In the world of e-sports, success is not just about fast reflexes or the best strategy. Your screen, the TV you’re playing on plays a huge role. And one of the most important things about that screen is something many people still don’t understand properly: the refresh rate.
You might have heard about 60Hz or 120Hz or even 144Hz. But what do these numbers mean? More importantly, why do they matter so much for gamers, especially competitive players in India who want a serious edge?
This article will explain refresh rate in simple words, why it matters for gaming performance, and what to look for in a high-performance e-sports TV.
What Is Refresh Rate, Really?
Let’s start with the basics.
Refresh rate is the number of times your TV updates the picture on the screen every second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz).
- A 60Hz TV updates the screen 60 times per second.
- A 120Hz TV updates the screen 120 times per second.
- A 144Hz TV updates the screen 144 times per second.
Why does this matter? Because video games are dynamic. There’s movement, action, aiming, dodging, driving everything is changing constantly. The more times your screen can refresh per second, the smoother and clearer everything looks and feels.
It’s like the difference between flipping through a comic book one page at a time… and watching a full movie.
Why High Refresh Rates Give Gamers a Competitive Edge
Now here’s the key part: a higher refresh rate doesn’t just make things look smoother it makes you play better.
Let’s take an example. You’re playing a first-person shooter online. An opponent jumps out from behind a wall. On a 60Hz TV, your screen might slightly blur or lag at the exact moment you need to aim and shoot. That delay even a few milliseconds could cause you to miss. On a 120Hz or 144Hz screen, the same movement appears crisp, and your reaction is faster.
Here’s how higher refresh rates help:
- Sharper motion clarity: Objects in motion stay clear, not blurry.
- Reduced input lag: Your button press translates faster to on-screen action.
- More accurate aiming: Important for FPS and battle royale games.
- Better reaction timing: What you see is exactly what’s happening in real-time.
That’s why professional players across games like Valorant, Call of Duty, or PUBG prefer screens with high refresh rates. It’s not a luxury. It’s a necessity.
The Science: Frame Rate vs Refresh Rate (And Why They Need to Match)
To fully understand why a 144Hz screen helps, you need to know how it works with your game’s frame rate (FPS).
- Frame Rate (FPS): How many frames your gaming device (like a console or PC) sends out per second.
- Refresh Rate (Hz): How many times your screen can show those frames per second.
If your PS5 or gaming PC is running the game at 100 FPS, but your TV can only display 60Hz, then 40 frames are wasted. Your screen is literally dropping visual information. That leads to:
- Screen tearing (split images during motion)
- Stutter or jitter
- Input mismatch and visual lag
A high refresh rate TV (like 120Hz or 144Hz) can display every frame your game sends. That’s the key to fluid, responsive gameplay.
Why 144Hz Is Becoming the New Normal for E-Sports
Ten years ago, most TVs were 60Hz. That worked fine for watching movies or sports. But as gaming has evolved especially with online multiplayer, esports tournaments, and next-gen consoles the need for smoother performance has grown.
Today’s serious gamers want:
- No lag
- Smooth aiming and panning
- Clear motion with fast reaction
144Hz offers the best balance between fluidity and responsiveness. It’s perfect for:
- FPS games like Apex Legends or CS:GO
- Racing games like Forza Horizon
- Battle Royale games like Free Fire or PUBG
Even for casual gamers, the difference in feel is noticeable. Once you play on 120Hz or above, it’s very hard to go back to 60Hz.
But Refresh Rate Alone Isn’t Enough
Here’s the thing. A high refresh rate needs support from other technologies to truly deliver its full potential. This is where terms like VRR, ALLM, and MEMC come in not as jargon, but as useful tools that improve your actual gaming experience.
Let’s break them down.
1. VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
Games don’t always run at the same speed. Sometimes the FPS drops due to in-game action. VRR helps the TV match your console’s changing frame rate in real time. Result?
- No screen tearing
- No lag
- Just smooth, uninterrupted gameplay
2. ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
When you switch on your console, the TV automatically goes into gaming mode. It turns off anything that might slow down your input.
- Faster reactions
- Lower input lag
- No menu digging
3. MEMC (Motion Estimation Motion Compensation)
This adds extra frames between existing ones, reducing motion blur. Especially useful for racing or fast-cut games where things are zooming across the screen.
What Else Should ESports Players Look for in a Gaming TV?
Now that you understand why refresh rate matters, let’s briefly touch on the other things that support a smoother gaming experience. While refresh rate handles the how fast, the technologies below handle the how well.
1. Low Input Lag
Input lag is the time it takes for your actions (like pressing a button) to appear on screen. For competitive players, this delay must be as low as possible ideally under 20ms.
Some TVs are packed with post-processing effects that look nice for movies but slow down responsiveness in games. Gaming TVs with dedicated modes remove these effects, reducing lag instantly.
2. Game-Specific Picture Modes
Not all games need the same settings. An open-world RPG may look better with richer colours, while an FPS needs better visibility and response.
Good gaming TVs now offer genre-specific presets like:
- FPS Mode for clear enemies and sharp motion
- Racing Mode for high-speed visuals
- RTS or RPG Mode for cinematic landscapes
These modes are designed to improve focus and clarity depending on what you’re playing.
3. Visibility Tools for Gamers
In some competitive games, visibility is key. Spotting an opponent even a split-second earlier can give you a major advantage.
That’s where shadow enhancement and crosshair overlay tools come in:
- Shadow Enhancement brightens dark areas on the map so no one can hide in the shadows.
- Crosshair Aid gives you a static aim point on the screen, helpful in shooters where the built-in UI isn’t perfect.
These may seem like small add-ons, but they help competitive players stay sharp and consistent.
Now Let’s Talk About the TV That Checks All These Boxes
If you’re looking for a television that brings together all the essential gaming features discussed above, Haier’s M80F Series is worth checking out.
Let’s be clear this isn’t a sales pitch. This is a product that happens to meet every technical requirement we’ve explained so far:
- 4K UHD resolution with vibrant clarity
- MEMC for motion smoothing in fast-paced games
- 144Hz refresh rate on select models ideal for serious gamers
- VRR support to keep gameplay smooth without screen tearing
- ALLM for automatic switch to low-latency mode when gaming
- Game-specific picture modes for FPS, RPG, Racing, and more
- Shadow Enhancement and Crosshair Aiming Aid
- HDMI 2.1 compliance for maximum bandwidth and future-ready gaming
- TÜV-certified Low Blue Light for less eye strain in long gaming sessions
And all of this comes packed in a Mini LED panel which not only supports gaming but also offers superb contrast, brightness, and colour accuracy for movies, shows, and everyday use.
The combination of Mini LED and QLED tech in the M80F ensures visuals are both bright and vivid. Whether you’re dodging bullets in Call of Duty or exploring mythical forests in Elden Ring, the picture holds up at every frame.
Bonus: Immersive Sound Makes a Difference Too
While visuals take the spotlight, don’t underestimate audio. Being able to hear directional cues like footsteps, enemy reloads, or distant gunfire adds to your reaction time and immersion.
The M80F supports:
- KEF-Tuned 2.1ch speakers with a dedicated subwoofer
- Dolby Atmos for multidirectional sound
- dbx-tv audio processing for clearer highs and deeper bass
You may not think of sound as part of competitive play, but those who’ve experienced directional audio know how crucial it can be.
Final Thoughts!
To wrap it all up, if you play games competitively or even if you’re just serious about having the best experience your TV should not be a weak link. And the refresh rate? That’s where everything starts.
Here’s a quick recap of what e-sports players should focus on:
- Aim for at least 120Hz refresh rate. 144Hz is even better.
- Ensure the TV supports VRR to avoid tearing and stutter.
- Use ALLM to reduce input lag automatically.
- Look for MEMC, especially if you play racing or action-heavy games.
- Choose a TV that includes shadow boosters, crosshair aids, and custom gaming modes.
All of this is no longer optional; it’s what serious players expect.
And while many TVs promise performance, very few offer a complete, balanced experience at an accessible price. That’s where the Haier M80F Series really shines. It brings gaming-grade performance to living rooms across India without the premium price tag of high-end monitors.
Ready to Level Up?
If you’re planning your next TV upgrade for competitive or immersive gaming, don’t just settle for resolution and screen size. Make sure it’s built for the pace and precision of e-sports.
Explore Haier India’s M80F Series, a TV built not just to show the game, but to help you win it.