Sony LED TV update improves picture quality in PS5 VRR games

With a firmware update, Sony is improving HDR picture quality in VRR games on PlayStation 5. The new software is now available for download for select LED TVs from 2021 and 2022!

It must be said, it is a great achievement by the community. Not only were many Sony LCD TV owners affected, but also several members of the press reported image quality problems when playing games on their PlayStation 5 with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) activated. More precisely, Sony has deactivated the local dimming function for TVs once the device is set to “Extended Picture Mode (VRR)” via the input settings. Of course, this affected the contrast significantly, especially when playing games in HDR.

PS5 VRR games are perfect for Sony LCD TVs

The firmware is currently rolling out to 2021 and 2022 TVs, including last year’s popular X90J, X95J, and Z9J (8K) models, as well as the new X90K, X95K, and X9K (8K) TVs. Anyone who has bought a Sony OLED TV does not have to worry about this “problem”, because they have a completely different dimming algorithm. The mid-range X85J and X85K were also excluded from the VRR issue, as a different image processor is used here. The new software can be installed via the automatic update function for TVs, or downloaded below:

Fortunately, the fans are “directing” Sony

Sony has previously been criticized by the community for its poor communication on the subject. Only with increased pressure were the problems addressed and eventually resolved. This puts Sony ahead of the competition. Most TV manufacturers continue to disable local dimming on their TVs when placed in Game Mode (with or without VRR). This should result in the input being delayed to the optimum value. As reported by many users, there is no noticeable increase in input lag despite active local dimming on Sony TVs, however, the visual advantages are immediately obvious.

Changelog Firmware Update Version 6.5929

• Solves the problem of not displaying subtitles on certain content
• Solves the problem of freezing clock screen on TV
• Fixes an issue where only the right side of the screen appears
• Fixes an issue where certain YouTube content turns green
• Resolves an issue where, under certain conditions, a channel cannot be viewed while recording is in progress on another channel
• Optimizes automatic local dimming (*1) and peak brightness (*2) when Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is enabled.
  (*1) For Z9J/X95J/X90J/Z9K/X95K/X90K/X90S
  (*2) For Z9J/A90J/A80J/X95J/X90-92-93-94J/Z9K/A95K/A90-92-93-94K/A80K/X95K/X90K/X90-94S
• Support proximity warning camera sensor function (only for 2022 models)

Unfortunately, the Sony XH90 (2022) was left out.

Anyone hoping that the XH90 will benefit from a firmware update, Sony’s first 4K TV with an HDMI 2.1 interface, will unfortunately be disappointed. The model also received a new version of firmware 6.1772 on June 29, 2022, but the list of improvements does not include elements of local dimming and peak brightness with VRR activated. Minor bug fixes are still finding their way into the XH90, which you can find at Sony support page I can see.