PS5 Setup Guide: Best TV Settings, Sound and Accessories for the Holidays

The holidays are when the PS5 earns its place in the house: long evenings, cousins visiting, and plenty of matches on the couch. A few minutes of setup makes a huge difference to how it looks and plays. Here is the plain version.

Use the right HDMI cable and port

Use the HDMI cable that comes in the box, or a certified HDMI 2.1 cable if you need a longer run. Older cables can limit picture quality.

On your TV, check which HDMI port supports the highest features. Many TVs only offer 4K at 120Hz on one or two ports, often labelled for gaming or eARC. Plug the PS5 into that one.

Switch on game mode

TVs process the picture to make films look good, but this adds delay between your button press and what happens on screen. Turn on Game Mode (sometimes called Auto Low Latency Mode) in your TV settings. Shooters and fighting games will feel noticeably snappier.

Set up HDR properly

In the PS5 settings, find Screen and Video, then run the HDR adjustment. It asks you to tweak brightness until a symbol just disappears. Do it in the lighting you usually play in, evening light if you are a night gamer.

120Hz and performance modes

If your TV or monitor supports 120Hz:

• Enable 120Hz output in the PS5 video settings.
• Turn on VRR if your screen supports it.
• In each game, look for a Performance mode for smoother play, or Quality mode for sharper detail.

For competitive games, smoothness usually wins.

Sort out the sound

TV speakers are fine, but sound makes games come alive.

• Headphones: great for late nights when the house is asleep, and for hearing footsteps in online games. The PS5 supports 3D audio, which you can tune in the sound settings.
• Soundbar or speaker system: perfect for family movie nights and couch co-op.

Accessories worth having

• A second controller so friends and family can join in
• A charging station to keep controllers ready to go
• Extra storage: big games fill space quickly. Check the PS5 storage guidance before choosing an internal SSD, or use external storage for older games
• A gaming headset with a clear microphone for online play

Keep it cool and stable

Give the console space to breathe. Do not box it into a tight cabinet, and keep vents free of dust. Nairobi power can be unpredictable, so a good surge protector is sensible for your console, TV and sound system.

Family settings

If younger gamers are playing, set up a family account with age-based restrictions, spending limits and playtime controls. It takes ten minutes and saves a lot of debates later.

Game night, sorted

Looking for a console, extra controller or a headset for the season? Visit us in Westlands for honest advice and transparent pricing on authentic products, or browse our PS5 consoles, gaming accessories and speakers and home entertainment.