How to prepare your TV game for the Super Bowl


Get ready for the Super Bowl this Sunday when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

You don't want to settle for a mediocre television experience.

So, it's time to learn how to improve your current TV settings or update to new one before game day.

THE CHIEFS' TRAVIS KELCE FOCUSED ON ONLY 1 RING TOWARDS THE SUPER BOWL

Remote control in hand in front of a flat screen (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5 ways to improve your current TV settings

If you're already happy with your current TV and setup and just want to get ready for the game, here are the top five ways to improve your viewing experience:

1) Check your connection

Services like Paramount+ offer the possibility of broadcast the Super Bowl this year. You'll want to make sure you don't lose the game in two ways:

Be sure to use a wired Internet connection if possible. That way, you won't depend on a wifi signal, which may be affected by the number of people who are in your house watching the game and using your Wi-FI for their devices or who else is streaming elsewhere in your house. On that note, be sure to maximize bandwidth by making sure your kids or spouse aren't streaming at higher resolutions while the game is on.

MORE: BEST WI-FI RANGE EXTENDERS

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2) Backup connection

The game is the most popular thing to watch that Sunday, so if you have spotty coverage and are worried about service drops, you should have a way to stream the game traditionally (aka “over-the-air”), so Keep an antenna ready.

3) Adjust the sound

While picture quality often steals the show when it comes to watching the Super Bowl, sound quality can make or break the experience. Most TVs these days have audio settings that, if adjusted, can really enhance the gaming experience in your home. If you're more interested in feedback, you can adjust the sound to improve the dialogue.

On most TVs, you can usually find the presets and audio settings in “Setting,” so “Audio” either “Sound.”

There you can play with the treble, bass and equalizer. Some of the presets, such as “movie,” improve dialogue or “standard” to level the comment. Sometimes it is worth checking that the bass is at optimal levels, since having it too high can cause distortion. On the other hand, if you prefer to hear every impact of each work, you can activate the “just right” bass to add drama.

Image of a television

TV showing configuration settings for sound (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: THE 10 BEST SOUND BARS TO IMPROVE YOUR TV AUDIO EXPERIENCE

4) Brighten the image

To make sure the friends behind you huddled in front of the TV can enjoy the game just as well, check your TV's picture quality.

For LEDs, if it appears too dark or dim, turn up the backlight control, which may increase the brightness behind the LCD screen.

For OLEDs, instead of simply increasing the brightness, increase the OLED light setting. Also, be sure to turn off any power saving or automatic brightness control settings before game day as it may affect screen brightness.

tv setup

TV showing picture quality settings. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5) Keep the movement real

Some TVs come with smoothing or judder removal settings, sometimes called the “soap opera effect.” It may be helpful to adjust these settings or turn them on or off, depending on your preferences, before the game. On the one hand, it could soften the movements made on the field or create too much distraction by creating graphic trails from quick movements.

Television settings 2

Setting up Auto Motion Plus on a TV (Samsung)

Update your current settings

If you were just waiting for an excuse to update your TV settings for game day, don't delay any longer. Here are five things to look for in a new television.

1) Screen size and resolution: You want a TV that can display the game in high definition and has a screen large enough to enjoy the action from any angle. Look for TVs that have at least 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) and a screen size of 55 inches or larger. Some TVs also offer 8K resolution (7680 x 4320 pixels) for even more detail, but they are more expensive and not widely available.

2) Refresh rate and motion handling: You want a TV that can handle fast-moving scenes without making them blurry or choppy. Look for TVs that have a high refresh rate (the number of times the screen refreshes per second) and low input lag (the time it takes for the TV to respond to your commands). A refresh rate of 120Hz or higher and input lag of 15ms or less are ideal for gaming and sports. Some TVs also have features like variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low latency mode (ALLM) that can adjust the refresh rate and input lag dynamically based on the content.

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3) HDR and color performance: You want a TV that can deliver vivid, realistic colors and contrasts. Look for TVs that support high dynamic range (HDR) formats like HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HDR10+. These formats can improve image brightness, contrast, and color range. Additionally, look for TVs that have a wide color gamut (the range of colors the TV can produce) and high color accuracy (how close the colors are to the original source).

4) Sound quality and characteristics: You want a TV that can produce clear, immersive sound. Look for TVs that have a good sound system with multiple speakers and a subwoofer. Some TVs also have features like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X that can create a surround sound effect with aerial and directional audio. Alternatively, you can also connect your TV to a sound bar or home theater system for a better audio experience.

5) Smart Features and Connectivity: You want a TV that can stream your favorite apps and services and connect to your other devices. Look for TVs that have a smart platform like Android TV, Roku TV, Fire TV, or webOS. These platforms can offer a variety of applications and services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Max, Disney+, YouTube and more.

Also, look for TVs that have multiple HDMI ports and USB ports to connect your gaming consoles. transmission devices, sound bars and other peripherals. Some TVs also have features like voice control, AirPlay, Chromecast, or Miracast that can let you control your TV or stream content from your smartphone or tablet.

Find out how to get a good deal on a TV before the Super Bowl.

Kurt's Key Takeaways

There's really no bad way to enjoy the big game this year, but if you want to maximize your game viewing experience, there are plenty of ways to improve your current setup. And of course, if you need an excuse to splurge, there are some top contenders that fit the bill. If you are splurging, remember that the cost of these units does not include the installation cost. Some of these TVs need to be mounted for better viewing, which can incur additional costs.

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Do you pay attention to all these details before game day, or do you just turn on the TV and get lost in the game no matter what? What are your plans for this year's Super Bowl game? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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