How To Set Up A Smart TV Home Entertainment Network

So, you’ve recently got your hands on a new smart TV and are looking forward to all the pleasures that come with creating your very own home entertainment network. But before you can start enjoying your new TV, you need to set it up!

In this guide, we detail how to set up a smart TV, covering everything from choosing the perfect spot for your TV to fine-tuning its settings to ensure you get the most out of it. Let’s dive in.

How to set up a smart television 

• Choose a spot for your TV  

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a spot for your new TV. Aside from picking a spot that allows for the best and ultimately most comfortable view, you’ll want to ensure that the spot you choose is in close proximity to both a power source and your antenna connection, as well as being in a position that allows for a strong WiFi signal. Also consider if you’d like the TV to be mounted, or if you’d prefer to simply utilise the included stand.  

• Start the setup process 

Setup processes can vary between brands, so you’ll need to refer to the setup instructions for your specific TV for this step. Having said this, the smart TV initial setup process generally involves: 

• Powering on the TV
• Selecting your country and preferred language
• Agreeing to privacy policies
• Setting the channels
• Setting the date and time
• Connecting to your WiFi network

You will also need to pair the smart TV with the remote control — this is usually an automatic process, occurring as soon as the TV is powered up. However, some brands will require you to test the remote as part of the setup process. You’ll be prompted if this is the case for your TV. 

• Familiarise yourself with the TV’s layout  

Each smart TV platform is equipped with its own distinctive layout — to ensure you get the most out of your TV, it’s important that you take a few moments to familiarise yourself with yours. Some smart TV home screens display their apps in one or more rows, while some display a layout similar to that of a smartphone. 

No matter the brand of TV, there are four key details that you should acquaint yourself with in order to help you make the most out of your new TV’s functions:

• How to access the various inputs
• How to find and access your apps
• The location of the Settings menu
• The location of the app store

• Choose your desired apps  

The next step in how to set up a smart TV is choosing your apps. Though most smart TV brands come with a range of popular apps pre-installed, it’s not likely that yours will come equipped with everything that you’re after, straight from the box. Taking the time to not only find your favourite apps but also discover new streaming services will ultimately help you get the most out of your new home entertainment network.

Each smart TV platform comes with its own version of an app store, though the basics across all brands are the same — it’s a simple matter of browsing the store, downloading or purchasing your apps and finally logging in to each using your smart TV’s onscreen keyboard and remote control. 

• Connect your antenna  

In order to watch free-to-air channels on your new smart TV, you’ll need to connect a HDTV antenna and then scan for available channels. Your TV should provide on-screen instructions to walk you through the process — again, although processes may vary a little between platforms, the fundamentals will be the same. 

Simply connect your antenna to your TV’s coaxial RF connector, which will be located on either the side or back of the TV, alongside the audio and HDMI ports. This should prompt the TV to automatically scan for channels — alternatively, you should be able to do this manually via the antenna-input option on your home screen.

• Connect any external devices  

To get the most out of your new home entertainment network, you’re going to want to connect your smart TV to other devices, whether it’s a set top box, external media players or game consoles. 

No matter the device, you should find that the setup process is similar, involving switching the TV and external device on and then connecting the device to the TV via HDMI cable. Once connected, your TV should automatically add the device to the input menu. You can then rename the input and adjust the settings if required — this will depend on the TV platform. 

Some smart TVs provide great auto-detection and will adjust settings as needed, while some may require manual input in order for you to enable all of the device’s features.

• Fine-tune your smart TV  

With everything else set up and connected, all that is left to do now is to fine-tune your smart TV. This can include adjusting its brightness and colour settings and the appearance of the various menus and home screen or perhaps switching off those annoying content recommendations!

This is also a great time to explore the many features and capabilities of your smart TV, from connecting a soundbar to setting up the built-in voice assistant or pairing Bluetooth devices. A quick browse through the TV’s menus and owner’s manual will help you learn more about your specific TV’s capabilities. 

Jim’s I.T — your smart TV installation and setup experts  

We hope that this guide has given you some clear direction on how to set up a smart TV. Need further help in setting up and getting the most out of your new smart TV? Our TV and smart home setup services may be just what you’ve been looking for. 

At Jim’s I.T, we strive to provide an exceptional level of service at all times. Along with free quotes, we offer fixed pricing and a convenient same-day service. Ready to get started? Request a quote or contact our friendly team today!