How to set up your TV to get the best GTA 6 experience ‣ Diverse Daily

In just a few days, the biggest entertainment launch will be upon us: Grand Theft Auto 6. It’s a game that feels like it’s been 13 years in the making. Of course, Rockstar gave us Red Dead Redemption 2 during the 13-year gap between GTA 5 and GTA 6. But fans have long been waiting to return to the wild and satirical world of Grand Theft Auto. The game is already breaking records before it has even launched. PlayStation has shared that it’s the most pre-ordered game in PlayStation Store history. Considering the storefront has been in service for two decades, that’s saying something. With all the hype surrounding this hotly anticipated title, it’s reasonable to assume that most are going to want their gaming setup to provide the best experience possible.

Your TV is central to that setup. But don’t assume that you necessarily have to go out and purchase a brand new screen to get a brilliant image while in-game. Many modern TVs have options that allow you to complement your gaming hardware and enable a high-quality output for your gaming experience. After all, you’re going to want to see every detail of Jason and Lucia’s journey across the fictional Miami-like region of Leonida.

Knowing what to turn on and what to shut off

These adjustments can go a long way

Lucia and Jason in a heist from Grand Theft Auto 6. — Rockstar

Before you even begin to mess with the settings, the first thing you should do is ensure that you’re using the right HDMI port. TVs often come with multiple ports. And usually only one, maybe two, of those ports are HDMI 2.1. This is the port that offers a 120 Hz refresh rate and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) synchronicity, which we’ll get into more in a second.

First and foremost, there is one place you’ll want to start in the settings. You don’t want your TV working against your console. If your TV has an HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) mode, you’ll want to enable it. What this feature does is it actually disables your TV’s automatic dynamic tone mapping (DTM). Traditionally, modern TVs use this feature to automatically decide when it’s appropriate to brighten or darken certain tones. This artificial dynamic function decreases the accuracy of the picture but ultimately makes the image more palatable for TVs in standard living rooms with ambient light. HGiG mode stops your TV from doing this because your console is already doing the work. If you don’t adjust for this, your TV is doubling up the effort, which can make the image look unnaturally saturated. In fact, Rockstar, the very developers behind the game, highly recommends that you do this. Personally, I have an LG OLED TV. If you’re in the same boat, I can tell you that the Tone Mapping settings can be found in Settings > General > Game Optimizer > Screen. If you use a different brand, it’s likely in a similar location.

Grand Theft Auto 6

Released: November 19, 2026
ESRB: Rating Pending – Likely Mature 17+
Developer(s): Rockstar Games

Set your picture mode to Game Optimizer or an equivalent. Game Optimizer is the name given to the mode on LG TVs. Typically, your TV will automatically recognize when a console is being used and switch. But that’s not always the case, so double-check for this. Game Optimizer mode enables VRR, which is a great technology that helps prevent screen tearing, especially during gameplay. It allows your TV to sync with the console’s frame rate to keep everything running smoothly with no stuttering. Game Optimizer also turns off motion smoothing (TruMotion, as it is called under LG), which is crucial for optimal game performance. When motion smoothing is turned on, it creates a lag between your controller input and the action on screen simply because it’s taking time to over-process the action in the game. If you don’t have a version of Game Optimizer, at least ensure that any form of motion smoothing is turned off.

One mode that you’ll want to disable is the Energy Saving option. This typically adjusts the lightness of your screen based on the light in the room. Playing a game can cause this to feel wonky at times. You want the best image at optimal brightness when racing through the streets of downtown Vice City. Most TVs are set to “auto” out of the gate. Switch this option for energy saving to “off.”

Next on this list is color balance. In Game Optimizer mode, or your TV’s equivalent settings, you’ll want to enter the color menu and adjust the white balance. Most TVs are set to default to blue hues, even at a white balance setting of 0. The more accurate color setting is to adjust this to Warm (50). This is the optimal setting for gaming outputs, as it provides the most accurate color hues intended within a game.

All of this is a lot to remember, so let me offer you a quick checklist:

Ensure your console is plugged into an HDMI 2.1 port
Enable HGiG mode (if available)
Set Picture Mode to Game Optimizer (or equivalent)
- Ensure Motion Smoothing is shut off (if you don’t have a game optimization mode)
- Adjust the white balance to warm (50)
Turn off Energy Saving options

These quick checks will ensure that you have the best possible gaming experience. Grand Theft Auto 6 has been a 13-year wait for many fans. Be sure to make the most of it.