Congratulations on your new 85 inch television! Setting up a large screen TV properly is essential for getting the best picture quality and ensuring your investment lasts for years. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step, from the moment the delivery truck arrives to fine-tuning your picture settings for Australian viewing conditions.
⚠️ Important Safety Note
An 85 inch TV typically weighs between 40-60 kilograms. Never attempt to unbox, lift, or mount this size television alone. Always have at least two people handling the TV, and consider three for wall mounting installations.
Before the TV Arrives: Preparation Checklist
Proper preparation makes the setup process significantly smoother. Before your television arrives, take time to prepare your space and gather necessary items.
Clear Your Space
An 85 inch TV measures approximately 190 centimetres wide and 110 centimetres tall. You'll need considerably more space than this for safe unpacking and manoeuvring. Clear a floor area of at least 3 metres by 3 metres where you can safely lay the box flat and remove the TV. Remove any fragile items, rugs that might cause tripping, and ensure there's a clear path from your front door to this staging area.
Gather Your Tools and Supplies
Having everything ready beforehand prevents frustrating interruptions during setup. You'll need:
- Box cutter or scissors for opening packaging
- Soft blanket or moving pad to protect the screen
- Phillips head screwdriver for stand assembly
- Level for ensuring straight positioning
- Microfibre cloth for removing fingerprints
- Cable ties or velcro straps for management
- Surge protector power board
Unboxing Your 85 Inch TV Safely
The unboxing process requires patience and care. Rushing this step is the most common cause of accidental damage to new televisions.
Step-by-Step Unboxing Process
Begin by laying the box flat on your cleared floor space, ensuring the top of the box faces upward—there should be arrows or "this way up" indicators. Cut the tape along the top seams carefully, being mindful not to push the blade too deeply which could scratch the screen inside.
Remove the top foam padding and set it aside—you may want to keep packaging materials for future moves. Locate the accessories box, which typically contains the remote control, batteries, stand legs, screws, power cable, and quick-start guide. Remove this first and set it somewhere safe.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip
Keep all original packaging for at least 30 days. If you need to return the TV for any reason, most retailers require original packaging. Many Australians also keep the box for future house moves.
With your helper, carefully lift the TV from the box while keeping it upright. Never lay an LCD, QLED, or OLED TV flat on its screen—the weight can cause pressure damage to the panel. Carry it by the frame edges, avoiding any pressure on the screen surface.
Positioning Your Television
Choosing the Right Location
The placement of your TV dramatically impacts your viewing experience. Consider these factors when choosing your location:
Window Position: In Australian homes, afternoon sun can be brutal on TV viewing. Position your TV so windows are to the side rather than behind or directly in front of viewers. West-facing windows are particularly problematic in summer months.
Viewing Distance: For an 85 inch 4K television, the optimal viewing distance is between 2.5 and 4 metres. Closer than this and you may notice pixel structure; further away and you lose the immersive impact of the large screen. Our detailed viewing distance guide provides more specific recommendations.
Eye Level: When seated, the centre of your TV screen should be roughly at eye level, or slightly below. This prevents neck strain during extended viewing sessions. For most Australian lounges with standard sofas, this means the bottom of an 85 inch TV should be approximately 50-60 centimetres from the floor.
Stand vs Wall Mount
Both options work well for 85 inch TVs, but each has considerations. Using the included stand is simpler and allows easy access to rear ports. However, ensure your TV unit can support the weight—many standard entertainment units cannot safely hold a 50+ kilogram television.
Wall mounting creates a cleaner aesthetic and eliminates the need for a sturdy TV unit. However, it requires proper wall reinforcement and professional-grade mounting hardware. For detailed guidance, see our wall mounting guide.
Initial Setup and Configuration
Physical Connections
Before powering on, connect your essential cables. Always use high-quality HDMI cables rated for your needs—for 4K at 120Hz, you'll need Ultra High Speed HDMI cables certified for HDMI 2.1. Connect these to your devices before turning on the TV.
Connect your TV to the power outlet via a surge protector. Australian power grids generally have stable voltage, but storms can cause surges that damage sensitive electronics. A quality surge protector is inexpensive insurance for your significant investment.
First Power-On and Setup Wizard
When you first power on your TV, you'll be guided through an initial setup wizard. This typically involves:
- Language and region selection (choose Australia)
- Network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
- Account sign-in for smart TV features
- Channel tuning (if using an antenna)
- Picture mode selection
📱 Australian Streaming Services
Most 85 inch TVs sold in Australia come pre-installed with local streaming apps including Stan, Binge, Kayo, and 7plus. If any are missing, they can usually be downloaded from the TV's app store once connected to the internet.
Optimising Picture Settings
Out-of-the-box picture settings are typically designed to look impressive in brightly lit showrooms, not living rooms. Taking time to adjust these settings makes a remarkable difference in picture quality.
Disable "Demo Mode" Settings
First, disable any retail or demo mode settings. Look in the main settings menu under "General" or "System" for options labelled "Retail Mode," "Store Demo," or similar. These modes artificially boost brightness and saturation, which looks unnatural and can accelerate wear on OLED panels.
Choose the Right Picture Mode
Most TVs offer preset picture modes. For accurate colours and comfortable viewing, select "Cinema," "Movie," or "Filmmaker Mode" rather than "Vivid" or "Dynamic." The vivid modes may look punchy initially but cause eye strain and don't represent content as creators intended.
For detailed calibration instructions, our TV calibration guide provides comprehensive steps for achieving reference-quality picture settings.
Final Steps and Ongoing Care
Once your TV is set up and configured, register your warranty with the manufacturer. Keep your receipt and note down the serial number, typically found on a sticker on the back panel. Finally, familiarise yourself with proper cleaning and maintenance practices—our maintenance guide covers everything you need to know about caring for your large screen.
Key Takeaways
- Always unbox and handle an 85 inch TV with at least two people
- Keep the TV upright—never lay it flat on the screen
- Position away from direct sunlight, especially western windows
- Optimal viewing distance is 2.5-4 metres for 85 inch 4K TVs
- Use Cinema or Filmmaker mode for accurate picture quality
- Always connect through a surge protector