What Is Motion Smoothing?

Motion smoothing is a form of video processing that generates new frames between existing frames as a method of reducing motion blur and creating a smoother video. It is also known by many other names, including video interpolation, motion interpolation, motion-compensated frame interpolation (MCFI), and the “soap opera effect.” While motion smoothing may sound like a great feature to have, it doesn’t always make the most sense in every situation.

Motion smoothing was actually created for LCD displays where fast action sports broadcasts and video games can play so quickly that it’s difficult to see important details. TV manufacturers decided to offer motion smoothing as a way of enhancing the experiences of sports fans and video game fanatics by reducing the blurriness and offering crisp edges.

Watch a side-by-side example of motion smoothing in action:

“Soap Opera Effect in Slow Motion” by Rtings.com

In recent media news, however, Tom Cruise issued a PSA about motion smoothing and how viewers may not be “watching movies the way filmmakers intended.” Many films and television shows are shot at 24 frames per second, and motion blur naturally occurs. Increasing the frame rate through artificially generated frames and removing motion blur creates a degraded image and digital artifacts as well as interferes with how viewers perceive the action occurring onscreen, with many people saying that the movements seem hyperrealistic or dreamlike (source).

See Tom Cruise’s PSA below:

I’m taking a quick break from filming to tell you the best way to watch Mission: Impossible Fallout (or any movie you love) at home. pic.twitter.com/oW2eTm1IUA

— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) December 4, 2018

Motion smoothing doesn’t bother everyone, but if it’s something that you would like to turn off so that you can enjoy watching movies on your TV the way filmmakers intended, check out this article on how to turn off the motion blur setting on your television: https://lifehacker.com/disable-motion-smoothing-to-get-rid-of-soap-opera-effe-1526424116

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