Why Motion Smoothing Ruins Your Viewing Experience: Understanding It and How to Disable It on Your TV

Understanding Motion Smoothing

In recent years, the landscape of home entertainment has undergone significant enhancements, yet not all advancements are universally welcomed. Motion smoothing, a feature introduced in modern televisions, is often regarded as a technical upgrade, but for many viewers, it detracts from the intended cinematic experience. As affordable televisions with significantly improved quality proliferate, movies face increasing competition from home theater setups that provide experiences once exclusive to theaters.

More than ever, some films and series showcase breathtaking visuals, presenting art as creators envisioned. With crisp audio and vibrant colors, modern entertainment is indeed impressive. However, better technology doesn’t necessarily translate to enhanced viewing pleasure. The ongoing debate about the role of artificial intelligence in art underscores this point—technological advancements do not always result in superior artistic expression. Motion smoothing illustrates this paradox.

The Mechanics of Motion Smoothing: An Artificial Enhancement

Understanding How Motion Smoothing Works

Many consumers may be unaware of motion smoothing but have likely experienced its effects. During the latter half of the 2010s, many modern TV models began incorporating a default feature referred to as “motion smoothing”or “motion interpolation.”This technology emerged as frame rates of televisions advanced beyond traditional film rates, which typically sit between 24 and 30 frames per second, while contemporary TVs can handle frame rates of 60, 120, or even 240 frames per second.

To illustrate, envision a flipbook depicting a stickman in motion—comprising 30 pages. Flipping through this book in one second produces a choppy animation. In contrast, a television can mimic this action by flipping through 240 pages in the same timeframe, yielding a smoother image with more detailed movements. However, if the filmmaker originally designed a scene with only 30 frames in mind, inserting additional frames using artificial intelligence disrupts their artistic intent.

This technique has garnered criticism for creating an unsettling visual quality, often likened to the low-budget aesthetics of soap operas. By estimating motion between frames, motion smoothing may work adequately for slow or consistent movements. Yet for rapid actions—such as explosions or a character’s head turning while speaking—the result can appear jarring and out of place.

Filmmakers Speak Out Against Motion Smoothing

The Push for “Filmmaker Mode”

Resistance to motion smoothing from the filmmaking community is wide-ranging. Directors view it as unwarranted interference, with artificial intelligence altering their work without consent. Notably, Tom Cruise and screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie advised audiences to disable motion smoothing while watching their film, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.”Prominent filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Rian Johnson, and Ryan Coogler joined forces with the UHD Alliance to establish “Filmmaker Mode”on televisions. This setting disables motion smoothing to preserve the intended cinematic experience. Johnson expressed his enthusiasm, stating,

“This is exactly what all of us who have been frustrated with motion smoothing and labyrinthine TV settings have been asking for. It is very, very exciting.”

However, it’s worth noting that not all televisions are equipped with this mode as of yet.

Disabling Motion Smoothing on Your TV

A Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Off Motion Smoothing

If your TV lacks a filmmaker mode, you can still disable motion smoothing manually. While the procedure varies depending on the brand, it is generally straightforward. Refer to the table below for detailed instructions based on your television model:

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