are limited to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth, like a PS4 Pro or Xbox One X, support it.
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
This test is only important for people who want to use the TV as a PC monitor. Chroma 4:4:4 is an uncompressed video format, which is necessary if you want proper text clarity from a PC. It's not important for gaming, as consoles don't usually use this format, and most PC game engines are designed to display text properly without it. Almost all TVs support this format, which requires an HDMI 2.0 source.
4k @ 120Hz
This test is important for both PC and console gamers looking to enjoy the latest games with a 4k resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. While most games don't support this format, if you have a PS5 Pro or a recent computer graphics card, there's a large selection of games that support this format. Although it doesn't technically require it to achieve this format, most displays and sources only support this format when the input signal format is set to deliver HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.
4k @ 120Hz 4:4:4
This test is important if you want to use your TV as a PC monitor. Chroma 4:4:4 is an uncompressed video format, which is necessary if you want proper text clarity from a PC. Unlike the above test, this format absolutely requires an HDMI 2.1 source, so you'll need a recent graphics card to take advantage of it.
4k @ 144Hz
We also test for support for a 4k resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate. Although rare, more and more high-end TVs support this very high-bandwidth format, which is only supported from a high-end PC with an HDMI 2.1 graphics card.
8k @ 30Hz or 24Hz
This test only matters if you're considering buying an 8k TV. Many of the first generations of these TVs had limited bandwidth, so we test for 8k support at a lower refresh rate to make sure these models can display it properly. This mainly matters for PC users.
8k @ 60Hz
This test only matters if you're looking into buying an 8k TV. It requires an HDMI 2.1 source, like a recent PC graphics card or a PS5 Pro.
Additional Information
How to get the best results
Unfortunately, there's not really much you can do to change the formats your TV supports. For chroma 4:4:4 support, most TVs need to be in a special "PC" mode, which may reduce the amount of extra image processing they do. Some TVs also detect when they're connected to a PC and change this automatically.
For high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 signals like 4k @ 120Hz, you need to enable the setting that allows for a full bandwidth signal on the TV. The exact setting name varies between brands and even model years, but for most recent TVs, Samsung calls it Input Signal Plus, LG calls it HDMI Deep Color, and Sony calls it HDMI Signal Format.
Upscaling
It's important to note that this test only looks at the formats a TV displays natively; it doesn't take upscaling into account. For example, if a TV can't display 480p signals from a DVD player, but your player upscales the output signal to 1080p anyway, then it doesn't matter. The same is true for many gaming formats. On a gaming PC, you can adjust the render resolution of your game and the output resolution separately, so you can set more demanding games to render at a lower resolution internally while still outputting the maximum resolution and refresh rate supported by your TV.
Conclusion
The supported resolutions test shows if a TV can display various resolutions. This isn't important for most people, as all modern 4k TVs support all the standard resolutions. However, this test shows the TV's limitations for those planning on using it as a PC monitor or for console gaming.
Recommended Articles
