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To turn off motion smoothing on a Hisense TV, open Settings, go to Picture, open the advanced or expert picture settings, and set Motion Enhancement to Off; on TCL TVs the setting is Motion Clarity or Action Smoothing, and on Samsung TVs it’s Auto Motion Plus. Motion smoothing (also called motion interpolation) creates the “soap opera effect” that makes movies look like cheap video, and most 2025 and 2026 TVs ship with it switched on. This guide gives the menu path for each brand, including the TCL QM7L, the Hisense U7SG, and the Samsung M80H, plus a one-button fix that works on all three.
Quick verdict: The fastest fix on any of these brands is Filmmaker Mode, which turns motion smoothing off along with other processing. If you prefer another picture mode, turn the motion setting off by hand in that mode and on every input you use. Shopping for a new set with good motion handling? Check the TCL QM7L price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- Hisense: On recent Hisense Google TV models, the settings are Motion Enhancement and Motion Clearness under Settings, Display and Sound, Picture, Advanced Settings, according to PCMag.
- TCL: TCL Google TV models list Motion, Motion Smoothing, Judder Reduction, Blur Reduction, or Motion Clarity under Settings, Picture, Advanced Settings, according to TCL; TCL Roku TVs call it Action Smoothing.
- Samsung: Samsung’s setting is Auto Motion Plus (Picture Clarity Settings on some models) under Settings, Picture, Expert Settings, according to Samsung.
- Shortcut: Filmmaker Mode disables motion smoothing in one step on all three brands.
- Per mode: Motion settings save per picture mode and often per input, so repeat the change for each one you use.
What motion smoothing does and why it looks wrong
Most movies and scripted shows run at 24 frames per second (fps). Motion smoothing, a form of motion estimation and motion compensation (MEMC), makes up new frames between the real ones so the picture matches the TV’s 60Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz panel. That reduces blur in fast pans, but it also strips away the natural cadence of film. What Hi-Fi describes the result as over-sharpened motion with artifacts around fast-moving objects, because the TV’s guesses aren’t always right.
TV makers usually leave it on in the default Standard or Vivid modes because it looks crisp on a store wall. If you want to know why panel speed matters in the first place, our 60Hz vs. 120Hz TV guide explains it.
The one-step fix: switch to Filmmaker Mode
Filmmaker Mode is a picture preset backed by the Ultra High Definition (UHD) Alliance, a group of studios and TV makers. It turns off motion smoothing, extra sharpening, and noise reduction, and it uses a warmer, more accurate color temperature. Hisense, TCL, and Samsung all offer it on their 2025 and 2026 Mini light-emitting diode (Mini LED) TVs.
- Press the Settings (gear) button on your remote.
- Open Picture, then Picture Mode.
- Select Filmmaker Mode. Some TVs switch to it automatically when a streaming app signals Filmmaker Mode content.
Filmmaker Mode can look dimmer and warmer than you’re used to. If that bothers you, stay in your favorite mode and turn off motion smoothing by hand using the steps below.
How to turn off motion smoothing on a Hisense TV
Hisense sells TVs with Google TV, its own VIDAA system, Roku TV, and Fire TV, and the menu labels differ slightly. The 2026 U7SG and U8 series run Google TV.
Hisense Google TV models (U7SG, U8 series, U6 series)
- Press the Settings (gear) button.
- Go to Settings, then Display and Sound, then Picture. On some models you can open Picture directly from the quick settings panel.
- Select Advanced Settings (some models show a Motion submenu).
- Set Motion Enhancement to Off.
- If your TV also lists Motion Clearness, turn it off too. It inserts black frames, which can add flicker and lower brightness.
That path matches PCMag‘s guide and the Hisense manual quoted by iTechGuides, which also notes that Motion Enhancement may sit directly under Picture on some models. Motion Enhancement presets include Film, Clear, Smooth, and Off, and a Custom option exposes separate Blur Reduction and Judder Reduction sliders.
Hisense VIDAA, Roku TV, and Fire TV models
- VIDAA: Open Settings, then Picture, then Picture Mode Settings or Advanced Settings, and set Motion Enhancement to Off. Labels vary by model year, so check your TV’s built-in manual if you can’t find it.
- Roku TV: While watching something, press the star (*) button, open Picture Settings, then Advanced Picture Settings, and turn off Action Smoothing.
- Fire TV: Press and hold the Home button or open Settings, then Display and Sounds, then Picture, and look for the motion option under advanced settings.
BGR recommends switching off Motion Enhancement as one of the first changes to make on a new Hisense TV. Comparing brands before you buy? Our TCL vs. Hisense comparison breaks down the differences.
How to turn off motion smoothing on a TCL TV
TCL Google TV models (QM7L, QM8L, QM6K)
- Press the Settings (gear) button.
- Select Picture, then Advanced Settings (Advanced picture settings on some models).
- Find the motion option. Depending on the model it’s named Motion, Motion Smoothing, Motion Clarity, or Clear LED Motion.
- Set it to Off. If you see separate Judder Reduction and Blur Reduction sliders, set both to 0.
Those setting names come from TCL’s support page on motion issues, which notes that labels vary by model. Tom’s Guide also recommends turning off Motion Clarity on TCL’s Google TV sets, using the Picture Settings, then Advanced Picture Settings path.
TCL Roku TV models
- Start a show or open an input, then press the star (*) button on the remote.
- Open Picture Settings, then Advanced Picture Settings.
- Set Action Smoothing to Off.
How to turn off motion smoothing on a Samsung TV
Samsung calls motion smoothing Auto Motion Plus, and it’s set to Auto by default, which turns it on or off depending on the content. The steps below come from Samsung’s support page and apply to recent Tizen models, including the 2026 M80H Mini LED line.
- Press the Home button, then open Settings (on newer remotes, select All Settings).
- Select Picture, then Expert Settings.
- Open Auto Motion Plus Settings. Some models call it Picture Clarity Settings.
- Set it to Off.
- Or choose Custom to set Blur Reduction and Judder Reduction separately, and turn LED Clear Motion off if you notice flicker.
Samsung TVs also offer Filmmaker Mode, which switches Auto Motion Plus off for you. Want to know how Samsung’s dimming zones affect the picture too? See our local dimming explainer.
Troubleshooting: still seeing the soap opera effect?
- Change every picture mode: Motion settings save per picture mode, so turning them off in Standard doesn’t affect Vivid, Sports, or high dynamic range (HDR) modes.
- Check each input: Many TVs keep separate picture settings for each input, so repeat the change on each High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) input while your streaming box or console is active.
- Look at your streaming device: Turn on Match Frame Rate (Apple TV) or match original frame rate settings (Fire TV, Roku, Google TV Streamer) so 24fps films play at their native rate.
- Game Mode handles games: Game Mode usually turns motion processing off to cut input lag, so you don’t need to change anything for consoles.
- Try a low custom setting for sports: Judder Reduction at 0 to 3 and Blur Reduction around the middle keeps pans clear without the video look. What Hi-Fi suggested a similar custom approach for Samsung TVs.
Compare similar TVs on Amazon
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries all three 2026 models covered in this guide, so you can compare current prices in one place. Prices change often.
| TV | Operating system | Native refresh rate | Motion setting name | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL QM7L (2026) | Google TV | 144Hz | Motion Clarity or Motion Smoothing | Bright picture for the money | Check price |
| Hisense U7SG (2026) | Google TV | 165Hz | Motion Enhancement | Gaming features | Check price |
| Samsung M80H (2026) | Tizen | 144Hz | Auto Motion Plus | Samsung households on a budget | Check price |
| TCL QM6K (2025) | Google TV | 144Hz | Motion Clarity | Tight budgets | Check price |
Refresh rates come from manufacturer listings and the reviews linked in our best TV for Grand Theft Auto VI guide. If you watch a lot of film, a streaming box with frame rate matching also helps 24fps content play smoothly without interpolation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the soap opera effect on a TV?
The soap opera effect is the overly smooth, video-like look that motion smoothing gives movies and TV shows. The TV invents extra frames between the real ones, so 24 frames per second (fps) film footage looks like a cheap daytime drama, and the guessed frames can add shimmering artifacts around moving objects.
Does Filmmaker Mode turn off motion smoothing?
Yes, Filmmaker Mode turns off motion smoothing on Hisense, TCL, and Samsung TVs that offer it. It also switches off extra sharpening and noise reduction and sets a more accurate color temperature, so it’s the fastest fix for movies and scripted shows.
Should I turn off motion smoothing for sports?
No, you don’t have to turn off motion smoothing for sports if you like how it looks. Many viewers prefer a low setting for fast camera pans in football or hockey, so a custom profile with low judder reduction and moderate blur reduction is a reasonable compromise.
Why does my TV still look smooth after I turn off motion smoothing?
Your TV can still look smooth after you turn off motion smoothing because the setting is saved per picture mode, and sometimes per input. Switch to each picture mode and each HDMI input you use and turn it off there too, and check your streaming device’s own match frame rate option.
Final verdict
To stop the soap opera effect, switch to Filmmaker Mode or turn off Motion Enhancement on Hisense, Motion Clarity or Action Smoothing on TCL, and Auto Motion Plus on Samsung. Repeat the change in each picture mode and on each input, and set your streaming device to match frame rates. If you’re still shopping, a bright Mini LED set with a fast native panel gives you clean motion without heavy processing. Check the TCL QM7L price on Amazon, or see the Hisense U7SG on Amazon.