GoKawiilNo TV, even the best TVs, looks as good as it can straight out of the box. If you have a TCL TV, including one of the new X11L Super Quantum Dot models, adjusting just a few settings can drastically change the image. Even if you don't have any technical know-how, these settings will get you a more accurate, realistic-looking TV.
You don't need special equipment -- just your eyes and your remote. Oh, and some shows and movies to see how your changes affect the image. Even just choosing the best picture mode can deliver great results.
A TCL remote in front of a QM9K TV. Ty Pendlebury/CNET
You can't damage your TV by changing any of these settings, and if you want to go back to how it was before, that's easy, too. And while TCL and Sony have entered into a joint venture for future Sony TVs, this shouldn't change anything for current models from either brand. Let's dive in.
Navigating the settings menu
Once you've completed the initial setup, like pairing the remote, connecting the TV to your Wi-Fi and accepting (or not, if you're able) any data sharing policies, you can start adjusting the image. Different TCL TVs use different "operating systems," aka the user interface. For instance, some use Roku while others use Google TV. While the way to access the settings may be different, all of them will let you adjust picture quality. Also, not every TCL TV has all of these settings, but most should.
The TCL QM6K features the Google TV interface. Ty Pendlebury/CNET
Picture mode
All TCL TVs have modes called standard, vivid, sports and movie. Some will also have intelligent and filmmaker. Broadly speaking, filmmaker and movie will be the most accurate and closest to what the creators intended.
If the TV is in standard or vivid mode, when you first switch to movie or filmmaker, the changes will initially look very "warm" or "yellow/orange." This is because most other modes have a far cooler color temperature, and when you switch to one that's more accurate, it will look warm in comparison. Give it a little time, and it will look normal, and the other modes will start to look too "cool" or "bluish." You can also adjust the color temperature separately. This might come as a surprise, but warm is usually the most accurate setting on most TVs.
... continue reading