Sony Adding PS5 And Xbox Series X

While most premium TVs and AV receivers these days are now fully embracing cutting edge gaming, the soundbar world has been much slower to get on board with key game-related features such as 4K at 120Hz refresh rates, variable refresh rates and automatic low latency mode switching. Happily, though, Sony is about to finally start putting this right by adding a full suite of gaming goodies to two of its current soundbars.

The two soundbars in question are the critically acclaimed 7.1.2-channel HT-A7000 and 5.1.2-channel HT-A5000 models that Sony first launched way back in 2021 and early 2022 respectively. When they first arrived, these two models were almost unique in the soundbar world for carrying HDMI loop throughs that supported the 4K, high dynamic range graphics carried at 120Hz refresh rates available from the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles (as well as some of the latest premium PC graphics cards). Sony said back then that it was intending to add variable refresh rates and automatic low latency mode (ALLM) switching via future firmware updates - but it’s taken until now for Sony to confirm to me that this update is on the verge of rolling out.

Sony's HT-A7000 soundbar is adding VRR and ALLM gaming support via an imminent firmware update.

Being able to pass variable refresh rate information through the A7000 and A5000’s HDMI loop through system means the VRR-capable screen you’ve got connected to the soundbar can change its frame rates in sync with a game’s shifting frame rates, so you no longer have to put up with screen ‘tearing’.

The new ALLM support will enable your game source to tell a ALLM-compatible display connected to a A7000 or A5000 soundbar whether it’s playing a game or video source (Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray, video streaming app etc), so that the display can automatically switch in and out of its fast-response Game preset.

PS5 owners will also be pleased to learn that Sony’s A5000 and A7000 soundbars will support the ‘Perfect For PlayStation’ features launched in 2021 as part of Sony’s attempt to get people partnering PS5s with Sony TVs. So Auto HDR Tone Mapping will be able to recognise which recent make of Sony TV the soundbar is connected to, so that the PS5 outputs the most optimal HDR signals, while the Auto Genre Picture system will, like the ALLM system, make sure a Sony TV connected via the A7000 or A5000 soundbar know whether it’s receiving a gaming or video signal.

To be fair to soundbars that don’t support 4K/120Hz in HDR, variable refresh rates and ALLM over their HDMI loop throughs, there is still a way of enjoying even Dolby Atmos game soundtracks while also enjoying your console’s full graphics potential. That is to attach your console (or PC) directly to a full HDMI 2.1 port on your TV (if it has any), and then use HDMI’s ARC or, ideally, wider bandwidth eARC feature to pass the game’s sound out to your (e)ARC-enabled soundbar.

The more affordable Sony HT-A5000 will also be getting the new PS5- and Xbox Series X-friendly ... [+] software update.

Not all TVs, however, support the eARC system required for lossless Dolby Atmos sound systems, while others don’t support pass through of the DTS sound format available with some game sources. I’ve also experienced plenty of situations/kit set ups where the ARC approach can lead to the audio losing sync with the picture. So having a fully functioning HDMI loop through on your soundbar always seems like a good idea to me.

One other note worth adding here is that as regular readers may recall, LG recently added 4K/120Hz pass through to its S95QR, S99QY, S80QR and S80QY soundbars. However, unlike the Sony A7000/A5000 update, this didn’t allow you to enjoy HDR at the same time as 120Hz frame rates.

UPDATE: Since this article was first published, Sony has confirmed that the update to its A7000 and A5000 soundbars is scheduled to roll out at the end of September.

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