The refresh rate is one of the most important factors when choosing a display for your media content. It will affect your watching experience in every aspect, from how smoothly the scenes change and how much eye strain you experience.
So is 30 HZ refresh rate good? Should you upgrade it to a higher rate? This article will reveal the answer, so you can choose the perfect choice for your needs!
Is 30 HZ Refresh Rate Good?
It depends on which content you intend to display. While a 30 HZ refresh rate is good for TV shows and movies, you may want to choose the higher rate for displaying sports and games.
The refresh rate indicates how many times a display refreshes its image per second. So, a refresh rate of 30 HZ means the display can update the image 30 times per second.
These days, many people go with a higher refresh rate, such as 60 HZ or 120 HZ. However, it doesn’t mean the 30 HZ option is useless. Let’s see its pros and cons.
Pros
- A 30 HZ refresh rate can be good for some apps that don’t demand a high refresh rate, like showing TV shows or watching movies.
- Another benefit of this refresh rate is its low price. Since it’s cheaper than the 60 HZ counterpart, those on a limited budget can go for it.
- Finally, a display screen with a 30-HZ refresh rate doesn’t have to work too much due to the limited screen update. Hence, this option is energy-efficient.
Cons
- The refresh rate of 30 HZ is low. As a result, you will experience image stuttering or flickering, which could be better for animations and fast-changing scenes.
- The low refresh rate makes it not a good choice for all kinds of content. For example, stick to the higher refresh rate if you love video games and sports.
Is 30 HZ Refresh Rate Good For 4K Movies?
Most modern panels support 60 HZ or higher. Hence, displaying content with a 30 HZ refresh rate may bring you an unsatisfying experience. However, this rate is a better choice for low-configuration hardware.
For example, combining a 30 HZ refresh rate with a 4K screen will work if you use a lower-performance computer. It’s a nice combination for playing games and watching movies at 4K resolution.
Furthermore, upgrading your hardware to support a higher refresh rate is expensive. The 60 HZ 4K monitors also cost more than 30 HZ 4K models.
Should You Upgrade To The 60 HZ Refresh Rate?
The 30 HZ refresh rate is still good for some applications. However, switching to a higher rate, like 60 HZ, will give you a better movie-watching experience.
Smoother Image Display
The higher the refresh rate, the more frequently the display updates its image. Hence, you will notice smoother motion. This feature is excellent for fast-moving content, such as games and sports.
Moreover, you won’t experience image stuttering or motion blur because the screen can change its scenes smoothly.
Games won’t want to miss this feature. They need a high refresh rate to immerse in their intense yet exciting gaming world.
This short video is a fun comparison between 60 HZ and 30 HZ in terms of motion:
Less Eye Strain
A 60 HZ refresh means the screen can change images effortlessly and frequently. Hence, they will appear more stable, reducing eye strain and headache.
Better Compatibility
Because of the benefits mentioned above, the 60 HZ refresh rate is getting increasingly popular. It’s now the standard in many TV models.
As a result, upgrading to this rate means you can future-proof your TV. Then, you won’t have to worry about compatibility when working with modern technology and content.
Less Input Lag
Input latency is a huge headache, no matter which content you display. However, you can solve this problem when switching to a higher refresh rate.
Compared to the 30 HZ, the 60 HZ refresh rate allows for more responsive and accurate motion. Gamers appreciate this feature because they need the fastest response times to join their games stably.
Conclusion
So, the refresh rate of 30 HZ can be good for some applications, such as showing TV shows and movies. However, upgrading to a higher rate is a good idea if you love games and sports. What is your choice? Don’t hesitate to share your experience in the comment section. Thank you for reading!
Hanna is a technical copywriter and editor with a focus on PC, Mac and more at OMGMonitor.com. She is passionate about making technology accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of expertise. When she is not writing or editing, Hanna enjoys painting, and watching sci-fi movies - anything to help her forget the world for a little while.
