This article provides an overview of the TCL Google TV settings customers may find listed in their TV’s user manual. These settings allow customers to adjust picture, sound, network connection, apps, privacy options, system features, remotes, accessories, and more.

The settings listed in this article are based on the TCL X11L Series Google TV user manual. 

Note: Settings, menu names, and available features may vary by model, region, input source, app, picture mode, and software version.

Customers with TCL Q, QM, X11, and RM series Google TVs can also access a built-in user manual directly on the TV. To find it, go to the Apps section from the TV’s Home screen and open the user manual app, if available.

To open the Settings menu:

1. Press the Home button on your remote.
2. Select the Settings icon.
3. Select All settings.
4. Use the directional buttons and OK to select a menu or setting.

General Settings

Channels & Inputs

Use Channels & Inputs to manage live TV channels and connected devices.

Common options may include:

• Channel Scan
  Searches for available antenna channels automatically or manually.
• Country/Region
  Sets the country or region used to arrange available channels.
• Scan Automatically
  Scans for channels based on the selected tuner mode and channel type.
• Manually Scan
  Allows channels to be scanned manually using details such as channel number or frequency.
• Edit Channels
  Lets you adjust or organize the channel list after channels have been scanned.
• Clear Channel List
  Resets the saved channel list.
• EPG
  Opens the Electronic Program Guide for supported live TV channels.
• Channel Diagnostics
  Helps test picture, sound, and signal information for TV channels.
• Authentication for TV Service
  Checks whether a selected TV service is trusted.
• External Inputs
  Displays connected inputs and standby inputs. You may be able to rename inputs or choose whether they appear in the input list.
• HDMI CEC
  Allows the TV and compatible HDMI-connected devices to control each other.
• HDMI Control
  Enables control of compatible HDMI-connected devices.
• eARC
  Allows high-quality audio output through the HDMI ARC/eARC port when connected to a compatible audio device.
• Power on the TV in Sync
  Allows the TV to power on when a compatible HDMI-connected device is turned on.
• Device Standby in Sync
  Allows compatible HDMI-connected devices to enter standby when the TV enters standby.
• Auto Switch
  Helps save energy by switching connected HDMI devices to standby when not in use.

Display & Sound

Use Display & Sound to adjust picture, screen, and audio settings. Available options may vary depending on the content, input, picture mode, and TV model.

Picture Settings

• Picture Mode
  Changes the overall picture appearance based on what you are watching. Options may include:
• Intelligent
  Automatically adjusts the picture based on the content and viewing environment.
• Vivid
  Boosts color and contrast for a brighter, more enhanced picture.
• Standard
  Balances picture quality and energy use for everyday viewing.
• Sports
  Improves motion for sports and fast-moving content.
• FILMMAKER MODE
  Displays supported movies and shows closer to the creator’s intended picture style.
• Movie
  Optimizes the picture for watching movies.

Brightness Settings

• Brightness
  Adjusts the overall screen brightness.
• Contrast
  Adjusts the white level of the picture.
• Black Level
  Adjusts how dark black areas appear.
• Gamma
  Adjusts mid-range brightness. Lower settings may make the picture appear brighter.
• Automatic HDR Conversion
  Analyzes video scenes and adjusts dynamic range to improve contrast.
• Dynamic Tone Mapping
  Balances brightness and detail in HDR content.
• Dynamic Contrast
  Automatically adjusts contrast based on the picture.
• Black Stretch
  Enhances shadow contrast.
• Local Contrast
  Adjusts backlight and signal contrast by area to improve image depth.
• Peak Luminance
  Adjusts maximum brightness in local dimming areas.
• Micro Contrast
  Dynamically adjusts contrast in different parts of the image.
• Dynamic Brightness
  Automatically adjusts backlight based on the picture.

Color Settings

• Color Saturation
  Adjusts color intensity.
• Tint
  Adjusts color tone.
• Dynamic Color
  Automatically enhances picture color.
• Adaptive Color Temperature
  Adjusts screen color temperature based on room lighting.
• Color Temperature
  Changes the picture between warmer or cooler color tones.
• White Balance
  Fine-tunes white color levels.
• Color Space
  Adjusts the range of colors the TV displays.
• Clarity Settings
• Sharpness
  Adjusts picture detail.
• Digital Noise Reduction
  Reduces compression noise in the image.
• Noise Reduction
  Reduces random picture noise.
• Gradation Clear
  Helps reduce banding or noise in color gradients.
• Super Resolution
  Enhances video detail using real-time image processing.
• Precision Detail
  A Dolby Vision feature that helps reveal more detail in bright and dark areas.

Motion Settings

• Motion Clarity
  Adds motion compensation to help reduce blur and judder.
• LED Motion Clear
  Controls the LED backlight to help fast-moving images appear clearer.
• Dynamic Acceleration
  Increases the screen refresh rate when supported.
• Game Direct Sync
  Helps reduce input lag for certain gaming signals.

Additional Picture Options

• Restore Defaults
  Resets custom picture settings for the current picture mode.
• Apply All Picture Settings
  Applies picture settings to all inputs or only the current input.
• Eye Health Protection
  Includes features designed to improve viewing comfort.
• Adaptive Brightness
  Adjusts brightness based on room lighting.
• Blue Light Filter
  Reduces blue light in the image.
• Automatic Content Recognition
  When enabled, the TV may switch to a matching picture mode when supported FILMMAKER MODE or IMAX content is detected.

Screen Settings

• Auto Detect
  Automatically adjusts the viewable screen area based on the signal.
• Aspect Ratio
  Changes the picture size and screen shape.
• Overscan
  Enlarges the picture, which may cause the outer edges to be cut off.

Sound Settings

• Sound Mode
  Changes the audio profile based on the content. Options may include:
• Movie
  Optimizes surround sound for movies.
• Speech
  Enhances voices and dialogue clarity.
• Music
  Improves music detail and layering.
• Games
  Optimizes surround sound for gaming.
• Night
  Reduces loud sound changes for quieter nighttime listening.
• Sports
  Enhances spacious sound for sports content.
• Custom
  Allows personal sound adjustments.
• Sound Mode Customization
  Lets you adjust sound effects when using a custom sound mode.
• Beosonic
  Allows personalized sound adjustment on supported models.
• Equalizer
  Adjusts sound by frequency range.
• Loudness
  Boosts low and high frequencies at lower volume levels.
• Treble
  Adjusts high-frequency sound.
• Bass
  Adjusts low-frequency sound.
• Center Speaker
  Adjusts center speaker volume to improve dialogue clarity.
• Surround Speaker
  Adjusts surround speaker volume for ambient sound effects.

Other Sound Settings

• TV Placement
  Optimizes sound based on where the TV is placed.
• Dolby Atmos
  Enables supported surround sound effects.
• DTS DRC
  Reduces background noise in DTS audio to help make sound clearer.
• Audio Only Mode
  Turns off the TV screen while audio continues to play.

Audio Output Settings

Audio Output
Selects where TV audio plays.

Common options may include:

• Auto/Internal Speaker
  The TV automatically selects the highest priority audio device.
• Internal Speaker
  Plays sound through the TV speakers.
• HDMI ARC/eARC
  Sends audio to a compatible device connected through HDMI ARC/eARC.
• Bluetooth
  Sends audio to a paired Bluetooth audio device.
• Optical
  Sends audio to a device connected through the optical audio port.
• Internal Speaker + Subwoofer
  Plays audio through the TV speakers and a compatible external subwoofer connection when supported.
• Digital Audio Out
  Selects the audio format used by a connected HDMI or optical audio system.
• Speaker Management
  Manages compatible connected speakers.
• Audio Delay
  Adjusts audio timing to help sync sound and picture when using TV speakers.
• Digital Audio Out Delay
  Adjusts timing for audio sent through optical, ARC, or external audio devices.

Network & Internet

Use Network & Internet to connect the TV to Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet connection. This menu may also show the current network status.

Common uses include:

• Wi-Fi Setup
  Connects the TV to a wireless network.
• Wired Network Setup
  Connects the TV to the internet using an Ethernet cable.
• Network Status
  Shows whether the TV is connected to the internet.

A reliable broadband internet connection is required to use Google TV smart features and streaming services.

Accounts & Sign In

Use Accounts & Sign In to sign in with a Google Account. Signing in allows access to Google TV features such as app downloads, personalized recommendations, and other Google services.

Some smart features may require both a Google Account and a TCL account.

Privacy

Use Privacy to manage privacy-related settings on the TV. Options may include app permissions, usage settings, and other privacy controls depending on model and software version.

Apps

Use Apps to view and manage installed apps.

Common options may include:

• Recently Opened Apps
  Shows apps that were recently used.
• All Installed Apps
  Displays apps installed on the TV.
• System Apps
  Displays built-in apps used by the TV system.
• App Permissions
  Allows you to manage what apps can access, such as location, microphone, or other features.
• Special App Access
  Allows certain app access settings, such as usage access, notification access, or energy optimization.

System

Use System to manage TV-wide settings.

Common System Options

• Ambient Screensaver
  Sets up Google TV Ambient Mode, which may show weather, time, Google Photos, art, or other screensaver content.
• Power & Energy
  Adjusts screen saver options, power-on behavior, energy saver settings, sleep timer, and standby mode.
• About
  Shows TV information such as system update, device name, status, model, software version, product information, legal information, auto update, and reset options.
• Date & Time
  Sets date, time, time zone, automatic time sync, and 24-hour format. Network connection may be required for automatic time settings.
• Language
  Changes the TV menu language. This may also affect voice recognition language.
• Keyboard
  Manages the on-screen keyboard, keyboard language, keyboard version, terms, privacy policy, open-source licenses, usage statistics, and installed keyboards.
• Storage
  Shows memory usage and allows management of app data, cache, defaults, permissions, and app behavior.
• Cast
  Allows other devices on the same Wi-Fi network to control cast media on the TV.
• System Sounds
  Adjusts or turns off TV system sounds.
• AirPlay and HomeKit Settings
  Allows Apple AirPlay sharing and Apple Home control when supported.
• TCL Account & Sign In
  Allows a TCL account to be added or managed.
• Parental Controls
  Restricts certain programs based on rating or age limits. A four-digit password is required.
• Game Master
  Enables supported gaming features such as VRR, which can help reduce screen tearing and provide smoother gameplay.
• Interactive Service
  Manages interactive service options when available.
• Emergency Alert
  Manages emergency alert information provided in TV programming.
• Advanced Settings
  May include options such as standby LED indicator behavior and the TV’s usage environment.
• Restart
  Restarts the TV.

Accessibility

Use Accessibility to adjust features that make the TV easier to see, hear, and use.

Common options may include:

• Captions
  Turns captions on or adjusts caption settings.
• High Contrast Text
  Makes on-screen text easier to read when supported.
• Text to Speech
  Reads supported on-screen text aloud.
• Accessibility Shortcut
  Sets a shortcut for quickly opening accessibility features.
• TalkBack
  Provides spoken feedback for supported menus and navigation.
• Switch Access
  Allows supported external switches or controls to navigate the TV.

Remotes & Accessories

Use Remotes & Accessories to pair and manage Bluetooth devices.

Common options may include:

• Pair Accessory
  Searches for nearby Bluetooth accessories.
• Bluetooth Device Management
  Pairs, disconnects, or manages connected Bluetooth devices.
• Make TV Visible
  Allows nearby Bluetooth devices to find the TV for pairing.

Help & Feedback

Use Help & Feedback to access Google TV Help and support information.

Built-In User Manual and Product Downloads

Some TCL Google TV models include a built-in user manual that can be opened directly on the TV. On TCL Q, QM, X11, and RM series Google TVs, customers can find the built-in user manual in the Apps section on the TV’s Home screen.

For additional model-specific information, customers can also visit the Product Downloads section on TCL’s support website. Select TCL models include downloadable user manuals, but manuals may not be available for every model.