Installing a Plasma TV Wall Mount

Installing a Plasma TV Wall Mount - A Step-by-Step Guide

The level of DIY skills normally required to install a plasma TV wall mount may vary somewhat depending on the type of plasma TV mount in question. Normally, the whole process requires that you drill four holes in the wall, attach the back plate of the wall mount to the wall with screws, fix the front mounting bracket with the VESA hole pattern to the back of your flat panel TV and then lower the plasma TV into place. What is in between the wall plate and the front mounting bracket determines whether the wall mount is fixed, tilting, etc.

The standard 'fixed-type' flat wall mount is the easiest to do it yourself. This is the plasma TV wall mount that takes up the least space - it adds no more than two inches to your plasma television set depth. If you have ever hung a bathroom cabinet, you can handle the job.

Tilted and articulated arm wall mounts add a bit more depth to the overall mount, but these mounts leave your interconnecting options open. These wall-mounts will make it easier for you to add more cables to support new gear later without having to remove the plasma display panel from the supporting bracket. With a fixed-flat type plasma TV wall mount, you have to remove the plasma television set every time you want to plug in a new device.

Once you decide on the type of plasma TV wall mount to use, purchase your mount only from a reputable source and ensure that it fits your plasma TV. In particular, check not only the size of the flat-panel TV it can take, but also that its load bearing capacity matches the weight of your plasma television.

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Important: Irrespective of the type of mounting option you choose, ensure that the plasma TV wall mount you opt for comes with a VESA compliant mounting hole pattern.

This is the standard measurement for flat-panel TV mounts. Universal stands designed to fit various sizes normally come with multiple hole patters to fit the different screen sizes.

The VESA mounting standard includes the VESA 50, 75, and 100, while larger models may use the VESA 200. The number behind the VESA standard indicates the mounting hole pattern in millimeters. For example, the VESA 100 will have four holes placed at the corners of a 100mm by 100mm square. The exception is the VESA 200, which comes either in VESA 200x100mm, or VESA 200x200mm hole pattern.

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It is true that plasma television sets are slim, BUT... they are heavy.

As already indicated earlier on in this article, plasma television sets are heavy, and substantially heavier than an equivalent screen size LCD TV. A 50-inch plasma television set may easily exceed 100 pounds when boxed. This means that not all walls are suitable to take a plasma TV wall mount. If in doubt, either call professional assistance or use a pedestal stand.

In particular, if you are installing your plasma TV wall mount on a drywall, be sure to screw your mount into wooden studs, not just into the wallboard, otherwise your display panel will crash to the ground.

Once you find the studs, mark their location in pencil on the wall. Measure the vertical distance between the screw holes on the mount. Now it is time to decide on how high to mount your TV. We have covered this in our first part of this 'Plasma TV Installation Guide'. Both the 'flat' and the 'swivel articulated-arm' plasma TV wall mounts are normally fixed such as to set the centerline of the plasma display panel at eye-level when seated. On the other hand, the tilted wall mount is usually set at a higher level.

After deciding on the height, mark in pencil where you will place each screw. Double-check that it will be level by using a spirit level; alternatively, measure the distance from the floor up to each screw hole you have marked. It is crucial that you mount it perfectly level - it will be hard to fix a poorly done job later, so recheck your measurements.

Also, use heavy-gauge screws that are capable of taking the full load of the plasma display when screwing your plasma TV wall mount to the supporting wall. The best way to fix thick-gauge screws is to first drill a pilot hole; this is a hole slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the screws you are using. Attach the mount with the screws - check before tightening to ensure that it is perfectly level.

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Tip: Double-check the stability of your plasma TV wall mount. Once you fix the plasma TV mount in place, pull on it as hard as you can to make sure it is absolutely firm in place; do this before proceeding to hang on your plasma television set.

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Once your mount is in place, hang the plasma television set on the mount. You would need someone to help you hold the plasma panel till you manage to hang the unit in place.

Irrespective of the model and brand, the mounting process for a plasma television set is practically always the same. You first screw the back plate of your plasma TV wall mount onto the wall and attach the front plate to your flat-panel TV. Then all you have to do is to lower the plasma TV with the mounted front plate assembly (with the help of an extra pair of hands) in place into the rest of the wall mount. Models vary considerably, so make sure you follow the installation guides that come with both your plasma TV wall mount and your TV set.

Do not forget to connect all cables prior to hanging your plasma TV on the wall bracket if you are using a 'fixed-type' plasma TV wall mount. Once you hang the plasma in place, it is close to impossible to plug in any connecting cables with a fixed wall mount.

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More Plasma TV Installation TIPS!

		Recessed Installation: If you plan to recess your plasma television set to keep the screen flush with the wall, it is important to allow at least three inches of open space above the top of the unit - plus the necessary extra space that may be required on either side of the TV - depending on the plasma TV model. In addition, ensure that the recess is deep enough to allow air to circulate behind the unit to avoid any overheating. Remember that ventilation is especially important with plasma television sets since these tend to get hotter than LCD TVs due to their higher power requirements. A 50-inch plasma TV may easily consume anything between 300W as against the 150W to 200W required for a typical 52-inch LCD HDTV. Note that while aesthetically, recessed installations are an interesting option, yet keep in mind that you are stuck with the size of the recess. In other words, you cannot upgrade to a larger plasma television set later should you desire so.
		Finding Studs: In new houses, studs are generally placed 16 inches apart. Therefore, if you find one, you can look for one that far away. In addition, power outlets are usually placed adjacent to a stud, so look for a stud there. If for some reason, you cannot locate the studs, get an inexpensive $20 stud finder - available from any hardware store. For slightly more, you can get an all-in-one metal and wood stud finder and electricity cable locator. A great all-in-one product is the Zircon StudSensor i65. It sells for under $30 and includes auto depth sensing, auto re-calibration, and even an integrated erasable marker to make it easy to mark the spot for anchoring without removing the tool from the wall. For those who has never used a stud finder, this particular model also comes with DVD how-to guide. For more information on the Zircon i65, click either on the image above or the link here: Zircon StudSensor i65

Safety First

		The biggest concern when installing a plasma TV wall mount is buried electricity wiring in the wall. Be careful not to drill or screw into any wiring. The best way to work safely is to get an inexpensive electricity cable locator - usually available from hardware stores. The Zircon i65 referred to above is also capable of finding buried electricity cables.
		It is true that plasma television sets are slim, but as stated earlier on, they are very heavy. If you are not sure of your DIY skills, or in doubt about the load bearing capacity of your wall, call professional assistance.

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A Final Recommendation

You have gone all the way to install your HDTV and mount your plasma TV wall mount the professional way. For sure, you will want to get the very best out of your flat-panel TV, but there is still one more thing that you have to do: Adjust the various settings on your plasma TV for the best viewing experience. The best way to do this is to invest in a good set-up DVD.

A great calibration disc is the Avia II Home Theater Set-up DVD, an exceptional AV calibration tool for both the novice and the expert.

Other interesting calibration disc worth considering include the Digital Video Essentials HD Basics, and Spears & Munsil High-Definition Benchmark, both of which come in Blu-ray editions.

For more information, please check our Guide to HT Set-Up DVDs.