With the cost of living going up all the time, more of us are choosing to spend evenings in rather than going out. But sometimes, watching TV at home isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Watching the small screen isn’t quite the same experience as the big screen. It doesn’t immerse you in the onscreen action so well, not least because of the unintended interruptions that tend to happen at home. On top of this, the cost of streaming programmes and renting films can mean that staying in is almost as expensive as going out. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
To help you solve some of these niggles, here are eightpractical and thrifty ways to boss your home entertainment.
Reduce the strain
Far too many of us end up with aches and pains and eye strain after watching TV at home. In most cases this is because we’re sat too close to the screen and have it mounted far too high on the wall. Reduce the strain by mounting your TV at eye level and try not to sit too close to the screen. If you have a 4K Ultra HD TV, you can work out the ideal viewing distance by multiplying your screen size by 1.5.
Banish the glare
You can reduce eye strain further by banishing the glare from sunlight and streetlights. The easiest way to do this is by drawing a set of blackout curtains across your windows. Thiswill also help to block out external noises and distractions andwill make the room feel much cosier when you’re watching films late at night.
Dim the lights
Of course, you do need some light to watch your TV. But if you’re still watching TV under the glare of your living room’s bright ceiling light, you’re missing out. Dim the main lights or switch to table lamps or fairy lights to create a cosierambience and a more immersive experience, similar to that in the cinema.
Dial up the comfort
There’s no need to splash out on a cinema room to improve your TV viewing. You can create a more cinematic experience by simply dialling up the comfort in your lounge. Arrange furniture in front of the screen, so you don’t need to twist your body or strain your neck and pile up the cushions, so you can sink into the seats. It’s also handy to have a side table or coffee table close by. That way you’ve somewhere to put drinks and snacks.
Use cabling for a consistent connection
Is your TV viewing getting constantly interrupted by an unstable Wi-Fi connection? If interference from other devices is causing your internet connection to drop out or HD content is buffering too often, switch to an Ethernet cable connection and get more consistent streaming.
Steady the stream
There are so many streaming services vying for your attention, including Netflix, Apple TV, Disney+ and Now TV. Although plans can cost as little as £4.99 a month, this does start to mount up if you sign up to three or four. So, why not stream one at a time? Many of these platforms keep their big-hitting TV shows available for months. So, it can be more cost-effective to wait for a whole series to come out before you start paying for your monthly plan. Once you’ve watched what you want to see cancel the plan and start streaming something else.
Get the picture
Using streaming services is all very well, but what if you simply want to watch live TV and free-to-air channels or just want to make sure you’ve got access to as many channels as possible? In this case, you really need a working aerial. A newTV aerial installation should give you a clearer picture and better sound quality – improving your terrestrial TV viewing experience.
Use your TV’s settings
Most of us set our TVs up when we first get them and never mess with the settings and modes ever again. But many TVs have different picture modes to suit what you’re viewing, such as sport and movie modes. Some TVs will also allow you to save brightness and contrast settings for different content types too. So, tailor your display to boost your viewing experience.
