ALLM automatically switches a compatible TV into its low-latency Game mode, while VRR synchronizes the display’s refresh timing with a console or PC’s changing frame rate. ALLM mainly helps reduce display-side input delay; VRR mainly reduces tearing and improves motion consistency when frame rates fluctuate.
ALLM and VRR are different features
| Feature | ALLM | VRR |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Auto Low Latency Mode | Variable Refresh Rate |
| Main purpose | Automatically enables the TV’s low-latency mode | Matches display timing to the source’s frame output |
| Helps with | Display-processing latency and manual Game Mode switching | Screen tearing and uneven motion within its supported range |
| Creates more frames? | No | No |
| Requires source and display support? | Yes | Yes |
| Can change picture settings? | Yes, often by activating Game mode | Sometimes, depending on the TV |
They are often marketed together because both are useful for modern console and PC gaming, but they solve separate problems. A TV can support one without the other, and an “HDMI 2.1” label does not prove that every HDMI 2.1 gaming feature is available.
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What is ALLM?
ALLM stands for Auto Low Latency Mode. It is an HDMI signaling feature that lets a supported console or PC tell the TV to switch automatically into its low-latency picture mode. HDMI describes the feature as a way for a source to request a display mode optimized for lower latency.
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TV manufacturers may call the same behavior Game Mode, Auto Game Mode, Auto Low Latency Mode, ALLM, or a content-type setting. The exact label depends on the brand, model and software version. See the HDMI specification’s ALLM explanation.
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- [4 × HDMI 2.1 — connect PS5, Xbox, PC, and soundbar all at once]Two ports run 4K@144Hz for next-gen consoles and gaming PCs; two more handle 4K@60Hz for streaming boxes or Blu-ray players. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) switches the TV into game mode instantly — no menu diving required.
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Game mode usually reduces or disables processing such as motion interpolation, noise reduction, sharpening and other enhancements that can delay the image. When the source stops requesting low latency, the TV may return to its previous picture mode.
ALLM does not increase frame rate, remove screen tearing or eliminate every form of gaming delay. It mainly targets the TV-processing part of the signal path. Controller delay, game-engine delay, rendering time, pixel response and online network latency remain separate issues.
What ALLM changes in practice
Consider this signal path:
Controller input → game logic → frame rendering → video transport → TV processing → pixel response
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It also is not automatically a picture-quality upgrade. Game mode may look cleaner to some viewers because it removes artificial processing, but others may prefer Cinema, Filmmaker or Standard mode for films and streaming video. Some TVs restrict picture controls while ALLM or VRR is active.
What is VRR?
VRR stands for Variable Refresh Rate. It allows a compatible display to vary its refresh timing to follow the changing frame output of a console or PC. Sony describes VRR as adjusting the display’s refresh rate according to the video source’s frame rate; HDMI describes it as allowing the source to deliver frames as quickly as it can, including when that is slower than a fixed refresh target.
With a fixed 60Hz display, the screen refreshes approximately every 16.67 milliseconds, whether or not the next game frame is ready. If a new frame arrives halfway through a refresh, one part of the screen can show the old frame while another shows the new one. This is screen tearing.
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- ULTRA-RESPONSIVE GAMING WITH VRR & ALLM – Designed for next-generation gaming, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) dynamically matches the TV's refresh rate to the action on screen for fluid, tear-free motion, while Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) automatically optimizes performance for faster controller response. The result is smoother gameplay, reduced lag, and a more responsive experience whether you're exploring open worlds, racing at high speeds, or competing online.
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VRR does not turn a 42fps game into a 60fps game. It changes when the display refreshes, not how quickly the console or PC renders frames. It also cannot fix every kind of stutter. Poor frame pacing, shader compilation, CPU bottlenecks, frame rates below the VRR floor, TV firmware behavior, motion processing and pixel-response limitations can all remain.
Input lag, frame rate and refresh rate are not the same
- Input lag: The time between an action and the display showing its result.
- Frame rate: How many frames the game renders per second.
- Refresh rate: How often the display can refresh.
- Response time: How quickly the pixels change state.
- Network latency: Delay caused by an online connection.
At 60Hz, a refresh interval is about 16.67ms; at 120Hz it is about 8.33ms. A 30fps game produces a new frame about every 33.33ms, while a 60fps game produces one about every 16.67ms. These intervals are useful for understanding the technology, but they are not the same as total controller-to-photon latency.
VRR range and low-frame-rate compensation
Every display has a model-specific VRR range: the lowest and highest refresh rates at which VRR operates. The range can change with resolution, HDR, color depth, HDMI input, firmware and the VRR protocol being used. Do not assume that every TV supports a generic range such as 48–120Hz.
If a game falls below the display’s normal VRR floor, some displays use low-frame-rate compensation, or LFC. This may repeat frames or otherwise extend refresh behavior to keep the signal inside the usable VRR window. LFC is not universal, does not improve the underlying frame rate and can interact with flicker, brightness changes and frame pacing.
Is VRR the same as FreeSync or G-SYNC?
They are related, but the names are not interchangeable:
- HDMI VRR is the HDMI gaming feature used by supported TVs, consoles and other devices.
- AMD FreeSync is AMD’s adaptive-sync branding and implementation.
- NVIDIA G-SYNC and G-SYNC Compatible refer to NVIDIA’s adaptive-sync ecosystem and compatibility testing.
- DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync is a related PC-display standard and signaling method.
A TV or monitor may advertise one or several of these. Compatibility depends on the source, connection type, resolution, refresh rate, HDR mode, color format and the display’s supported range. PS5, Xbox, AMD graphics cards and NVIDIA graphics cards should not be assumed to support exactly the same VRR protocols.
Do ALLM and VRR require HDMI 2.1?
There is no safe blanket yes-or-no answer. ALLM and VRR are strongly associated with HDMI 2.1-era gaming, but manufacturers implement and list features separately. An HDMI 2.1 input may support some capabilities but not others.
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Before buying, verify these items individually:
- ALLM
- HDMI VRR and the required PC VRR standard
- 4K/120Hz support
- The exact HDMI ports that support each feature
- The published VRR range
- HDR and color-format restrictions
- eARC, if you use a soundbar or receiver
- The number of compatible ports
Sony’s model support tables list 4K/120Hz, eARC, VRR and ALLM as separate capabilities, illustrating why the HDMI 2.1 label alone is not enough. Check the specific television’s feature table.
Setting up ALLM and VRR
PS5
On PS5, the verified ALLM path is:
Settings → Screen and Video → Video Output → ALLM
Connect the PS5 directly to a compatible TV or monitor, preferably with the supplied cable or a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for 4K/120Hz. On the TV, enable the appropriate enhanced HDMI, high-bandwidth or VRR format for that input. Then open:
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Review the detected display information and enable VRR if it is available. Test with a game that supports the desired mode.
Sony says that even with PS5 ALLM set to Off, the console can automatically switch to low-latency behavior while using VRR output. Disabling ALLM may restore access to other TV picture modes, but VRR can still force low-latency behavior on some televisions. See Sony’s PS5 resolution and video-output guide and its explanation of ALLM, VRR and Game mode.
Insomniac says current PS5 system and game updates support VRR in compatible titles, and that 120Hz plus VRR can allow an uncapped frame rate in supported games. That does not mean every game offers an uncapped mode or runs at 120fps.
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox Series X and Series S support ALLM with compatible displays, and Xbox describes VRR as allowing a capable display to refresh in step with the console’s rendered images.
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Start at:
Settings → General → TV & display options
Use the console’s display-information or 4K TV-details screen to see whether the connected display supports 4K, 120Hz, HDR and VRR. Available checkboxes and labels can vary with console software, region, connected TV and the HDMI path.
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Do not treat a 120Hz option as proof that VRR is active. Confirm the specific VRR capability reported by the Xbox and test a compatible game. Xbox’s feature overview is available in its Series X|S glossary.
TV settings
Brand-neutral steps are:
- Connect the console or PC to a compatible HDMI port.
- Open the TV’s external-input or HDMI settings.
- Enable the enhanced, high-bandwidth or VRR format for that input.
- Enable VRR or Auto Game Mode if the TV exposes separate controls.
- Confirm that the console or PC reports the feature as available.
- Check the TV’s information banner or gaming dashboard while a game is running.
On some Sony TVs, the example path is Settings → Channels & Inputs → External inputs → HDMI signal format/VRR. The input may be marked 4K/120Hz, 4K/120Hz/8K or VRR, depending on the model. Menus vary by model and software version.
PC gaming
For a gaming PC, verify the graphics card’s supported adaptive-sync protocol, the monitor or TV’s supported protocol, the chosen HDMI or DisplayPort connection, the resolution and refresh rate, and whether HDR changes the available mode. Enable the relevant VRR option in the display menu and then in the graphics driver or operating system. ALLM may be available through HDMI signaling, but many PC users still select the display’s low-latency mode manually.
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Soundbars and AV receivers
An AV receiver or soundbar can break ALLM or VRR if it does not pass the required signal format. Connect the console directly to the TV first. If the features work directly but fail through the intermediary, check its firmware, input and output ports, HDMI bandwidth, pass-through specifications and cable path.
Both the TV and intermediate equipment must support the relevant VRR and ALLM formats. Sony provides guidance for VRR and ALLM through soundbars.
Cables: what you actually need
For many 4K/60Hz setups, a suitable Premium High Speed HDMI cable may be enough. For demanding 4K/120Hz connections, use the cable supplied with the console or a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. Sony recommends the supplied or Ultra High Speed cable for 4K/120Hz setups.
A more expensive cable does not inherently reduce input lag. The relevant question is whether the cable reliably carries the required resolution, refresh rate, HDR and color format. An unreliable cable can cause dropouts, black screens or failure to negotiate VRR, but a functioning cable does not make the same signal respond faster.
Why VRR can flicker
VRR-related flicker or brightness changes can result from:
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- [4 × HDMI 2.1 — connect PS5, Xbox, PC, and soundbar all at once]Two ports run 4K@144Hz for next-gen consoles and gaming PCs; two more handle 4K@60Hz for streaming boxes or Blu-ray players. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) switches the TV into game mode instantly — no menu diving required.
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- OLED brightness behavior during large frame-rate changes
- A game repeatedly crossing the display’s VRR floor
- Poor frame pacing
- Firmware bugs
- HDR and VRR interaction
- An unsupported resolution or color mode
- A marginal HDMI signal
Sony warns that slight brightness fluctuations may occur on some TVs when VRR is enabled, depending on output frequency. To investigate, disable VRR temporarily, test another game, test fixed 60Hz output, toggle HDR separately, update firmware and check whether the problem occurs near the lower VRR boundary.
Common problems and fixes
“The TV says HDMI 2.1, but VRR is unavailable.”
- Try the HDMI input specifically marked for VRR or 4K/120Hz.
- Enable the TV’s enhanced HDMI or VRR format.
- Check the console’s display-information screen.
- Test a direct connection instead of a receiver or soundbar.
- Use the supplied or certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
- Update the TV and console firmware.
- Check the model’s feature table for resolution and HDR restrictions.
4K/120Hz and VRR are separate implementations. One may work while the other is unavailable, or a feature may apply only to particular ports, sizes or regions.
“The TV stays in Game mode.”
ALLM may still be active, Auto Game Mode may be enabled, or VRR may force low-latency behavior. The source may also still be sending an ALLM signal, or the TV firmware may interpret a media app unexpectedly. On PS5, turning ALLM off may restore other picture modes, but VRR output can still keep the TV in a low-latency mode.
“VRR is enabled, but the game still stutters.”
VRR cannot fix bad frame pacing, shader-compilation stutter, CPU limitations, frame rates below the usable VRR range, network problems or motion blur produced by the game. It improves synchronization; it does not improve the game’s underlying performance.
“4K/120Hz works, but VRR does not.”
Check the individual TV specification, input settings, console output mode, HDR combination, cable and intermediary equipment. Do not assume that replacing the cable is the only solution.
Should you turn ALLM or VRR off?
Leave ALLM enabled if you want the TV to switch automatically to its low-latency mode for gaming. Turn it off or use manual picture modes if you regularly use the console for films and streaming and prefer the TV’s Cinema, Filmmaker or other non-Game processing.
VRR is most useful when games fluctuate around their target frame rate, when tearing is visible or when you value smoother motion over possible side effects. Consider disabling it temporarily if your TV shows distracting flicker or brightness fluctuations, or while troubleshooting an unstable signal. Fixed-frame-rate games may gain less from it.
What to look for when buying a gaming TV
Prioritize these criteria rather than the HDMI 2.1 label alone:
- Measured Game-mode input lag: ALLM is only useful if the TV’s low-latency mode performs well.
- VRR support and range: Check the range at your intended resolution and HDR mode.
- 4K/120Hz: Important for PS5, Xbox Series X and capable gaming PCs, but not necessary for every player.
- Compatible ports: Confirm how many inputs support VRR and 4K/120Hz, and whether eARC occupies one.
- Source compatibility: Verify HDMI VRR, FreeSync, G-SYNC Compatible or DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync as appropriate.
- VRR side effects: Look for documented flicker, raised blacks or brightness fluctuations.
- Firmware support: Prefer manufacturers that document current compatibility and limitations.
A 60Hz display can still benefit from ALLM and may support VRR within a 60Hz-class range. A 120Hz display is required for 120Hz output, but it does not make every game run at 120fps. The console, game and selected performance mode must also support that frame rate.
The practical verdict
Choose ALLM for automatic low-latency Game mode switching. Choose VRR for better synchronization between a fluctuating game frame rate and the display. If you are buying a TV for PS5, Xbox Series X|S or PC gaming, the strongest setup is a model with independently measured low input lag, documented VRR behavior, 4K/120Hz support on the required ports and confirmed compatibility with your source—not merely an HDMI 2.1 badge.
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