Sony's latest system update for PlayStation 5 (version 22.01-05.00.00) includes HDMI 2.1's ALLM for auto-switching into and out of Game Mode on HDMI 2.1-enabled TVs.

Auto Game Mode switching
ALLM lets your console and TV communicate to auto-switch into and out of the TV's Game Mode for reduced latency and more responsive gameplay. It automatically engages when you open a game and automatically disengages when you open a streaming app or spin Blu-rays on PS5.

Sony previously used a custom system in PlayStation consoles that could auto-switch Sony TVs (and some LG TVs) into Game picture mode but this was permanent and also applied to streaming apps and Blu-ray. ALLM is more intelligent in that it can distinguish between games and video.

HDMI 2.1 ALLM is not mentioned in Sony's changelog but FlatpanelsHD has confirmed that it works as intended. It was included in the beta, as highlighted by twitter user ShaunyBoy, and has made it to the final release as highlighted by Vincent Teoh of HDTVTest.

ALLM must be supported by your TV and can be implemented in different ways. LG TVs, for example, must have 'Instant Game Response' enabled in the menu. This setting lets LG TVs switch into a game mode inside other picture modes (Standard, Cinema etc.) when a PS5 game is detected (you will see the notification shown in the photo below), disengaging most picture systems including motion smoothing. Sony TVs on the other hand switch and lock to the Game picture mode with ALLM.


 ALLM with PS5 on a Sony TV. Photo: ShaunyBoy

 ALLM with PS5 on an LG TV. Photo: FlatpanelsHD

Sony prepared its 2021 models and 2020's X900H/XH90 for ALLM with a firmware update last year. It was announced as the Perfect for PS5 features and Sony likes to refer to ALLM as Auto Genre Picture Mode on PS5. Manufacturers are free to make up their names under the HDMI standard.

You can see which TV models support ALLM in FlatpanelsHD's TV Database.

What else is new in the latest system update for PS5? We have included the changelog below.

- "Thanks to support from our beta participants, we’re introducing some fan-requested features to our global community today, like the ability to create or join Open and Closed Parties on PS5 and PS4 consoles. On PS5, we’re also bringing UI enhancements to Game Base and Trophy cards, as well as accessibility features like mono audio for headphones," said Hideaki Nishino, SVP of Platform Experience, Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Sony has also confirmed that PS5 will get HDMI 2.1 VRR in the coming months through a subsequent update.

PS5 system update ver. 22.01-05.00.00
In (Game Base), we've updated the following:
- Voice chats are now called parties.
- For easier access, we've divided Game Base into three tabs: , , and .
- Now when you start a party, you can select either an open party or a closed party. An open party lets your friends join without an invite. Friends of party members can also join. A closed party is only for players you invite.
- From the Game Base control menu and cards, you can now do the following:
-- View all your friends under the  tab in the control menu.
-- Start Share Play directly from the voice chat card. You no longer need to start Share Screen to use Share Play.
-- Add a player to a group, or create a new group directly from the messages card. You can also send video clips, images, quick messages and view a group's shared media from this card.
- Now when someone in a party is sharing their screen, you'll see the on-air icon. You can check this in the  tab.
- The player search feature and friend requests are now under the  tab.
- We've made it easier to decline friend requests by adding a  button to your friend request list.


In (Accessibility), we've updated the following:
- We've updated the following for the screen reader:
-- The screen reader is now supported in six additional languages: Russian, Arabic, Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish and Korean.
-- The screen reader can now read aloud notifications.
- You can now enable mono audio for headphones so that the same audio is played from both the left and right headphones.
-- While your headphones are connected, go to  >  >  and then turn on . Alternatively, go to  >  >  and then turn on .
- You can now show a tick on enabled settings so you can easily see that they're turned on. Go to  >  >  and then turn on .


In (Trophies), we've updated the following:
- The visual design of trophy cards and the trophy list has been updated.
- You can now see suggestions for which trophies to earn on the trophy tracker when you're playing a game.


For the features available from the Create menu, we've updated the following:
- You can now start Share Screen and stream your gameplay to an open party.

We've added a new feature: Voice Command (Preview).
- Voice Command (Preview) understands speech commands for finding and opening games, apps, and settings, as well as controlling media playback.
- To get started, go to  >  and turn on . Then, call out “Hey, PlayStation!” and ask your PS5 to do something.
- You can use this feature to help you find and open games, apps, and settings, control your media without even touching a button, and much more.
- Currently, Voice Command (Preview) is only available in English for players with PSN accounts in the US and UK.


We've added Ukrainian language support.


Other updated features
- We made the following improvement in game library:
-- Under the  tab, you can now filter your games by genre to find the games you want to play more quickly.
- We've pinned PlayStation Plus to the left edge of the games home screen.
- You can now redeem monthly games more quickly.
- Get easier access to the PS Plus game collections from your home screen.
- We've added a button guide to show you how to reload and zoom while using the internet browser.
- If you want to report something that someone in a party said, there are now visual indicators for you to identify who was speaking. This will help PlayStation Safety take appropriate action based on your report.
- We've made the console safer for child accounts:
- When viewing a purchased or installed game they're restricted from playing, the background image of the game is hidden.
- Activity cards, such as those displayed in the control center or game hub, won't be displayed for age-restricted games.
- Now you can keep the games or apps you choose on your home screen.
- When focused on a game or app, press the options button to open the options menu and select . The games and apps you choose to keep will stay on your home screen.
- You can keep a maximum of 5 games and apps on each home screen.
- You can now have three more games and apps appearing on your home screen.
- We've changed the appearance of the User's Guide to make it easier to view. If you prefer the old appearance, you can change it back.
- We now support more emojis.
- We changed the keyboard layout for Polish.
- We've updated the DualSense wireless controller device software to improve stability.
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