By David Katzmaier
(December 3, 2004)

So you've finally stepped up and ditched your bulky tube television for a sleek new flat-panel LCD set. Problem is, like most televisions, LCDs are preconfigured to make an impact on the sales floor of your local electronics superstore, not in your living room. These default settings are usually way too bright and garish to accurately represent real life. Here's how to properly set the basic picture controls available on most LCD sets to maximize your home-theater viewing pleasure.