Turn This Setting Off the Moment You Unbox a New TV — Every Filmmaker Will Thank You
In today’s design news, attention turns to a seemingly minor but profoundly impactful feature found on nearly every new television: motion smoothing. As millions unbox their latest high-definition screens, a growing chorus from the film industry is urging viewers to disable this feature immediately. Today’s discussion sheds light on why this setting matters so much—not just for image quality, but for respecting artistic intent.
What Happened
Motion smoothing, sometimes labeled as “TruMotion,” “MotionFlow,” “Auto Motion Plus,” or similar proprietary names, is a default feature on most modern TVs. Designed to reduce blur in fast-moving scenes, it works by artificially inserting frames between the originals, resulting in what is often called the “soap opera effect.”
While the intention behind motion smoothing is to create clearer, more fluid action for sports and video games, its side effect on cinematic content is dramatic. By smoothing out the natural motion of films shot at 24 frames per second, it strips away the texture and feel that filmmakers carefully craft. Directors, cinematographers, and editors have repeatedly voiced their frustration, arguing that motion smoothing distorts their work and undermines their creative vision.
This is not just an esoteric debate among cinephiles. In recent years, high-profile directors including Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, and Rian Johnson have launched public campaigns urging TV manufacturers to make it easier to disable motion smoothing. Some manufacturers have responded with “Filmmaker Mode,” a setting that attempts to preserve the original look of movies. Still, in 2026, most TVs continue to ship with motion smoothing enabled by default, meaning millions of viewers experience movies in a way their creators never intended.
Why It Matters
Disabling motion smoothing is more than a matter of personal preference—it’s about respecting artistic integrity. The “soap opera effect” fundamentally alters the aesthetic of movies and prestige television, making sweeping cinematic visuals look hyper-realistic, flat, and unnatural. For viewers, this can mean losing the sense of immersion and emotional impact that filmmakers strive to deliver.
From a design standpoint, the persistence of motion smoothing highlights the tension between technological advancement and user experience. While manufacturers want to showcase their hardware’s capabilities, they inadvertently compromise the very content that draws people to their screens. This disconnect underscores the importance of default settings and the need for greater transparency in user interfaces.
The push to disable motion smoothing is also a case study in how professionals outside the technology industry—namely, filmmakers—can influence consumer electronics design. Their advocacy has led to incremental changes, but the default experience for most consumers remains at odds with the creative community’s wishes.
Key Stats
- Nearly 80% of new TVs in 2026 ship with motion smoothing enabled by default.
- Over 20 major filmmakers signed an open letter in 2025 urging manufacturers to prioritize “Filmmaker Mode.”
- Surveys indicate that only 14% of consumers are aware of what motion smoothing does or how to turn it off.
- “Filmmaker Mode” is available on roughly 60% of TVs sold in 2026, though it is rarely the default.
What's Next
Looking forward, consumer education and updated industry standards are poised to shape the next generation of TV design. As awareness of motion smoothing’s drawbacks grows, more manufacturers may ship TVs with “Filmmaker Mode” enabled by default or simplify the process of disabling motion smoothing. Filmmakers and advocacy groups are likely to continue their public campaigns, potentially influencing regulatory guidelines or industry best practices.
Longer-term, the debate over motion smoothing may serve as a template for how creative professionals can engage with tech companies to preserve the integrity of their work in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. For now, the call is clear: if you care about movies, turn off motion smoothing the moment your new TV comes out of the box.