Display motion blur, also called ''HDTV blur'' and ''LCD motion blur'', refers to several
visual artifacts
The visual system comprises the sensory organ (the eye) and parts of the central nervous system (the retina containing photoreceptor cells, the optic nerve, the optic tract and the visual cortex) which gives organisms the sense of sight (th ...
(anomalies or unintended effects affecting still or moving images) that are frequently found on modern consumer
high-definition television
High-definition television (HD or HDTV) describes a television system which provides a substantially higher image resolution than the previous generation of technologies. The term has been used since 1936; in more recent times, it refers to the g ...
sets and
flat panel displays
A flat-panel display (FPD) is an electronic display device, display used to display visual content such as text or images. It is present in consumer, medical, transportation, and industrial equipment.
Flat-panel displays are thin, lightweight, p ...
for computers.
Causes
Many motion blur factors have existed for a long time in film and video (e.g. slow camera shutter speed). The emergence of digital video, and
HDTV
High-definition television (HD or HDTV) describes a television system which provides a substantially higher image resolution than the previous generation of technologies. The term has been used since 1936; in more recent times, it refers to the g ...
display technologies, introduced many additional factors that now contribute to motion blur. The following factors are generally the primary or secondary causes of perceived motion blur in video. In many cases, multiple factors can occur at the same time within the entire chain, from the original media or broadcast, all the way to the receiver end.
*
Pixel response time
In technology, response time is the time a system or functional unit takes to react to a given input.
Computing
Response time is the total amount of time it takes to respond to a request for service. That service can be anything from a memory ...
on
LCD displays (motion blur caused by slow pixel response time)
* Lower camera
shutter speed
In photography, shutter speed or exposure time is the length of time that the film or digital sensor inside the camera is exposed to light (that is, when the camera's shutter (photography), shutter is open) when taking a photograph.
The am ...
s common in Hollywood production films (blur in the content of the film), and common in miniaturized
camera sensor
An image sensor or imager is a sensor that detects and conveys information used to make an image. It does so by converting the variable attenuation of light waves (as they pass through or reflect off objects) into signals, small bursts of curr ...
s that require more light.
* Blur from eye tracking fast-moving objects on
sample-and-hold
In electronics, a sample and hold (also known as sample and follow) circuit is an analog device that samples (captures, takes) the voltage of a continuously varying analog signal and holds (locks, freezes) its value at a constant level for a ...
LCD, plasma, or microdisplay.
[Eye-tracking-based motion blur on LCD](_blank)
/ref>
* Resolution resampling (blur due to resizing image to fit the native resolution of the HDTV); not a motion blur.
* Deinterlacing
Deinterlacing is the process of converting interlaced video into a non-interlaced or Progressive scan, progressive form. Interlaced video signals are commonly found in analog television, digital television (HDTV) when in the 1080i format, some D ...
by the display, and telecine
Telecine ( or ) is the process of transferring film into video and is performed in a color suite. The term is also used to refer to the equipment used in the post-production process.
Telecine enables a motion picture, captured originally on f ...
processing by studios. These processes can soften images, and/or introduce motion-speed irregularities.
* Compression artifacts
A compression artifact (or artefact) is a noticeable distortion of media (including images, audio, and video) caused by the application of lossy compression. Lossy data compression involves discarding some of the media's data so that it beco ...
, present in digital video streams, can contribute additional blur during fast motion.
Motion blur has been a more severe problem for LCD displays, due to their sample-and-hold nature. Even in situations when pixel response time is very short, motion blur remains a problem because their pixels remain lit, unlike CRT phosphors that merely flash briefly. Reducing the time an LCD pixel is lit can be accomplished via turning off the backlight for part of a refresh. This reduces motion blur due to eye tracking by decreasing the time the backlight is on. In addition, strobed backlights can also be combined with motion interpolation to reduce eye-tracking-based motion blur.
Fixes
Strobed backlights
Different manufacturers use many names for their strobed backlight technologies for reducing motion blur on sample-and-hold LCD displays. Generic names include ''black frame insertion'' and ''scanning backlight''.
* Philips
Koninklijke Philips N.V. (), commonly shortened to Philips, is a Dutch multinational conglomerate corporation that was founded in Eindhoven in 1891. Since 1997, it has been mostly headquartered in Amsterdam, though the Benelux headquarters i ...
created Aptura, also known as ClearLCD, to strobe the backlight in order to reduce the sample time and thus the retinal blurring due to sample-and-hold.
* Samsung
The Samsung Group (or simply Samsung) ( ko, 삼성 ) is a South Korean multinational manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea. It comprises numerous affiliated businesses, most of them united under the ...
uses strobed backlighting as part of their "Clear Motion Rate" technology.[Samsung Clear Motion Rate, including the use of a strobed backlight]
/ref> This was also called "LED Motion Plus" in some previous Samsung displays.
* BenQ
BenQ Corporation (; ) is a Taiwanese multinational company that sells and markets technology products, consumer electronics, computing and communications devices under the "BenQ" brand name, which stands for the company slogan ''Bringing Enj ...
developed SPD (Simulated Pulse Drive), also more commonly known as "black frame insertion", and claim that their images are as stable and clear as CRTs. This is conceptually similar to a strobing backlight.
* Sharp Corporation
is a Japanese multinational corporation that designs and manufactures electronic products, headquartered in Sakai-ku, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. Since 2016 it has been majority owned by the Taiwan-based Foxconn Group. Sharp employs more than 5 ...
use a "scanning backlight" which rapidly flashes the backlight in a sequence from the top to the bottom of the screen, during every frame.
* Nvidia
Nvidia CorporationOfficially written as NVIDIA and stylized in its logo as VIDIA with the lowercase "n" the same height as the uppercase "VIDIA"; formerly stylized as VIDIA with a large italicized lowercase "n" on products from the mid 1990s to ...
has licensed a strobe backlight technology called LightBoost to display manufacturers. This is normally used to reduce crosstalk
In electronics, crosstalk is any phenomenon by which a signal transmitted on one circuit or channel of a transmission system creates an undesired effect in another circuit or channel. Crosstalk is usually caused by undesired capacitive, induc ...
during 3D Vision, which utilize shutter glasses
An active shutter 3D system (a.k.a. alternate frame sequencing, alternate image, AI, alternating field, field sequential or eclipse method) is a technique of displaying stereoscopic 3D images. It works by only presenting the image intended for th ...
; however, it also eliminates motion blur due to its ability to keep pixel transitions in the dark between LCD refreshes. A 'hack' method or utility tool is needed to take advantage of LightBoost backlights for blur reduction benefits.
* BenQ
BenQ Corporation (; ) is a Taiwanese multinational company that sells and markets technology products, consumer electronics, computing and communications devices under the "BenQ" brand name, which stands for the company slogan ''Bringing Enj ...
later developed their own native "BenQ Blur Reduction" technology, integrated into several of their gaming monitors. This offers a strobe backlight which can be easily turned on and off by the user. There is no control over the strobe timing or strobe length for the user, although third party utilities have been produced for this purpose. Newer firmware for the BenQ Blur Reduction monitors allow direct user control over the strobe pulse (timing) and strobe length (persistence) directly from the Service Menu. More customization is available by using a higher Vertical Total (from 1498 to 1502, depending on what does not cause errors), which effectively tricks the Mstar scaler into working with a larger blanking interval, as if the vertical screen size were longer. This effectively pushes the strobe crosstalk farther down the bottom of the display, improving strobe image quality, but with some drawbacks (like a faint scanlines effect, also seen in strobe LightBoost mode).
* Eizo
is a Japanese visual technology company, founded in March 1968, which manufactures display products and other solutions for markets such as business, healthcare, graphics, air traffic control, and maritime. The company is headquartered in Ha ...
have also introduced their 'Turbo 240' option used so far on their Eizo Foris FG2421 gaming display. This allows the user to control the strobe backlight on/off easily to reduced perceived motion blur
* LG introduced a similar 'Motion 240' option on their 24GM77 gaming monitor
* ULMB is a technique provided alongside NVIDIA's G-sync technology, and linked to the G-sync monitor module. It is an alternative option to using G-sync (and cannot be used at the same time), offering the user instead an "Ultra Low Motion Blur" mode. This has been provided on various monitors already featuring G-sync (e.g. Asus ROG Swift PG278Q, Acer Predator XB270HU). For newer games with a higher demand for graphical power, G-Sync is preferable over ULMB.
Motion interpolation
Some displays use motion interpolation
Motion interpolation or motion-compensated frame interpolation (MCFI) is a form of video processing in which intermediate animation frames are generated between existing ones by means of interpolation, in an attempt to make animation more fluid, t ...
to run at a higher refresh rate
The refresh rate (or "vertical refresh rate", "vertical scan rate", terminology originating with the cathode ray tubes) is the number of times per second that a raster-based display device displays a new image. This is independent from frame rate ...
, such as 100 Hz or 120 Hz to reduce motion blur. Motion interpolation generates artificial in-between frames that are inserted between the real frames. The advantage is reduced motion blur on sample-and-hold displays such as LCD.
There can be side-effects, including the soap opera effect
Motion interpolation or motion-compensated frame interpolation (MCFI) is a form of video processing in which intermediate animation frames are generated between existing ones by means of interpolation, in an attempt to make animation more fluid, ...
if interpolation is enabled while watching movies (24 fps material). Motion interpolation also adds input lag
Input lag or input latency is the amount of time that passes between sending an electrical signal and the occurrence of a corresponding action.
In video games the term is often used to describe any latency between an input and either the game or ...
, which makes it undesirable for interactive activity such as computers and video games.
Recently, 240 Hz interpolation have become available, along with displays that claim an equivalence to 480 Hz or 960 Hz. Some manufacturers use a different terminology such as Samsung's "Clear Motion Rate 960"[ instead of "Hz". This avoids incorrect usage of the "Hz" terminology, due to multiple motion blur reduction technologies in use, including both motion interpolation and strobed backlights.
Manufacturer Terminology:
* ]JVC
JVC (short for Japan Victor Company) is a Japanese brand owned by JVCKenwood corporation. Founded in 1927 as the Victor Talking Machine Company of Japan and later as , the company is best known for introducing Japan's first televisions and for ...
uses "Clear Motion Drive".
* LG uses "TruMotion".
* Samsung
The Samsung Group (or simply Samsung) ( ko, 삼성 ) is a South Korean multinational manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea. It comprises numerous affiliated businesses, most of them united under the ...
uses "Auto Motion Plus" (AMP), "Clear Motion Rate" (CMR), and "Motion Rate".
* Sony
, commonly stylized as SONY, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. As a major technology company, it operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professional ...
uses "Motionflow".
* Toshiba
, commonly known as Toshiba and stylized as TOSHIBA, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Its diversified products and services include power, industrial and social infrastructure system ...
uses "Clear Frame".
* Sharp
Sharp or SHARP may refer to:
Acronyms
* SHARP (helmet ratings) (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme), a British motorcycle helmet safety rating scheme
* Self Help Addiction Recovery Program, a charitable organisation founded in 199 ...
uses "AquoMotion".
* Vizio
Vizio Inc. (stylized as VIZIO) is an American publicly traded company that designs and sells televisions, sound bars, viewer data, and advertising. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Irvine, California.Lawton, Christopher, Iwatani K ...
uses "Clear Action".
Laser TV
Laser TV
Laser color television (laser TV), or laser color video display, is a type of television that utilizes two or more individually modulated optical (laser) rays of different colors to produce a combined spot that is scanned and projected across the ...
has the potential to eliminate double imaging and motion artifacts by utilizing a scanning architecture similar to the way that a CRT works. Laser TV
Laser color television (laser TV), or laser color video display, is a type of television that utilizes two or more individually modulated optical (laser) rays of different colors to produce a combined spot that is scanned and projected across the ...
is generally not yet available from many manufacturers. Claims have been made on television broadcasts such as KRON 4 News' Coverage of Laser TV from October 2006, but no consumer-grade laser television sets have made any significant improvements in reducing any form of motion artifacts since that time. One recent development in laser display technology has been the phosphor-excited laser, as demonstrated by Prysm's newest displays. These displays currently scan at 240 Hz, but are currently limited to a 60 Hz input. This has the effect of presenting four distinct images when eye tracking a fast-moving object seen from a 60 Hz input source.
There has also been Microvision's Laser MEMS Based Pico Projector Pro, which has no display lag, no input lag and no persistence or motion blur.
LED and OLED
Both OLED
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED or organic LED), also known as organic electroluminescent (organic EL) diode, is a light-emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive electroluminescent layer is a film of organic compound that emits light i ...
and Sony's Crystal LED
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor Electronics, device that Light#Light sources, emits light when Electric current, current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy i ...
displays use an independent light source for every pixel, without a traditional CCFL
A fluorescent lamp, or fluorescent tube, is a low-pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to produce visible light. An electric current in the gas excites mercury vapor, which produces short-wave ultraviolet ligh ...
or LED backlight used in LCD. Sony's Crystal LED uses individual light emitting diodes
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy in the form of photons. The color of the light (cor ...
for each pixel, instead of using LED as a backlight. Several displays demonstrated at the CES 2012 have been the first modern high-definition television sets to overcome the motion artifacts by selectively blanking parts of the screen. Both OLED and "Crystal LED" technologies also have response times far shorter than LCD technology, and can reduce motion blur significantly. However, all consumer OLED Displays are sample-and-hold,Why Do Some OLED's Have Motion Blur?
/ref> which leads to the same amount of motion blur as a traditional LCD Display.
See also
* Interlaced video
Interlaced video (also known as interlaced scan) is a technique for doubling the perceived frame rate of a video display without consuming extra bandwidth. The interlaced signal contains two fields of a video frame captured consecutively. This ...
* Telecine judder
Telecine ( or ) is the process of transferring film into video and is performed in a color suite. The term is also used to refer to the equipment used in the post-production process.
Telecine enables a motion picture, captured originally on fi ...
References
External links
Motion Blur Reduction Backlights
Pursuit camera photography of LCD motion blur
Article in HDTV Magazine that does a good job of covering motion blur on LCD panels
Link describing cause of motion blur from sample and hold techniques and reduction using LED backlighting
TestUFO.com: Motion test animations that also demonstrates display motion blur
Techmind.org: LCD technology and stationary test patterns
Methods for 3:2 Pull Down
BenQ monitor that uses strobing to reduce sample-and-hold artifacts due to motion eye tracking
Windows application that demonstrates retinal blur due to sample and hold displays
{{North American DTV
High-definition television
Television technology