To help you get the very best out of this premium technology for a long time to come, we’ve put
together this handy tip sheet.
Fragile, this way up
Flat panel TVs in general are fragile due to their thin design. OLED and QLED TVs are no different. In
fact, they are often even thinner. This means they are susceptible to impact damage, as well as stress
and pressure cracks - so please handle with care. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
when unpacking, and don’t apply too much pressure or flex when lifting out of the box. The same
applies when moving or repositioning the TV. If moving the TV any distance, be sure to pack it in a
foam-padded box to prevent screen cracks or other damage during shipping. Also, use a soft cloth
over the screen to prevent scratches. Never lay the TV down flat on its front or back. This can cause
the screen to crack.
Change the factory settings
Straight out of the box, most TVs come set to factory default settings which tend to be over-bright
so they look good on a shop floor. To get the best possible picture, go into the setup menus when
you get your new TV home and adjust them to optimal levels, this will make a tremendous difference
(This isn’t done by the manufacturer, as it is heavily dependent on your viewing environment).
With properly calibrated settings, you’ll find that your eyes will be less strained by overly-saturated
colours and your set will be more enjoyable to watch over longer periods. You may even find that
your TV is consuming less energy - THX ran a test that indicated setting up your TV with a picture
mode such as Movie, Cinema or THX modes as opposed to Vivid or Dynamic modes can save in
between 15 and 50% - so you’ll be doing your bit for the planet, too!
If you’d like some help, the Picture Perfect campaign by AV Forums
https://www.avforums.com/PicturePerfect walks you through the basic DIY calibration settings.
Otherwise, our teams can recommend professional calibration services – they will have specialist
instruments for an even better result.
Keep it plugged in and on ‘standby’ overnight
Your TV will perform automatic maintenance and software updates overnight to ensure it continues
to perform at its best. Therefore, it’s best to avoid switching your TV off at the wall or leaving
it unplugged overnight. OLED & QLED TVs generally use less than 0.5 Watts of power when
left in standby. In real terms, the cost of leaving your TV in standby for a whole year would be
approximately 50 pence.
Screen burn / image retention (OLED TVs only)
The ‘organic’ element of the TV (the “O” in OLED) is the part that displays the picture.
This technology can be susceptible to premature wear if the TV is not used according to the
manufacturer’s guidelines. This should not happen under normal everyday use; however certain
scenarios can put your TV at risk of screen burn. For example, you should avoid displaying static
images for long periods of time (such as channel logos, on-screen displays, or banners displayed
on certain TV shows and gaming screens); and make sure the brightness isn’t turned up too high.
Always check the user manual for preventative measures offered by the manufacturer for your TV as
screen burn isn’t covered by the guarantee. Check if your TV offers a screen saving mode or turn off
whenever possible.
Cleaning
To clean the external surfaces of your new TV, use a soft, lint-free microfibre cloth. Make sure you
clean the microfibre cloth on a regular basis, as small particles trapped on the cloth can scratch the
screen. For fingerprints or other patches of dirt, use a specially formulated screen-cleaning spray,
applied to the cloth. And remember, less is more – you will only need to use a small amount each
time you clean the TV. Don’t be tempted to spray with a generic dusting or polish spray, as products
containing ethyl alcohol, ammonia, ethyl acid, acetone, toluene or methyl chloride can all strip the
screen of its anti-glare coating.
Consider using a surge protector
Every home is susceptible to voltage spikes. More often than not these are minimal, unnoticeable,
and do not cause any harm to your equipment. However, severe spikes caused by power cuts or
electrical storms can damage your items to a greater extent. Good surge protectors will not only
take care of your television, but also other electronic equipment like your computers, AV receivers
and soundbars.
Read the manual(!)
Reading the manual may not be the most exciting task when getting your new TV. If you only read
it once (and we recommend you do), it’s best to do it straight away. This will familiarise you with
the ins and outs, and let you know how to best care for your brand-new purchase. You may also
discover some fantastic features you never knew existed.
Do not DIY
Under no circumstances should you open or service the TV by yourself. Firstly, this will invalidate
your guarantee. Secondly, as with all electrical devices, there are a lot of risks involved. If in doubt,
seek professional assistance.
Should you have any further questions then please feel free to give our in-store experts a call
and we’ll do our best to help.