TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

[Mephiskapheles]

I’m terrible at hitting; past the usual difficulties others have, I feel like a big part of it is that I can’t “see” or track the ball on the way to the plate. Almost like it’s not something fluidly moving on the screen, more like a choppy animation flickering on the screen. That’s the best I can describe it. I feel like it’s harder than it’s supposed to be, so instead of another year getting frustrated swinging at balls that hit my batter, I figured I’d ask the accumulated knowledge of the forum.

I’ve read a lot of discussion on response time on a tv, but it seems that only affects input lag, and this isn’t what it is. What would affect the issue described above? Is it refresh rate? I don’t have multiple TVs with various refresh rates to test this. I have a 1080 42 inch I’ve always used, but am thinking of using my new 4K 55 inch this year. I don’t know the refresh rates of either. Any suggestions are welcome.


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[TheWarmWind]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Response time can in fact effect this, but based on what you've said it's more likely either the lighting method or the TVs post processing.

Unfortunately TV companies prey on the fact that most consumers will buy a TV just based on what they see in the store, and most consumers don't care enough to ask the important questions, so most of the important info on a TV isn't readily available.

Other than double checking to ensure that your TV does our doesn't have a game mode and making sure it is on, there really isn't any advice that won't involve buying a new product. And if buying a new product is on the table, there is no better answer then getting a gaming monitor. Some TVs are just starting to be competitive with monitors (might have something to do with monitors starting to be competitive with TVs), but it's only a very small selection of brands, and an even smaller selection of models within those brands.

If you're just walking in to the local Best Buy, odds are they don't even sell those models. They're probably selling bad monitors too, but a bad monitor is far superior to a bad TV.

If you're buying online, a monitor's response time and refresh rates are often clearly listed. TVs once again try and take advantage of consumer ignorance, and rarely list anything beyond resolution. Even HDR has turned into a massive scam thanks to a major oversight in the current ratings process. Do not trust a TV labeled with HDR to give you true HDR.

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[jeffy777]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Also make sure you turn off any motion/smoothing effects on your TV (the name of these settings varies based on your TV manufacturer, Samsung calls them “Auto Motion Plus” and “LED Clear Motion” for example). Sometimes Game Mode automatically disables these, but not always. I have to disable them manually on my current model.

Additionally, if you have a PS4 Pro, make sure you are running The Show in “Faster” mode under video settings (this applies to 1080p as well, so it doesn’t matter if you have a 4K TV or not). Makes a huge difference in frame rate, and yes it’s very noticeable when batting and reading pitches. I have a buddy who refuses to use anything other than the “Balanced” mode and I can’t stand it because the pitches are noticeably more choppy and nowhere near as smooth.

And if you don’t have a PS4 Pro, well, all I can say is it makes a huge difference for this game in terms of smoothness.

[adamj2281]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Yeah, if my TV is not in Game Mode, it's basically unplayable. I have a PS4 Pro, and a Samsung 4kTV. Just check sites like rtings.com - they have a category for TV's with the quickest response time for gaming.

https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/best/by-usage/video-gaming

[TheHusbandGamer]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

I find the best way to hit is to use your peripheral vision from the time the pitcher releases the ball from his hand to the plate. Also, sometimes you HAVE to take pitches and let the pitches come to you. That pitcher is going to wear down causing more pitches to be in the zone. Try to stare down the pitcher and swing using your peripheral vision, never look at the ball directly.

[boxboy99]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Agree with Adam, Rtings.com if you are in the market for a TV or monitor. I played on a monitor for a few years and loved it but went back to a TV last year with 4K and ps pro. Response time make a huge difference. I had a laggy tv for awhile and it was impossible to hit.


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[Drty_Windshield]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Some good advice has been given already, I just want to add that your hitting view can make a huge difference on how you see and judge the ball.

[Rmiok222]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Yeah, if my TV is not in Game Mode, it's basically unplayable. I have a PS4 Pro, and a Samsung 4kTV. Just check sites like rtings.com - they have a category for TV's with the quickest response time for gaming.



https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/be...e/video-gaming

I also have a samsung 4K. I have game mode but never use it because it makes it incredibly dark. I think I’m doing something wrong. I usually play on the “natural” setting


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[Rmiok222]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Agree with Adam, Rtings.com if you are in the market for a TV or monitor. I played on a monitor for a few years and loved it but went back to a TV last year with 4K and ps pro. Response time make a huge difference. I had a laggy tv for awhile and it was impossible to hit.


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Just curious do you use a “game mode” or no? I personally haven’t. But if game mode is better I want to! I also have a 4K and PlayStation pro


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[Mephiskapheles]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Response time can in fact effect this, but based on what you've said it's more likely either the lighting method or the TVs post processing.

Unfortunately TV companies prey on the fact that most consumers will buy a TV just based on what they see in the store, and most consumers don't care enough to ask the important questions, so most of the important info on a TV isn't readily available.

Other than double checking to ensure that your TV does our doesn't have a game mode and making sure it is on, there really isn't any advice that won't involve buying a new product. And if buying a new product is on the table, there is no better answer then getting a gaming monitor. Some TVs are just starting to be competitive with monitors (might have something to do with monitors starting to be competitive with TVs), but it's only a very small selection of brands, and an even smaller selection of models within those brands.

If you're just walking in to the local Best Buy, odds are they don't even sell those models. They're probably selling bad monitors too, but a bad monitor is far superior to a bad TV.

If you're buying online, a monitor's response time and refresh rates are often clearly listed. TVs once again try and take advantage of consumer ignorance, and rarely list anything beyond resolution. Even HDR has turned into a massive scam thanks to a major oversight in the current ratings process. Do not trust a TV labeled with HDR to give you true HDR.

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I’m moderately versed in tv tech, I’ve calibrated both TVs and turned off any extraneous things that affect the picture. So what exactly does game mode do? Does it just turn off everything I’ve already turned off? It seems like the solution is frame rate rather than lag.


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[Mephiskapheles]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Some good advice has been given already, I just want to add that your hitting view can make a huge difference on how you see and judge the ball.

That’s a whole other topic. I sometimes futz with the camera settings more than I play the actual game. I’ll change the camera and think I’m seeing pitches better only to swing at worse garbage than I was before.


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[LastActionHero]

TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Funny thing is my new 4K LG Oled was so much faster in game mode than my old tv that it was just too fast for me (early on every swing, releasing pitches to quickly). Now I play the game on full HDR/2K which looks so much more vibrant than game mode but its perfect for me because I was already used to the somewhat lower response time.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

I’m moderately versed in tv tech, I’ve calibrated both TVs and turned off any extraneous things that affect the picture. So what exactly does game mode do? Does it just turn off everything I’ve already turned off? It seems like the solution is frame rate rather than lag.


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Honestly that varies from TV to TV. Game mode can be anything from fully turning off all post processing to a placebo setting. There is no standardization on what it actually means. TVs are a mess right now.

Yes, if your TV doesn't have a game mode, going into the settings and turning everything that you can off would be equivalent to a game mode.

I'm still going to recommend a gaming monitor over a TV, but it's totally understandable why someone would prefer a TV, especially if they have a family that shares the PS4. There are monitors that are the size of TVs now, but they are very expensive and usually mean you're paying for features that the PS4 can't utilize (like 120 Hrz framerates).

Remember the PS4 cannot go above 60 frames per second. Who knows if the PS5 will have the same limitation though.

As for the Show specifically, it will only hit a relatively consistent 60 fps on a PS4 pro in "faster" mode.

[Mephiskapheles]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Honestly that varies from TV to TV. Game mode can be anything from fully turning off all post processing to a placebo setting. There is no standardization on what it actually means. TVs are a mess right now.



Yes, if your TV doesn't have a game mode, going into the settings and turning everything that you can off would be equivalent to a game mode.



I'm still going to recommend a gaming monitor over a TV, but it's totally understandable why someone would prefer a TV, especially if they have a family that shares the PS4. There are monitors that are the size of TVs now, but they are very expensive and usually mean you're paying for features that the PS4 can't utilize (like 120 Hrz framerates).

Yeah I’m not willing to buy a gaming monitor for a single game. I’ll go with the 4K set and see how it looks. I did read a comment elsewhere about seeing pitches better on a smaller set. I don’t know the logic behind it, but I’ll go back to the smaller set if it’s more difficult on the larger one.


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[DanH35]

Re: TV/Monitor Hitting Difficulty Discussion

Just curious do you use a “game mode” or no? I personally haven’t. But if game mode is better I want to! I also have a 4K and PlayStation pro


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I’m sure the difference varies from tv to tv, but you probably always want to be using game mode while playing games. For example, my tv’s input lag in game mode is 24ms, but without it is over 140ms.