Why can't I just use a YouTube video?

YouTube re-encodes everything to at most 60fps. A 144Hz monitor repeats those frames – smoothness looks identical to 60Hz. Only a real 144fps file, played locally, exercises every refresh cycle.

The video stutters – is my monitor bad?

Usually not. First set the display to 144Hz in the OS, then play fullscreen in mpv or VLC with hardware decoding enabled. Note that 144 is not a multiple of 60: on a display still running at 60Hz this file cannot play smoothly at all.

How do I photograph the counter strip?

Use a phone camera in manual/pro mode with a 1/10s or slower shutter. Consecutive lit cells = no skipped frames. A software screenshot cannot detect frame skipping – it captures only what the GPU rendered, not what the panel displayed.

Does this work on a 120Hz or 240Hz monitor?

It plays fine, but to test those panels frame-for-frame use the dedicated 120Hz and 240Hz test videos instead – each is rendered at exactly that frame rate.

144Hz Test Video (144FPS)

A true 144-frames-per-second test file for 144Hz gaming monitors. YouTube plays at most 60fps, so no stream can verify a 144Hz panel – this downloaded original renders one unique frame per 144Hz refresh cycle. Three checks in one screen: follow the moving object for motion clarity, watch the sweeping bar for tearing, and photograph the counter strip with a long exposure to catch skipped frames. Set your display to 144Hz first (Windows: Settings → System → Display → Advanced display), then play the file fullscreen in mpv or VLC.

144hz-test-video.mp4

MP4 · 4.8 MB Resolution: 1920x1080 Frame rate: 144fps Duration: 1m 8s Format: MP4 (H.264, silent) VirusTotal report

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Are these files safe to download?

Every sample file is generated by us — no executable code, no macros. Files are served over HTTPS from our CDN, each with a SHA-256 checksum so you can verify your download and a link to an independent VirusTotal scan report.

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Common use cases

Verify 144Hz is actually active

A 144Hz monitor plugged in and left at the Windows default 60Hz is one of the most common setup mistakes. If this file doesn't look clearly smoother than a 60fps video, check the OS display settings before blaming the panel.

Check cables and adapters

HDMI 1.4 tops out below 1080p144 – many monitors need DisplayPort for full refresh. Play this file through your actual cable chain to confirm 144Hz survives it.

Test a new gaming monitor before the return window closes

Photograph the frame counter strip with a long exposure (1/10s or slower): consecutive lit cells mean every frame was shown; gaps mean frame skipping – a warranty-claim-worthy defect on a new panel.

Tune overdrive at native refresh

Cycle your monitor's overdrive/response-time presets while the object moves to find the setting with the least ghosting and no inverse-ghosting halos at 144Hz.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I just use a YouTube video?: YouTube re-encodes everything to at most 60fps. A 144Hz monitor repeats those frames – smoothness looks identical to 60Hz. Only a real 144fps file, played locally, exercises every refresh cycle.
The video stutters – is my monitor bad?: Usually not. First set the display to 144Hz in the OS, then play fullscreen in mpv or VLC with hardware decoding enabled. Note that 144 is not a multiple of 60: on a display still running at 60Hz this file cannot play smoothly at all.
How do I photograph the counter strip?: Use a phone camera in manual/pro mode with a 1/10s or slower shutter. Consecutive lit cells = no skipped frames. A software screenshot cannot detect frame skipping – it captures only what the GPU rendered, not what the panel displayed.
Does this work on a 120Hz or 240Hz monitor?: It plays fine, but to test those panels frame-for-frame use the dedicated 120Hz and 240Hz test videos instead – each is rendered at exactly that frame rate.