Important HDMI 2.1 features such as VRR and ALLM are still missing at the moment

The new generation boot for PS5 apparently only happens with the handbrake on, as is currently the case. So it appears that important HDMI 2.1 features are still missing, which will likely only be activated with an update.

After the fall of yesterday’s embargo on PS5, there are more and more reports that features like VRR or ALLM are not (yet) supported. A bitter slap in the face to those who have already bought the corresponding televisions.

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto-Low-Latency-Mode (ALLM) are features with which the HDMI 2.1 standard is specifically advertised and which are of particular interest to gamers. VRR dynamically adjusts the refresh rate of the TV and thus prevents, for example, tearing effects. With ALLM, the TV automatically detects if game content is currently playing, which automatically disables all artificial optimizations and ensures low latency. If needed, you can manually switch to game mode here, but that’s not the point.

The PS5 is technically behind

Why these features are currently lacking on PS5 can only be guessed. Speculations go in the direction that even Sony TVs still don’t support these features, not even since the latest firmware update. This is not expected to follow until next year. Sony may be waiting for the implementation to ship successfully. In view of the fact that Sony is explicitly promoting their PS5 models, this is a rather poor performance that is not worthy of a new generation start. Especially since manufacturers like LG have integrated it into their TVs since 2019. The Xbox Series X also supports all HDMI 2.1 features right from the start.

The range of features that are not initially available on PS5 is getting longer and longer. VRR and ALLM missing, resolution 1440p missing, no 8K options (although advertised on cardboard), no external memory, etc. sounds like a new generation start that only meets the needs of the current generation. It’s a shame, a bit embarrassing for Sony and sobering for gamers, who sometimes invest thousands of dollars in new hardware.

When it comes to video output options, the Xbox Series X ranks much better, while at Sony it seems like they only found out last week where the journey should go.