{
  "id": 2102042,
  "title": "As a TV expert, these are the 5 steps I take to make every smart TV less annoying to use",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/as-a-tv-expert-these-are-the-5-steps-i-take-to-make-every-smart-tv",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-20T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/tvs/as-a-tv-expert-these-are-the-5-steps-i-take-to-make-every-smart-tv-less-annoying-to-use"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over my career, I've reviewed numerous TV models, and each one often requires some initial setup before I can begin testing their picture quality and streaming capabilities. Here are the essential first five steps I take when unboxing and setting up a TV to make it less annoying to use:\n\n1. Create an account for smart features (if needed) - Many TV brands require users to create an account to access basic smart features, such as streaming apps like Netflix or HBO Max. While this may be inconvenient, creating an account or registering a new one will make the TV more enjoyable to use in the long run.\n\n2. Disable the ambient light sensor and energy-saving settings - Most TVs come with an ambient light sensor enabled by default, which automatically adjusts the picture brightness based on the room's lighting conditions. As a TV tester, I prefer to disable this feature for the most cinematic experience possible, as dynamic picture adjustments rarely look their best.\n\n3. Switch into a better picture mode - TVs typically default to energy-saving or standard picture modes at the start. For the best color accuracy and picture quality, I recommend switching to a picture mode like Filmmaker, Cinema, Movie, or Theater. These modes provide more accurate color representation and are better suited for showcasing a TV's capabilities.\n\n4. Disable extraneous picture settings (like motion smoothing and AI features) - Many TVs come with settings like motion smoothing and AI-based features enabled, which can negatively impact the picture quality. I generally avoid these features as they tend to over-sharpen the picture, over-brighten it, and skew the colors in undesirable ways.\n\n5. Set HDMI inputs to their enhanced mode - Not all TVs require this step, but it's an important one to consider. If you're experiencing issues with HDR10, Dolby Vision, or high-framerate performance on gaming consoles, PCs, or media players, you may need to enable the enhanced HDMI mode in your TV's settings. This ensures that your TV can fully utilize the capabilities of high-bandwidth HDMI inputs.",
  "summary": "Modern TVs come with a lot of crap enabled by default. Here are five ways to make your new smart TV more user-friendly.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}