The screen refresh rate is one of those parameters that can cause a lot of confusion when shopping. Manufacturers argue that more hertz (Hz) means a better and smoother image, but the truth is a bit more complicated.
The biggest difference for the average user? It's the price difference
There's nothing to hide – TVs 120 Hz are expensive. For the cheapest 50-inch model with a higher refresh rate, we will pay about PLN 3,000, while a decent 60 Hz TV can be purchased for PLN 1,500-2,000. Why is this difference so big? Manufacturers install 120 Hz matrices mainly in more expensive models, additionally equipped with better image display technologies, such as OLED or QLED.
What does this actually mean in practice? Standard television, Netflix and HBO broadcast content in 24-30 frames per second. This means that even a cheaper 60 Hz TV will display them without any problems. We will notice the difference mainly when watching sports – football matches or races Formula 1 will be smoother, without annoying blurring of the image during fast actions. Another issue is the quality of sports broadcasts. In Poland, greater liquidity is available on several channels, mainly from premium operators.
Artificial liquidity – not always a plus
120 Hz TVs, but also 60 Hz TVs, use special technologies that “add” additional frames to the original material. Samsung called it Auto Motion Plus, LG uses the name TrueMotion. The problem is that in feature films this effect can be irritating – the scenes look like from a soap opera recorded with a digital camera. Fortunately, this can be turned off in the settings.
When is it worth investing in 120 Hz?
A higher refresh rate makes sense if:
- you are a sports fanyou have purchased premium channels and you don't want to be annoyed by a blurry image during dynamic action
- you are planning to connect a PlayStation 5 Pro, a powerful computer to your TV or you are already gearing up for the next generation of consoles (let's face it, the basic Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X can barely handle 60 frames – and in fewer and fewer games)
- you are going to use the TV as a large one monitor to the computer
Summary
If you have a limited budget and the TV is to be used mainly for watching movies, series and TV programs, paying extra for 120 Hz is pointless. It is better to invest the saved money in a larger screen or a better matrix. A higher refresh rate is a function for a specific audience – mainly gamers and sports enthusiasts.