Tips on how to prepare and equipment
needed for the installation of your flat panel TV.
OK You've taken the leap and bought your Flat Panel ( Plasma
or LCD ) TV. Now what?
Watch this short video first and then decide if it is
something you think you can do:
Still feeling confident? If so, then let's move
on. I have a few common sense tips and then a few tips
that have come from research and experience ( mistakes).
Decide where you want your TV. Are you going to
buy a stand or mount it on a wall? Mounting it means
that you will have to have a sturdy flat area;
preferably with wooden studs. Putting it on a
cement/brick wall is a nightmare.
Cut a rectangle of cardboard the same size as your TV
and cover it with tinfoil. Then place it where you
are thinking of putting the TV.
Now go to where you plan to watch the TV and stare at
the mock up for a while. Do you plan to be sitting or
standing? Are there reflections coming from lights or
windows? What angle to you naturally have your head?
( remember that the screens in pubs etc are high so that
everyone can see them, not because it is a comfortable
angle). Imagine watching the entire Star Wars
Trilogy in one sitting. Still at a comfortable
height? ( the average person spends over 4 hours a night
watching TV) OK, so now you have personalized the
ergonomics and eliminated eye strain due to glare.
Mark the position on the wall with a pencil.
Check out the position of your sound system and
cable/antenna outlet. Measure how long your wires
need to be. Remember to give yourself a few
extra feet to account for corners etc. You or
your cable guy can run an outlet up the wall if you are
going to connect it directly. And you can run all
your sound system wires down the back of the wall.
There are some beautiful connector plates available for
those of us who love a clean and tidy look.
OK now for the fun stuff! Get your mounting plate
and hold it into position. It is a good idea to
attach your mock up onto it. This way you will know
if the position you chose allows a person to be on each
side of the TV when it comes time to attach it. You
don't want to be fumbling around at the last minute.
OOPS is not a good thing to hear!
MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS LEVEL
Now go to it just as you saw in the video. Making
sure to attach the mounting bracket to studs. NO
USING FLIMSY DRYWALL ANCHORS!
Attach your speakers and run your cables and dig out
those Star Wars dvd's!
TOOLS NEEDED:
Pencil for marking positions
Case cutter for making mock up
Tin Foil ( dollar store cheap stuff will do)
Gyprock saw ( I have found that a dollar store hack saw
blade holder works well)
Drill with screwdriver attachments and drill bits for
pilot holes in studs and access holes in gyprock
