PC and consolesįrame rate refers to the frequency at which frames are processed from a PC or console before the corresponding pixels are displayed on screen. In some instances, this can cause motion blurring. This refers to the amount of time it takes for an image to change on screen. Output devicesĭisplay lag is caused by a PC monitor, television, or projector-specifically pixel response time. When using a wireless keyboard or controller, it could be something as simple as dying batteries or physical distance from the wireless receiver.
PC and consolesįrame rate and refresh rate can impact the speed at which an image is displayed on screen, and concerns the rate at which a PC or console will display a frame on screen. This concerns the speed at which an image is received by said device. Input lag on output devices such as television screens, PC monitors, or projectors is referred to as display lag. Combat, real-time strategy, or first-person shooters, on the other hand, would benefit greatly from lower input lag as timely decisions matter to gameplay. For example, input lag would be negligible for turn-based games as they aren’t time sensitive. This also depends on the type of game being played. Using a wireless input device, on the other hand, is how some latency issues can arise. Input lag isn’t really an issue with wired input devices as the response time is essentially instantaneous. In all definitions of the term, input lag is a hardware issue separate from network lag, which refers to the latency in communication across a network-be it a local area network or the internet.
In other words, you’ve pressed a button and at the worst possible moment there’s a delay in-game, which is especially frustrating if you’re about to win! If what’s on your screen is quick to respond to your input, you have low latency. Input lag refers to the latency (or delay) between sending an electronic signal on an input device-like a controller or keyboard-and its corresponding response within a game.
But hang on, you’re playing locally offline so it couldn’t be an issue of network lag… so what is it? You’ve pressed the button on the controller and… nothing! There’s a delay. Does this sound familiar? You’re deep into a FIFA session and you’re about to score a goal.