Flicker (screen)
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Flicker is visible fading between image frames displayed on cathode ray tube (CRT) based monitor. Flicker occurs when the monitor's CRT is driven at a low refresh rate, allowing the screen's phosphors to lose their excitation between sweeps of the electron gun. For example, if a computer monitor's vertical refresh rate is set to 60 Hz, most monitors will produce a visible "flickering" effect. Most people find that refresh rates of 85 Hz and above enable flicker-free viewing on CRTs. Refresh rates above 120 Hz are uncommon, as they provide no noticeable flicker reduction. On LCDs, lower refresh rates (around 75 Hz) are often acceptable.
Flickering also occurs in the cinema as the film is projected as 24 still images each second.
Flicker can also refer to the phenomenon which occurs on computers and gaming consoles when many objects must be displayed and hardware limitations prevent all of them from being rendered simultaneously. In these cases, one screen refresh may display the first set of objects while the next screen refresh will display the remaining ones. When observed in real time, the viewer will see all of the objects, though they appear and disappear rapidly.
The Flicks is an old english expression referring to the Cinema or building where films are shown. Example useage, "Are you going to the flicks tonight?". Less often used today. More recently replaced with the words cinema or "The Pictures" (which is in turn derived from "the picture house").