Tips for HDTV Video Gamers

High-definition television is a big-deal if you're into video games. Find out how to get the absolute best performance from your TV and your next-generation console, and avoid the "gaming lag" which can ruin your whole experience.

What is Gaming Lag?

"Gaming Lag" is a term that refers to a slight delay between an event occurring in a game and when that event is actually displayed on your HDTV. By the time you see what's happening in the game, you're already a few seconds behind. For games that require lots of quick responses and precise reactions, this can be disastrous. Not all HDTVs suffer from this problem, and not all people notice a significant delay, but for serious gamers it can be extremely troublesome.

What Causes Gaming Lag?

There are three major contributors to gaming lag. By identifying which ones you might suffer from, it'll be a whole lot easier to resolve this problem and get back to racking up points.

1. Poor Connections

If you're using an HD-capable console like the X-Box 360 or PlayStation 3, be sure to use HDMI cables to connect your console to the HDTV. HDMI is the best-possible connection, and should ensure speedy, lossless communication. If necessary, both consoles will also perform adequately with component cables. Although they are not digital like HDMI is, component cables can handle high-definition content and provide excellent image quality. The Nintendo Wii, although not an HD console, benefits greatly from the use of component cables as well. Proper connections make it so your TV doesn't have to do any extra work to fit the game's image to your screen, which can increase lag. Solution: Always use the best connections possible.

2. Scaling

Improperly configured video output that doesn't line up with your TV's resolution forces your TV to work harder to make the video compatible and scale it to fit. Scaling is a big cause of gaming lag, and should be avoided. Solution: Check the video output settings on your console and make sure it matches the native resolution (either 1080p or 720p/1080i) of your HDTV.

3. Image Processing

Image processing refers to a number of filters and image-enhancing processes that your HDTV performs to make TV and DVDs look better. These processes introduce lag, typically not a problem when watching television, but a big deal for video games. Solution: Many HDTVs offer special "game modes" which disable these processes when you want to play. If your TV has a game mode, make sure you turn it on when it's needed.

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