Motion interpolation creates additional estimated frames between source frames to change the appearance of movement on a display. It is different from receiving a genuinely higher-frame-rate source. Some viewers prefer its smoother appearance, while others notice processing artefacts or dislike the changed look, especially for films and other deliberately photographed material.
A practical example
A television's motion setting can make a film look unusually smooth even though its original frame rate has not changed. Turning that supported processing down changes the presentation locally without altering the file, channel source or subscription being played.
A common misunderstanding
Interpolation cannot repair missing network data or recover the exact real motion absent from the source. It can also create visible distortions around difficult movement and object edges.
Related terms
Stable technical definition. Editorial approach