A Samsung display at a tech expo – Wongsakorn 2468/Shutterstock
Samsung is one of the most popular TV brands on the market, and there are plenty of models and sizes to choose from. Whether you're investing in a brand-new living room set or something on the smaller side for a bedroom or office, sticking with Samsung is a safe bet, and one that's likely to pay off with great picture quality.
Now, we completely understand the excitement of seeing your new TV unboxed and set up on a stand (or mounted to a wall) when you're just moments away from watching that 4K HDR demo you've got locked and loaded on YouTube. But we recommend slowing down a bit, because right now, you have the opportunity to make your first Samsung TV experience a “great” one, instead of just “good.”
Before you fire up a movie or TV show, there are five settings you should change on your Samsung TV ASAP. For the most part, these are picture and sound customizations that will deliver a sharper, more detailed image once enabled or modified. We also have one major recommendation for how to update your smart TV software.
Read more: Every Major Smart TV OS Ranked Worst To Best Based On User Reviews
Do the initial software update, then turn off Wi-Fi
The Support screen of a Samsung TV's settings menu – Samsung
All modern Samsung TVs are smart TVs, which means they can be connected to the internet. Not only does this give you access to hundreds of apps â including popular platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max â but it's also one of the main ways to update your Samsung TV's software. During the initial setup of your TV, you'll likely be prompted to install a day-one update. This might sound a bit silly, but we recommend updating and then disconnecting your TV from Wi-Fi.
The main reason we recommend doing this is to preserve your TV's overall performance and stability. Smart TV software (Tizen OS, in Samsung's case) has gotten a lot better over the years, but these interfaces often display ads and…