One of the major appeals of flat panel TVs such as plasmas and LCDs is the space savings they create by hanging on the wall, out of the way. But do you need a pro to get that clean on-the-wall look? Not if you’re handy with a screwdriver, drill and know how to draw a straight line. We walk you through the steps of a typical flat panel install and highlight some of the areas where home owners may get “hung up.”
Before you get started drilling or bolting anything, you must carefully select the location. This is a much more serious decision than just picking a good place for a TV. Once you mount your plasma, the design of the entire room must be planned around it, and there’s no going back–you can’t just move the TV to another wall without remounting it, patching holes and repainting. Pick a location where the TV will be easily viewed by all seats in the room, which will also accommodate your speakers and can be conveniently connected to the rest of your components. If you want to put your TV on one wall and your components on the other side of the room, you’ve just seriously complicated your job. Also consider the placement of electrical outlets and lines. Although you will need to add a new outlet for the TV, having other outlets nearby makes the job easier. Also consider the height. While eye level is often ideal for TV viewing, large plasma TVs look better if placed a few inches above eye level, but not high enough to cause neck strain. A plasma mounted above a fireplace may look cool, but running wires behind and around a brick fireplace is a big job, and the height of the TV will hurt your neck after prolonged viewing.
For this article we selected an Omnimount U3 Tilt mount because its simple design makes for an uncomplicated install and it’s easily available from stores like Best Buy for do-it-yourselfers. This model supports TVs up to 200 pounds, which means any 50-inch plasma will work with it–I was mounting a 50-inch LG plasma. For help with this job I recruited my father, because mounting a TV of this size can’t be done alone. It’s also worth noting that this job took quite a bit more time than is typically required for mounting a flat panel TV due to the odd nature of the wall construction (more on that later).
Before you get started drilling or bolting anything, you must carefully select the location. This is a much more serious decision than just picking a good place for a TV. Once you mount your plasma, the design of the entire room must be planned around it, and there’s no going back–you can’t just move the TV to another wall without remounting it, patching holes and repainting. Pick a location where the TV will be easily viewed by all seats in the room, which will also accommodate your speakers and can be conveniently connected to the rest of your components. If you want to put your TV on one wall and your components on the other side of the room, you’ve just seriously complicated your job. Also consider the placement of electrical outlets and lines. Although you will need to add a new outlet for the TV, having other outlets nearby makes the job easier. Also consider the height. While eye level is often ideal for TV viewing, large plasma TVs look better if placed a few inches above eye level, but not high enough to cause neck strain. A plasma mounted above a fireplace may look cool, but running wires behind and around a brick fireplace is a big job, and the height of the TV will hurt your neck after prolonged viewing.
For this article we selected an Omnimount U3 Tilt mount because its simple design makes for an uncomplicated install and it’s easily available from stores like Best Buy for do-it-yourselfers. This model supports TVs up to 200 pounds, which means any 50-inch plasma will work with it–I was mounting a 50-inch LG plasma. For help with this job I recruited my father, because mounting a TV of this size can’t be done alone. It’s also worth noting that this job took quite a bit more time than is typically required for mounting a flat panel TV due to the odd nature of the wall construction (more on that later).
Thanks for this informative post
Thanks for this post
Ok, to say "It's as safe as plugging you TV into a surge protector via an extension cord.", please DO NOT feed an extension cord through the wall - building code prevents it, guaranteed. The PowerBridge solution is great because it uses the same Metal-Clad (MC) electrical wire used for outlets. The bonus is the power comes from a power conditioner or surge protector so you don't have to mount surge. The "dual-male" solution consists of two male plugs (for tv) leading to one female FROM surge.
PLEASE...don't mount your TV above the fireplace! You will be putting your local chiropractor's kids through college. The TV will simply be too high (even angled down). It is not always practical to do, but try watching any TV for a few hours that is mounted much higher than your head when seated. After only a few days, you'll wish the TV was lower. Don't believe me? Go to one of those big TV stores with lots of TVs on the wall, pull up a chair, and try watching the higher ones for a while.
I think the last 2 people misunderstand the electrical system. It goes like this: original standard electrical outlet to surge protector to lower 'male' plug to upper 'female' plug to TV. If someone unplugs the lower cable, the male prongs are dead - no electricity. It's as safe as plugging you TV into a surge protector via an extension cord. Why do you think there are 2 male ends to the cord - that would be useless - where would you plug the TV into?
As a registered P.E. in the State of Ohio I agree with J mack. This special power cord with dual male ends is a very bad idea. There is a reason why the live end of the power cord and your outlets are female and not hot rods poking out to zap anyone. please do not do this. I am sure your insurance co. would not cover you.
Ok, i just read the post about the "special" electrical outlet system using what appears to be a dual power cord you made that has 2 MALE plugs, one at the surge protector and the other male end plugged into the lower outlet...???? WOW BAD UNSAFE!! wht happens if someone unplugs that cord from the lower wall outlet?? LIVE ELECTRICITY, SHOCK!! TRY THIS INSTEAD. Powerbridgesolution
Really bad advise to make a NON-CODE COMPLIANT "extension" cord, that
s why you can't buy one already made.
I am building a house and putting the tv about the fireplace. How do I hide the dvd player?
What if you have single wall construction, without studs behind them? Please advise! Thank you.