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**ZDNET’s Extended Insights**
Modern televisions are equipped with a pre‑enabled feature known as motion smoothing, which, by default, applies a layer of digital processing intended to make motion appear more fluid. This mechanism, while technologically impressive, often introduces an effect that many cinephiles find undesirable—the so‑called “soap opera effect.” When this feature is turned on, movies and TV dramas lose their intended cinematic texture, taking on an overly smooth, hyper‑realistic appearance that feels artificial. It disrupts the visual language crafted by filmmakers, altering shadows, motion blur, and depth in ways that diminish the intended emotional tone. Because of this, industry experts almost universally recommend disabling motion smoothing for most narrative films and series to preserve the artistry of the original presentation.

Yet, motion smoothing is not entirely without merit. It can substantially enhance the viewing experience for fast‑paced content such as live sports broadcasts or dynamic video games. The feature’s ability to create smoother transitions between frames helps articulate rapid movement—for instance, the velocity of a soccer ball mid‑pass or the fluid rotation of a combat scene in a first‑person shooter. Many TV owners, therefore, prefer to activate this setting exclusively for interactive or athletic content, while switching it off when immersing themselves in cinematic works. This balance allows viewers to enjoy both clarity and authenticity, depending on the genre.

It’s quite intuitive why the metaphor “soap opera effect” has endured. The phrase vividly captures how the feature transforms artistic visuals meant to resemble film into visuals reminiscent of the lower‑budget lighting and continuous camera style of daytime dramas. You should never feel that you are standing uncomfortably close to the actors on set or witnessing each pore in high‑definition realism. Conversely, when watching a live football game, basketball showdown, or racing event, this hyper‑clarity may heighten excitement—making you feel as if you are truly among the roaring crowd in the stadium.

**How to Disable Motion Smoothing (and Why You Might Want To)**
This technology, often referred to alternately as *motion interpolation*, adopts different proprietary names across television brands. Understanding these distinctions is key to restoring original cinematic integrity to your screen. Below is a detailed guide for locating and deactivating the feature on various major TV models after you’ve perhaps enjoyed its effects during the fast‑moving thrill of March Madness or similar events.

**Samsung TV**
On Samsung televisions, the manufacturer labels the feature as “Auto Motion Plus.” To access this, begin by pressing the gear‑shaped button on your remote control. Navigate through *All Settings → Picture → More Picture Settings → Picture Clarity Settings → Auto Motion Plus*. Once there, toggle the feature off, thereby reclaiming a natural, film‑like motion profile.

**LG TV**
For LG models, motion smoothing is presented as “TruMotion.” Again, initiate the process by pressing the gear icon on the remote. Proceed to the icon with three dots near the menu’s bottom that takes you to *All Settings*. Then select *Picture Mode Settings → Picture Options → TruMotion*, where you can disable the effect to restore authentic cinematic frames.

**Amazon Fire TV (Amazon, Toshiba)**
In the case of most Amazon TVs, the corresponding function is termed “Action Smoothing.” From the settings menu, trace this path: *Display & Sounds → Advanced Settings → Action Smoothing*, and deactivate it completely to prevent hyper‑real rendering.

**Google TV (Sony, TCL, Hisense)**
Google TV platforms may vary slightly by brand, but they follow a similar logic. Access the gear icon on the remote and navigate through *Settings → Display & Sound → Picture → Advanced Settings*. Within that section, each manufacturer uses its own naming convention: Sony refers to it as “Motionflow”; TCL identifies it as “Action Smoothing”; Hisense provides two related entries—“Motion Enhancement” and “Motion Clearness.” Deactivate both Hisense settings to remove all forms of interpolation and return the display to its intended cadence.

**Vizio TV**
For Vizio devices, the interpolation system carries the name “Clear Action.” To find this, open *Settings*, then continue through *Picture → Advanced Picture → Clear Action*. Toggle the control to the off position to halt unwanted frame injection.

**Roku TV (Element, Hisense, RCA, Sharp, TCL)**
Roku televisions, which operate under a slightly different interface, require an additional step. First, open any app or input, then press the asterisk (*) button on the Roku remote. Select *Picture Settings* and look for any motion smoothing option, which may appear under different labels depending on the manufacturer. For instance, a Roku TCL may again use “Action Smoothing.” If no relevant setting appears directly, navigate toward *Advanced* or *Expert Picture Settings* to locate and switch off the proper option.

**When Motion Smoothing Still Serves a Purpose**
Despite its drawbacks for movies and series, motion smoothing has a legitimate role under very specific conditions. When applied to video games or scenes featuring extremely fast movement—such as the sweeping camera pans across a basketball court during a quick transition play, or vividly illuminated tracer rounds zipping through your field of view in *Call of Duty*—this technology can bring clarity and fluid continuity. By digitally composing intermediate frames, motion interpolation reduces motion blur and preserves crisp image quality even when the camera moves rapidly.

From a technical standpoint, the system works by algorithmically generating additional frames between each of the original ones. This process effectively raises the frame rate, sometimes from the cinematic standard of 24 frames per second to as high as 60 or even 120, resulting in smoother visual transitions. The trade‑off, however, is that such enhancement sacrifices the filmic motion cadence that directors deliberately choose. Therefore, outside high‑speed or interactive footage, most viewers and experts agree that disabling the feature delivers a more natural and visually faithful experience.

In short, motion smoothing can either enhance or undermine your viewing pleasure—it depends entirely on context. Employed judiciously, it excels in visualizing athletic events and gaming sequences. Left on indiscriminately, however, it transforms artistry into artifice. The next time a film looks strangely lifelike, know that the culprit may reside deep within your Picture Settings, waiting for one simple toggle to restore cinematic purity.

Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-turn-off-motion-smoothing-on-your-tv-and-why-experts-highly-recommend-doing-so/