What is screen refresh rate in a television? An explanation for everyone.

Nowadays, televisions are not just devices for watching movies or TV shows. They have become technologically advanced entertainment centers, offering incredible image and sound quality. One of the key parameters we pay attention to when buying a TV is the refresh rate. But what does it actually mean? Why is it important? And how does it affect image quality? In this article, we will try to answer these questions in an accessible way.

What is screen refresh rate?

Screen refresh rate is the number of times per second that a TV can update the displayed image. It is expressed in a unit called hertz (Hz). For example, if a TV has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, it means that the screen can display 60 frames per second. The higher the refresh rate, the more frames can be displayed in one second, which theoretically translates to a smoother image.

How does screen refresh rate work?

To understand how screen refresh rate works, it is worth looking at how an image is created on a TV screen. Each image consists of a series of frames that are displayed one after the other. When the frames change quickly enough, our eyes perceive it as smooth motion.

• Low refresh rate (e.g., 30 Hz) can lead to an image 'dragging' effect, especially in dynamic scenes such as sports or video games.

• High refresh rate (e.g., 120 Hz or 240 Hz) provides a smoother image, reducing blur and improving viewing comfort.

Why is screen refresh rate important?

Screen refresh rate has a huge impact on image quality, especially in the case of:

1. Watching sports
   In the case of fast-moving objects, such as a ball or players, a higher refresh rate provides greater fluidity and sharpness of the image. This way, you don’t miss any details of the action.

2. Playing video games
   Gamers often prefer TVs with high refresh rates (e.g., 120 Hz) because it reduces input lag and provides smoother gameplay. This is especially important in games that require quick reactions.

3. Watching movies
   Although most movies are recorded at 24 frames per second, TVs with higher refresh rates can use interpolation technology to add extra frames and improve motion fluidity. However, this is not always desirable, especially in cinematic films, where it can lead to a 'soap opera' effect.

Types of refresh rates

Modern TVs offer various refresh rates. Here are the most popular ones:

• 60 Hz – standard refresh rate, sufficient for everyday TV watching.

• 120 Hz – provides a smoother image, ideal for watching sports and video games.

• 240 Hz – the highest available refresh rate, offering even greater fluidity, although the difference compared to 120 Hz may be hard to notice for the average user.

Technologies supporting screen refresh rate

TV manufacturers introduce various technologies aimed at improving image quality and utilizing high refresh rates. Here are a few of them:

1. Motion Smoothing (Motion Interpolation)
   This technology generates additional frames between existing ones to increase image fluidity. While it can improve the viewing experience for sports or games, in the case of movies, it can lead to an unnatural 'soap opera' effect.

2. Adaptive Sync (e.g., FreeSync, G-Sync)
   These technologies synchronize the TV's refresh rate with the number of frames generated by the console or computer, eliminating the 'screen tearing' effect and improving gaming fluidity.

3. Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
   This technology inserts black frames between displayed frames to reduce motion blur and improve image sharpness.

Does a higher refresh rate always mean better image quality?

Not necessarily. A high refresh rate only makes sense if the signal source (e.g., movie, game, or sports broadcast) can deliver the appropriate number of frames per second. For example, if you are watching a movie recorded at 24 frames per second, a TV with a refresh rate of 120 Hz will not make the movie have more frames unless it uses interpolation technology.

Moreover, not all users prefer the 'soap opera' effect that can arise from interpolation. Therefore, it is worth adjusting the TV settings to your preferences.

How to choose the right refresh rate?

When choosing a TV, it is worth considering what it will mainly be used for:

• For watching movies and series – a TV with a refresh rate of 60 Hz will be sufficient.

• For watching sports and video games – it is worth considering a TV with a refresh rate of 120 Hz or higher.

• For gamers – additionally, it is worth paying attention to technologies such as FreeSync or G-Sync, which improve gaming fluidity.

Summary

Screen refresh rate is one of the key parameters affecting image quality in a TV. A higher refresh rate, such as 120 Hz or 240 Hz, can provide a smoother image, especially in dynamic scenes, sports, and video games. However, a higher refresh rate does not always mean better quality – it all depends on the signal source and individual user preferences.

When buying a TV, it is worth paying attention not only to the refresh rate but also to additional technologies, such as motion interpolation or adaptive sync, which can significantly improve the viewing experience.

We hope this article helped you understand what screen refresh rate is and why it is important. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask them in the comments!