Motion smoothing in the Xiaomi TV: why you need, how it works and when it interferes

Have you ever noticed that on some Xiaomi TVs, movies look too smooth, almost like a soap opera, and sports broadcasts seem unnaturally sharp? MEMC, Motion Estimation/Motion Compensation: This technology artificially increases frames per second, making the picture smoother, but not always for the better.

In this article, we’ll explore what motion smoothing in Xiaomi TVs is, how it works at the hardware and software level, and why some users call it the “soap opera effect.” You will learn in which scenarios the function is really useful (for example, for games or sports), and when it is better to turn it off (when watching a movie). MEMC On different models - from budget Redmi Smart TV before the flagship Xiaomi TV A Pro.

Spoiler: If you like natural movies with original frame rates, you should turn it off right away, and if you're a fan of dynamic games or football, you should turn it on as much as possible.

What is smoothing motion (MEMC) and how it works?

Motion Smoothing is a technology that artificially increases the number of frames per second (FPS) It analyzes the movement of objects on the screen and generates intermediate frames to make the picture look smoother. MEMC. Motion. Estimation/Motion Compensation or Motion Clarity.

How does it work in practice? Suppose you watch a movie shot in a standard 24 frames/sec (like most Hollywood movies). MEMC It analyzes each frame, predicts how objects will move, and inserts additional frames between them, bringing the frequency to 60 Hz, 120 Hz or even 240 Hz (depending on the model), as a result, the movement becomes smoother, but sometimes unnatural.

Technology MEMC It is used not only in Xiaomi, but also in TVs of other brands:

• 📺 Samsung — Auto Motion Plus
• 📺 LG — TruMotion
• 📺 Sony — Motionflow
• 📺 Xiaomi — MEMC or Motion Clarity

It is important to understand that MEMC — It's not just a software trick. In Xiaomi TVs, a special processor is responsible for processing motion (for example, MediaTek). MT9611 Mi models TV Q1 or amlogic T972 Redmi Smart TV The more powerful the chipset, the more accurate the motion prediction algorithms and the fewer artifacts (e.g., “ghost” contours around fast-moving objects) are).

Pros and cons of smoothing the movement: when it is necessary, and when it interferes

Function MEMC It's not universal -- it works great in some scenarios and it spoils the picture in others. So let's look at where smoothing is good and where it's best to turn it off.

One of the biggest drawbacks MEMC — Artifacts. Active smoothing can make you appear:

• 👻 «Ghostly contours around moving objects (e.g., around a football).
• 🎭 Unnatural smoothness of actors’ faces (the soap opera effect»).
• ⚡ Image delay (input lag) critical for gaming.
• 🔍 Loss of detail in fast scenes (e.g. action movies).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi budget models (e.g. Redmi Smart) TV A55) algorithms MEMC They often work worse than the flagships (Mi). TV Q2). If you notice strong artifacts, try lowering the level of smoothing or turning it off altogether.

How to turn on or off motion smoothing on Xiaomi TV

Setting up MEMC Xiaomi TVs depend on the model and firmware version MIUI TV. Below we will give a universal instruction, as well as specify features for popular series.

Open the settings (cog on the remote)

Go to Image. → Additional settings

Find the item Smoothing (or) MEMC, Motion Clarity)

Select the mode: Off, Low, Medium, High

Save the changes and check the result on the test video-->

If the Motion Smoothing item is not on the menu, try:

1. Update the TV firmware to the latest version (path: Settings → About TV → System Update).
2. Reset the image settings to factory (Settings) → Image: → Reset).
3. Check if the item is hidden in the Picture Mode (for example, in the Game mode) MEMC can be automatically switched off).

Features for different models:

• 📺 Mi TV Q1/Q2, Xiaomi TV A Pro: MEMC Separately configured for each Picture Mode (Cinema, Sport, Game).
• 📺 Redmi Smart TV X: The function can be called Clear Motion and only work at 120Hz.
• 📺 Xiaomi TV S Pro: There are advanced settings MEMC smooth-and-clear-adjusted.

After changing the settings, check the result on different types of content:

• 🎥 Film 24 FPS (For example, “Lord of the Rings») — MEMC should be off.
• ⚽ Sports broadcast (football in the 50/60 Hz - try the middle level.
• 🎮 A game, for example, FIFA 23 on PS5) — set up maximum smoothing.

Motion smoothing vs. screen refresh rate: what’s the difference?

Many people confuse smoothing of movement (MEMC) and the refresh rate of the screen (e.g. 60Hz, 120Hz) are two different technologies that work together but solve different tasks:

• 🔄 The refresh rate of the screen is a physical characteristic of the display, showing how many times per second it can update the picture. For example, 120 Hz means that the screen can show 120 unique frames per second.
• 🎞️ Smoothing of movement (MEMC) is a software algorithm that guesses what intermediate frames should look like and inserts them between the original frames.

Example: If you watch a movie at 24 FPS on a 120 Hz television, then:

• No MEMC: The TV will duplicate each frame. 5 once (24 × 5 = 120), But the movement will remain "twitchy».
• S MEMC: The TV will analyze the movement and generate additional frames to fill the gaps, making the picture smoother.

It's important: MEMC only works if the screen frequency is higher than FPS For example, the source:

• 🔹 60Hz TV on the TV. MEMC It can also smooth out video 24. FPS 30 FPS, not 60 FPS.
• 🔹 On a 120Hz TV. MEMC Effective for all content up to 120 FPS.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV P1) When the 120 Hz mode is activated automatically MEMC If you want a high refresh rate without smoothing (for example, for PC), go to the settings and manually disable Motion Clarity.

How to Check if Motion Smoothing Works on Your Xiaomi TV

Not all Xiaomi TVs support the same. MEMC, And in some models, the function can be hidden, and here's how to detect and test it:

Method 1: Checking the settings menu

If there is one on your TV MEMC, You will find it in one of the ways:

• Settings → Image: → Additional settings → Smoothing of movement
• Settings → All settings → Picture → Regimes → MEMC
• Settings → Display and sound → Motion Clarity (in new firmware)

Method 2: Test video

To visualize the effect MEMC, Use the test videos on YouTube:

1. Open a video with alternating bars or moving text (such as this test).
2. Turn it on. MEMC maximum.
3. Compare the smoothness of movement with the smoothing off.

Method 3: Playing or broadcasting sports

Run dynamic content (such as a Forza Horizon 5 race or Champions League match) and turn on/off alternately MEMC. Pay attention to this:

• 🔹 Smoothness of movement of the ball or machine.
• 🔹 The emergence of “ghost” contours.
• 🔹 The delay between pressing the button on the remote and the reaction on the screen (input lag).

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If you are not sure if it works MEMC On your model, look at the specifications on the official Xiaomi website. MEMC, Motion Clarity or 120Hz (on budget models with 60Hz, smoothing is often absent).

Fine tuning MEMC: How to reduce artifacts

If you decide to leave the motion smoothing on, but notice artifacts, try these ways to reduce them:

1. Reduce the level of smoothing

Instead of High, choose Medium or Low, which will reduce the number of frames generated and reduce the soap effect.

2. Turn it off. MEMC specific sources

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV Q2) You can adjust the smoothing separately for each HDMI-port:

• Go to Settings. → HDMI → Picture modes.
• Select the port you are connected to, for example, Apple TV PlayStation.
• Turn it off. MEMC source.

3. Use picture modes

Xiaomi TVs have pre-modes that automatically adjust MEMC:

• 🎬 Cinema — MEMC off (ideal for movies).
• ⚽ Sport — MEMC mid-level.
• 🎮 Game — MEMC at maximum, but with reduced delay.

4. Update firmware

In the new versions MIUI TV algorithms MEMC They're improving. MIUI TV 4.0 for Xiaomi TV A Pro added an option AI Motion Compensation, which reduces artifacts through machine learning.

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If artifacts MEMC too noticeable, but you don’t want to give up anti-aliasing completely, try the combination: Screen frequency 120 Hz + MEMC is low, so it's smooth, without much distortion.

Smoothing and Playing: How to Reduce Input Lag

For gamers. MEMC is a double-edged stick, and on the one hand, it makes the movement smoother, and on the other, it adds input lag, which is critical in shooters or fighting games:

1. Enable game mode

On the Xiaomi TVs there is a special game mode, which:

• Disables unnecessary image processing.
• Reduces latency to 10-20 ms (versus 50-100 ms in standard mode).
• Optionally leaves MEMC, but with game-optimization.

How to turn on: Settings → Image: → Picture mode → Game.

2. Disable the extra functions

In game mode, turn off:

• 🔹 Local Dimming (Local Dimming).
• 🔹 Noise Reduction (Noise Reduction).
• 🔹 Auto Brightness (Auto Brightness).

These features add a delay, even if MEMC switched off.

3.Use. HDMI 2.1

If your TV is supported HDMI 2.1 (e.g. Xiaomi) TV Q2 75), connect your console or PC to this port:

• 🔹 120 Hz at resolution 4K.
• 🔹 Technology ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode, which automatically switches the TV to game mode.
• 🔹 VRR (Variable Refresh Rate for smoothness without MEMC.

4. Check the delay

To measure input lag, use:

• 📱 Game Mode Latency Test App for Android TV).
• 🖥️ TestUFO website (for PC).
• 🎮 Built-in tests in games (for example, in Fortnite or Call of Duty).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with MediaTek processor MT9611 (Like Mi. TV Q1) switched on MEMC and 120 Hz delay can increase to 30-40 ms. for competitive games (for example, CS:GO or Valorant) it is better to turn off the anti-aliasing and play at 60Hz with minimal lag.

FAQ: Frequent questions about smoothing the movement in Xiaomi TV