Whatever the technical reason, people definitely think of the soap opera effect as the "too smooth" motion of certain processing effects. These effects are almost always associated with the higher hz tv modes. As far as the mode itself, though, I'm sure you're completely correct about it not being what the pros call "interpolation." I've basically just been using that term because it's what I've seen advertised. Samsung, for example, has this in their tv ad:

"Automotion Plus 120Hz image interpolation technology provides smoother motion"

It'd hardly be unusual for an ad to use the wrong term for marketing purposes though.



Again, I think we just have a mix-up of terms. I know what you're talking about with lighting and general quality issues that are associated with soap operas. I guess you were arguing that side of the issue, while I jumped right to the motion thing that's usually termed the "soap opera effect." I guess just because that's just what I'm used to hearing most people complain about. I very rarely hear someone say "the lighting seemed slightly off; it reminded me of a soap opera." No, I hear, "I turned on this weird mode and things got way too smooth, kind of like a soap opera."

Two sides of the same coin, I guess.



Very understandable. Internet debates get tedious sometimes. I appreciate you coming back to it though. There's nothing more frustrating than when someone drops a knowledge bomb, then bows out with an "eh, I don't feel like arguing with you."



Yep, I might have interpreted his complaint wrong. When I read "soap opera" I have a hard time thinking of anything but the motion issue that I've always heard called the "soap opera effect." It's definitely possible that imlad's complaint was nothing more than a quality issue, though. That just doesn't come to mind, I guess, because I've never seen anyone complain about that stuff. Most complaints strong enough to make someone prefer SD over HD have to do with motion issues, not quality issues (in my experience, anyway).