So your brand new HDTV screen has arrived. Exciting stuff, but at the moment it's sitting in its box - not so great when you've got a box set of your favourite series to watch. You need that screen up on the wall pronto, so here are some top tips for wall mounting:
1. If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing properly, and that's especially true for wall mounting.
Give yourself a few hours. Professionals can have HDTVs up in around two hours but it takes a little longer for non-experts. If you'd feel more comfortable getting a pro to do it, go for it. Better than ending up with a smashed or crooked screen...
2. Ask a friend to help. Two sets of hands are better than one, particularly as it can be heavy work.
3. Get some tools. You'll need a tape measure, a drywall saw, power drill, and a stud finder. Stud finders locate the wooden framing within the walls that you'll be screwing into. Without this, your HDTV won't be securely fixed and may fall down.
4. You're almost ready to start, but make sure you check your home insurance in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.
5. The first step is selecting the mount you'll use. Some manufacturers offer mounts on top of the price of the HDTV and this is worth getting as it saves shopping around. If the manufacturer of your model doesn't provide this, make sure you get one that is suitable for your TV. Expect to pay anything from £20 to £100 depending on the size of your model and quality of mount. You get what you pay for, so go as expensive as you can. Some mounts can be tilted which is great for positioning and reducing glare.
6. Next step is selecting where you want your TV to go. This depends very much on the layout of your room and your personal preferences, but HDTV screens look great above fireplaces and on large expanses of wall. Be aware of where outside light will fall though, as reflections can be annoying. Experiment with holding the screen in a few positions to see which you like best.
7. Exact positioning of the mount is down to personal preference again, but it's best not to mount it too high (unless you want to be craning your neck...) Try out different positions and go for the one that allows for most natural viewing. This will most probably be at your eye level or a little higher. If you need to mount it higher for logistical reasons, invest in a tilting mount.
8. Now you have to consider aesthetics. Cables can spoil the look of your new unit so they'll need to be hidden. One option is to cut a hole behind the screen and feed the cables through, but this often isn't possible so you might need to get an electrician to install an AC outlet.
9. Nearly done. The last thing you have to do is make sure all your cables are plugged in before you mount the screen. This will save taking it off the wall again once it's up. When everything is in place, all that's left is to switch on, sit down, and enjoy that box set!
Marcus Atkins is the owner of http://www.ukhdtv.com the ultimate resource for HDTV Reviews.
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