One of the benefits of having a flat-panel TV is that it isn't
necessary to keep it on a TV stand. The TV can be mounted on the wall, which can
save a significant amount of space in the room, and the streamlined look is on
the cutting edge of style. Every TV is a little different, so the mounting
process can vary. Make sure you buy the correct mount for your particular TV and
follow the included instructions carefully.
Attach the Bracket to the TV
There should be two main pieces to
the wall mount, one that attaches to the back of the TV and another that
attaches to the wall. The first step is to attach the first piece to the
television. There should be screw holes in the back of the television, but
they'll probably be covered with plastic caps. Use a screwdriver to pry them off
and screw the bracket into place.
TIP: You should never lay the TV face
down on the screen, as this can cause permanent damage. It's best to put it on
its TV stand or have someone hold it up for you, while you screw the bracket in
place.
TV Placement
You'll need to do a little bit of measuring to
figure out where on the wall to install the TV mount.
- Attach the wall portion of the bracket to the portion you already installed
on the back of the TV.
- Measure the distance from the bottom of the bracket to the bottom of the TV
and write down the number.
- Get help from a friend or two to hold the TV and figure out where on the
wall it should go.
- Making sure the TV is level, make a mark on the wall indicating the bottom
center of the TV.
- Use your measurement to determine where the TV mount will need to be placed.
- Mark the spot on the wall with a pencil.
Install the Wall Portion of the Bracket
Te wall portion of the
bracket must be screwed into studs.
- Use a stud finder to locate the ones nearest to the spot you marked off for
the bracket location.
- Line up the screw holes of the bracket with the center of the studs.
- Hold the bracket in place and use a level to make sure it's straight.
- Screw it into place--have someone else hold the bracket stable, so that it
remains level while you're screwing it in.
- Before you hang the TV, double-check that the bracket is level, as it will
be more difficult to fix afterward.
Running TV Cables
Here are some tips for running your TV's
cables:
- If running the cables outside of the wall, don't bundle them all
together. Power and A/V cables should be kept separate, at least a
couple of inches apart. This will help you avoid interference of audio or video
signals.
- If running the cables inside the wall, you'll need to cut holes for the
cables to enter and exit the wall. Make sure there's nothing in the way (e.g.,
studs or pipes) before you make any holes. Many brackets will have holes in
them, through which to run the cables.
Once the wall bracket is in
place and the wires are run, all you need to do is attach the TV to the wall
bracket. Have someone hold the TV up while you screw the two brackets together.
Check one last time to make sure it's level, connect the power and A/V cables,
and then sit back, relax, and enjoy your newly mounted TV.