Motion smoothing is a feature found in many modern TVs that aims to reduce blur and create a sharper image during fast-moving scenes. However, for casual viewing, including watching March Madness or other non-gaming content, it can detract from the filmmaker’s original intent and make on-screen images seem artificial.
The term “soap opera effect” aptly describes this phenomenon, where the cinematic film should not resemble a daytime soap opera. Enthusiasts typically prefer to turn off motion smoothing for such viewing experiences, as it can disrupt the immersive nature of the content.
Fortunately, turning off motion smoothing is relatively easy on most smart TVs. Here’s a quick guide:
– Samsung: Auto Motion Plus – Press the gear button and select All Settings > Picture > More Picture Settings > Picture Clarity Settings > Auto Motion Plus.
– LG TV: TruMotion – Press the gear button, then select Picture Mode Settings > Picture Options > TruMotion.
– Amazon Fire TV (Amazon, Toshiba): Action Smoothing – Press the gear button, then display & sounds > Advanced settings > Action Smoothing.
– Google TV (Sony, TCL, Hisense): Motionflow, Action Smoothing, or Motion Enhancement/Motion Clearness (depending on the model) – Follow Settings > Display & Sound > Picture > Advanced Settings.
– Vizio TV: Clear Action – Press the gear button and select Picture > Advanced Picture > Clear Action.
– Roku TV (Element, Hisense, RCA, Sharp, TCL): Look for motion smoothing options in Picture Settings or Advanced/Expert Picture Settings.
While some may argue that turning off motion smoothing is unnecessary, there’s a valid reason to keep it on: improving the appearance of fast-moving images during games or action-packed scenes. However, for most viewing experiences, disabling this feature can lead to a more authentic and immersive experience.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/home-entertainment/the-default-tv-setting-you-should-turn-off-asap-and-why-it-makes-such-a-big-difference