(Q) Should I choose a Fixed or Motion mount?

(A) Whether to choose a fixed or motion mount will depend on your personal preferences, room layout and intended audience of the TV. Each type of mount has its pros and cons.

(Q) What do I need to prepare for the TV mount installation?

(A)  Planning and preparation can be the most time-consuming step in the process of mounting a television on the wall. Deciding where to mount the TV at is not always a quick and simple task. Many things must be considered, such as the room's lighting and the TV's mounting height. You do not want to place your television on a wall where sunlight or artificial lighting will cause excessive screen glare. Also, the television should be mounted so that the middle of the screen is just about at eye level when viewers are seated. This is also a good time to consider how you will run the wires from your TV. You usually have the option of running them inside the wall or through the use of a cable management track. Once you've decided on an ideal location, use a stud finder to determine the location of the stud behind the wall. Use a pencil or masking tape to mark off where studs are. It is important to drill your holes directly in the center of the stud for a secure mounting job. Most homes have wood studs behind walls, which work best for TV wall mounts. Some homes, however, have brick, concrete or metal studs. Brick and concrete studs are harder to drill through and may require the purchase of additional hardware, such as a special bit for your drill. Metal studs are generally not strong enough to support the weight of a television. If you home has only metal studs, you may want to reconsider wall-mounting your television.

(Q) How can wires be hidden on a plasterboard wall?

(A)  The only sure-fire way to do it is quite time consuming. Cut the plasterboard from top to bottom using a straight edge and sharp stanley knife, to the desired length, ie from where the cables go in at the top to where they come out at the bottom, make the width of the cut about 50mm. You should be left with a cut-out of about 8 foot high x 50mm wide. Buy a sheet of 12mm plasterboard and a small tub of joint filling plaster ( pro-mix ). Cut the sheet of plasterboard to manageable lengths by 70mm wide. Screw 3 or 4, 40mm screws half way into the plasterboard strips, that gives you a handle to hold the strips. As you look at the front of the strips with the screws facing you, coat the strips on the face of the board, using the screws as handles, turn the strips to an angle that lets them fit in behind the cut-out in the plasterboard wall, once behind the wall, hold the screws and pull towards you. The 70mm wide strip will bond to the back of the 50mm wide cut-out. Do that all the way down, leave a day to bond and dry, unscrew out the screws then fit cables over the strips, once secure then plaster over the cables a couple of times.

(Q) What type of wall surface is bet for mounting a flat screen TV?

(A) Each type of wall has a different technique for mounting to it. What’s important to remember is that the wall must be sufficient for the TV’s weight. Here are some of the most common mounting situations and what you’ll need to mount successfully to them:
Dry Wall, Lathe and Plaster
Contain studs (wood or metal)
Most common wall type for mounting
Dry Wall is like a powder when drilled, Lathe and Plaster is more granular
Concrete
No studs
Typical for support pillars and commercial locations
Look for surface-mounted wiring and electrical
Harder to drill than Cinder/Hollow Block
Brick and Masonry
No studs
Determine if it's full brick, or just a facade
Usually red or clay color when drilled into
Softer than Concrete or Cinder/Hollow Block
Cinder Block / Hollow Block
No studs
Large blocks (bigger than Brick)
Grainy or porous appearance
May be surface-coated, most likely smooth Stucco
Drills easier than Concrete

(Q) How can you avoid glare when mounting a flat screen tv?

(A)You can get what's called a full-motion or tilting mount. A tilting mount allows for some control over glare from windows or room lights. Tilt the screen down or up to avoid glare and achieve the ideal viewing angle. But for those really sunny windows that seem impossible to avoid, you can put your TV onto a full-motion mount and pivot the mount away from facing the window so that the reflection goes elsewhere. The ability to tilt a TV up and down or swivel side-to-side can eliminate unwanted reflections on a TV screen.

(Q)Do I need to hire a professional to mount my TV?

(A) If you are trying to decide whether to hire a professional to mount your TV, there are a few points to consider before making a final decision. Experience and comfort level when it comes to home improvement projects is one big consideration, as is the amount of time available to dedicate to projects. The type of installation and other considerations, such as the size of the television and the location of the installation, may also dictate whether to hire a professional to do the job.

A Lack of Tools or Handyman Skills

Anyone who finds it challenging to hang a picture on a wall will certainly want to consider hiring a professional to install television mounts and brackets. Those lacking the proper tools, including a power drill, a stud finder, screwdrivers, and a level, will need to hire a professional unless they are willing to invest in these necessities in order to properly complete the installation.

Short on Time

Consumers who work long hours or travel frequently may also want to consider hiring a professional, as their time can be precious and they may not want to spend it on tedious and challenging home projects. Households with small children may also find it easier and less stressful to pay for installation rather than trying to accomplish the task with little ones underfoot.

Installation May Be Complicated

Most professionals who install video equipment are generally able to handle the more complex installations as well the simple ones. If a customer wants their television installed in an area that does not have an electrical outlet nearby, many companies employ licensed electricians and will install a new outlet for an extra charge. Running wires inside a wall or adding other components, such as sound systems, further complicates installation and may make it a wise choice to pay an experienced professional to do the job.

Televisions Are Heavy

Despite being slimmer and lighter than ever before, TVs with screen sizes of over 27 inches can still be heavy and cumbersome. Lifting these televisions to install them on a wall or ceiling mount can be difficult to nearly impossible, especially if someone is trying to do it without help. Hiring a professional to install the television will ensure that there is enough manpower to lift even the heaviest TV, and that it is mounted safely and securely.

Expert Advice

Depending on the layout of a room and the furniture, it may be challenging for a consumer to decide on the best area for placement of a television. Professional video and audio installers have the experience and training to help customers choose an appropriate place for the television that will enhance viewing while blending in with the other decor in the room.

(Q) How long is the TV mount installation process?

(A) Installing a TV mount on your own may take you a couple of hours to do, and you need to have at least one person to help you in installing the bracket and in lifting the LCD TV onto the wall mount.

If you're hiring a professional to do it, standard installation would take 1.5-2 hours. Custom installations, on the other hand, might take longer. This may still depend on a number of factors that can affect the length of the installation.

(Q) Can I mount a TV above a fireplace?

(A) Mounting a TV above a fireplace is cool and can double your viewing pleasure, however, it may not work in every setting. The type of wall material like brick and the distance of your fireplace to your home theater equipment can make it a challenge. You also have to consider temperature and TV placement, as well as installation and safety. The TV placement may be too high for comfortable viewing, and heat damage could become an issue.

If you plan to watch the TV occasionally, that's one thing. But, if it will be your main TV and you're going to watch regularly, beware. Always consult with a professional first.

(Q) What are the benefits of mounting a flatscreen tv?
(A)  The following are the benefits you can enjoy when you mount your flatscreen TV:

More space
Mounting your TV on the wall can create more space especially in rooms that have limited floor or wall space.

Safety
By mounting your TV on the wall, you can reduce the risk of the TV from falling and being broken. Damaged flat screen TV pixels can be difficult and expensive to repair. If you place your TV in low, high traffic areas, it can be damaged from the screen being touched or hit by an object. Also, TV will be safe from the reach of kids and you will no longer have to worry about an input change, buttons being pushed, or a child climbing on the TV desk.

Prevent theft
A free-standing TV can be easily stolen than a TV mounted on the wall.

Viewing Angle
You can enjoy watching TV from different angles without any reduction in picture quality.

(Q) How much clearance above the TV is needed when mounting?

(A) You need to consider a lot of factors including how many people will be watching, whether you will be lying down, sitting up or standing, the size of screen, room aesthetics as well as the potential glare from any window.  If you have little clearance above the TV, you will find that it causes neck strain, or that you don’t have the optimal view of the screen.