They seem simple, but there are actually a lot of pitfalls that are all too easy to fall into when buying and setting up a TV.
But based on my personal and professional experience helping numerous friends and readers, most of us are getting better at the buying part. It's the second, "setting it up" part that many people are still outright terrible at.
Yes, based on my time as every person and their dog’s home cinema personal shopper, I’ve been inundated with every question you can think of when helping people find the right TV for their specific needs and budget.
Does it have everything I need to watch the football?
Do I need to get a soundbar too?
Will it work with my Sony Betamax LV-1901?
I’ve heard all of the above and more while giving curated advice on which TV to buy over the years.
But what always throws me is that after spending hours asking questions, researching the set to make sure, when they actually buy one, they nearly always go silent.
And that would be fine if I could put my feet up, pour myself a nice whisky and toast a job well done, safe in the knowledge they’ve set it up right and are making the most of their new purchase.
Except, based on my experience visiting friends and family I’ve helped, and some of the messages I’ve received from readers, most aren’t.
And recently, there’s one big mistake I’ve seen in living rooms, which is especially damaging during the summer months – placing the set right next to a window.
Why is that a problem, you ask? The answer is simple and an issue we’ve flagged many times before: light pollution.
Our TV and AV editor, Tom Parsons, has been a vocal enemy of the phenomenon for quite some time. But for those who have missed our past warnings, it is a problem, as if you place your TV in an incredibly bright area, you will impede its picture quality, regardless of how good the set is.
If it doesn’t go bright enough or doesn't come with an antireflective layer, look forward to watching your own reflection. If you can still make out what’s happening, contrast will still be impacted. Truthfully, lots of ambient light will stop your TV from delivering its best, regardless of the picture settings you use.
So why, oh why, do so many of us put TVs directly next to windows? Yes, it sometimes makes sense with the room’s feng shui, but I’ve had people who’ve spent multiple thousands on a top-end OLED make the mistake.
Many then send me, less than diplomatic, messages asking why I've recommended a terrible TV. They then get even more irritated when I point out it's how they've positioning causing most of the problems they're flagging.
If you’re going to spend that much money on a decent TV, surely it’s then worth investing a little time in creating a space that will let it shine?
Blackout blinds are a godsend, or if that’s too much, honestly, even moving your TV a few feet away can make a difference.
So please, for my and the team’s sanity, heed this warning and make sure to give your TV a good home, one that will give it the space it needs to live up to its full potential.
MORE:
Check out all of our Home Cinema Week coverage
These are the best TVs we’ve reviewed
Our picks of the best OLED TVs
We rank the best soundbars for movie fans
