Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the questions people ask most about SmoothMotion.video, from upload limits and frame rates to quality, privacy and file deletion. For a step-by-step technical walk-through, see how SmoothMotion.video works. If your question is not covered, get in touch.
Questions and answers
What does SmoothMotion.video do?
It increases the frame rate of your video to 30, 60 or 120 FPS by generating new in-between frames with motion-compensated interpolation, making motion look smoother. Read more about video frame interpolation.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
It is free to use and there is no account or sign-up. An anonymous cookie links your browser to your jobs.
Which video formats can I upload?
MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WebM and M4V.
What are the upload limits?
Files can be up to 500 MB, up to 5 minutes long and up to 1920×1080 resolution.
What format is the output?
An MP4 file with H.264 video and AAC audio, using the yuv420p pixel format and faststart for broad compatibility. It is named like myvideo_smoothmotion_60fps.mp4.
Will my video change speed, length or size?
No. Playback speed and duration stay the same, and your original dimensions and audio are preserved. Only the frame rate changes.
Which frame rate should I choose?
60 FPS suits most screens and is the default. Choose 120 FPS only if you will watch on a 120 Hz or faster display, and 30 FPS for very low frame rate sources. Compare 30 vs 60 FPS and 60 vs 120 FPS.
Why is processing taking so long?
Motion-compensated interpolation is CPU-intensive. Processing can take longer than the video itself, and 120 FPS and 1080p videos take the longest. Your job may also wait in the queue before it starts.
Why do some parts of my video look warped or ghosted?
Interpolation estimates motion, and some situations are hard to estimate: very fast motion, objects passing in front of each other, scene cuts, repeating patterns and text overlays. These can show warping or ghosting. See what motion interpolation is for why.
Will it make my video sharper or higher resolution?
No. Interpolation creates in-between frames from what is already there. It cannot add detail, remove blur or upscale.
Does it work on anime and cartoons?
It can, but results vary. Animation often holds the same drawing for two or three frames, which leaves nothing to interpolate and then a sudden jump, so motion can look uneven.
Why does my film look like a TV soap opera now?
This is the soap-opera effect. Films are made at 24 FPS, and raising the frame rate removes the motion cadence people associate with cinema. Many viewers prefer to keep films at their original rate.
Who can see my videos?
Only you. Your jobs are linked to an anonymous, HTTP-only cookie in your browser, and nobody else can access your uploads or results. We do not sell your data.
How long are my files kept?
All uploaded and processed media is deleted automatically 30 minutes after processing finishes. Viewing or downloading does not extend this, and a video that cannot be processed within 3 hours of upload is deleted too. Basic job metadata without media is kept for up to 24 hours. See the privacy policy.
Can I cancel a job or get a deleted video back?
You can cancel a job at any time, which deletes its media immediately. Once media has been deleted, it cannot be recovered, so download your result promptly.