A TV expert with consumer champion Which? has shared five things he would never do when setting up a new television, covering picture settings, energy-saving features, screen cleaning, and data privacy.
Picture settings to avoid
In a video posted on TikTok, Martin Pratt advised against turning on Dynamic Contrast, a setting that "pushes whites and blacks beyond what some content can handle, which can make the picture look bad." He noted that the feature may appear under different names on different TVs, such as Auto Contrast or Contrast Enhancer.
He also recommended switching off Adaptive Brightness, saying it "can cause fluctuations and affect picture quality." Pratt explained that if brightness suddenly changes during a film, this setting is likely on, and advised turning it off or setting it to low.
Energy-saving mode and screen care
Most modern TVs include an energy-saving mode that reduces screen brightness and may turn the television off after inactivity. While this might seem beneficial given rising electricity bills, Pratt said testing found "minimal impact on energy use and cost, but can significantly impact picture quality." He added that TVs dropped from a five-star rating to just one star when energy saving was enabled, concluding that "the cost savings simply aren't worth sacrificing picture quality."
Pratt also warned against using surface cleaner or polish on a TV screen, noting that brands like LG explicitly advise against it, along with glass cleaner and even water, as these can damage the screen's protective coating. He suggested using a clean soft cloth, preferably microfibre, and wiping in gentle circular motions, with specialist screen wipes for stubborn grease after checking the manufacturer's advice.
Data settings and finding the right options
Finally, he cautioned against accepting all terms and conditions during initial setup, saying pre-selected options for data collection are common. Skipping through these settings could result in giving manufacturers and third parties more data than desired, and reviewing data collection preferences can also reduce ads in smart menus.
To locate these settings, Pratt advised checking the user manual or the settings menu via the remote, and searching online for the TV make and model if needed.
