ARTICLE
How to set up your new TV
Published Aug 25, 2026 - 3 min read
Bringing home a new television is an exciting moment, but it can also feel a little overwhelming once the box is open and you're staring at cables, brackets and a remote full of unfamiliar buttons. The good news is that setting up a new TV is far more straightforward than it looks, and you don't need any technical background to do it well.
This guide walks you through every stage of the process in plain, jargon-free language, from choosing where your TV will live in the room through to fine-tuning the picture and sound once everything is connected. Whether you've just unboxed your very first smart TV, moved into a new home, or are setting up a TV you received as a gift, you'll find clear steps you can follow at your own pace, without needing to call in help.
Key takeaways from this article
Screen size and room layout determine the right viewing distance and placement.
Wall brackets save space but must be rated for your TV's weight and fixed into a stud.
Setup needs three cable types: power, an antenna cable, and HDMI for external devices.
The 5GHz Wi-Fi band usually streams more smoothly than 2.4GHz.
Not every TV is a smart TV, but a streaming device can add apps to one that isn't.
Factory picture settings suit showrooms, so adjusting them usually improves quality at home.
Common issues like black screens and static usually have simple fixes.
The Good Guys offers delivery, installation and setup services if you'd rather leave it to the experts.
Choosing the right spot: TV placement and viewing distance
Before you connect a single cable, it's worth spending a few minutes thinking about where your TV will actually sit. Getting the placement right from the start saves you from having to redo mounting work later, and it has a bigger impact on your viewing experience than most people expect.
Screen size and viewing distance. As a general rule, the bigger the screen, the further back you should sit for a comfortable, immersive view without the picture feeling overwhelming or the edges being hard to see. A simple way to think about it is that your seating distance should scale with your screen size, so a larger television needs a larger room, or a seating position further from the wall, to feel right. If you're unsure, sit in your usual spot and hold up a rough outline of the screen size you're considering. If it fills a comfortable amount of your field of view without needing to turn your head, you're in the right range.
Room lighting and glare. Try to avoid placing your TV directly opposite a window or a bright light source, as glare and reflections can wash out the picture, especially during the day. If natural light is unavoidable, curtains or blinds you can close during viewing hours make a real difference.
Eye level matters. For the most comfortable viewing, the centre of the screen should sit roughly at eye level when you're seated in your usual spot. A TV mounted too high, a common mistake in loungerooms and bedrooms alike, can lead to neck strain during longer viewing sessions.
Ventilation and safety. Whatever surface or wall you choose, make sure there's enough clearance around the TV for airflow, and that any cabinet or wall fixing can safely support its weight.
If you'd like a deeper look at the placement mistakes people commonly make, or specific guidance for setting up a TV in a bedroom, both are covered in more detail in our related guides.
Mounting and positioning your television
Once you've settled on the right spot, it's time to decide how your TV will be supported, either on a stand or TV unit, or mounted to the wall with a bracket.
TV unit or stand. This is the simpler option and generally doesn't require any tools beyond attaching the small feet or stand that came in the box. Make sure the unit is stable, sits on a flat surface, and is rated to hold your TV's weight comfortably, with a little room to spare.
Wall mounting with a bracket. Mounting your TV to the wall is a popular choice because it frees up floor space and often gives a cleaner, more deliberate look to a room. Here's the general process:
Choose a wall bracket rated for your TV's screen size and weight, and confirm the mounting pattern on the back of your TV matches the bracket.
Locate the wall studs using a stud finder, since a TV bracket should always be anchored into solid framing rather than plasterboard alone.
Attach the mounting plate to the wall at your chosen height, using a spirit level to keep it straight.
Attach the bracket arms to the back of the TV, then carefully lift the TV onto the wall plate with a second person supporting the weight.
Route your cables neatly, either behind the TV or through a cable management channel, before securing everything and giving the mount a gentle test for stability.
If any of these steps feel outside your comfort zone, particularly working with wall studs and supporting a heavy screen, professional installation is a safe and affordable way to get it done properly. If you're setting up a TV unit instead, browse TV cabinets and stands to find one that suits your space and your new television.
Connecting cables, antennas and external devices
With your TV in place, the next step is connecting it to power, completing your antenna installation for free-to-air television, and connecting any other devices you plan to use with it.
Power and antenna. Plug your TV into a power outlet, then connect your antenna cable to the aerial input on the back of the TV, usually labelled "ANT" or "RF IN". This connection lets you access free-to-air channels without any subscription. If you're missing a cable, a range of TV cables are available to suit different setups.
Understanding your HDMI ports. Most modern TVs have several HDMI ports, and knowing which one to use for what can save a lot of confusion. HDMI is the standard connection for high definition and 4K devices such as game consoles, Blu-ray players, soundbars and streaming boxes. Some TVs include a higher bandwidth HDMI standard, often labelled HDMI 2.1, which supports higher frame rates and resolutions, so if you have a device that benefits from this, such as a newer game console, check your TV's manual to see which port supports it. There's usually also a port marked "ARC" or "eARC", which is designed specifically for connecting a soundbar, since it allows audio to travel back from the TV to the speaker over the same cable.
Adding external devices. If you want to expand what your TV can do, streaming media players plug into a spare HDMI port and give you access to a wider range of apps, which is particularly useful if your TV isn't a smart TV or doesn't support every app you want. A device like Apple TV is a straightforward way to add extra streaming capability to any television.
Setting up Wi-Fi and smart TV features
If you have a smart TV, connecting it to your home network unlocks streaming apps, on demand content and software updates.
Connecting to Wi-Fi. From your TV's settings menu, look for "Network" or "Wi-Fi" and select your home network from the list, then enter your password using the remote. Most home routers broadcast two Wi-Fi bands, generally labelled 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Where your TV supports it, the 5GHz band typically offers a faster, more stable connection for streaming high definition content, though it has a slightly shorter range than 2.4GHz. If your TV is a good distance from your router and struggles to connect, the 2.4GHz band, or a wired connection using an ethernet cable, are both reliable alternatives.
Signing in to your apps. Once connected, you'll be prompted to sign into your existing streaming accounts or create new ones directly on the TV. Keep your usernames and passwords handy for this step, as typing them with a remote is easier when you're not searching for them at the same time.
What if your TV isn't a smart TV? Not every television includes built-in apps and internet connectivity. If yours doesn't, or if you'd simply prefer a different interface, a streaming device that plugs into an HDMI port can add smart features to any TV. Devices in this category, including well known options like Fire TV, give you access to popular streaming apps, while a media server solution like Plex lets you organise and stream your own personal video and music collection across your home network. Either approach is a simple way to bring smart functionality to a screen that doesn't already have it built in.
Adjusting picture and sound settings
Getting the cables connected is only half the job. A few minutes spent on picture and sound settings will noticeably improve your everyday viewing experience.
Picture mode. Most TVs leave the factory set to a bright, high contrast mode designed to stand out under harsh showroom lighting. At home, this can look oversaturated and unnatural. Switching to a "Standard", "Movie" or "Calibrated" picture mode, found in your TV's picture settings, usually gives a more accurate, comfortable image for everyday viewing, particularly in a dimly lit lounge room.
Motion smoothing. Many TVs include a motion smoothing feature that interpolates extra frames to make movement look sharper. While it can help with fast sport, it's well known for creating an overly smooth, artificial look often nicknamed the "soap opera effect" when watching movies and TV shows. It's worth testing this setting on and off to see which you prefer, and adjusting it independently for different types of content if your TV allows it.
HDR content. If your TV and streaming service both support high dynamic range, sometimes labelled HDR, HDR10 or Dolby Vision, make sure this is enabled in your picture settings so you get the extended brightness and colour range this content is designed to show.
Sound settings. Built-in TV speakers are often positioned to keep the television slim, which can limit sound quality compared to a dedicated speaker. If you've connected a soundbar via the ARC or eARC port, check your TV's audio output setting is switched to send sound to the external speaker rather than its own. For those exploring different display technologies as part of their setup, our guide on what is OLED explains how picture technology can influence the settings you'll want to fine-tune.
Troubleshooting common TV setup issues
It's common to hit a small snag somewhere during setup. Here are simple first steps for the issues people run into most often.
Black screen. Check that the power cable is firmly connected at both ends, confirm the TV is switched to the correct HDMI or antenna input using the source or input button on your remote, and try a different HDMI cable or port if you suspect a faulty connection.
Static or a "no signal" message. This usually points to an antenna connection issue. Check the antenna cable is firmly screwed into the aerial input, run a channel scan or "auto tune" from your TV's settings menu, and confirm your antenna itself is in good condition if you're setting up in a new home.
Wi-Fi won't connect. Double check you're entering the correct password, try moving closer to your router temporarily to rule out signal strength, and restart both your TV and router if the connection still won't establish.
Remote not responding. Confirm the batteries are inserted correctly and have charge, and make sure there's a clear line of sight between the remote and the TV's sensor.
If a problem persists after trying these steps, your TV's manual or the manufacturer's support line can usually resolve it further, and The Good Guys team is also on hand to help if you'd rather talk it through with someone.
Need help? Explore The Good Guys TV setup services
If you'd rather not tackle any part of this process yourself, that's exactly what our services are here for. The Good Guys offers delivery, professional wall mounting and full setup services, so your new television can be up and running without you lifting a finger. We also stand behind our price beat guarantee, so you can shop with confidence knowing you're getting a competitive price alongside the support to back it up.
If you're still comparing your options or want to understand more about the technology on offer before you buy, our television buying guide is a great place to start, and you can browse the full televisions range whenever you're ready to shop or upgrade.
