Essential gaming accessories for Sony 4K smart TVs?

Question

I just picked up the Sony X90L for my new place in Chicago and honestly Im kinda freaking out because nothing is working like it did on my old setup. Ive been a Sony guy for a decade so I thought I knew the drill with the HDMI 2.1 ports and keeping VRR enabled on my PS5 but man the audio lag is just killing me.

My logic was that I could just plug my older soundbar into the eARC port and be good to go but now I realize the handshake is totally off and it keeps dropping the signal mid game. Im trying to get this all sorted before my buddies come over for a huge gaming marathon next Saturday so I have like a $300 budget left to grab whatever essentials I actually need.

Do I need those fancy ultra high speed cables or is that just marketing fluff? Im also looking at those Govee lights for the back because I heard bias lighting helps with eye strain but idk if they mess with the TV signal or the CEC controls. I keep overthinking if I need a specific media remote or if I should just stick to the controller. Its just a lot and I dont want to waste money on stuff that isnt gonna fix the lag or the weird stuttering I keep seeing... maybe a better surge protector? Im just second guessing everything now...

MichaelDus · Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, these newer Sony sets like the X90L are incredibly finicky when it comes to older hardware. I had similar issues with signal drops and audio lag on my previous setup, and it is honestly not as good as expected for the price point. The handshake problems usually stem from outdated cables that cant handle the 48Gbps bandwidth required for HDMI 2.1 features. It isnt just marketing fluff; you really need a certified cable to stabilize that eARC connection. I would suggest picking up the Zeskit Maya 8K 48Gbps Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable to see if that clears up the stuttering. Regarding the bias lighting, the Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite with Sync Box is a decent choice for eye strain, though I have found the color accuracy sometimes misses the mark compared to more professional setups. It wont mess with your CEC controls, but it adds more cable clutter behind the screen which is frustrating. For protection, dont overlook the power side of things. Since youre in Chicago, the grid can be unpredictable during storms. I use the APC Performance SurgeArrest 12-Outlet with USB because it provides much better peace of mind than a generic strip. Skip the media remote for now and put that money into the cables first... thats where the real reliability issues usually live.

Bobbyundot · Answer

Re: "Unfortunately, these newer Sony sets like the X90L..." - 100% agree, Sony's handshake logic is basically a coin toss sometimes. Beyond cables, check your power. I actually fixed some weird flicker by using the Anker 727 Charging Station 100W Surge Protector since it keeps the voltage steady. Also, grab the Sony PlayStation 5 Media Remote so you arent burning your controller battery while troubleshooting settings for hours. TL;DR: Clean power and a dedicated remote are low-cost sanity savers.

Alfredked · Answer

Hey, caught this right after you posted. Handshake issues on the X90L are usually tied to the specific audio codec being pushed through the eARC lane. It can get messy with older gear.

What exact soundbar model are you using?

Have you checked if the PS5 is set to Linear PCM or a Bitstream format like Atmos? Knowing if you're hitting a bandwidth ceiling on the older hardware helps figure out if it's the cable or the processing lag...