PlayStation 5 Pro is the first game console to support 8K output, but it will not work with all 8K TVs as it requires HDMI Display Stream Compression (DSC) support.
FlatpanelsHD first raised the issue in our article about why you still shouldn't buy an 8K TV and again in our article about the first 8K games for PS5 Pro not actually being 8K.
Put simply, PS5 Pro does not natively have the HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to deliver uncompressed 8K over HDMI, so it uses Display Stream Compression (DSC) to losslessly compress the signal making it possible to carry 8K 60Hz over HDMI 2.1. Both the transmitting device (PS5 Pro) and the receiving device (8K TV) must support DSC via HDMI 2.1 for it to work, letting the TV reconstruct the original 8K picture without loss in quality.
If you are using a receiver or soundbar between the two, it must also support DSC over HDMI 2.1. If any device in the video chain lacks DSC support, the PS5 Pro will fall back to 4K output.
8K TVs with DSC support
Since the launch of PS5 Pro, FlatpanelsHD has been chasing down information on DSC support in TVs, but it has been difficult as manufacturers typically do not list it in their official specs.
Sony has confirmed to FlatpanelsHD that only its 2022 Z9K supports DSC and can handle 8K from PS5 Pro. Older Sony 8K TVs do not.
Also read: Sony steps away from 8K TVs – for now
Sony has a single 8K TV range with DSC support, but it was recently discontinued. Photo: Sony
Samsung has the most extensive support across its 8K TVs, including QN990F, QN900F, QN900D, QN800D, QN900C and QN800C, according to a list shared by Samsung with FlatpanelsHD.
LG has not responded to our inquiry, but we know that its flagship 8K LCD TVs, Nano99, do not support DSC. Update: LG says that its ZX and newer 8K OLED TV ranges support DSC.
Other TV brands have not launched 8K TVs or have only had a short and limited presence in the 8K market.
