When you bring home a new high-definition television, one of the first things you might notice is how unnaturally smooth movies and shows look. This is due to a feature commonly known as motion smoothing—a technology designed to eliminate motion blur by digitally inserting extra frames into the content. While this can make sports programming appear sharper, many viewers find it gives movies a distracting, soap opera-like quality that detracts from the cinematic experience.
If you’re among the many who find motion smoothing off-putting, the good news is that it can usually be turned off. The tricky part? Different TV brands call this feature by different names and hide it in various menus. In this guide, we’ll break down how to disable motion smoothing on major TV brands so that you can enjoy content the way its creators intended.
What Is Motion Smoothing and Why Does It Exist?
Motion smoothing (also known as frame interpolation) is meant to address the blur or lag that happens during fast motion sequences. TVs do this by creating and inserting artificial frames between the actual ones, resulting in higher frame rates—often from the standard 24 frames per second up to 60 or even 120.
But here’s the problem: this technology wasn’t built with film-making artistry in mind. Movies are traditionally shot at 24fps to maintain a specific look and feel. When motion smoothing is applied, this cinematic style is replaced with an ultra-smooth and almost surreal visual—a quality that feels more like a daytime soap opera than a Hollywood blockbuster.
How to Turn Off Motion Smoothing on Major TV Brands
Let’s dive into how to disable this feature on popular brands. Each manufacturer has their own terminology for it, but they usually reside within the same general settings menus.
1. Samsung
On Samsung TVs, motion smoothing is likely branded as Auto Motion Plus.
- Press the Settings button (or access through the Home menu).
- Go to Picture > Expert Settings or Picture Clarity Settings.
- Select Auto Motion Plus.
- Choose Off or set the Judder Reduction and Blur Reduction sliders to 0.
You can also set this feature differently on a per-source basis, like HDMI or built-in apps.
2. LG
LG labels its motion smoothing tech as TruMotion.
- Click the Settings or Home button on your remote.
- Go to Picture > Picture Mode Settings > Picture Options.
- Select TruMotion.
- Turn it to Off, or select User and set the sliders to 0.
LG’s WebOS may also feature a dedicated “Filmmaker Mode” that disables motion smoothing and other post-processing effects automatically.
3. Sony
Sony’s equivalent is called MotionFlow.
- Press the Settings button or navigate through the main menu.
- Go to Picture Settings > Advanced Settings.
- Select Motion > MotionFlow.
- Choose Off or Custom with all sliders set to 0.
Some high-end Sony TVs also feature a Cinema Mode that automatically disables MotionFlow for an authentic experience.
4. Vizio
Vizio refers to motion smoothing as Motion Control or Motion Estimation/Motion Compensation (MEMC).
- Press Menu on your remote.
- Go to Picture Settings > Advanced Picture.
- Look for Motion Control.
- Disable Reduce Judder and Reduce Motion Blur.
5. TCL (Roku TV)
TCL Roku TVs often have less aggressive motion smoothing but still provide options to adjust.
- Press the Home button, go to Settings.
- Select TV Picture Settings.
- Head into Advanced Picture Settings when watching a show or movie.
- Look for options like Action Smoothing and set them to Off.
6. Panasonic
Panasonic includes motion smoothing under Intelligent Frame Creation.
- Press Menu on your remote.
- Navigate to Picture > Advanced Settings.
- Open Intelligent Frame Creation.
- Set it to Off or adjust the level to Min.
7. Hisense
Hisense TVs often use names like Motion Enhancement or MEMC.
- Press the Settings button.
- Go to Picture > Advanced Settings.
- Choose Motion Enhancement.
- Select Off.
Using Filmmaker Mode to Eliminate Guesswork
Many newer TVs now include a feature called Filmmaker Mode, which was developed in collaboration with Hollywood directors. When enabled, this mode disables all post-processing, including motion smoothing, while preserving the aspect ratio, color, and frame rate.
This mode is especially useful if you’re unsure where motion settings are buried in your TV’s menus. Just look for Filmmaker Mode in the picture mode list and activate it, especially when watching movies or high-production content.
Why It’s Worth Turning Off Motion Smoothing
Beyond personal preferences, there are real artistic reasons for disabling motion smoothing. Films are crafted with a particular visual language—camera movement, lighting, and editing—that motion interpolation can unintentionally dismantle. Critics, industry professionals, and even actors have spoken out against this artificial enhancement.
Back in 2018, Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie famously recorded a PSA urging viewers to disable motion smoothing to properly view their movie Mission: Impossible — Fallout at home. Their public service message brought new awareness to the issue, and since then manufacturers and consumers alike have become more aware of this controversial feature.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a more authentic viewing experience, especially when watching movies or dramas, turning off motion smoothing is a must. While the process might seem complicated due to differing terms and menus on various brands, just remember—almost every TV gives you the option to disable it.
Take a few minutes to adjust your settings, explore Filmmaker Mode if available, and enjoy your favorite content the way its creators intended. Your eyes—and your sense of cinematic purity—will thank you.