Sony is set to elevate the visual experience of PlayStation 5 Pro users by integrating advanced AI upscaling technology, specifically through the incorporation of AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4). This initiative aims to deliver crisper and more detailed graphics, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Advancements in AI Upscaling Technology
The PlayStation 5 Pro, priced at $700, already offers enhanced graphics compared to its predecessor. However, starting in 2026, Sony plans to implement a new AI upscaling technique based on AMD’s FSR 4. This technology, currently featured in AMD’s RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards, is designed to compete with NVIDIA’s latest Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology.
Collaboration through Project Amethyst
The development of FSR 4 is a result of a collaboration between Sony and AMD, known as Project Amethyst. Initiated in 2023, this multiyear partnership focuses on advancing machine learning technologies. PlayStation’s lead architect, Mark Cerny, highlighted that the neural network and training methodologies in FSR 4 are among the first outcomes of this collaboration.
Transition from PSSR to FSR 4
Currently, many PS5 Pro games utilize an AI upscaler called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), which can upscale 720p images to 4K in real-time while adding extra particle effects. The integration of FSR 4 is seen as the next evolution of PSSR, offering a more advanced approach that can exceed the crispness of the current technology. However, reimplementing FSR 4’s upscaling network into the PS5 Pro and its games will take time.
Future Applications Beyond Consoles
Beyond enhancing the PS5 Pro, the advancements from Project Amethyst have potential applications across various devices. This technology could support broader work in machine learning, allowing developers to move their code freely between different platforms, thereby promoting a more versatile development environment.
Glossary
- AI Upscaling: A process that uses artificial intelligence to enhance lower-resolution images or videos to higher resolutions, improving visual quality.
- FSR 4 (FidelityFX Super Resolution 4): AMD’s latest upscaling technology designed to improve gaming graphics by rendering images at a lower resolution and then upscaling them to higher resolutions using advanced algorithms.
- DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling): NVIDIA’s AI-driven upscaling technology that enhances gaming performance and image quality by rendering fewer pixels and using neural networks to construct sharp, high-resolution images.
- PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution): Sony’s proprietary AI upscaling technology used in PS5 Pro games to enhance image quality by upscaling lower-resolution images to higher resolutions in real-time.
- Project Amethyst: A collaborative initiative between Sony and AMD aimed at developing advanced machine learning technologies, including AI upscaling techniques like FSR 4.
Through these advancements in AI upscaling technology, Sony aims to significantly enhance the graphical capabilities of the PS5 Pro, providing gamers with a more immersive and visually stunning experience.
