Your PlayStation 5 supports 120Hz gaming on a compatible display, but connecting a capture card suddenly limits the output to 60Hz. Sometimes the picture disappears entirely when a game starts.
The problem may not be your console or monitor. Adding a capture card changes the HDMI connection, and the devices must agree on which resolutions, refresh rates, and video features they support.
Understanding that negotiation can save you from replacing working equipment or sacrificing high-refresh-rate gameplay unnecessarily.
Why a Capture Card Can Change Your PS5’s Refresh Rate
When a PS5 connects to a television, it reads information about the display’s supported video modes.
That information is called EDID (Extended Display Identification Data). It tells the console which resolutions, refresh rates, HDR formats, and other signal characteristics the connected equipment can accept.
A capture card placed between the console and display becomes part of this negotiation.
The connection usually looks like this:
PS5 → Capture Card → Gaming Monitor or TV
If the capture card cannot pass through a particular video mode, the PS5 may fall back to a supported alternative.
For example, a capture card might support 4K at 60Hz but only support 120Hz passthrough at 1440p. Even when the monitor handles 4K at 120Hz directly, that exact combination may not work through the card.
This is why choosing hardware involves more than deciding between the devices in Rave-Tech’s internal versus external capture-card comparison.
Passthrough and Recording Are Different Specifications
A common misconception is that a capture card advertising 120Hz support must also record gameplay at 120 frames per second.
Passthrough determines the video signal sent to your gaming display. Capture resolution and frame rate determine what the device can send to recording or streaming software.
Elgato’s HD60 X supported-resolution documentation illustrates the distinction. This older model supports 4K60 or 1440p120 passthrough, but not 4K120 passthrough. Its supported recording formats depend on the incoming signal.
Newer devices can offer different capabilities. The Elgato 4K X resolution matrix includes 4K120 input and capture combinations, although actual capture formats also depend on the software, USB connection, and video settings.
Neither model should be treated as representative of every capture card.
The practical rule is simple: check the exact resolution-and-refresh-rate combination your console will send, not just the largest number advertised on the packaging.
Find Out Where the 120Hz Signal Is Being Lost
Start with the simplest comparison: connect your PS5 directly to the monitor using a suitable HDMI cable.
Open Settings → Screen and Video → Video Output. Check the connected display information, enable 120Hz Output where supported, and test a game with a compatible 120Hz mode.
PlayStation’s official video-output guidance also recommends checking the television’s HDMI port, firmware, cable capability, and any equipment placed between the console and screen.
Next, reconnect the capture card and repeat the test without changing the game or display.
The result helps narrow the cause:
| What happens | What to investigate |
|---|---|
| 120Hz works directly but disappears through the card | Passthrough limits, HDMI negotiation, or EDID settings |
| Console menus work, but a game causes flickering | The switch to 120Hz or variable refresh rate (VRR) |
| The TV shows gameplay but recording software is black | Capture-format support, software settings, or the capture connection |
A picture that works at 60Hz but fails at 120Hz is a useful clue, not proof that the capture card is defective.
Check VRR and EDID Before Changing Hardware
Variable refresh rate, or VRR, lets compatible displays adjust their refresh timing to match changes in game output. It can improve smoothness, but it also adds another compatibility requirement to the HDMI connection.
If the display flickers or loses its signal when a game launches, try temporarily disabling VRR in the PS5’s Video Output settings. Restart the game and test again.
If that does not help, disable 120Hz Output temporarily. You can also test a lower output resolution. These are diagnostic changes, not necessarily the settings you should keep permanently.
On supported Elgato devices, the manufacturer’s EDID configuration instructions explain three modes:
- Merged: Combines the capture card’s and display’s reported capabilities. This is the normal starting point for console passthrough.
- Display: Uses the connected monitor’s capabilities. It may help with display compatibility but can also advertise modes the capture card cannot capture.
- Internal: Uses a selected device EDID, commonly useful in certain dual-PC configurations.
For compatible hardware, these controls are available through Elgato’s 4K Capture Utility on Windows. Other devices and software may use different controls.
Do not load a custom EDID or force an unsupported resolution simply because it advertises a higher refresh rate. That can produce a black screen rather than restore gameplay.
Keep the Fix That Matches Your Equipment
If 1440p120 works but 4K120 does not, the capture card may simply lack support for the higher combination. If disabling VRR solves the issue, investigate display and capture-card compatibility before deciding whether to leave it disabled.
Also verify that both HDMI connections use cables suitable for the desired signal. For 4K120, check the manufacturer’s HDMI specifications and the television’s supported input ports.
Once the video output is stable, make a short local recording and inspect it separately. Smooth 120Hz gameplay on your monitor does not guarantee the recorded video has the same resolution or frame rate.
The goal is not to force every setting to its maximum. It is to preserve the gaming experience your equipment genuinely supports while producing a reliable capture for viewers.