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One of the indispensable features of TV! What is the role of dynamic smoothing?
Introduction: When you first get a new TV, it's hard not to feel excited. After all, this is a major investment that you'll be using for years. A new TV usually comes with advanced technology and improved features compared to your old one. But just as you're about to enjoy the amazing picture quality—like watching a movie—you might notice something strange.
If you're the type who likes to tweak your TV settings, you've probably come across an option called "Dynamic Smoothing." Some TVs have it enabled by default, while others don't. If you're not familiar with what it does, it can be confusing. So, what exactly is "Dynamic Smoothing," and why does it sometimes make movies look odd? Let’s take a closer look.
When you first get a new TV, it's hard not to feel excited. After all, this is a major investment that you'll be using for years. A new TV usually comes with advanced technology and improved features compared to your old one. But just as you're about to enjoy the amazing picture quality—like watching a movie—you might notice something strange.
At first, everything seems better than before. The image is sharper, the colors are more vivid, and the motion looks smoother. But then you start to notice something off. The movie feels too fluid, almost unnatural. Especially in sci-fi films, the visuals can look fake or even like a low-budget TV show. This effect is often referred to as the "soap opera effect."
Many people think that high-definition TVs are just like this, but that’s not true. If you’re seeing this strange effect, your TV is likely running in "Dynamic Smoothing" mode. This feature can ruin the cinematic experience, making movies look dull and artificial.
The impact of this technology is bigger than many realize. Even directors like James Gunn from *Guardians of the Galaxy* have spoken out against it. He joined forces with other industry leaders to launch the "Anti-Dynamic Smoothing" campaign. Many filmmakers have since voiced their support.
So, what is the "soap opera effect"? It happens when a 24-frame movie is played at a higher frame rate, like 60 frames per second. This creates an unnatural, almost unrealistic look that resembles a live soap opera.
Most movies still use 24 frames, but modern TVs often have a 60Hz refresh rate. To make the video appear smoother, manufacturers introduced Dynamic Smoothing. This technique inserts extra frames between existing ones, effectively converting 24 frames into 60. While this reduces motion blur, it also makes the content look fake.
The problem is that these added frames are not real—they're generated by algorithms. Think of it like colorizing a black-and-white photo. The result may look nice, but it's not accurate. The same goes for TV—those extra frames are artificial and can make the movie feel less authentic.
Even worse, the TV has to process this in real time, which means it doesn’t have enough time to perfect every frame. As a result, some dynamically smoothed videos can look oddly jerky or glitchy.
However, despite its drawbacks, Dynamic Smoothing isn’t entirely bad. It’s particularly useful during sports events or fast-paced games, where smooth motion is essential. Without it, fast-moving scenes can look choppy or laggy. In those cases, Dynamic Smoothing helps create a more natural viewing experience.
For decades, the film industry has used 24 frames as the standard. Even though some alternatives exist, this format remains dominant. It gives movies that cinematic feel that audiences love. However, TV shows and online videos often run at 30 or 60 frames, which can look more natural in certain contexts.
This is where Dynamic Smoothing comes in handy. It helps smooth out lower frame-rate content so it looks better on modern TVs. While not everyone likes the effect, having the option to adjust it is better than not having it at all. You can even set it to "minimum" to reduce unwanted artifacts without fully disabling it.
But there are times when you should turn it off completely. For example, when playing video games. Although Dynamic Smoothing can make the action look smoother, it introduces input lag. This delay can be a big issue in fast-paced games like fighting or shooters, where timing is crucial.
For now, Dynamic Smoothing will remain a standard feature on most TVs. There’s no perfect solution to the judder caused by 24fps content on 60Hz screens. Even future 120Hz TVs won’t fully solve the problem, especially with older 25fps PAL content.
Experts say that to completely eliminate the issue, TVs would need to refresh at 600Hz, which is currently impossible.
So, even if many people dislike it, Dynamic Smoothing is here to stay. Used wisely, it can enhance your viewing experience rather than hinder it. What matters most is that users understand what it does and how to adjust it according to their preferences.
Ultimately, the goal should be to educate consumers so they can make informed choices, rather than being confused or frustrated by the technology.