It's controlled by the hardware. For instance, a mid-range PC trying to run Cyberpunk will run the game at a lower frame rate than a top-end system would. Again, the higher the frame rate, the smoother the picture. Of course, you need to be able to run games at a high frame rate while also being able to view them on a TV or screen with a high refresh rate too. Pretty much all new gaming monitors and gaming TVs now have a refresh rate of 60Hz at the very minimum unless you're rocking some very old tech but that means it won't be quite up to scratch with the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 's capabilities of Hz.
Some cheap TVs can catch you out with a 50Hz panel, too. Look around when purchasing a TV or monitor and you'll notice a few different refresh rates bandied about. For the most part, 30Hz, 60Hz and Hz are the most common ones you'll see but there are also 50Hz and 85Hz screens as well as Hz and a few other unusual numbers out there too. Each of these all come down to how many times a new image is shown on screen.
For instance, 60Hz displays show a new image every 16th millisecond, while a Hz screen produces an image every eighth millisecond. Whether you can tell the difference, though, is another matter. There's a neat comparison tool called Blur Buster UFO Motion Tests which can help you see the difference, although you'll need to already own high refresh rate displays to see what we mean.
It's a good example of what a difference lower refresh rates can make, though, and gives you a little insight with your existing hardware. That means it isn't a true Hz refresh rate but instead a TV that can only display up to 60fps, simulating the rest of it to make the motion appear more fluid.
Depending on your budget, this might be the most you can manage, but it's important to know that this isn't the same as a TV that supports Hz natively. In the past, many games consoles focused on 30 FPS with a standard 60Hz output to keep costs low for both the manufacturer and consumer. Does it make a difference though? Not exactly. The additional frames and the unnaturally smoother animation are simply different from what you may be used to. The footage looks much faster, and in certain scenes, it can be confusing and unsettling.
If you are watching films where there is a lot of dialogue and interaction, it can lead to an unpleasant viewing experience. However, if you are watching sports or playing video games, additional frames actually reduce blur and stuttering, and you can view the action more clearly.
Thus, there is some benefit to investing in a TV with a higher refresh rate. If you are a sports fan or love those fast-paced action movies, you will find the enhanced detail better. Another benefit is the fact that t hese high-end TV models allow you to switch off the higher refresh rate and view at the default 60Hz or 24Hz.
All you need to know is when to do it. Otherwise, they may appear creepy due to the soap opera effect. Comedies and dramas do not benefit from the refresh rate, so switch them when watching these kinds of films and shows. The same should be done when watching ordinary everyday content without any action. You really tend to benefit from the feature when you are watching sports you see more detail or if you love to play games.
In the past, HDTVs fell victim to motion blur, specifically when there are very fast movements. This is because of ghosting, which refers to an afterimage left after the image changes.
Still, at times, tearing an effect of some of the image hanging behind the others or choppiness can be experienced.
It becomes more obvious when playing video games or watching fast-paced sports games, including any kind of content where the camera has to quickly pan horizontally.
If you have a TV with a Hz refresh rate or higher, then you will see a significant reduction of these effects. Are you thinking of upgrading your existing TV and splurging on one with a higher refresh rate? If you are a sports or action fan, plus you love playing games on your HDTV, then every dollar you spend on it is worthwhile.
Some viewers like the effect, but it's generally hated by film buffs and others who pay close attention to image quality. There are different levels of this processing, where a little might reduce motion blur some, and not cause undue harm to the quality of the image. Or on the other end of the "dial," it's cranked up so that there's even less motion blur, but the movement is hyper-realistic and for many, distractingly unreal.
Some TVs let you choose how much of this processing gets applied to the image, others have just a single setting. More on these settings further down. The other alternative is black frame insertion BFI or a scanning backlight. This is where all or part of the backlight of the TV turns off goes black. This effectively means the image doesn't "hold" in place, so your brain doesn't blur it.
Do it poorly, however, and many people will see the image flicker. The light output of the TV also drops, as it's not outputting any light for a period of time. Both of these techniques are what manufacturers use to come up with their "effective refresh rate" numbers.
For example, a TV with a 60Hz refresh and a scanning backlight might claim to have an effective refresh rate of A TV with a more elaborate BFI mode, and frame interpolation, might have a claimed effective refresh rate of " It's also possible these features, when enabled, are bothersome over time.
Some people are especially sensitive to a flickering backlight, so you might need to turn these features off. If you're concerned about that, or notice motion blur, it's best to find a TV that actually has a Hz refresh rate.
There are two things at play here. The first is simple, and one we've said many times before: don't trust marketing. At least, don't trust it at face value. Marketing is designed to sell you a product, not give you information about a product. That's secondary. The second is being able to reduce motion blur. When Hz p TVs first hit the market, they offered a noticeable improvement in motion resolution. The technology has only gotten better. But if you're sensitive to motion blur, or you want to get the most from your Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 , it is worth checking for a true Hz TV.
It would be a shame to let all that extra 4K resolution go to waste due to blur. It's also worth checking reviews for measurements and subjective takes on how the TV handles motion -- that's more useful than any manufacturer-supplied spec.
Note: This article was originally published in but has been updated regularly since. Got a question for Geoff?
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