The first thing I usually do when I get a new TV is scour the settings menu and turn off all the annoying features enabled by default that I know firsthand can detract from the experience. I’m talking features like ACR (Automatic Content Recognition), which tracks what you’re watching unless you turn it off; motion smoothing, which can make movies look like soap operas; and energy-saving features that can make your TV look noticeably less vibrant than it should.

But beyond turning off the features I don’t want, there are several features I turn on that aren’t enabled by default, and they’ve helped significantly upgrade my TV. That includes changing the power-on screen so I can jump into streaming faster, adjusting the picture quality so it pops more, and making it easier to interact with the devices connected to my TV.

If you’re looking to upgrade your TV for free, here are four features you can turn on to instantly improve your experience that have worked for me, all of which just require exploring the settings menu. These features aren’t unique to any one TV brand either, so you can use them whether you have an LG, Samsung, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, or something else.

Turn on Recent Input

Say goodbye to your TV’s home screen

When I got my LG C5 TV last year, one of the first features I enabled was changing the Power On Screen to Recent Input. By default, most smart TVs nowadays power on to their home screen, which isn’t surprising considering they’re often filled with ads and recommended content that TV makers want you to see.

Personally, I don’t use my TV’s home screen at all. I use a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, along with my PC, PS5, and Switch 2, for all my streaming and gaming needs. I’ve even turned off the Wi-Fi on my TV entirely because I rely on other devices for everything.

So, if you’re in a similar boat and don’t use your TV’s built-in apps, switching the Power On Screen to your most recent input is a great way to jump into streaming or gaming faster. This is especially true if you always use the same device on your TV, like a Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV, because your TV will take you straight to it when you turn it on instead of making you navigate the home screen first.

On most smart TVs, you can find the option to change the default Power On Screen somewhere in the settings menu, usually under General or Power. Depending on your TV, the option may be called Recent Input or Last Used Input. On my LG TV, for example, I found it by going to General > System > Additional Settings > Home Settings > Power On Screen and turning on Recent Input. On my older Samsung TV, I found it under All Settings > General & Privacy > Start Screen Options.

Turn on Filmmaker Mode

Get the most accurate picture quality possible

Something I’ve always prioritized with any TV I’ve owned is making sure the picture quality is as good as it can be. That’s why whenever I get a new smart TV, I immediately turn off motion smoothing so shows and movies don’t look unnaturally sped up, and I also turn off energy-saving features so my TV can reach its full brightness.

But just as important as turning off those features is turning on a setting called Filmmaker Mode. If you’ve never heard of it before, it’s a Picture Mode available on most 4K TVs that adjusts the picture settings to display movies and TV shows as their creators intended. It automatically disables post-processing effects, such as motion smoothing and artificial sharpening, that can alter the image, while also preserving the correct aspect ratio, colors, and frame rate.

So, if you spend a lot of time streaming or watching 4K UHD Blu-rays on your TV, Filmmaker Mode is a crucial setting to turn on if you want the most accurate picture quality possible when watching a show or movie. On most smart TVs, you can easily turn it on by going to the settings menu, selecting Picture Mode, and changing it to Filmmaker Mode. Some TVs also let you enable Filmmaker Mode automatically, so the TV switches to it whenever it detects you’re watching a supported movie or TV show.

Turn on Bluetooth audio

Unlock a more immersive listening experience

Whenever I’m watching a show alone late at night or gaming, I like to connect Bluetooth headphones to my TV instead of using its built-in speakers. I find it to be a much more immersive listening experience, and it’s also great for when I don’t want to disturb anyone else. I use a pair of SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 headphones with my PC, which connect via USB, but they also conveniently support Bluetooth, so I can easily connect them to my TV as well.

Most newer smart TVs now have built-in Bluetooth, so you can connect any Bluetooth speakers, headphones, or earbuds, such as AirPods, and listen to your TV through them instead of the TV’s built-in speakers or your sound system.

To connect Bluetooth headphones to your TV, you can typically find the option in the settings menu under Sound. Look for a setting like Use Wireless Speaker or Bluetooth Speaker, then select it to open a list of available Bluetooth devices. From there, you can pair your headphones or earbuds with your TV, and they’ll be saved as a Bluetooth device so you can easily reconnect them whenever you want.

Turn on HDMI-CEC

Control your TV with greater ease

If you use a lot of HDMI devices with your TV, one last handy feature you’ll want to make sure is enabled is HDMI-CEC.

HDMI-CEC lets your TV and connected devices communicate with each other, allowing them to perform certain actions automatically. For example, I have my Fire TV Stick 4K Max connected to my TV, and I can use its remote to turn on my TV and have it automatically switch to my Fire Stick’s HDMI input, thanks to HDMI-CEC. This also works with game consoles. When I power on my PS5, it instantly turns on my TV and switches to the correct input, again thanks to HDMI-CEC.

So, if you want your TV and connected devices to work together more seamlessly, HDMI-CEC is a must, as it can make using your TV every day so much easier. Some TVs have it enabled by default, but if yours doesn’t, you can typically find it in the settings menu under General or HDMI settings.

It’s also worth noting that depending on your TV’s brand, HDMI-CEC might be called something else. On my LG TV, for example, it’s called Simplink (HDMI-CEC), while on my Samsung TV, it’s called Anynet+.