While you might not think much about your TV’s settings when popping on a new movie or docuseries, it might be worth doing. After all, the color, contrast, and brightness on your screen could be the difference between making out what’s going on during a dark scene or squinting at the TV, like, “What’s going on here?” Netflix actually has hidden test screens to help you properly calibrate your TV, but they don’t exactly make them easy to find.
First, head over to the Netflix website in your computer’s browser. Sign in to your account, then visit https://www.netflix.com/title/80018499. This is the link for the series of test videos Netflix offers to properly calibrate your screen. You’ll need to add one of the charts to your “List” as if were going to watch it later.
There are a variety of options to choose from here, so make sure you bookmark the one that matches your own TV’s resolution and refresh rate. You might need to pull out the manual if you don’t know this info off the top of your head.
Next, pull up Netflix on your Smart TV and pull the video up. As you play it, you can adjust the settings on your TV to match what you’re seeing on the screen. You’ll want to make sure you adjust the PLUGE (or picture line-up generation equipment) using the brightness control before moving on to the contrast and color saturation options. Finally, make sure you have the correct sharpness choices selected for your TV.
You can tell you’ve completed the Netflix color calibration test screens properly when all the resolution bars are clear and solid along the bottom. If so, you’re all good to go. It’s a simple thing that only takes a few minutes but can make a huge difference to your viewing experience.
