240Hz LCD HDTVs: Twice as nice?

David Katzmaier, Senior Editor June 3, 2009

As LCD and plasma vie for popularity and picture-quality bragging rights, one perceived weakness of the LCD camp has provided a reason for TV makers to charge more for step-up models: image blurring. LCD sets with higher refresh rates, like 120Hz and now 240Hz, aim to clean up blurring with newfangled technology.

Each of the LCDs below delivers improved motion resolution, otherwise known as less blurring, compared with other LCDs, and higher refresh rates are the main reason. The Sony and Samsung sets are true 240Hz models, meaning they take the original 60Hz source and repeat each frame four times. The Toshiba and LG, on the other hand, only repeat each frame twice--the same as standard 120Hz models--and then use a scanning backlight to further reduce blurring. The effects of each technology are similar, although the Toshiba and LG did score a bit lower on our motion resolution test. It's worth noting that plasma TVs score as well if not better than any 240Hz model on this test, and certain LED-backlit models also do very well.

The kicker is that, to our eyes at least, image blurring is really difficult to see. In one review, we set up the Toshiba next to the Samsung and disabled the latter's processing--rendering its motion resolution equivalent to an LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate--and watched a fast-paced hockey game. It was nearly impossible to see any difference between the two.

We understand some viewers are more susceptible to image blurring, and for them the 240Hz displays might be worth the $200-$400 premium being charged today. But for most people, 240Hz isn't worth it.

More Resources

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