How to Install Your Plasma or LCD Flat Panel TV

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? 

You might have noticed that your flat screen TV is as heavy as a slab of granite.  It will need serious support.  Don't even think of just propping it up on the mantle!  The best scenario is for you to attach it to something sturdy.  Then you will have to run wires and set up speakers.  This can be as sloppy as just laying everything on the floor ( ask your wife first!) or doing some surgery on your drywall and fishing the wires through.  Regardless of what you decide, you must either secure the TV yourself or get a professional in to do it for you.  Remember safety is paramount.

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).

1. 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 tricky because there is no patching up any goofs,  but it can be done with foresight and proper tools.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Mark the position on the wall with a pencil or chalk.
5. 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.
6. 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!
7. MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS LEVEL
8. 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!   If you are anchoring it to concrete or brick, then I would suggest using #8 plastic anchors in a predrilled hole.  Each one can carry a 40 lb load.
9. 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. ( a masonry bit if you are drilling pilot holes into brick or concrete...avoid drilling into the mortar) 
• Level ( check check and check again)

WANT SPEAKERS LIKE IN THE VIDEO?

LOOK AT THESE ( JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE):

Good Luck!