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A man relaxing on a sofa with pillow and watching a movie on a tablet

March 25, 2025

Sports, movies & more: 5 tips to a better viewing experience

In today’s digital age, devices like tablets and laptops have become versatile tools for both work and entertainment. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or a movie buff, optimizing your device for the best viewing experience can make a significant difference. Here are five tips to create an immersive experience watching sports and movies on a device.

1. Invest in high-quality headphones or speakers

Sound quality plays a crucial role in creating an immersive viewing experience. The built-in speakers on most devices are decent, but for a truly cinematic experience, consider investing in high-quality headphones or external speakers:

  • Headphones: A good pair of over-ear headphones can provide excellent sound isolation, allowing you to hear details without external distractions. Look for headphones with features like noise cancellation and high-fidelity sound.
  • External speakers: If you prefer a more communal experience, external speakers are a great option. Bluetooth speakers are convenient and can be placed anywhere in the room for optimal sound distribution.

2. Optimize display settings

Most modern devices boast high-resolution displays, but tweaking the settings can enhance your viewing experience even further:

  • Brightness and contrast: Adjust the brightness and contrast settings to suit your environment. Higher brightness levels are ideal for well-lit rooms, while lower settings can reduce eye strain in darker environments.
  • High Dynamic Range (HDR): If your device supports HDR, enable it for richer colors and better contrast. HDR can make a significant difference in the visual quality of movies and sports, providing more lifelike images.
  • Night light: For late-night viewing, consider using the Night Light feature, which reduces blue light emission and helps prevent eye strain.

3. Make movie and sports watching accessible for everyone

Many devices offer a range of accessibility features that can enhance your viewing experience. Customize speed and volume to your preference and use reading options when you can’t hear. Look for others ways of making these devices accessible for everyone:

  • Speed and volume customization: Adjust playback speed and volume to suit your needs, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action.
  • Reading options: When audio isn’t an option, use text-to-speech or other reading tools to stay engaged with the content.

4. Enhance understanding with subtitles and translation

If your device is a Copilot+ PC, such as a Surface Pro 11th Edition or a Surface Laptop 7th Edition, you can use the Live Captions1 2 feature to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of content. Live Captions can detect audio playing from your device and provide real-time captions:

  • Real-time subtitles: Get accurate subtitles in real time with automatic Live Captions. This is especially useful for hearing impaired individuals and for understanding dialogue in movies or commentary in sports.
  • Language translation: Automatically translate what you watch on any live or pre-recorded video in 44 languages into English. This feature makes it easier to enjoy sports and movies from around the world.
A grandmother and grandson sitting together on a comfortable sofa watching a movie on a Surface Pro

AI art created via Copilot

5. Create a cozy viewing environment

The right environment can significantly enhance your viewing experience. Creating a cozy and comfortable space can make your movie or sports session more enjoyable:

  • Lighting: Soft, ambient lighting can create a relaxing atmosphere. Avoid harsh overhead lights and consider using lamps or LED strips to create a warm glow.
  • Comfort: Arrange comfortable seating with cushions and blankets. Snuggling up on the sofa can make a difference in comfort.
  • Snacks: No movie or sports session is complete without snacks. Prepare your favorite treats and drinks to enjoy while you watch.

Entertainment made easy: stream your next binge-watching adventure

Transform your device into an immersive entertainment center, providing an enjoyable viewing experience for both sports, movies, and more. Enjoy your next binge-watching session or live sports event with these simple yet effective recommendations.

  • DISCLAIMER: Features and functionality subject to change. Articles are written specifically for the United States market; features, functionality, and availability may vary by region.
  • [1] Currently supports translation for video and audio subtitles into English from 40+ languages. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs.
  • [2] On some devices, some Copilot+ PC experiences require free updates continuing to roll out through early 2025. Timing varies by device and region. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs

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