| If you have been looking at buying an LCD flat screen | | | | feature takes the screen and interpolates the image to |
| tv, no doubt you have read about the 120Hz models. | | | | provide a smoother picture to reduce judder. |
| You are probably wondering if the 120Hz models are | | | | Does the motion enhancement provide a more |
| worth the extra cost. The value of the 120hz feature | | | | satisfactory picture? Again this is open to debate. |
| has been widely debated in recent months. There are | | | | Motion enhancement at its best provides a noticeably |
| a number of things to consider before making your | | | | smoother, stable picture, free of jutter, motion blur and |
| decision. | | | | ghosting. Some describe gaming in 120Hz as making a |
| In the early days of the LCD vs Plasma tv wars, one | | | | 30 frames per second game look like a 60 frames per |
| of the biggest drawbacks to purchasing an LCD tv | | | | second game, while others are mesmerized by the |
| was that they were prone to motion blur and a | | | | ability to make sports and movies look live and 3D-like. |
| somewhat choppy picture, especially in times when | | | | At its worst motion enhancement, especially during |
| there was a lot of fast action such as sports or in | | | | fast motion can introduce split second glitches in the |
| movie scenes such as car chases. Although there has | | | | picture called artifacts which can obviously be |
| been a great deal of improvement over the years in | | | | distracting. Others feel that while documentary type |
| the tvs ability to handle fast motion, LCD is still battling | | | | shows like Planet Earth can provide stunning stable live |
| the stigma of not having as smooth of a picture as | | | | action shots, that motion enhancement takes away |
| plasmas. | | | | from the cinematic feel of movies by providing an |
| Enter the 120Hz tv. As a direct response, LCD | | | | almost too realistic, live tv or soap opera feel instead |
| manufacturers have incorporated 120Hz tvs into their | | | | of a cinematic experience. |
| newest tv models. These tvs have refresh rates that | | | | It is important to point out that motion enhancement |
| are twice as fast as the "standard" 60Hz models. | | | | can be turned on or off, so if you prefer to watch a |
| Those who are supporters of the 120Hz technology | | | | movie without the motion enhancement you can simply |
| claim that the picture is noticeably smoother with | | | | turn it off. |
| crystal clear clarity, especially during fast action scenes | | | | For the time being the choice to go with a 120Hz LCD |
| or sports. Another benefit is the ability to produce an | | | | flat screen tv is purely one of personal choice and |
| almost 3D-like picture. | | | | budget. Keep in mind that this is a very new |
| On the other hand, others say that they can't notice a | | | | technology and as with all new technologies there are |
| difference when comparing side to side with the | | | | still some things that need to be perfected. There is |
| "standard" 60Hz models. They feel that the 120Hz | | | | little debate that 120Hz is the wave of the future and |
| models are simply marketing gimmicks to sell higher | | | | that technology will only improve over time. If price is |
| priced tv. | | | | not of primary concern or if you can spare the extra |
| So who is right? As usual there is a middle ground. Put | | | | dollars in an attempt to future proof your tv purchase |
| simply, a 120Hz tv will take a standard 60Hz signal and | | | | then it would seem to make perfect sense to go with |
| simply replicate it twice which by itself does little to | | | | the additional features and benefits that a 120Hz LCD |
| enhance the picture quality. The real difference is | | | | flat screen tv can offer. If price is a primary factor and |
| made when applying a video processing feature for | | | | you are working on a limited budget then one of the |
| motion enhancement. Each company has there own | | | | standard models would be a fine choice until the 120Hz |
| name for this process. For example, Samsung's | | | | models are perfected. |
| feature is called AMP for Auto Motion Plus. This | | | | |