Image Credit: Yamaha

Last summer when Yamaha released their flagship Aventage range of receivers many of the gamer friendly HDMI 2.1 features showed (with future update) next to them. Indicating that these features would become available through a firmware update at a later date. Well slowly but surely Yamaha is meeting their gaming upgrade promises.

Earlier this year Yamaha released firmware version 1.65 that added passthrough for 4K@120Hz and 8K@60Hz signals from compatible devices such as PCs, PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles, as well as adding support for HDR10+ video.

They have now released a firmware update that adds some additional long-awaited and promised HDMI 2.1 gaming features to the RX-V4A, RX-V6A, RX-A2A, RX-A4A, RX-A6A, and the top of the range RX-A8A home cinema amplifiers. This latest firmware update includes support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

This recent gaming firmware upgrade is available now through the MusicCast app. Alternatively you will soon be able to find the relevant download on the respective Yamaha website product and firmware pages.

For those not familiar with these new functions:

• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reduces or eliminates lag, stutter and frame tearing for more fluid and better detailed gameplay. More Info…
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) allows the ideal latency setting to automatically be set allowing for smooth, lag-free and uninterrupted viewing and interactivity. More Info…

Additional promised HDMI 2.1 firmware gaming upgrades that include Quick Media Switching (QMS) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) are yet to be released.