Ah, flat screen TV … just what so many were waiting for to put on the wall, mostly inspired by Hollywood and television programs over the decades. Yep, putting that flat screen on your wall is the Buck Rogers thing to do for so many of us. What most people don’t know is that by doing so you have made yourself responsible for additional services and charges if the product fails.
Right on target. I install many sets in easy to convoluted places and it can be back breaking at times. I am called by repair shops to dis- and remount sets, but to first trouble shoot for user problems. Upon remounting, I check and reset all necessary parameters including checking audio system settings and electrical and cable connections, and grounding. One customer had a custom installer do his electrical as well, someone not licensed and obviously not very knowledgeable. Not only did the installer make an inline 120VAC slice under the house with electrical tape, not in a regulation box, but also reversed neutral and hot, which is why the set needed repair. Why it did not blow immediately, nor shock anyone, surprised me. It also took out part of the A/V receiver video input. About 4 trips later, weeks of being without due to repair and parts needed, and about $600 later, he finally got a proper working system.
Always make SURE that the people you hire are skilled, licensed if electricians, have a good track record, have done good work for others, and can answer the tough questions. Inspect the work after, and if it looks questionable, ask someone else to inspect as well. Do not take chances and possibly burn down the house, as this fellow could have. A skilled, experienced installer with a background in electronics and science will know how to ground the system, protect from surges, and install for maximum performance of picture and sound. It always amazes me the great number (majority) of people that have spent so much on good gear, yet have lousy performance due to poor installers, and they never even know that the equipment is performing at only 35-45%!
Makes sense to me - my plasma weighs in at 140lbs, just 40 lbs shy of my old 34" HD direct view set. It makes sense to unmount it prior to service - that's why I kept the stand.
Not to mention the things you CAN'T see, above that fireplace!!!
I know enough to advise clients away from LCD, even with gas, in such situations, but... you'll NEVER know what's behind that wall until you get past the point of NO return'.
My most recent NIGHTMARE (TODAY) involved a 54" plasma, above a Master-Bedroom fireplace, which had been converted from wood to gas, a few years before... NO CLUE what was behind it!
Turns out... the drywall was mounted to the cinder-block flue with 3/4-in. METAL furring strips!!!
I just HOPE that it holds up!!! ...for a few years, at least!!!
