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Before you start looking for the right TV installation company, make sure you understand the basic concepts of television installation. Even if you have never installed a television before, there are still ways you can simplify your task and make it more efficient. Additionally, there are materials that can be used to create a custom peel and stick TV installation that will leave an impression.
TV installation is not a glamorous job but it does require lots of skills and attention to detail. Not many people think about how to design and install television sets but they can make a big difference to the property value of your house. TV installers are specialists who take care of all the technical aspects of installing the set such as installation of the cabinets, wiring and everything else required.
Though often the most overlooked, television sets are very important pieces of home decor. They can be a beautiful addition to any décor or just an aesthetic noise-canceling device for the family room. Before you buy a TV, ensure that it is compatible with your current furnishings and with the outlet you plan on installing it into by reading our detailed guide on what you should consider before purchasing. We have assembled all of the information in one place so that not only do you get a better understanding of what to look out for, but also so that there are no surprises in store when it comes to installation time!
Here is a detailed installation guide;
INSTALL YOUR TV
The average size of the most recent televisions is around 50 inches. For smaller living room spaces, 32 inch screens are the optimal size. For larger living room spaces, most people will find that a 60 to 70 inch screen provides enough viewing space without taking up too much space.
It’s ultimately up to you where you want to place your TV but it’s important not to have it in front of a window or near a source of heat or dust like an air vent or fireplace. When positioned correctly, these factors should not cause problems with your TV picture quality. However if they do there are solutions which can be found online on forums and by visiting manufacturer websites.
If you plan on hiding wires, cables and other electronics behind the TV, make sure that it is placed close enough to a wall to allow this. If there is not enough space for the wires to run behind the TV, consider audio-video component mounts that sit on top of the TV and hide these cables as well. It’s a great way of reducing visual clutter.
ELECTRICAL
The first thing you will need to do is to find a place for your television in which it can be safely placed at home without any danger from household objects or potential hazards such as liquid spillage or exposure to heat sources such as fireplaces.
Some locations may not be suitable for the television you have chosen. It is important that when choosing a location, the television be placed in an area where it can remain undisturbed.When placing your new TV at home, you should first ensure that the area is free of potential hazards and then follow these steps:
- Clear away any potential trip hazards before moving on to the next step. If there are any objects such as chairs, tables or loose flooring covering the surface where you want to mount your TV and there is no way to move them out of the way, do not proceed with installation and contact a professional installer instead.
- Make sure that the surface you are mounting your television to can support its weight and size. Buyers should be careful about mounting TVs to walls since this will introduce an additional element of instability into the system. The choice is ultimately up to you but it’s important not to mount a television to a wall if you do not have experience with it as this can be very dangerous for both you and your TV.
- Mount, hang, or place your TV at a comfortable viewing distance from where you will normally sit while watching it. The majority of people prefer to watch their TV from about eight feet away but some prefer more or less space between themselves and a screen. If you sit closer than eight feet you may find that your TV image is blurred and jaggies have formed within the picture.
- Before attaching a television to the wall, make sure that it is securely fixed in place and does not wobble or shift at all. This could potentially damage other objects in the room or even create a hazard for yourself. It’s best to purchase brackets which are designed to attach directly to studs and fit tightly; these will ensure that your installation is secure and sturdy. Most people use cable brackets but if you decide that you would prefer not to use them, mounting brackets made specifically for mounting TVs on walls are available for purchase as well.
- Make sure that you have enough room behind your television to allow for wiring and mounting devices, if you choose not to use cables. Don’t forget to leave enough room between the TV and the wall to allow for cable routing, as well. If there is not enough room behind the TV, you will have to cut off a portion of the wire or network cable in order to make it all fit comfortably.
- If you plan on using cables, join wires in parallel rather than coaxial connectors since these are more durable than ones that use coaxial connectors. Make sure that any junction boxes or other connectors are properly installed and do not interfere with other electrical wiring in your home.
- Install your cable or satellite box in a safe location. Cables behind the TV and other electronics should be neatly wrapped and organized so they don’t become tangled when you move them around.
- Most people purchase wall-mounted TVs with cable or satellite connections included already but if you need to install these, follow the steps outlined above for hiding wires, cables and other components behind your TV as well. (Hint: Runing cables through the wall will require that you hire a professional installer.)
- Connect your audio/video components one by one after mounting them on top of or below your television.
- Finally, plug everything in and take a moment to admire your work. Enjoy watching TV!
Where to install a TV?
Arranging your living room to make the most of a flat screen TV can be an invasive process, but we’ve made it even easier with our handy infographic. We’ve provided you with an easy-to-follow list of things to take into consideration before buying a TV. Which will help you determine where best to place it in relation to the rest of your home furnishings.
The classic spot for placing a TV is in front of the couch. Its angles will cast flattering shadows on the sofa and have other people lean closer and watch as they’re trying to relax, rather than having them craning their necks uncomfortably while attempting conversation at the dinner table or barbeque grill, for example.
The next most popular spot to position a TV is a little off center – on the wall above the fireplace or on the opposite end of the couch. Having the TV face the wall of an adjacent living area will create an open, large forming space for entertaining and conversation while framing out any flaws in architecture.
Flat screen TVs are amazingly versatile – they’re perfect for DVDs, cable boxes, Blu-rays and video games while providing countless entertainment options, especially if you have a media room. What better to accompany your media room than another sharp screen?
Turning your dining room into a home theatre might not be practical but you can still enjoy the cinematic experience with another flat screen TV that’s mounted on your wall.
Tips for TV placement in small spaces
In a small space, larger TVs have their place. However, for those living in smaller homes with constrained budgets, there are plenty of things you can do to get the most TV viewing pleasure for your buck. Here are some tips on where to put a TV and how to do it cheaply.
Place the TV flat against the wall or ceiling since angled placement is difficult with so little clearance above it. This minimizes its knock-on impact on adjacent rooms and saves space by forming part of an L-shape arrangement designed around an open modern room layout. It also minimizes cabinet and wiring clutter. TVs that are placed flat against the wall or ceiling function as a focal point, setting the mood for the rest of the room.
If you have a family room separate from your kitchen, far from an entryway and with no views of outside, then go for a TV hanging along one wall. This spot will allow you to clear away any unnecessary furniture so every inch of space is used efficiently without compromising on natural light. Get rid of coffee tables and armchairs so there’s nothing in the way between your seats and your screen. If you’re aiming for pure TV viewing pleasure, don’t have anything else in the room apart from the TV.
When you’re choosing which TV to buy, steer clear of flat screen TVs. They take up too much space, are very expensive and often mounted on the wall. Consider a TV with a slim frame, even if it’s not curved. It will fit flush against the wall or ceiling without taking up much room and save lots of space inside your room by eliminating a cabinet or TV stand. Better still is a TV with LED backlighting so you won’t need to hunt for an extension lead to get the most out of it when viewing from across the room. If space is especially tight, consider getting a projector instead of a TV set.
