Does a higher frame rate on a UHD TV affect the perception of motion?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter jerromyjon
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Perception Time
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perception of motion on UHD TVs, particularly focusing on how higher frame rates affect viewers' experiences. Participants share personal observations and critiques related to motion smoothness, visual fidelity, and the overall impact of UHD technology on film viewing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that despite a higher frame rate, motion appears "choppier" rather than smoother, raising questions about the relationship between frame rate and perception.
  • Another participant observes that indoor scenes on UHD OLED screens seem overly artificial, likening them to film sets, and expresses concern about the impact of UHD on the viewing experience of movies.
  • A different participant comments on the unflattering portrayal of actors' appearances in UHD, suggesting that the technology alters the perception of aging rather than motion.
  • One participant questions the necessity of higher frame rates, suggesting that smooth motion may not be as noticeable at lower frame rates and speculating about the role of pixel response times in perceived sharpness.
  • There is an expression of uncertainty about whether these perceptions are valid or if they stem from personal biases or misconceptions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of subjective experiences and critiques regarding UHD technology, indicating that there is no consensus on how higher frame rates affect motion perception. Multiple competing views remain regarding the implications of UHD on visual fidelity and viewer experience.

Contextual Notes

Participants' claims are based on personal observations and experiences, which may be influenced by individual preferences and expectations. There is a lack of empirical evidence or consensus on the technical aspects of frame rates and motion perception.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in UHD technology, film and media studies, and those exploring the effects of display technology on visual perception may find this discussion relevant.

jerromyjon
Messages
1,244
Reaction score
189
I'm posting this here because physics can't answer it. Neither is it philosophy. I was watching the first episode of Lucifer over again on my new UHD TV. My old UHD took a crap and it was low fps. Now watching my new TV I noticed motion looks different. I don't think it seems smoother like my intuition would lead me to believe. It kind of looks "choppier" at a higher frame rate. I wonder how mathematics could reconcile this contradiction.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
strangerep said:
Curiously, on the UHD OLED screen, most of the indoor scenes looked too-obviously like film sets. And the space vehicles looked too-obviously like models, though not quite as bad as the original Star Wars.

Now I'm wondering whether watching movies on OLED from a 4K bluray source will ruin them for me. :oldcry:

Has anyone else had this kind of experience with UHD?
Keep these comments/critiques of UHD coming.
 
Bystander said:
Keep these comments/critiques of UHD coming.
Really? I could go on all day...

E.g., I was surprised just how poor your average "beautiful" movie starlet's skin is when seen up close in UHD. :oldruck:

And as for middle-aged or older actors (of either gender)... yuk. I have to keep telling myself to concentrate on the storyline, and just accept that the actors are real humans with all the usual flaws.

But this is not really a "perception of time" thing. More like "perception of aging". :frown:
 
strangerep said:
Really? I could go on all day...
I've been "bothered" by this for a week now. In reality motion is smooth. When I go into the TV section and look at all the higher priced TVs with 240 fps I think to myself what is the point, since I thought you can only notice the discontinuity at much lower frame rates. For example if there was a black frame inserted every 60th frame at 60 fps you wouldn't notice it consciously, as in "subliminal programming" but perhaps I'm misinformed. I just can't imagine how 30 fps would seem smoother motion than a higher frame rate unless perhaps the pixels have a faster response time making the images sharper.
Perhaps I'm just crazy even though the voices in my head tell me I'm not...
 

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
6K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K