Is Motion Smoothing On TVs Ruining The Cinematic Experience Or Enhancing It

When you turn on a modern television, especially one marketed as high-end with 4K or 8K resolution, you might notice something strange: movies no longer look like movies. Instead, they resemble daytime soap operas or live sports broadcasts—hyper-smooth, unnaturally fluid, almost too real. This effect is caused by a feature known as motion smoothing, also called the \"soap opera effect.\" While manufacturers promote it as a way to enhance clarity and reduce blur, many cinephiles argue it's fundamentally altering the artistic intent of filmmakers. So, is motion smoothing improving our viewing experience or undermining it?

What Is Motion Smoothing and How Does It Work?

Motion smoothing, technically referred to as motion interpolation, is a digital processing technique used by modern TVs to insert additional frames between existing ones in video content. Most films are shot at 24 frames per second (fps), while broadcast TV and some streaming content run at 30 or 60 fps. When displayed on a TV with a native refresh rate of 120Hz or higher, the mismatch can cause judder or stuttering.

To compensate, motion smoothing algorithms analyze two consecutive frames and generate artificial intermediate frames to fill the gaps. The result is smoother motion, reduced motion blur, and a more fluid visual experience—especially noticeable during fast action scenes or camera pans.

This process is powered by hardware such as advanced processors (like LG’s α9 chip or Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR) and software features like Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus, LG’s TruMotion, or Sony’s MotionFlow.

Tip: If you're watching a film and it looks like a cheap video recording, motion smoothing is likely enabled. Disable it in your TV’s picture settings under “Motion,” “Smoothness,” or similar.

The Case Against Motion Smoothing: Why Filmmakers Disapprove

One of the most consistent criticisms of motion smoothing comes not from casual viewers but from the creators themselves. Directors, cinematographers, and colorists have spent decades crafting the aesthetic of cinema—the grain, the flicker, the subtle motion blur inherent in 24fps filming. This frame rate has become synonymous with the “film look.” Altering that through artificial interpolation disrupts the intended texture and emotional tone of a scene.

“Filmmakers choose 24 frames per second for a reason—it’s part of the language of cinema. When TVs add extra frames, they’re changing the art.” — Christopher Nolan, Academy Award-winning Director

Nolan isn’t alone. Directors like Martin Scorsese, Denis Villeneuve, and David Fincher have all voiced concerns about post-production alterations to their work, including motion smoothing. In 2021, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) even petitioned major TV manufacturers to include filmmaker-approved presets that disable motion interpolation by default.

The issue goes beyond personal preference. The added frames can introduce visual artifacts—such as “halos” around moving objects, unnatural skin textures, or a shimmering effect during panning shots. These glitches break immersion and distract from storytelling.

Where Motion Smoothing Adds Value: Sports, Gaming, and Streaming

Despite its flaws in cinematic content, motion smoothing does offer tangible benefits in specific scenarios. For example:

• Sports broadcasting: Fast-moving athletes and balls benefit from reduced blur and clearer tracking.
• Gaming: High-refresh gaming consoles (e.g., PS5, Xbox Series X) support up to 120fps output. Motion smoothing can help bridge compatibility when games run below that threshold.
• Reality TV and talk shows: Content already shot at higher frame rates (e.g., 60fps) doesn’t suffer from the “soap opera effect” because there’s less need for interpolation.

In these cases, the increased fluidity enhances clarity rather than distorting artistic intent. A football spiraling through the air becomes easier to follow; a racing game feels more responsive. The technology isn’t inherently bad—it’s context-dependent.

Real Example: The Super Bowl Viewing Party Dilemma

Consider a scenario: John hosts a Super Bowl party and fires up his new 77-inch OLED TV. He wants everything to look sharp and immersive. But when kickoff happens, he notices ghosting around players and slight lag in replays. After checking settings, he realizes motion smoothing is set to “High.” He switches it to “Medium” and enables black frame insertion, instantly improving clarity without introducing distracting artifacts. His guests praise the picture quality—proof that smart use of motion smoothing can elevate live events.

Do’s and Don’ts of Using Motion Smoothing

Action	Recommended?	Reason
Use motion smoothing for movies filmed at 24fps	No	Alters director’s vision, creates unnatural visuals
Enable it for live sports or news	Yes	Improves motion clarity and reduces blur
Use maximum settings (“High” or “Extreme”)	Rarely	Increases artifacts and the “plastic” look
Keep it on for console gaming at 60fps+	Conditionally	Can help with motion judder if system supports VRR
Leave it enabled globally across all inputs	No	Degrades film content unnecessarily

How to Optimize Your TV Settings for Different Content Types

Modern TVs allow users to save different picture modes for various inputs or apps. Taking advantage of this feature lets you enjoy the best of both worlds: smooth performance for sports and clean, authentic visuals for films.

1. Access Picture Settings: Navigate to your TV’s settings menu and select “Picture Mode” or “Image Settings.”
2. Create Custom Presets: Save one mode as “Cinema” (with motion smoothing off) and another as “Sports” (with moderate motion enhancement).
3. Assign by Input: Link the “Cinema” preset to HDMI 1 (connected to your Blu-ray player) and “Sports” to HDMI 2 (for cable box).
4. Use App-Specific Modes: Some TVs let you assign picture modes to streaming apps (e.g., Netflix = Cinema, YouTube = Standard).
5. Test and Adjust: Play sample content in each mode. Look for natural motion, absence of halos, and faithful color reproduction.

Tip: On most TVs, the optimal setting for film content is “Cinema” or “Movie” mode with motion interpolation set to “Off” or “Custom” with low values.

Expert Insight: The Role of Frame Rate in Storytelling

Frame rate isn't just a technical detail—it influences how audiences perceive time, emotion, and realism. Dr. Sarah Kim, a media researcher at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, explains:

“The 24fps standard emerged not because it was technically superior, but because it created a psychological distance between reality and fiction. That slight flicker tells our brains, ‘This is a story.’ When we remove it via motion smoothing, we lose that narrative framing. Viewers may feel something is ‘off,’ even if they can’t pinpoint why.” — Dr. Sarah Kim, Media Psychologist

This subtle psychological cue is why many horror films rely on the imperfections of filmic motion—judder, blur, flicker—to build tension. Removing those cues with hyper-smooth playback can inadvertently dilute the intended impact.

Checklist: Optimizing Your Viewing Experience

Follow this checklist to ensure you're getting the most authentic—and enjoyable—experience based on what you're watching:

• ✅ Turn off motion smoothing when watching films (Blu-ray, 4K UHD, or streaming movies).
• ✅ Enable moderate motion settings for sports, live events, or fast-paced documentaries.
• ✅ Use your TV’s “Filmmaker Mode” if available (supported by Panasonic, LG, Samsung, and others).
• ✅ Calibrate brightness and contrast to avoid overexposed highlights in smoothed content.
• ✅ Update your TV’s firmware regularly—manufacturers often refine motion algorithms in updates.
• ✅ Educate household members about the difference so settings aren’t accidentally changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some people love motion smoothing while others hate it?

Preference often depends on viewing habits and exposure. People who grew up watching CRT TVs or traditional film are more accustomed to the 24fps look and find motion smoothing artificial. Others, especially younger viewers raised on smartphone videos and online content (often shot at 60fps), may perceive smoother motion as “better quality” even when it distorts cinematic content.

Does motion smoothing affect HDR or color accuracy?

Not directly, but aggressive motion processing can lead to over-sharpening or edge enhancement, which impacts perceived color depth and contrast. Additionally, some interpolation methods increase input lag, which indirectly affects color response in dynamic scenes.

Can I completely eliminate the soap opera effect?

Yes. Simply disable motion interpolation in your TV’s settings. Look for options labeled “Auto Motion Plus,” “TruMotion,” “MotionFlow,” or similar, and set them to “Off” or “User Defined” with values at zero. Also, enable “Filmmaker Mode” if your TV supports it—it automatically disables motion smoothing and preserves original aspect ratios and color grading.

Conclusion: Balance Technology With Artistic Integrity

Motion smoothing isn’t inherently good or bad—it’s a tool. Like any powerful feature, its value depends on how and when it’s used. When applied to sports, gaming, or high-frame-rate content, it enhances clarity and responsiveness. But when imposed on cinematic material, it overrides decades of creative choice, replacing the organic rhythm of film with an artificial sheen that many find jarring.

The key lies in intentionality. Take control of your TV settings. Learn the difference between content types. Respect the filmmaker’s vision while still enjoying technological advancements where appropriate. By doing so, you honor both art and innovation.

🚀 Ready to reclaim your viewing experience? Spend 10 minutes tonight adjusting your TV settings. Turn off motion smoothing for movies, save custom modes, and rediscover films the way directors intended. Share your before-and-after thoughts with friends—chances are, you’ll start a much-needed conversation.