LCD Wall Mount and Plasma Bracket

            Whether it’s a do-it-yourself project or a professional is installing an LCD wall mount and plasma bracket for an HDTV. several options must be taken into consideration prior to the actual selection and installation The location is the single most important decision; where the monitor is going to be mounted will impact all other choices. 

           Also of critical importance is the quality, durability and construction of the LCD wall mount and plasma bracket. Consider the expensive device attached to them and it will be obvious that hanging a four-digit priced HDTV on a two-digit priced bracket and mount is simply foolish. Spend the money and get the best mount available that meets or exceeds the requirements. Slightly more time in planning and a little more money will pay for itself in peace of mind as well as securing a significant investment to the wall.

           Locate the studs in the wall. Mark their locations. Look at the back of the HDTV and note the location of the interconnection panel; the kinds and types of connectors necessary for each component to be connected to it. Consider going to TOSLINK cable for the audio and HDMI cable for the video. Replace unnecessary and older S/PDIF coaxial, S-Cable, RCA discrete channel cable, and similar obsolete or deprecating technologies not specifically required. Consider running in-wall cable with HDMI, TOSLINK, AC power and 75-ohm coax to wall plates that will be hidden by the monitor. This will make for a much cleaner and easier to manage system.

           Use heavy lag bolts to attach the mount directly to the studs. Do not be tempted to use any sort of drywall expansion screws to hang the monitor. Ensure the mount is level and square or oriented in such a way that is going to result in a pleasing view.

          When mounting the monitor to the LCD bracket, be careful not to over-tighten the bracket's mounting screws. Snug is the operative word. Attaching cables to your interconnection interface and wall plate connectors prior to attaching the monitor bracket to the mount is a good idea. Once the monitor bracket is connected to the wall mount, it can be very difficult to identify or reach the required jacks.

           It is very important to remember that when installing any LCD wall mount and plasma bracket that the bracket is locked to the mount using the supplemental restraints. Simply letting the monitor hang on the bracket hooks is insufficient protection from a catastrophic fall. This is critical in areas prone to earthquakes or subject to high winds or other sources of intense vibration.