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For a strong starting point, choose Filmmaker Mode or the TV’s Movie/Cinema picture mode, adjust screen brightness to suit the room, then check picture settings separately for SDR, HDR, apps, and each input. For sound, connect a soundbar or receiver to the TV’s ARC/eARC port when both devices support it. Exact menu names and features vary by model, so use these steps as a baseline rather than copying another TV’s settings.
1. Start with an accuracy-oriented picture mode
Open the TV’s picture settings and select Filmmaker Mode if it is available and you want a presentation closer to the filmmaker’s intent. Otherwise, try Movie, Cinema, Professional, or Custom mode. Picture modes can change color temperature, white balance, and motion processing, so this is usually the most consequential first adjustment. Filmmaker Mode is not guaranteed to be perfect on every TV, and on some models it limits other controls. If you prefer a brighter or more vivid look, choose the mode you enjoy rather than treating accuracy as a requirement. RTINGS’ guide to TV calibration explains why viewing conditions and personal preference matter.
2. Adjust screen brightness for your room
Look for a control named Backlight on many LED/LCD TVs; OLED models may instead offer an OLED pixel brightness or model-specific brightness control. Increase screen light if the picture is hard to see in a bright room, and lower it if it is uncomfortable in a dark room. There is no universal number to copy: the right setting depends on the room, the TV, and your comfort. This control is distinct from contrast and black level, which affect different aspects of the image.
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3. Set color temperature, then leave fine calibration alone
As a baseline, try a Warm color-temperature setting. Menu labels differ by brand, but RTINGS identifies a warm option as the common choice closest to the 6500 K calibration target. That figure is a target, not a recommended menu value. Avoid changing white balance or individual color controls by eye: accurate adjustment requires measuring the light and colors produced by the particular TV. Babcock’s RTINGS guide, updated April 22, 2026, notes that many useful adjustments are possible without equipment, while a true calibration requires specialized measuring tools.
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4. Keep black level, contrast, and sharpness restrained
Start with the TV’s default black level; it is usually set correctly. Avoid raising or lowering it just to make the image look more dramatic, because doing so can obscure shadow detail or make blacks look gray. Leave contrast near its default unless you have a reliable way to check the result. Reduce excessive sharpness if you see bright outlines around objects or text. Optional test patterns can help with basic checks, but they do not replace measurement-based color calibration.
5. Check each input, app, and picture format
Do not assume one adjustment applies everywhere. TVs may save settings independently for each HDMI input or built-in app, and HDR and SDR content can use separate picture settings. Check the picture mode and brightness while using the sources you actually watch. When you play HDR content, confirm that the TV recognizes HDR; otherwise, the source, connection, or input configuration may need attention. The exact signal indicators and menu options depend on the TV and connected device.
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For example, RTINGS’ Samsung S90D settings guide says the model’s native apps enable HDR automatically, while external devices may need Input Signal Plus enabled for the relevant input. That is a model-specific example, not a universal menu path.
6. Choose motion processing to match what you watch
If films look unnaturally smooth, reduce or disable motion interpolation and see whether you prefer the result. Some viewers like interpolation, while others find it distracting; neither preference is universal. TVs may also separate blur reduction for high-frame-rate material from judder reduction for lower-frame-rate content. The controls and their effects vary by model, so adjust one at a time and compare with the content you watch.
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7. Use Game Mode when reducing input lag matters
For gaming, Game Mode is generally the relevant setting when your priority is lower input lag. Enabling it can change image processing, so compare the picture as well as responsiveness. Features such as variable refresh rate (VRR) depend on the TV, console or PC, connection, and settings. On the Samsung S90D covered by RTINGS, VRR is enabled automatically in Game Mode; do not assume other TVs behave the same way.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.8. Connect a soundbar or receiver through ARC/eARC
If both the TV and audio system have HDMI ARC or eARC ports, connect those marked ports with an HDMI cable. Sony’s audio-system connection guide gives this as the HDMI connection method and notes that the cable is not supplied. Check both devices’ manuals for supported audio formats and features, and use the matching ARC/eARC ports rather than an arbitrary HDMI socket.
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- Connect the TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port to the sound system’s HDMI ARC/eARC port.
- On the TV, select the external audio system as the sound output. On supported Sony models, the guide calls this option “Audio system.”
- If your devices offer eARC settings, follow their instructions. Sony’s guide specifies eARC mode set to Auto and eARC enabled on the audio device for the models it covers.
- Play audio and confirm it comes from the external system. If the connection does not work, check the port labels, audio-system input, TV output selection, and model manuals.
If ARC/eARC is unavailable or unsuitable, optical audio may be an alternative where both devices have optical ports. It does not offer the same feature set as HDMI eARC, so check device documentation before choosing it.
9. Correct lip-sync only if you notice a delay
If dialogue does not match people’s lips, look for an audio delay or synchronization control on the TV or audio system. The appropriate adjustment depends on the equipment. RTINGS notes that eARC devices should adjust automatically in the Samsung S90D setup it describes, though manual adjustment may still be needed. Menu names and behavior vary across systems.
10. Don’t copy calibration values from another TV
Even TVs of the same model can differ, particularly in white balance. RTINGS presents the Samsung S90D’s published white-balance results as references, not settings to copy exactly; unit and panel variation matter. If you want a precise calibration, use a qualified service with measuring equipment for your specific TV instead of relying on another unit’s numbers.
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