# High Definition TV Flicker?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-definition-tv-flicker/779206>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 7, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-definition-tv-flicker/779206 "2017-02-07T04:00:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-definition-tv-flicker/779206/1 "2017-02-07T04:00:17Z")

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I’ve never noticed this before, but watching TV tonight on two different channels, I can detect the slightest “flicker” making the TV show almost look like one of those old time movies where the actors appear to stagger rather than walk. But, in this modern age, is it my cable transmission rate? Or, has something changed within the TV itself? (If it matters, I do not have a plasma. It’s an LED.) So, what do you think is going on? …Is my TV about to die? It’s a Samsung and about 3-4 years old now.

P.S.: Do not be confused. The picture is not pixelating. It is flickering.

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**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-definition-tv-flicker/779206/2 "2017-02-07T12:08:32Z")

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Maybe you have [motion interpolation](http://hometheaterreview.com/what-is-soap-opera-effect-and-how-to-make-it-go-away/) turned off, and have the option of turning it on?

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**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-definition-tv-flicker/779206/3 "2017-02-07T12:25:31Z")

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Perhaps the LED backlight brightness is controlled via PWM and you’re picking up on that flicker?

(Note: unless you have one of those pricey OLED TVs, your “LED” TV is still just an LCD, but backlit using an array of LEDs instead of fluorescent tubes.)