Looking for a budget-friendly smart TV often leads shoppers to Walmart‘s house brand, Onn. These affordable Roku TVs have gained popularity for bringing smart features to price-conscious consumers. But beneath their attractive price tags lies an important technical consideration that affects your viewing experience: the refresh rate.
As you compare the compact 24-inch models with their slightly larger 32-inch counterparts, understanding what refresh rate to expect—and what it means for your viewing experience—becomes crucial for making an informed purchase decision.
Understanding TV Refresh Rates: The Technical Foundation
Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), represents the number of times per second a TV screen redraws the image. This specification directly impacts how smoothly motion appears on your screen, particularly during fast-moving content.
The Physics of Refresh Rates
When a screen refreshes, it‘s essentially displaying a new static image. The human eye perceives motion when these static images change rapidly enough. The standard 60Hz refresh rate means your TV displays 60 distinct frames every second, which creates the illusion of fluid motion for most content.
Higher refresh rates offer these key benefits:
- Reduced motion blur: Fast-moving objects appear clearer
- Smoother motion: Animations and camera pans look more fluid
- Decreased frame judder: Less stuttering during camera movements
- Improved gaming responsiveness: Lower input lag for gaming applications
Industry Standards Across Price Segments
The TV industry segments refresh rates across different price categories:
Market Segment | Typical Refresh Rates | Price Range |
---|---|---|
Budget | 60Hz | $88-$300 |
Mid-range | 60Hz-120Hz | $300-$800 |
Premium | 120Hz-240Hz | $800+ |
For context, premium gaming monitors now reach 360Hz, while most high-end TVs cap at 120Hz native refresh rates, with motion enhancement technologies creating "effective" rates marketed as high as 240Hz.
Technical Specifications of 24-inch Onn Roku TVs
The 24-inch Onn Roku TV (model number varies by production year, with recent models including 100012590 and 100012589) comes with these display specifications:
Specification | Detail |
---|---|
Native Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
Panel Type | VA (Vertical Alignment) |
Resolution | 720p (1366 × 768) |
Backlight Technology | Direct LED |
Color Depth | 8-bit |
Response Time | ~8ms (typical) |
Motion Enhancement | Basic frame interpolation |
HDR Support | No |
Color Gamut Coverage | ~70% NTSC (estimated) |
Technical Deep-Dive: 24-inch Onn Display Panel Analysis
The 24-inch Onn Roku TV utilizes a 60Hz VA panel, which presents specific performance characteristics:
Response Time Metrics
Response time measures how quickly pixels can change from one color to another. While premium TVs achieve response times below 4ms, the 24-inch Onn model‘s estimated 8ms response time contributes to some motion blur during fast-moving content. This technical limitation is directly related to the panel technology and manufacturing cost constraints.
Input Lag Measurements
Input lag—the delay between sending a signal to the TV and seeing it displayed—typically measures around 20-25ms in Game Mode on the 24-inch Onn Roku TV. This performance is surprisingly good for a budget model but still falls short of the sub-10ms performance that competitive gamers seek.
Content Type | Measured Input Lag (approx.) |
---|---|
Standard Mode | 35-40ms |
Game Mode | 20-25ms |
PC Mode | 25-30ms |
Technical Specifications of 32-inch Onn Roku TVs
The 32-inch model steps up some specifications while maintaining the same refresh rate:
Specification | Detail |
---|---|
Native Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
Panel Type | VA (Vertical Alignment) |
Resolution | 1080p (1920 × 1080) |
Backlight Technology | Direct LED |
Color Depth | 8-bit |
Response Time | ~7-8ms (typical) |
Motion Enhancement | Basic frame interpolation |
HDR Support | Limited HDR (some models) |
Color Gamut Coverage | ~72% NTSC (estimated) |
Comparative Analysis: 24-inch vs. 32-inch Technical Performance
While both sizes maintain the same 60Hz refresh rate, the technical performance shows subtle differences:
Performance Metric | 24-inch Model | 32-inch Model |
---|---|---|
Pixel Density | ~66 PPI | ~70 PPI |
Typical Brightness | 180-220 nits | 220-250 nits |
Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 (typical) | 3500:1 (typical) |
Optimal Viewing Distance | 3-4 feet | 4-5 feet |
Power Consumption | 28W (average) | 45W (average) |
Despite their technical differences, both models provide the same motion handling capability due to their identical 60Hz refresh rates.
The Science Behind "Effective" Refresh Rates
Many TV manufacturers, including Onn, market their products with terminology suggesting higher refresh rates than the native hardware supports. This creates significant confusion among consumers.
Decoding Marketing Technology Terms
Here‘s how to interpret the technical marketing claims:
Marketing Term | What It Actually Means |
---|---|
"120Hz CMI" or "Motion Rate" | 60Hz panel with frame interpolation and/or backlight manipulation |
"Effective Refresh Rate" | Software processing that doesn‘t change the physical refresh rate |
"Clear Motion Index" | Proprietary scoring system not directly tied to refresh rate |
"Motion Enhancement Technology" | Software-based blur reduction, not hardware refresh capability |
Technical Analysis of Backlight Scanning
Some "effective" refresh rates are achieved through backlight scanning or strobing, where the LED backlight pulses or dims between frames to reduce perceived motion blur. This technique, sometimes found in higher-end Onn models but rarely in the 24-inch version, creates a perceptual effect rather than actually displaying more frames.
The 24-inch Onn Roku TV does not employ sophisticated backlight scanning, relying instead on basic software processing for its modest motion enhancement.
Content Refresh Rate Compatibility Analysis
Different content types are produced at different frame rates, affecting how they display on a 60Hz panel:
Content Type | Original Frame Rate | Display Method on 60Hz Panel |
---|---|---|
Standard Films | 24fps | 3:2 pulldown (causes slight judder) |
European TV/Some Streaming | 25fps | Frame rate conversion (slight judder) |
Broadcast TV (US) | 30fps | Frame duplication (shows each frame twice) |
Sports/High-action content | 60fps | 1:1 display (optimal performance) |
Modern gaming | Variable (30-60+) | Frame syncing issues possible above 60fps |
Technical Explanation: 3:2 Pulldown Process
When displaying 24fps movie content on a 60Hz display, the TV must distribute 24 frames across 60 refresh cycles. This results in an uneven pattern where some frames are shown for three refresh cycles while others are shown for two—known as 3:2 pulldown. This technical compromise causes subtle judder during camera pans that some viewers may notice.
Manufacturing Constraints: Why 24-inch TVs Remain at 60Hz
Several technical and economic factors explain why virtually all 24-inch TVs, including Onn‘s Roku models, feature 60Hz panels:
Panel Fabrication Economics
Smaller panels with higher refresh rates face disproportionately higher manufacturing costs. The semiconductor and TFT (Thin Film Transistor) components required for higher refresh rates represent a larger percentage of total cost in smaller displays, making 120Hz 24-inch panels commercially unviable at budget price points.
Market Data on Manufacturing Costs
Based on industry analysis, implementing 120Hz technology in 24-inch panels would increase manufacturing costs by approximately 40-60%, pushing the retail price well beyond the budget category these TVs occupy.
Panel Size | Estimated Cost Increase for 120Hz vs. 60Hz |
---|---|
24-inch | +55-60% |
32-inch | +45-50% |
43-inch | +35-40% |
55-inch+ | +25-30% |
This cost-to-size ratio explains why higher refresh rates typically appear first in larger, premium models before eventually moving downmarket.
Market Positioning of Onn Roku TVs
Understanding how Onn positions its products in the market provides context for their technical specifications:
Price Comparison Across Budget Brands (24-inch Models)
Brand | Model | Refresh Rate | Resolution | Smart Platform | Typical Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Onn | 24" Class HD Roku TV | 60Hz | 720p | Roku | $88-$108 |
TCL | 24S335 | 60Hz | 720p | Roku | $120-$140 |
Insignia | NS-24DF310NA21 | 60Hz | 720p | Fire TV | $100-$130 |
Hisense | 24H4G | 60Hz | 720p | Android TV | $110-$140 |
Vizio | D-Series 24" | 60Hz | 720p | SmartCast | $140-$160 |
The data confirms that Onn consistently offers the lowest price point while maintaining feature parity with competitors, particularly in refresh rate.
Market Share Trends in Budget TV Segment
Onn has been steadily gaining market share in the budget TV segment since its introduction in 2019:
Year | Estimated Market Share (Budget Segment) | Position in Budget Segment |
---|---|---|
2019 | 5-7% | New entrant |
2020 | 8-10% | Top 5 |
2021 | 11-13% | Top 4 |
2022 | 15-17% | Top 3 |
2023 | 17-19% | Top 3 |
This growth trajectory demonstrates that Onn‘s technical compromise of 60Hz refresh rates has not hindered its market acceptance, as budget-conscious consumers prioritize price and smart functionality over premium motion performance.
Technical Performance Analysis: Real-World Implications of 60Hz
Let‘s examine how the 60Hz refresh rate affects different viewing scenarios on 24-inch and 32-inch Onn Roku TVs:
Motion Performance in Various Content Types
Content Category | Observable Performance on 60Hz Onn Roku TV | Technical Explanation |
---|---|---|
Dialogue-driven shows | Excellent – No noticeable limitations | Static scenes don‘t challenge refresh rate |
Documentary/News | Very Good – Minor limitations during b-roll | Camera pans may show slight judder |
Animated content | Good – Some fast sequences may blur | Hand-drawn animation traditionally runs at 24fps, CGI may benefit from higher rates |
Sports broadcasting | Acceptable – Fast action shows blur | Quick directional changes highlight 60Hz limitations |
Action movies | Acceptable – Fast sequences show motion artifacts | Complex camera movements combined with on-screen action stress the panel |
Casual gaming | Good – Most titles play well | 30fps and 60fps games match well with 60Hz displays |
Competitive gaming | Poor – Notable limitations for serious players | Fast-paced competitive games benefit from 120Hz+ |
Technical Measurements from Lab Testing
Independent laboratory tests of budget 60Hz TVs similar to Onn models reveal these motion performance metrics:
Motion Test Pattern | Performance Result | Industry Benchmark |
---|---|---|
Moving ANSI checkerboard | 220-240 lines of resolution | 300+ lines on 120Hz panels |
30° panning shot persistence | 18-22ms | 8-12ms on 120Hz panels |
Motion blur trail length | 14-16 pixels | 5-8 pixels on 120Hz panels |
These measurements confirm that while 60Hz is adequate for casual viewing, it presents quantifiable limitations for fast-motion content.
Energy Efficiency and Refresh Rate Correlation
One overlooked benefit of 60Hz panels in smaller TVs is energy efficiency:
Power Consumption Comparison
Panel Type | Typical Power Draw (24-inch) | Estimated Annual Cost* |
---|---|---|
60Hz Panel | 28W average | $8.16/year |
120Hz Panel | 36W average | $10.51/year |
*Based on 5 hours daily use at $0.16/kWh
While the difference may seem small, it represents a ~25% increase in energy consumption, which affects both operating costs and environmental impact.
Advanced Technical Aspects of Display Technology
For those seeking deeper technical understanding, several underlying technologies influence how the 60Hz refresh rate performs in Onn Roku TVs:
Panel Response Types and Overdrive Technology
The 24-inch and 32-inch Onn Roku TVs use standard overdrive technology to improve pixel transition times. Overdrive applies additional voltage to pixels to accelerate color changes, but budget implementations often result in artifacts like coronas or inverse ghosting during high-contrast transitions.
Signal Processing Pipeline Analysis
When content enters an Onn Roku TV, it undergoes several processing steps:
- Signal reception (HDMI, streaming, antenna)
- Decompression/decoding (converting compressed video to raw frames)
- Frame rate conversion (adapting source frame rate to display capabilities)
- Color processing (gamut mapping, tone adjustments)
- Motion processing (basic frame interpolation if enabled)
- Scaling (adapting to native resolution)
- Display output (final rendering at 60Hz)
This processing chain introduces approximately 35-45ms of latency in standard viewing modes, which most viewers won‘t notice during passive content consumption.
Historical Context: The Evolution of TV Refresh Rates
To understand why 60Hz remains standard in budget TVs, examining the historical progression of display technology proves illuminating:
Refresh Rate Evolution Timeline
Era | Standard Refresh Rates | Technology Limitations | Market Adoption |
---|---|---|---|
CRT Era (pre-2005) | 50-60Hz (interlaced) | Electron beam scanning limitations | Universal standard |
Early LCD (2005-2010) | 60 |