Guide to Setting Up Your TV to Enjoy NCAA Basketball Games.
Taking a moment to adjust the picture and sound settings on your TV will enhance the visual and auditory experience of NCAA men's and women's basketball games. Here's how to do it.
With the arrival of March and the excitement of the NCAA tournament, having a new TV, whether it's OLED, QLED, or the innovative QD-OLED, can be a significant advantage for enjoying the games. This event, which includes both men's and women's basketball, attracts millions of viewers worldwide, emphasizing that the women's championship final in 2024 was the most-watched in the history of the sport.
Your new TV might not be optimized for sporting events, as many people primarily use it for movies or series. However, making some simple adjustments can significantly enhance your viewing experience during the games. Here are some key recommendations to adjust your TV.
Picture Mode Selection
TVs usually come with several preset picture modes, such as Vivid, Cinema, Movie, and Sports. It is advisable to avoid the Sports mode, as it tends to exaggerate brightness and color saturation, leading to an unnatural image. Cinema or Movie modes often provide a more balanced and natural viewing experience, ideal for following the action of the games. If your TV has a Filmmaker mode, it's also worth trying.
Brightness and Black Levels Adjustments
To ensure you can see all the details, even in extremely bright or dark scenes, it's helpful to use a dark movie scene as a reference. Adjust your TV's brightness until you can distinguish all elements in the shadows. Then, lower it until the blacks are deep and rich while maintaining subtle details. This adjustment process is personal and depends on your preferences.
Contrast Adjustment
Contrast controls the difference between dark and bright areas of the image. Choose a scene with many white elements and adjust the contrast until you can clearly see all the details, such as the brightness of the court or the textures of the jerseys. Increase the contrast to the point of losing details and find that optimal point.
Hue and Saturation
Most TVs offer a good balance of hue and saturation. However, it's advisable to do some testing. Use a close-up of a player to adjust the hue until you achieve natural skin tones. Do the same with saturation, aiming for a realistic appearance.
Disable Additional Picture Modes
It's a good idea to disable extra modes like motion smoothing or noise reduction, as they can create visual artifacts and unwanted blurring. These types of settings, while presented as enhancements, often degrade the image quality.
Optimize the Sound
Your TV's speakers may not be sufficient for an immersive experience. Consider investing in a soundbar or an audio system with an AV receiver and speakers. Experiment with the audio modes available on your system to find the one that best suits your tastes. Look for clarity in the sound so that you can hear both the commentators and the crowd.
By applying these adjustments, you’ll be ready to enjoy the basketball action, ensuring that every play and every emotion of the tournament is experienced with the best visual and sound quality.
