The default TV setting I always turn off when installing one - and why experts mostly agree

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Default motion smoothing causes the unnatural "soap opera effect."
• Experts recommend turning off motion smoothing for most movies and shows.
• Motion smoothing improves fast-paced action like sports and gaming.

For many people, motion smoothing on TVs is only suitable for gaming and watching live sports; enthusiasts typically prefer to turn off the feature when watching anything else, as it can detract from the filmmaker's original intent, making on-screen images appear artificial or hyper-realistic. This is what's called the "soap opera effect." 

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