TL;DR
Ross Duffer advised viewers on Instagram to turn off several picture and motion-enhancement TV settings before watching Stranger Things season 5, arguing they distort the show's intended look. He recommended using advanced presets like Dolby Vision Movie Dark as a starting point but urged manual checks and warned against 'vivid' modes.
What happened
Ahead of the season 5 premiere, Stranger Things co-creator Ross Duffer posted a short how-to on Instagram asking fans to adjust their television picture menus so the new episodes display as intended. In the clip he walked through common TV options, urging viewers to disable dynamic contrast, super resolution, edge enhancer, color filter and noise reduction. He singled out motion-enhancement features—named truemotion and smoothmotion—as the worst offenders because they produce the so-called "soap opera effect." Duffer said many sets’ advanced presets, such as Dolby Vision Movie Dark, will correct several issues, but he advised viewers to confirm each setting is off manually. He also cautioned against using any ‘‘vivid’’ picture mode, saying it activates multiple unwanted processing features and alters the color and look of the program.
Why it matters
- Creators and viewers may see different versions of the same content when TVs apply automatic processing.
- Picture and motion-processing features can change color, sharpness and perceived motion, which affects the director’s intended look.
- Duffer’s guidance highlights ongoing tension between manufacturer presets aimed at casual viewers and filmmakers’ preferences for unaltered presentation.
- Following the advice could materially change how audiences experience new episodes at home.
Key facts
- Advice came from Ross Duffer, co-creator of Stranger Things, via an Instagram post.
- He told viewers to turn off dynamic contrast, super resolution, edge enhancer and color filter.
- Duffer also advised disabling noise reduction.
- He described some of those features as "garbage."
- TrueMotion and SmoothMotion were identified as the biggest offenders because they cause the "soap opera effect."
- He recommended advanced viewing presets such as Dolby Vision Movie Dark as a starting point but said to manually confirm each setting.
- He warned against using any 'vivid' picture mode because it can activate multiple unwanted settings.
- Stranger Things season 5, volume 1 is available to stream on Netflix; volume 2 and the finale have scheduled December release dates.
What to watch next
- Whether other filmmakers or showrunners issue similar guidance in advance of major premieres (not confirmed in the source).
- If TV manufacturers or streaming services respond by changing default presets or offering clearer guidance (not confirmed in the source).
- Audience reports and reviews noting differences in viewing experience when the recommended settings are applied (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Dynamic contrast: A TV processing feature that adjusts contrast levels in real time to make images appear more vivid.
- Noise reduction: A processing setting intended to remove visual grain or artifacts, which can also soften fine image detail.
- Motion smoothing (TrueMotion/SmoothMotion): Technology that interpolates extra frames to reduce perceived judder, sometimes causing a smoother, unnatural look called the soap opera effect.
- Dolby Vision Movie Dark: An advanced TV picture preset designed to preserve cinematic color and contrast for HDR content, often used to approximate a filmmaker’s intent.
Reader FAQ
Where did Ross Duffer post his advice?
He shared the guidance on Instagram.
Which TV settings did he recommend turning off?
He advised disabling dynamic contrast, super resolution, edge enhancer, color filter, noise reduction and motion-enhancement features like TrueMotion and SmoothMotion.
Did he recommend any presets to use?
He suggested presets such as Dolby Vision Movie Dark can fix many issues but advised manually confirming each setting is off.
Did Netflix or TV makers respond to his instructions?
Not confirmed in the source.
Stranger Things Creator Says Turn Off "Garbage" Settings By Jennifer Chu Published Nov 27, 2025 Jennifer is a TV News Editor at ScreenRant. She started her journey in entertainment media…
Sources
- Stranger Things creator says turn off "garbage" settings
- Stranger Things Co-Creator Ross Duffer Calls on Fans to …
- Stranger Things creators urge fans to change TV settings …
- Ross Duffer Tells 'Stranger Things' Fans How to Set Up TV …
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