NVIDIA Smooth Motion is a driver-based feature that generates interpolated frames to improve visual smoothness, especially in VR, by doubling the base framerate of a game. It's a technology designed to make gameplay appear smoother by filling in gaps between frames, similar to game-integrated DLSS Frame Generation, but it works at a driver level, meaning it generates frames for the entire scene. This driver-level approach can sometimes lead to artifacts or blurriness, especially on UI elements, compared to native frame generation.

 

gave it a try and looks pretty good in vr--glass panel isn't blurry like dlss and can still use taa.  artifact seems minimal compared to reprojection.  

Where is this option located? I don't see it in the Nvidia Control Panel.

5 hours ago, Rob G said:

Where is this option located? I don't see it in the Nvidia Control Panel.

I see it in google:

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5621/~/enabling-smooth-motion-in-nvidia-app

https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/smooth-motion-for-rtx-40xx-50xx-worth-it-for-msfs-testing-and-impressions/734426

Edited August 26, 2025Aug 26 by turbomax

Everything I am reading says this does not work to increase VR performance and I can’t find the text you originally posted anywhere else where it says:

NVIDIA Smooth Motion is a driver-based feature that generates interpolated frames to improve visual smoothness, especially in VR,

 

All I have been able to find is a YouTube video where he shows that it helps performance in the VR mirror for recording.  Everything else I have read says it’s not supposed to work in VR?

Edited August 30, 2025Aug 30 by thetford569

Tested this out myself today with the Pimax Crystal Light.  I saw no performance improvement or any noticeable changes when turning motion smoothing on in VR.  The VR mirror on my PC was noticeably smoother however.  I tried a recording in OBS however the recording looked the same as in my headset which makes sense because I remember that I am using an OBS plugin that captures the OpenXR view and is not just a mirror capture.  I can see where this might be useful if you’re capturing your mirror or you want it to be smooth for someone watching your screen.  However it does nothing for you in your VR headset to make the experience better.

I’ve also rolled back to NVIDIA Driver version 577.00 because I started getting graphics card errors (no crashes though) with the 580 drivers and my 4090.  This continued with the latest 580 driver today when I updated to try this motion smoothing out.

On 8/30/2025 at 6:36 PM, thetford569 said:

Everything I am reading says this does not work to increase VR performance and I can’t find the text you originally posted anywhere else where it says:

NVIDIA Smooth Motion is a driver-based feature that generates interpolated frames to improve visual smoothness, especially in VR,

Smooth Motion does indeed double fps in VR on an RTX 40/50 GPU. combined with foveated rendering and the latest DLSS 4.5, I am getting close to 60 fps even on a Pimax Crystal:

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5621/~/enabling-smooth-motion-in-nvidia-app

Edited January 14Jan 14 by turbomax

I'm very curious about this. There seems to be a big divide between people who think it's great and those who say it doesn't make sense/doesn't work. I'll give it a go and report back. Perhaps a few of us VR simmers can do the same?

2 hours ago, Spit40 said:

people who think it's great and those who say it doesn't make sense/doesn't work.

well if people think doubling their fps in VR makes no sense, what does make sense then? 🤣

what NVidia forgot to mention in the Nvidia App is "Turning on Smooth Motion for games that don't support DLSS and those that do, but don't offer FrameGen in VR like MSFS".

Edited January 15Jan 15 by turbomax

I've yet to give this a try, but IFAIK the Reverb G2 (even with its Oasis driver) automatically runs depth reprojection to generate interpolated frames to fill in the 90 hz refresh rate frames for the ones that the host doesn't generate.  Note that this is not the same as motion projection, but it's very similar and completely automatic as mentioned.  To get judder free VR motion with a G2, it's best to frame limit it to 45 fps, so the interpolated frame rate is consistent with the host's generation of new frames.

A question I've asked a few places that never has been really answered: does Pimax software do this automatic depth reprojection?  I know that Pimax has "Smart Smoothing" which I read is either not available, not working, or is dreadful when it does.  I'd guess it's a form of motion reprojection, which BTW can still be enabled for the G2 with the OpenXR toolkit.  Bottom line here is if Pimax only implements reprojection via its SS, I can see Nvidia's Smooth Motion, i.e. a depth reprojection workaround, of great value to Pimax users.

I demoed the Pimax Dream Air several weeks ago.  Judder was constant and painfully obvious.  I was hoping that is was a side effect of the prototype environment, and not the way things are with Pimax HMDs when they aren't driven with refresh rate fps by the app driving it.

Edited January 16Jan 16 by TheFamilyMan

I don't expect any advanced software from Pimax and since NVidia seems to be the master of AI driven "fake frames" computed on their most powerful GPU's only, I don't expect anything Pimax comes up with could even remotely compete. I discovered Smooth Motion only recently because it is hidden in the NVidia App, which until recently had flaws of its own and its predecessor Gforce Experience, you had to register an account with them which I didn't agree with so never used it until their New NVidia App they released at CES 2026. In essence Smooth Motion seems to be the same technology as their FrameGen, just on a driver level so it can be forced upon games that don't natively supportt FrameGen. I try to stay away from as many  additional tools ontop like XR toolkit. as possible. I am busy enough keeping Windows, drivers and MSFS running somewhat stable and in between master the complex various aircraft, autopilots, FMS, flight planning, IFR procedures etc.🤣

11 hours ago, TheFamilyMan said:

I know that Pimax has "Smart Smoothing" which I read is either not available, not working, or is dreadful when it does.

quoting Vondrucks post:

NEW VERSION: v1.43.6 updated on Jan 15,2026

Pimax Play

I. New Features and Improvements:

• Optimized the prediction algorithm to reduce latency and enhance image clarity during head movements. II. Fixed Issues:
• Fixed compatibility issues with Nvidia GPUs when using the Smart Smoothing feature.
• Fixed eye-tracking failure on Crystal Super Micro OLED optical modules.
• Fixed cumulative tracking drift occurring in prolonged static scenes.
• Improved controller tracking stability. III. Rollout Plan:
• This version is planned to be gradually sent out to all users within the next two weeks.

14 hours ago, TheFamilyMan said:

Pimax has "Smart Smoothing" which I read is either not available, not working, or is dreadful when it does.  I'd guess it's a form of motion reprojection, which BTW can still be enabled for the G2 with the OpenXR toolkit.  Bottom line here is if Pimax only implements reprojection via its SS, I can see Nvidia's Smooth Motion, i.e. a depth reprojection workaround, of great value to Pimax users.

exactly right. if people complain about DLSS 4.5 blurries in speed/altitude tapes in glass cockpits, then you don't want to see Pimax's "attempt" at this fine art of graphics technology, which only AMD and NVidia can master, but they have tens of years of research and runs only on the most powerful GPU's. I assume Pimax uses some low-tech raw interpolation (as in some older TV sets) feature of the built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon XR 2 chip (found also in many cell phones), but that is no real option for flight simulator. you need powerful hardware, AI and clever software to achieve what NVidia has done with DLSS 4.5 SuperResolution and SmoothMotion that actually works without reducing overall graphics quality, while Pimax still struggles with the basics and low hardware build quality.

on one hand they praise their Crystal as "Your favourite games in unreal clarity" only to then deliver mushy, or as they call it "smooth motion".

there is no free upscaling/framegeneration lunch, it will cost powerful hardware. why would anybody pay $ 2.000 - 3.000 if all this could be had by a mere mouse click. it "may"not, it will reduce image quality considerably.

 

 

Edited January 16Jan 16 by turbomax

There is Nvidia Smooth Motion (can be turned on in Nvidia app, not in NCP) and then there is Pimax Smooth Motion (can possibly be turned on in Pimax Play if it is shown as available). I use neither for VR. 

5800X3D 4070 PCL VR heaset

I set my Pimax Play and MSFS options according to this video, and get fps locked in at 30 fps in test flights from London City EGLC to Heathrow EGLL.  In msfs settings, I lock at 30 in two different places: Max Framerate and also in Dynamic Settings (down arrow).

For test flights, he suggests (12:52) London City EGLC, New York KJFK, or Geneva LSGG because they are heavy stress tests.

 

Edited January 16Jan 16 by Fielder

 

43 minutes ago, Fielder said:

There is Nvidia Smooth Motion (can be turned on in Nvidia app, not in NCP) and then there is Pimax Smooth Motion

technical and visual difference is much bigger than the similar term might suggest. I don't use Pimax for the reasons I explained above. I use NVidia Smooth Motion (FrameGen for VR), that is why I am getting 100% higher fps rates: 60 fps instead of 30 with Quality setting, Citation X at London City airport EGLC:

Edited January 16Jan 16 by turbomax

I'll go test Nvidia Smooth Motion now. I don't think it will work in VR.