Is 120Hz TV only for gaming?
A 120Hz refresh rate TV is often touted as a must-have for gaming, but is it only beneficial for gaming or do 120Hz TVs provide an advantage for other viewing as well? In this guide, we‘ll break down what 120Hz means, its key benefits, and if you need a 120Hz TV if you don‘t plan to game on it.
What does 120Hz mean?
The 120Hz specification refers to the TV‘s refresh rate, which is the number of times per second the image on the screen is refreshed. A higher refresh rate like 120Hz means the TV is updating the image 120 times per second, leading to smoother motion and less blurring or judder in fast moving scenes.
Older TVs had refresh rates of just 60Hz, while today most new models are 120Hz or higher. Some high-end TVs now even support up to 240Hz refresh rates.
Why 120Hz TVs are better for gaming
The fast motion and quick movements in video games make them particularly suited to benefit from higher refresh rates. With a 120Hz TV, the screen can better keep up with the rapid on-screen motion in games, displaying up to 120 frames per second. This leads to really smooth rendering and transitions, with less blurring.
Most major game consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X now support 120Hz output for gaming. So to take full advantage of their capabilities for high frame rate gaming, a 120Hz TV is recommended. This allows the TV refresh rate to sync up with the frames being output by the console.
120Hz also helps display 24fps movie content
In addition to gaming, 120Hz TVs can provide advantages for watching movies and TV shows as well. Most cinema content is filmed at 24 frames per second. On a 60Hz TV, 24fps videos can sometimes exhibit jitter or stuttering.
A 120Hz TV can display each 24fps frame 5 times (24 x 5 = 120) to prevent this judder effect. So 120Hz leads to smooth playback of 24fps films and videos. Though the difference may be minor and only noticeable to some viewers.
Consider the full package, not just 120Hz
When shopping for a new TV, the refresh rate is just one of many specs to look at. Other key factors include the display panel technology (LED, OLED, QLED), viewing angles, contrast ratio, color gamut, HDR support, smart TV platform, and number of HDMI ports.
A TV with an excellent panel, deep blacks, wide color gamut and great HDR performance will provide a spectacular viewing experience even at 60Hz. While a 120Hz TV with mediocre picture quality won‘t be as impressive. 120Hz enhances an already good image, but can‘t fix a subpar TV.
Difference between 60Hz and 120Hz
Compared to a 60Hz TV, a 120Hz refresh rate decreases motion blur and leads to smoother, more fluid video transitions. For gaming, the difference is very noticeable with 120Hz‘s ability to display up to 120fps providing a competitive edge.
For non-gaming uses like streaming movies, the benefit of 120Hz over 60Hz may be more minor and mainly eliminates some judder in 24fps content. But the motion is still a bit smoother and sharper on a 120Hz TV.
HDMI version required for 4K 120Hz
To achieve 4K resolution at 120Hz refresh rates requires an HDMI 2.1 port on both the TV and video source. HDMI 2.0 and earlier versions are limited to 4K 60Hz. So you‘ll need HDMI 2.1 cables to enjoy 4K 120Hz gaming or video.
Many new TVs feature HDMI 2.1 now, but be sure your devices support it as well if you want the highest resolutions and frame rates. Devices like gaming consoles and Blu-ray players may need HDMI 2.1 outputs.
Refresh rate vs resolution for gaming and video
When it comes to gaming, a higher refresh rate is usually more beneficial than higher resolution. Competitive gamers favor frame rate over visual fidelity. While resolution does affect image detail, it‘s harder to perceive over 1080p on a TV. But extra frames are clearly noticeable.
For video and movie viewing, higher resolution like 4K provides increased detail that can be seen on a large TV screen. But the frame rate has less impact on passive viewing where you aren‘t controlling the action.
Limits of human vision
Research indicates the maximum frame rate humans can perceive is around 50 to 90Hz. So while a 120Hz TV helps, you may not notice huge improvements over 60Hz depending on the content and your visual acuity. And benefits of 240Hz and higher may be imperceptible without extra smoothing technology.
That said, even if the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz is minor for some uses, it doesn‘t hurt to have 120Hz capability. And it helps future proof your TV to take advantage of new gaming consoles, streaming services, or types of content that utilize higher frame rates.
Ideal usage scenarios for 120Hz TV
Here are some of the best uses cases that can benefit from a 120Hz display:
– Competitive gaming – Fast multi-player shooters, fighting games, sports games. Smoother frames provide a competitive edge.
– Console gaming – New consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X support up to 120fps. A 120Hz TV unlocks their max potential.
– PC gaming – High-end GPUs can push high frame rates at lower resolutions. A 120Hz+ monitor helps achieve super smooth gaming.
– Sports – Fast action sports like football, hockey, racing. 120Hz reduces motion blur on balls, pucks, cars.
– Action movies – 120Hz diminishes jitter and judder in action scenes with quick camera cuts and fast movement.
Conclusion
While 120Hz TVs provide the most benefit for gaming, they can also enhance other video viewing. The faster refresh rate leads to smoother motion clarity for sports, action films, or any fast moving imagery. A 120Hz TV also helps eliminate judder in 24fps movie content.
Consider 120Hz a nice bonus that improves your TV‘s capabilities, especially for gaming. But don‘t sacrifice other important features just to get 120Hz. Focus on the TV‘s complete performance and picture quality first before its refresh rate.
