Do TV Refresh Rates Matter Episode Summary

In this weeks episode of Film School Friday, Corey and Bill are talking about TV refresh rates, Tom Cruise, and how the two are related.

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TV Refresh Rates Transcript

Corey Allen  0:06  

Welcome to film school Friday. I’m Corey, I’m Bill and together

Bill Cornelius  0:10  

we form Voltron Defender Of The Universe.

Corey Allen  0:14  

We also host the infocus podcast. Film School Friday is our special weekly episode where I get to quiz bill to see how much knowledge he’s retained from film school. Today, I have a topic that bill is incredibly passionate about. And that is actually TV refresh rates.

Bill Cornelius  0:34  

Oh boy, I would say that I am in an activist against refresh rates on TV. And I know a lot of people that work in film, particularly DPS, or would side with me on this. Alright, Tom and Tom Cruise Tell me more. For context of video of Tom Cruise came out a few years ago where he was advocating to turn off the refresh rate from your TV because it ruins the cinematic experience. And he explained it very well. I’m not gonna explain it as well as he did, because I don’t have a teleprompter like he undoubtedly did. So basically refresh rates on a TV, it’s this it’s new ish thing. It’s been on TVs standard for about 10 years or so. And it’s it’s on most new model, high def TVs,

Corey Allen  1:30  

is for context like we’re talking when you see, like these big advertising, like promotional things on a TV box like 120 hertz, 240 hertz,

Bill Cornelius  1:40  

right? A lot of people, a lot of people look at that. And they don’t know what that means. They’re just like big numbers. That means it’s high quality. You know, that’s what they think. What it is refresh rate was created, I believe, correct me if I’m wrong here to aid in cutting down on strobing for sporting events, and things like that. So a lot of people, particularly in America, they like football, they watch a lot of that. When the camera pans and the sort of traditional television frame rate there is a little what’s called strobing, where it kind of jitters a little bit. Yeah. refresh rate was designed to cut down on that and keep the image smooth as the camera pans across the football field or whatever it might be. Yes, that’s great for sports and video games, and video games.

Yeah, it’s it’s great for all of those things. What it was not designed for is movies. And basically anything that shot at 24 frames a second, which is the standard rate of shooting speed for cinema. TV, what have you. And so what happens is refresh rate removes the through the gate 24 frames a second warm, cinematic feel that most movies have inadvertently cuts that out and makes movies a little too smooth.

Yeah, to the extent where it can turn a huge Motion Picture shot by Roger Deakins, or whatever it might be into something that looks like it was shot at 30 frames a second for a soap opera. They call it the soap opera, look, the soap opera video look, yeah, and it’s ugly. It’s real ugly. And it really messes up the look and feel of movies that were never intended to look that way. You actually

Corey Allen  3:34  

you lose some of that kind of naturalistic motion blur as a part of that. Right? And that’s why I do yeah, that’s typically what many people associate this cinematic look with. Like there are many things that make something cinematic lyonya all the production components that go into that. But one of the telltale signs is this naturalistic motion blur things, look on screen as they would to the eye. Right. A big part of that is motion blur. So effectively, what refresh rates do is higher refresh rates, remove all of that motion blur. Yeah. And it looks to your point very, not cinematic.

Bill Cornelius  4:16  

Yeah. And I’ve noticed there’s, there’s segments of the population that don’t even see the difference. And it’s mostly folks that, as expected, don’t work with cameras and video and I’ve met a few people who don’t work in film that can see the difference. Very few. So it doesn’t bother a lot of people but it it’s so noticeable to me that I feel like the experience is being ruined.

And I can’t watch a movie that’s got the refresh rate when the TV’s refresh rate is turned on. In fact, I started I stayed at an Airbnb recently that had the refresh rate turned on and I turned that sucker off. And I consider myself a savior. I’m doing people a favor, a favor that stay there from here on out, they’re gonna enjoy the cinematic experience. They’re not even going to notice or know why. But I hooked them up

Corey Allen  5:11  

bill Cornelius, the cinematic Savior.

Bill Cornelius  5:16  

And so, you know, until they find a time when, or a technology and I’m sure they probably will, where the TV’s refresh rate can auto throttle when it can say this is a sporting event. I’m going to switch on. This is a movie I’m going to switch off. Yeah, until we get to that point. We’re gonna have a problem.

Corey Allen  5:38  

I wonder if that exists?

Bill Cornelius  5:40  

You’d think it would, it seems like a kind of technology that someone would be smart enough to add to a smart TV.

Corey Allen  5:49  

Yeah. I mean, it is a big enough of a deal that Tom Cruise produced a public service announcement. He did. We will link to in the show notes. Because yes,

Bill Cornelius  6:00  

fantastic. And as you can imagine, I shared that all over social media. I texted it to friends who did not understand the argument. And I was just very, that’s the most thankful I’ve ever been to Tom Cruise. Is advocacy for no refresh rate turning off your

Corey Allen  6:20  

high refresh rates? Yes. Well, I can tell you very passionate about this. I am 99% positive every TV in my house does not add that. But I’m definitely gonna go check now.

Bill Cornelius  6:35  

does not have a turned on or have it present

Corey Allen  6:37  

doesn’t have it turned on. I know it doesn’t have it turned on. I don’t even think the TV’s I on have it as an option.

Bill Cornelius  6:43  

You’re that’s that’s good. You’re lucky.

Corey Allen  6:47  

But for all our listeners out there. He should check that out. Yes, I

Bill Cornelius  6:52  

I’ll add this to I go to friends and families homes and turn off the refresh rate if I notice it, I am that guy, I love coming to your house and turn off your refresh. I

Corey Allen  7:04  

thought for sure you were just gonna say that you only go there to turn off their eye.

Bill Cornelius  7:09  

Yeah, I only see my parents to turn off the refresh. I’m just here to check and make sure you’re not ruining cinema. Yeah. And now you’re not Okay. Bye. Good to see you. I’ve done my service.

Corey Allen  7:21  

Nice. All right, Bill, as always. Thank you. You’re welcome, especially for your passion this week. Yes, I’m confident you’ve influenced at least one other person. I hope so, to join you in your crusade. And if you

Bill Cornelius  7:35  

haven’t joined yet, I will be at your house to turn it off for you.

Corey Allen  7:41  

Nice, nice. All right. And for our listeners, you can check us out on Instagram at infocus pod or online at infocus. podcast calm. And if you like what you heard today, go ahead and subscribe. If you’re on Apple podcast, please leave us a rating and a review. They would help us out a ton. And until next time fija damn crew Yeah. fito but not pizza. No, no fallacy.