Plasma TV Installation Tips

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Can I mount a plasma screen television on my fireplace?

Mounting a Plasma Screen Television on a Fireplace

Since plasma screen televisions can be mounted on a myriad of surfaces, they add flexibility to the placement of your home theatre system. Instead of using just one room for television use, plasma screen television owners can integrate their home theatre in to almost any living space. Traditionally, relaxation space in homes is focused around the fireplace; while in reality, the space is often focused around the television. Now, it is possible to integrate the two by mounting a plasma screen television above the fireplace. In this way, both traditional and realistic living spaces can be perfectly integrated.

   
How do I mount a plasma screen television on different surfaces?

Suitable Surfaces for Mounting Plasma Screen Televisions

Plasma screen televisions can be mounted on a variety of surfaces. They can even be mounted on ceilings. Standard surfaces such as sheetrock or drywall should make use of stud anchors. Plasma screen televisions can be mounted on brick, stone, or tile using cement anchors. This allows them to be placed in any number of rooms within a house, from living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and even on fireplaces.

   
Are plasma screen televisions affected by magnetic fields?

Plasma Screen Televisions and Magnetic Fields

Plasma screen televisions allow greater flexibility in the construction of home theater systems. A CRT display uses an electron beam to produce a picture, and is therefore sensitive to the magnetic fields produced by speakers and computing equipment. The image produced by a CRT can be distorted if it is placed too close to speakers or computers. Plasma screen televisions do not rely on electron beams to produce pictures, and can therefore be placed near to speakers without loosing image quality. This way, you can create a home theatre area in a very small space, without sacrificing your viewing enjoyment.

   
What kind of space should I set my plasma screen television up in?

Plasma Screen Televisions and Home Theatre Space

You need to select a space for your plasma screen television that provides enough area for your television, home theatre system, and comfortable viewing. You need an open space of wall or ceiling to mount the television on, or a sufficiently strong table on which it can be placed. While speakers can be placed very close to plasma screen televisions, remember to allow enough distance between speakers, screen, and viewing area to produce a pleasing sound shell. You should also allow enough distance between your seating area and the screen itself. While buying the largest screen possible is an attractive option, you want to be able to view the picture comfortable – so a smaller plasma screen television may be best for a smaller space.

   
How much viewing distance should I allow for my plasma screen television?

Plasma Screen Television View Distance

Have you ever sat in the front row of a movie theatre? The action is right in front of you, but the picture is too big to see and you get a sore neck. The same thing happens when you install a plasma screen television in an area that does not allow ample distance between the viewer and the screen. The rule is pretty simple, the smaller the television you have, the smaller the distance you need between the viewer and the screen. Smaller plasma screen televisions, those smaller than 37 inches, can be comfortably watched from as little as 6 feet away. Screens in the area of 40 inches should be viewed from 10 to 14 feet away. Allow 12 to 16 feet for screens around 50 inches, and give yourself at least 15 feet when viewing a screen over 60 inches.

   
How do I mount a plasma screen television on a horizontal surface?

Mounting Plasma Screen Televisions on a Horizontal Surface

Mounting a plasma screen television on a horizontal surface is the easiest mode of installation. Usually, the stand for a plasma screen television is only about 6 inches deep. As long as the surface is strong enough to hold the weight of the television, all you have to do is place the stand and align the mounting areas of the television with it. If your mantel is strong enough, a standard horizontal stand is the best option for mounting your plasma screen television on your fireplace. The television can also be placed on a table or within a home theatre shelf unit. Wire connections can be hidden behind the furniture, or run along the back of the mantelpiece.

   
How do I mount a plasma screen television on a wall?

Mounting Plasma Screen Televisions on a Wall

It is best to work with another person when mounting a plasma screen television on a wall. Since standard walls are usually drywall or sheetrock, first use a stud finder to locate usable wall studs. Most plasma screen televisions require only one or two wall anchors secured with several screws. When using more than one using more than one anchor, make sure that they are level to each other so that the picture is not tilted. After the anchors are securely placed in the wall, all you have to do is hang the screen.

   
Can I tilt my plasma screen television to increase the viewing angle?

Plasma Screen Television Viewing Angle

In extreme instances, you may need to change the angle of your plasma screen television in order to increase visibility. A typical plasma screen television has a 160-degree area of image visibility. If you need to extend this area, you can mount the television using a tilt wall mount. This should allow you to vertically tilt the screen up to 25%, using only about half an inch more of space than you would normally use during installation. Still, the tilting does affect the look of your home theatre system, as your television is no longer resting flush with the surface that it is mounted on. If you're going for the perfectly flat look, make sure to select a surface where no tilting is necessary.

   
Will the heat from my fireplace damage my plasma screen television?

Heat Concerns for Fireplace Mounted Plasma Screen Televisions

Always take heat levels in to consideration when mounting a plasma screen television. The television itself will produce a great amount of heat, and if it is placed in a high heat environment (anything over 90 degrees Fahrenheit) it can suffer damage. When mounting a plasma screen television above a fireplace, make sure to check the temperature of the surface that it will be mounted on. Do this by attaching a thermometer to the surface and then by building a normal size fire in the fireplace. After a while, check the thermometer to make sure that the recommended temperature for your television hasn't been exceeded. If so, make sure never operate your television while a there is a fire in the fireplace.

   
Can I mount a plasma screen television within a wall?

Installing Plasma Screen Televisions Within a Wall

One of the great things about a plasma screen television is that its slim dimensions allow it to be mounted within walls and bookshelves. Before installing, make sure that the space is adequately wide enough to accommodate your plasma screen television. Plasma screen televisions can produce quite a bit of heat when they are operating. When installing the television within the wall, make sure that you allow for open ventilation space behind the television, as well as at least 3 open inches at the top to allow air to circulate. Another consideration is the wiring required for speakers, power, and connectivity to the rest of your home theatre system. Leave ample space beside and behind the television for any wire connections that you need to make.

   
How do I conceal the wires of my plasma screen television?

Concealing Plasma Screen Television Wires

One of the largest installation concerns of the new plasma screen television owner is where to hide all of the wires. The average home theatre system requires cables for power, speakers, and peripherals that don't always lie flush with the wall. Many plasma screen television owners opt to hide the cables behind the wall that the television is mounted on. Placing the cables behind the wall is not a simple process, and should only be attempted by people with significant carpentry experience. Also, it is important to remember that placing cables behind walls is a very permanent installation step. A simpler option is to try and conceal the cables behind furniture. More advanced home theatre systems may employ some wireless connections, though this option is often expensive.

   
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