Look for Motion, Clarity, TruMotion, Auto Motion Plus, MotionFlow or a similar picture setting and set interpolation/judder reduction off. The control can be stored separately for each input, app and picture mode. First, identify the active source, picture mode and whether the setting is stored per input.
What this covers
- A TV showing soap-opera-like motion in films or series
What it does not cover
Try in this order
0 of 9 completedEstablish the exact starting state
ReversibleIdentify the active source, picture mode and whether the setting is stored per input.
Separate the fault or decision boundary
ReversibleDisable only interpolation/judder reduction before changing blur, black-frame insertion or game mode.
Apply the narrowest correction
ReversibleSet the manufacturer's motion-smoothing control to Off or zero for the affected mode.
Find the picture setting under the maker's name for it
ReversibleOpen the picture settings and look under Motion, Clarity, TruMotion, Auto Motion Plus, MotionFlow, Motion Interpolation or Judder Reduction. Different makers use different names for the same processing, and it may be inside an advanced or expert menu.
Turn off the smoothing and leave the blur controls for a later step
ReversibleSet the smoothing or interpolation control to Off or zero. Leave the blur reduction and black-frame insertion controls alone at first, since they do different things and can dim the picture.
Check each input and picture mode separately
ReversibleTVs often store the setting per input and per picture mode, so repeat it for the apps, the HDMI inputs and each mode you use. Then play a scene with a slow pan to check that films look like films again.
Set it to Off for films
ReversibleOpen Settings, Picture, Expert Settings and Auto Motion Plus Settings, and choose Off. Samsung says the feature causes the soap opera effect on 24 fps movies.
Use Custom if Off makes sports look choppy
ReversibleCustom lets you reduce Judder and Blur separately, keeping some smoothing where fast motion needs it.
Verify before escalating
ReversibleReplay the same panning scene from each used input/app.
Samsung
How Samsung names and structures the setting
Different makers use different names for the same feature; these are Samsung's.
- Names and path
- Samsung calls it Auto Motion Plus or Picture Clarity, at Settings, Picture, Expert Settings, Auto Motion Plus Settings (Picture Clarity Settings).
- Modes
- Auto (the default) turns the feature on and off depending on the type of program, Off disables it and Custom gives three controls.
- Custom controls
- Blur Reduction addresses moving objects becoming fuzzy, Judder Reduction addresses the rough motion that appears when the content has fewer frames than the TV displays, and LED Clear Motion configures the LED backlight to sharpen fast-moving images.
- Why the soap opera effect appears
- Samsung says most movies are filmed at 24 frames per second and are not designed for these features, and that when turned on they cause the soap opera effect, while live TV at 30 fps looks better with them on.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If turning off the setting makes the picture flicker or judder badly, choose a light setting instead of off, rather than resetting all picture settings.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions about “Turn off motion smoothing on a TV”
What is motion smoothing?+
It creates extra frames between the real ones to make motion look smoother. On films it can make the picture look like a soap opera, which is why many people switch it off.
Will turning it off make sports look worse?+
It can make fast motion look less smooth, so you can keep a light setting for sport in a separate picture mode.
Why does the setting keep coming back?+
Some TVs store it per input or reset it when you change the picture mode or after an update. Check each input and mode.
Is there a shortcut mode for films?+
Many TVs have a Filmmaker, Cinema or Movie mode that turns off smoothing with a single choice.
Why does Auto sometimes change by itself?+
Samsung's Auto mode turns the feature on and off depending on the type of program being watched.
Is there a setting that keeps a little smoothing?+
Custom, with separate Blur Reduction, Judder Reduction and LED Clear Motion controls.
Which brand names does this setting hide behind?+
Common labels are Motion Smoothing, TruMotion, Auto Motion Plus, MotionFlow, Clear Motion and Fluid Motion. Look under Picture, Advanced picture or Motion settings.
Will turning it off affect games?+
It often reduces input lag, so most TVs disable smoothing automatically in Game mode. Turn it off manually if the picture still looks unnaturally fast.