How to make the most of your TV: picture, performance and power-saving

Does the picture on your TV look clear but somehow cheap? Are streaming apps slow to load and navigate? Whether you've just unboxed your shiny new TV or you've had it for a while, taking a few minutes to optimise your telly's setup can make a big difference to your viewing experience.

Most settings mentioned in this quick guide can be found through your TV's Settings or Menu button on the remote control or homescreen. While the exact menu names and paths vary between TV brands, you'll usually find the options you're looking for under categories like 'Picture,' 'Display,' or 'System.'

• Run the built-in picture setup wizard. Most newer TVs include a guided setup to optimise picture settings for your viewing environment. By selecting options that best describe aspects such as the room size, set-up and lighting, the TV will adjust its display to provide the best balance of brightness, contrast, and colour.

• Consider turning off motion smoothing. Also known as 'soap opera effect', this feature, which is good for viewing sports, can make movies and high-quality shows look cheap and unnatural. Look for a term like 'Motion Flow' or 'TruMotion' in your picture settings - and then turn it off.

• Consider ambient lighting conditions. Most mid-to-high-end TVs now have built-in light sensors that automatically adjust brightness based on room lighting. You can also manually switch between picture presets like 'Movie' mode for dark rooms and 'Standard' for brighter conditions.

• Gently wipe the screen each week. Use a dry microfibre cloth to remove the dust that quickly accumulates on TVs due to static electricity. To take it a step further, after dusting the screen you can use an anti-static cleaning spray to help reduce static and dust attraction.

• Don't forget to clean the remote. Touched by many, cleaned by few - if any! Reduce the spread of germs by giving the remote control a weekly wipe-down with electronics-safe wipes or a cloth sprayed with isopropyl alcohol.

• Protect against damage from power surges. Connect your TV to a certified surge protector (look for AS/NZS certification and RCM marking) to reduce risk to electronic components.

• Manage your cables. Use cable ties or a cable management system to keep wires organised and prevent trip hazards.

• Prevent screen burn-in. Most TVs have automatic screen savers or dimming features to avoid having static images on screen for too long. If you notice that a paused movie doesn't dim or switch to a screen saver after 15 minutes (or 5 minutes for an OLED TV) make sure these are enabled in Settings.

• Enable power-saving mode. This can significantly reduce energy consumption while maintaining good picture quality.

• Turn off your TV at the wall when not in use. When you press the off button on your TV remote it puts it into standby mode, which still consumes energy. Switching off at the plug socket can save energy and protect against power surges.

• Enable automatic software updates. This ensures your TV receives the latest features and security improvements.

• Optimise your TV's WiFi connection. If you have issues with streaming caused by poor WiFi, you might want to consider placing your home's router in a central location or using a WiFi extender.

• Speed things up. If your TV becomes sluggish, try clearing the cache on your streaming apps or performing a cold restart by unplugging the TV for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.

These simple performance and maintenance tips can help you get the best possible performance, as well as greater longevity, from your TV.

If no amount of tips can boost your old TV's performance, it could be time to upgrade. We deliver our huge range of TVs (and everything else from coffee machines to clothes dryers) to 95% of Australians with Appliances Online's legendary FREE delivery! (Most retailers will charge you extra for TV delivery because screens are fragile).

We can even get it to you by the next day (Mon-Fri) when it's in stock. If you need some pointers on choosing the right TV, read our TV Buying Guide, call our friendly team 24/7 on 1300 000 500 or message us via the chat icon at the bottom of your screen.