How to change the display refresh rate to match the native format of each movie, video or TV show
Current generation Roku® streaming players are designed to output all content at a display refresh rate of 60fps. If you prefer, your Roku player can be configured to output the native format of each movie, video or TV show by enabling the auto-adjust display refresh rate setting, if available.
- Note: The auto-adjust display refresh rate setting may not be applicable to content from certain channels.
What is display refresh rate?
When playing video, “fps” refers to frames per second, also known as frame rate, or display refresh rate. Each frame is a still image; displaying frames in quick succession creates the illusion of motion or animation. The more frames per second, the smoother the motion appears.
What is native format?
Hollywood movies are commonly filmed at 24fps, movies and videos produced in Europe are often shot at 25fps, and TV shows are filmed at 30fps or 60fps in the United States, and 25fps or 50fps in Europe. These various display rates are specific to each type of content and are known as the native format.
How to configure the display refresh rate
The auto-adjust display refresh rate setting can be enabled or disabled from the Settings menu on your compatible Roku player. The setting will NOT change when your Roku player reboots or when the software updates.
- Press Home
on your Roku remote - Scroll and select Settings
- Select System
- Select Advanced system settings
- Select Advanced display settings
- Select Auto-adjust display refresh rate and choose from the following
- Enabled – Your Roku player will automatically switch to the native format of the movie, video, or TV show when playback begins.
- Note:
- Due to video mode changes by your TV, the picture may flash to black when starting and stopping playback. These video mode changes may occur more often with channels that automatically play video content when browsing the channel interface.
- The auto-adjust display refresh rate setting is not available for content on some channels such as Netflix or Hulu. When enabled, titles on these channels will output at the same refresh rate.
- Note:
- Enabled – Your Roku player will automatically switch to the native format of the movie, video, or TV show when playback begins.
- Disabled – Your Roku player will output ALL content at 60fps.
Why is video jerky when watching a movie or video?
When auto-adjust display refresh rate is disabled, your Roku player outputs all content at 60fps. A movie filmed at 24fps, or a video shot at 25fps may exhibit subtle jerkiness due to the conversion to 60fps. To avoid this behavior, follow the steps listed above and enable auto-adjust display refresh rate. You may also need to adjust video settings on your TV. Consult the documentation included with your TV or contact the manufacturer directly.
Why do I see a black flash when starting a movie, video, or TV show?
When auto-adjust display refresh rate is enabled, your Roku player switches to 24fps, 25fps, or 30fps during playback of most movies, videos or TV shows. Each time the display rate changes like this, your TV must change video modes which may cause a black flash. To avoid this behavior, follow the steps listed above and disable auto-adjust display refresh rate.