Have you ever felt confused trying to tell apart all those Hz numbers slapped on the latest gorgeous TVs and gaming monitors? I‘ve got you covered!
Stick with me as I decode refresh rates vs motion rates once and for all in plain English. I‘ll also help you figure out exactly what matters depending on whether you‘re playing CounterStrike or binge watching Stranger Things…
Refreshing your memory on display speeds
Before we dive into the two terms, let‘s quickly refresh (pun intended) our knowledge on some key concepts that affect display motion clarity:
Frames Per Second (FPS):
The number of sequential still images shown per second to simulate motion. Films do 24 fps. Games vary from 30 to over 300 fps.
Screen Refresh Rate:
How many times the display scans and updates per second. Old CRT TVs did 30 Hz, new TVs and monitors range from 60 to 480 Hz.
Response Time:
How fast pixels can change color from one frame to the next. Measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower is better for reducing streaking/ghosting effects in motion.
Phew, got that? Great! Now we can understand the difference between our two terms. Buckle up!
What is Refresh Rate?
Refresh rate refers to the native fixed speed at which a display panel updates to show new images. It directly affects motion clarity.
You may also see it labeled as the vertical refresh rate, vertical scan rate,vertical frequency or VRR/VSR.
It is measured in Hertz (Hz). A 120 Hz screen refreshes 120 times a second.
As we saw above, fast refreshing is critical for fluid motion. Early TVs flickered badly at just 30 Hz.
Why does refresh rate matter?
- Eliminates flicker at lower frame rates
- Reduces motion blur in fast action
- Makes video and games smoother
For movies and videos with frame rates under the panel refresh rate, the screen shows each frame multiple times to match its own speed.
So in a 60 Hz display:
- 24 fps video quadruples every frame
- 30 fps video doubles every frame
- 60 fps video shows every frame once
This helps minimize judder from mismatched frame and refresh rates.
Meanwhile, gaming requires matching the GPU frame rate 1:1 to the display refresh for the smoothest animation without lag or tearing.
Esports players go for 360 Hz monitors to keep up with games generating 400+ fps!
Of course, you need a potent graphics card to hit triple digit frame rates. But once you do, buttery smooth 360 Hz displays like the ASUS PG259QNR let you experience the difference cutting edge speed makes.
Say hello to Motion Rate!
So if higher native refresh rates enable such smooth motion, why don‘t all displays just ratchet them up?
Well, for one thing, extremely fast refresh rates require expensive high-end monitor panels and driving electronics. Phase-shifting circuitry for 400 Hz isn‘t cheap!
For the more budget crowd, manufacturers came up with an alternative solution still able to boost apparent motion performance: Motion Rate!
Motion Rate is a marketing term for advanced post-processing features that improve clarity of moving images. Brands like Samsung, Sony, LG have all promoted their own flavors of Motion Rate.
The key phrase here? "Simulated performance." Motion Rate is not true refresh rate. Rather, it uses techniques like:
Motion Interpolation (MI):
Estimating and generating extra frames between real frames to increase fps
Black Frame Insertion (BFI):
Inserting temporary black frames to reduce eye tracking motion blur
By adjusting brightness, contrast and colors between frames, Motion Rate provides a smooth "soap opera effect" to 60p video for example making it look like 120fps.
Comparing Refresh Rate vs Motion Rate
Let‘s see how they stack up:
| Spec | Refresh Rate | Motion Rate |
|---|---|---|
| True capability | Yes | Simulated |
| Unit of measurement | Hertz | Multiples of hertz |
| Example | 144 Hz | 480Hz Motion Rate |
| Min Criteria for gaming | 60 Hz | Does not apply well |
| Video streaming usage | Removes judder at under screen Hz | Soap opera effect |
So while Motion Rate sounds impressive, only refresh rate shows real hardware speed limit. Motion Rate can overcome refresh rate limitations through processing tricks.
Do You Need Refresh Rate or Motion Rate?
Should you spring for the highest Motion Rate TV or monitor you can afford? Or focus purely on maxing out refresh rate?
As usual in tech, the answer depends on your use case!
For competitive esports gaming, reflexes rule so choose refresh rates of at least 144 Hz or 240 Hz. Motion interpolation actually increases input lag which is fatal for your K/D ratio!
However, in the world of cinematic games like Red Dead Redemption 2 or movie streaming, Motion Rate‘s fluidity boost makes movement look slick while retaining deep contrast and black levels.
I‘d take a 120 Hz OLED TV with 480 Hz Motion Rate for jawdropping Netflix binges. While LG, Sony and Samsung have their own versions, they work great to smooth out 24p judder.
Finally, for casual gaming or desktop usage, a 60 Hz screen without any Motion Rate perks suits most people fine. No need to overspend!
Time to upgrade your display!
Phew, that was a lot to digest! Let‘s round up everything we learned today:
Refresh rate shows true fixed display speed limits. It‘s unmatched for responsive raw gaming excellence.
Motion Rate builds on refresh rate foundations by using image manipulation to simulate fluidity, at the cost of some input lag.
I suggest choosing pure refresh rates first for gaming rigs, and seeking out Motion Rate boosted panels for movie night.
At the end of day, even entry level monitors and TVs are amazing today. Just be an informed shopper about the tech boosting your entertainment experience!
So go pick your next screen wielding new expert knowledge on refresh rates, Motion Rates and all that great stuff. Have fun, and happy viewing!
