TV Refresh Rate, 60 Hz vs 120 Hz in real life

Some screens make motion look clear. Some feel a little smeary. This piece shows what changes when a TV refreshes 60 times a second versus 120.

What TV refresh rate means, and how it differs from frame rate

TV refresh rate is how many times the screen redraws each second. A game or movie has its own frame rate, that is how many pictures the source sends each second. Your TV cycles no matter what the source does. The source can be slow or fast. The TV keeps ticking.

So, what is refresh rate on TV, it is the beat that controls motion. A fast refresh lets the TV show new frames more often when they exist. A slow refresh can hold frames longer. That is why motion can look different even with the same video.

Refresh rate changes motion. Detail comes from resolution. True 4K on PC, PS5, and Xbox covers pixel count and sharpness.

What you actually notice at 60 Hz vs 120 Hz

At 60 Hz, camera pans can look a bit blurred during fast moves. Small UI text can smear when you slide it fast. Ball tracking in sports is fine for most people. At 120 Hz, pans look cleaner. Edges stay sharper as things move. Small text is easier to read during scroll. Some people notice a big upgrade. Some do not. Eyes and distance matter.

Is 60hz refresh rate good, yes for story games, casual play, and most TV shows. If you chase fast aim or quick camera turns, 120 Hz helps. When a game actually outputs 120 frames, the jump is obvious.

Games that target higher frame modes on Pro hardware will show the largest jump. PS5 vs PS5 Pro on a 4K TV compares those modes in practice.

Movies at 24 fps, why judder changes by TV

Most films are 24 frames per second. A 120 Hz TV can show each film frame five times in a row. That keeps motion even. A 60 Hz TV must mix twos and threes to fit the math. That uneven pattern can add tiny stutters called judder. Some people see it right away in slow pans. Others never notice.

Refresh rate tv affects how smooth that 24 looks, but it does not change the look of the film itself. If you hate soap opera effect, turn off motion smoothing. Keep film cadence clean first, then tune extras if needed.

VRR vs refresh rate, different jobs

Refresh rate sets the top speed. VRR, short for Variable Refresh Rate, lets the TV change its speed to match the game. That reduces screen tear and lowers stutter when the frame rate moves around. Think of VRR as the TV listening, then syncing up on the fly.

Some menus call refresh rate TV Hz. Same idea. If your console and TV both support VRR, turn it on for games that dip under their target frame rate.

The 40 fps sweet spot on 120 Hz TVs

A 120 Hz TV divides time into tiny equal slices. Forty frames per second fits 120 because three refreshes per frame is clean math. That is why some quality modes pick 40. You keep high effects and still get smoother motion than 30. On a 60 Hz TV, 40 does not line up cleanly. You get stutter. That is why the mode shows up only with 120 capable sets.

What does refresh rate mean on a TV in this case, it sets the timing grid that makes 40 feel steady.

Input lag and Game Mode, the setting that saves your buttons

Input lag is the time between your button press and the picture changing. TVs add delay when they process the image. Game Mode cuts that extra work. Less delay, faster feel. Turn off heavy motion smoothing for games. Keep it simple. Many sets let you tune these per input.

Refresh rates on TVs can change lag a little, but Game Mode is the big switch. Check that it is on before you judge how a game feels.

Cables and ports for 4K at 120

To actually get 4K at 120, you need three things. One, a TV input that supports 4K at 120. Two, a console or PC that can send that signal. Three, an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. Some TVs only support 4K at 120 on certain ports. Some consoles limit which modes work with HDR. Check the label near the port or the on screen info panel.

If you ever see a menu that says TV Hz rate, it is just the same idea. You want 120 for 4K at 120 output.

When 60 Hz is fine and when 120 Hz is worth it

Ask how you use the TV most days. What is a good refresh rate for a TV if you watch shows, films, and play chill games, 60 Hz is fine. Best TV refresh rate for shooters, racers, and fast sports, 120 Hz.

Distance matters too. If you sit far, motion blur bothers you less. If you sit close, or use a big screen, 120 helps more.

Extras that change motion feel

Response time is how fast pixels switch shades. Slow response adds blur. Faster panels look clearer during motion. Black Frame Insertion can help reduce blur by flashing dark frames between real ones. It can add flicker and reduce brightness. Try it, but only keep it if your eyes like it.

A simple pick chart you can trust

What is the best refresh rate for a TV, pick 120 if you care about fast motion and your gear supports it, otherwise 60 is still a good choice.

Quick glossary

• Frame rate: Frames per second from the source, such as a game or a movie.

• Refresh rate: Screen redraws per second by the TV.

• Judder: Tiny stutters from uneven frame cadence.

• VRR: TV and console match frame timing on the fly.

• Input lag: Delay from button press to picture change.

Tiny checklist before you buy

• Check the TV has at least two HDMI ports that support 4K at 120 if you have more than one high end device.

• Use an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for 4K at 120.

• Turn on Game Mode for the input you will use.

• If you watch lots of films, try a 120 Hz TV and disable heavy smoothing for a clean film look.