New smart TVs tend to look pretty good right out of the box. You're typically only minutes away from enjoying entertainment once you have put your TV on a stand or mounted; just connect it to Wi-Fi, log into your apps, and start watching. You can play around with some picture presets, but generally there is a quality picture available instantly.
Why smart TV calibration is so important
Setting a standard for ideal viewing
It's crucial to calibrate your TV once it arrives in your home because everyone's personal preferences and individual environment are different, and both of these aspects will influence what needs to be adjusted when it comes to viewing the picture. The distance from the screen, ambient lighting, the color of the walls in your room, and your own visual preferences all factor into a TV's calibration. Your TV comes with factory settings; calibration seeks to adhere to industry standards to achieve fidelity while also adjusting your TV to personal needs.
Calibration is more advanced than simply setting up your TV, and it's typically not something the average consumer considers. However, even the casual viewer should consider a DIY version of calibration so that what you're watching is as enjoyable and faithful as possible.
Professional calibration requires tools and time
Pay for expert sources for a theater-like experience
If you're keen on going the professional route to create the most faithful viewing experience, then you should know it will take both time and money. It requires investment in professional calibration tools as well as association discs that provide test patterns. You'll be measuring gamma curves, black levels, and color saturation. You may also be creating different profiles depending on the type of media you're enjoying. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to come to your house and calibrate the TV for you.
This process best serves those who crave cinematic fidelity, particularly anyone who seeks to create a theater-like experience in their own home. It's also typically reserved for those with high-end smart TVs that have the top audio and video formats. For most people, a DIY path to calibration will make a big difference without being too time-consuming or meticulous.
DIY calibration offers simple, personalized results
Go through every setting to find perfect image
The DIY calibration method basically involves going through all your TV's settings and adjusting them to fit your space. Consider your TV presets as a solid starting point. Opt for settings such as Cinema or Natural; avoid those that tend to increase color saturation and brightness, like Vivid or Dynamic. Then go ahead and start making changes to each individual setting, including brightness, contrast, and sharpness, and whatever else is available. Be sure to see how the picture looks in between each change.
Ideal calibration balances cinematic fidelity with your own personal preferences. It's important to test out different settings and features in order to find what looks best to you in your space.
Be sure you're making judgments about your ideal viewing conditions. Create a dark room and sit across from your TV as close to the center as possible. You're trying to set up your regular viewing experience so that what you're seeing is what you will enjoy every time you turn on the TV.
Reference media and calibration tools
Utilize test patterns and familiar titles
The best way to see if your picture looks right to you is by testing it out. You can find free patterns and videos online; check out YouTube, AVSForum, or other sites online that offer test patterns. While you can pay for Blu-rays and DVDs that will help guide you, there are plenty of free tools online as well.
Another alternative is to check out familiar movies that you know were shot with high-quality equipment. These may be theatrical releases or popular streaming service originals. Be sure the media you're looking at is in 4K and either HDR10+ or Dolby Vision. Consider animated movies by Disney or Sony that provide vivid colors or major studio movies that you know are mastered in top-quality formats. Consider nature documentaries as well to find natural colors and skin tones.
If you're fortunate, your TV may offer calibration settings within the brand's ecosystem. For example, Samsung offers calibration through its companion app SmartThings, taking you through the process in either a quick or detailed way depending on your dedication to fidelity.