Congratulations on your new Smart TV! Whether you've purchased a Samsung QLED, LG OLED, Sony Bravia, or any other modern television, the setup process can feel overwhelming with all the options and settings available. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of setting up your new Smart TV, from unboxing to optimising your picture settings for the perfect viewing experience.
Taking the time to properly set up your television from the start will ensure you get the best possible picture quality, smooth streaming performance, and access to all the features your TV has to offer. Let's get started with the complete setup process.
Step 1: Unboxing and Physical Setup
Before you power on your new TV, there are several important physical setup considerations to address. Start by carefully removing your television from the box, keeping all packaging materials until you've confirmed everything works correctly. Most modern TVs come with the stand unattached, so you'll need to decide whether you're using the included stand or wall mounting.
Keep your TV box and packaging for at least 30 days. If you need to return or exchange the television, most retailers require the original packaging.
If using the stand, follow the included instructions carefully. Most stands simply screw into the back of the TV with the provided screws. Place your TV on a sturdy, level surface that can support the weight. For wall mounting, ensure you have the correct bracket for your TV size and that you're mounting into wall studs or using appropriate anchors for your wall type.
Position your TV so the screen is at eye level when seated in your primary viewing position. The centre of the screen should be approximately at your eye height for the most comfortable viewing experience. Also consider the room's lighting - try to avoid placing the TV directly opposite windows to minimise glare.
Step 2: Connecting Cables and Devices
With your TV physically positioned, it's time to connect your cables and external devices. Start with the essential connections before moving to optional devices.
Power and Antenna Connections
Connect the power cable to your TV and plug it into a surge protector rather than directly into the wall outlet. This protects your investment from power surges that could damage the television's electronics. If you plan to watch free-to-air channels, connect your antenna cable to the TV's antenna input.
HDMI Devices
Connect your streaming devices, gaming consoles, and other HDMI sources. If you have a PS5, Xbox Series X, or plan to use features like 4K 120Hz gaming, connect these to HDMI ports that support HDMI 2.1 - usually labelled as "HDMI 2.1" or "Game" on your TV. Standard devices like streaming sticks can use any available HDMI port.
For the best gaming experience with PS5 or Xbox Series X, always use the HDMI port labelled as "HDMI 2.1" or "Game" on your TV. This ensures you get access to 4K 120Hz, VRR, and other advanced gaming features.
Audio Connections
If you're using external speakers or a soundbar, connect them now. Most modern soundbars use HDMI ARC or eARC connections, which allow the TV to send audio to the soundbar through a single HDMI cable. Connect the soundbar to the HDMI port labelled "ARC" or "eARC" on your TV.
Step 3: Initial TV Setup Wizard
Power on your TV and the initial setup wizard will guide you through basic configuration. This process typically takes 10-15 minutes and covers essential settings.
First, select your language and country. Choosing Australia ensures you get access to Australian streaming services and the correct broadcast settings. Next, connect to your WiFi network by selecting it from the list and entering your password. A strong WiFi connection is essential for streaming content without buffering.
The setup wizard will likely ask you to sign in to the TV's smart platform account - this might be a Samsung account for Tizen TVs, LG account for webOS, or Google account for Google TV. Creating or signing in to these accounts enables features like personalised recommendations and cloud-based settings backup.
Step 4: Scanning for Channels
If you've connected an antenna, run the channel scan to detect available free-to-air channels. Navigate to your TV's settings, find the channel or tuner menu, and select "Auto Scan" or "Channel Scan." This process takes a few minutes as the TV searches for all available digital channels in your area.
Australian free-to-air channels broadcast on digital frequencies, so ensure you select "Digital" or "DVB-T" when prompted. Once complete, your TV will store all detected channels for easy access.
Step 5: Installing Streaming Apps
Access your TV's app store to download your favourite streaming services. In Australia, popular apps include Netflix, Stan, Binge, Kayo Sports, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Most Smart TVs come with Netflix and YouTube pre-installed, but you may need to download others.
- Stan - Australian movies and TV shows
- Binge - HBO content and more
- Kayo Sports - Comprehensive sports streaming
- 7plus, 9Now, 10 Play - Free catch-up TV
After downloading each app, open it and sign in with your account credentials. Most apps allow you to sign in using a code displayed on screen that you enter on your phone or computer, making the process easier than typing passwords with your remote.
Step 6: Optimising Picture Settings
Out of the box, most TVs are configured with overly bright, vivid settings designed to catch your eye in a showroom. For home viewing, you'll want to adjust these settings for a more accurate, comfortable picture.
Choosing the Right Picture Mode
Start by selecting an appropriate picture mode. "Cinema," "Movie," or "Filmmaker Mode" typically provides the most accurate colours and is ideal for movies and TV shows. "Standard" or "Natural" modes work well for general viewing. Avoid "Vivid" or "Dynamic" modes for regular viewing as they over-saturate colours and can cause eye strain.
Key Settings to Adjust
Within your chosen picture mode, consider adjusting brightness to suit your room's lighting conditions. The backlight or OLED light setting controls overall brightness - set this lower for dark rooms and higher for bright environments. Contrast and brightness settings should typically remain close to their default values in Cinema mode.
Turn off motion smoothing features (called "TruMotion" on LG, "Motion Smoothing" on Samsung, "Motionflow" on Sony) unless you specifically prefer the "soap opera effect." While these features reduce motion blur, they create an artificial look that most viewers find distracting.
Step 7: Setting Up Smart Features
Modern Smart TVs offer various convenient features worth configuring. Voice assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa can be set up to control your TV with voice commands. Screen mirroring allows you to share content from your phone or tablet directly to your TV.
Explore your TV's settings to enable features like automatic software updates, which ensure your TV always has the latest features and security patches. You may also want to configure parental controls if children use the television.
Review your TV's privacy settings and disable any data collection features you're uncomfortable with. Smart TVs can track viewing habits - you can usually limit this in the privacy or data settings menu.
Troubleshooting Common Setup Issues
If your TV won't connect to WiFi, try moving your router closer or consider a wired ethernet connection for more reliable streaming. If you're experiencing picture quality issues, ensure your HDMI cables are properly connected and try different HDMI ports. For audio problems with external speakers, verify your TV's audio output is set to the correct option (HDMI ARC, optical, etc.).
Remember that you can always reset your TV to factory settings and start the setup process again if needed. This option is usually found in the system or general settings menu.
Conclusion
Setting up a new Smart TV properly takes some time, but it's well worth the effort to ensure you get the best possible viewing experience. By following these steps - from physical placement to picture optimisation - you'll be ready to enjoy your new television to its fullest potential. Take your time with each step, and don't hesitate to revisit settings as you become more familiar with your TV's capabilities.