The new PS5 update is supposed to improve performance, but it doesn’t fix the aggravating TV fault
According to Sony’s patch notes, the most recent PS5 update – version: 22.01-05.02.00 – “improves system performance,” however it’s a feature that was surreptitiously inserted in the previous system update that’s causing troubles for certain users.
In version 22.01-05.00.00, Sony quietly included auto low latency mode support (ALLM) for compatible TVs, ensuring that your display is automatically tuned to the best picture mode. You may have noticed, however, that some TV settings are no longer available.
Several TV settings can’t be accessed or are greyed out after installing the latest PS5 system update, as HDTVTest’s Vincent Teoh demonstrated, meaning you can’t enable features like black frame insertion (BFI) or motion smoothing.
Because of the PS5’s new ALLM support, which requires your TV to utilize the best picture option for gaming and eliminates any video processing settings that can cause input lag, this is the case.
Unfortunately, unlike the Xbox Series X|S, Sony didn’t provide a toggle to enable or disable ALLM, so you’re stuck with these new settings unless you can disable it via your TV.
The solution is quite straightforward for the LG OLED C9 and LG OLED CX. Turn off ‘Instant Game Response’ for the HDMI port to which the PS5 is attached in your picture options, then click on the additional settings sub-menu. Even in Game Mode, you won’t be able to change all of the options. This will deactivate VRR support, however as the PS5 doesn’t support variable refresh rates yet, this isn’t a concern for the time being.
If you have an LG OLED C1 or C2, things are a little more complicated, and there’s a big caveat to remember. Long-press the cogwheel button on your remote to bring up the user menu, then select the ‘General’ option. Turn off ‘HDMI Deep Color’ under ‘Devices’ > ‘HDMI Settings,’ which will disable ALLM. If you disable HDMI Deep Color, you’ll lose HDR functionality and be limited to a maximum frame rate of 60 frames per second. Certainly not ideal.
Bring up the settings menu on your Sony TV, click on ‘Channels & inputs,’ scroll down, and click on ‘External inputs.’ Change the configuration to ‘Enhanced format (Dolby Vision)’ by clicking on ‘HDMI signal format’ and selecting the relevant HDMI port. This will limit your games to a maximum frame rate of 60 frames per second.
ALLM or nothing
Even though these workarounds will allow you to disable ALLM, they are far from ideal. The true solution will have to come from Sony, who will presumably include an on/off toggle in a future update, similar to the Xbox Series X|S.
The majority of users are unlikely to have any issues with ALLM, as it’s mostly designed to assist individuals who aren’t comfortable tinkering with their TV settings in order to obtain the finest gaming experience possible. ALLM, in its present PS5 version, is very limiting for sophisticated users, and the fact that it can’t be turned off without resorting to harsh methods is unfortunate.
However, ALLM is still a desirable feature that gets the PS5 closer to the display technology found on the Xbox Series X|S. Sony’s platform will acquire VRR compatibility in the coming months, but we’re still hoping for 1440p support, which is currently unavailable on the PS5.
For more such updates stay tuned with the GameStanza
