TV Installation and Mounting
Setting up a new TV may not seem all that complicated but there is a fair bit of prep work that goes into it. Depending on what the TV will be used for, the size and positioning may change from one project to the next. The type of television used in a waiting room could be very different than something used in a professional meeting room. Not to mention other factors such as what kind of cables will be needed, where the cables will be located, how those cables will be concealed, and what kind of mount may be needed to secure the TV.
TV mounts have become an essential fixture in the age of flat-screen televisions. Hanging a TV on the wall or from the ceiling can save space while providing a sleek, clean look. Angling a mounted TV also prevents any audience members from having to uncomfortably crane their necks to see the screen.
Hanging up a TV mount may sound easy but does require some planning. From finding the studs to measuring a VESA pattern to potentially running cables through the wall, installing a TV mount can be a daunting and time-consuming task for non-professionals. But before getting into the installation itself, it is important to decide what type of TV mount is best for your particular set-up.
Types of TV Mounts
The first thing to consider is whether a wall or ceiling mount will work best. Wall mounts allow TVs to hug the outside of a room, generally taking up less space than a ceiling mount. Some wall mounts come as brackets that are attached to the wall; this type of wall mount can be fixed or tiling. On fixed mounts the TV remains immobile, making them a good choice for televisions that will be hung at eye level. Tilting mounts allow the TV to be tiled down, making them the superior choice when audiences will be looking up at the screen. Alternatively, a third option is an articulating (also called a swing arm) mount. These mounts have a metal “arm” that comes out from the wall and can be adjusted so the TV screen faces different directions.
Ceiling mounts are the other main option for TV mount installation. These mounts are often used in high-ceiling rooms where wall space is limited. They are also used to put TVs in corners where a wall mount cannot fit. Like wall mounts, ceiling mounts can be fixed or tilting. Many units also swivel, allowing the screen to face different directions as needed.
Regardless of whether a wall or ceiling mount is selected, each unit will have two key factors: the weight limit and VESA pattern. The weight limit must always be double-checked before hanging a TV or it could come crashing down onto the floor. “VESA pattern” refers to the screw holes on the back of the TV used to attach the mount. These patterns are set to industry standards but there are different variations depending on the size of the TV, so be sure to select a mount that is compatible.
Pre-Installation Tasks
Each installation is unique, but they all start with the same thing: a site survey. Measuring the scope of your project is critical in determining what tools and equipment will be needed. Setting up a single TV in a doctor’s office waiting room will be a very different project from installing units in every classroom of a newly constructed school. For simple projects like working with existing hardware, a phone call can be all it takes to start the project planning. For more detailed projects, a technician may need to come out and examine the site.
After the survey is complete, our team will formulate a custom plan for your facility. Factors such as the type of mount being used, how high the TV will hang, and whether any cabling needs to be run through the walls will all be factored in here. Prior to the installation, our team can ship HDMI cables, coax cables, mounts, and other necessary equipment directly to the job site. On the day of the installation, make sure there is a way for the installer to access the property. Ideally, this will involve having someone on-hand to let them in. This representative should also be able to point the installer to the work area as well.
Completing the Installation
With the materials already onsite, our technicians will unpackage everything and start prepping the walls by cutting holes for cables and hanging mounts as needed. Then the hardware will be mounted and connected, with cables being run through the walls, floors, and/or ceiling as needed. Once everything has been cleanly connected, the system will be tested to check functionality. After that, it is a simple matter of cleaning up the area and your new TV will be ready to go.
At INC, we perform TV installations for schools, universities, banks, churches, doctor’s offices, retail stores, restaurants, and more. A properly installed TV not only looks crisp and clean but will also provide key functionality to day-to-day operations. Whether a TV is being installed from scratch or tacked onto existing equipment, INC is ready to get the job done right.
If you have additional questions on this process, please call us directly at 888-519-9525 or request a quote here. Our team will work with you to prepare your custom installation project.