So you have a HDTV and you are getting ready to wall mount it using a TV wall mount. There are important things to consider when tackling a project like this. The placement of the HDTV, what kind of wall mount to use, proper installation and how to do the wiring and cabling.
One hidden expense with this type of project is the wiring and cabling. If you are not careful, you can easily be spending over $100. It might seem like a waste of money to some but doing the wiring properly does affect the sound and picture quality. You really do not want a hum in the sound or static in the picture. So planning ahead is key.
Some important things to remember when doing wiring and cabling for your TV are the following:
- What are the best types of cables? – What should the length of the wires be? – Where do I run the cables?
What Kinds of Wires Should be Used
There are a variety of options and wiring choices on the back your digital TV. You should have component, composite and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). If you want the best picture and sound (which is why you bought a nice digital TV in the first place), then go with the HDMI connection. It is a digital connection, so you will have virtually no signal loss, because with digital, either the data is there or it is not there. There is no in-between. If you cannot use an HDMI connection for some reason, then go with composite or else go with S-video but the picture will not be as good.
If you look at prices for HDMI cables, you will find some at $80 and some online at $12, so whats the difference between cheap and expensive HDMI cables? The price! If a cable is going to have dropouts, then it is defective. Cheap HDMI cables work fine. Really the only difference is going to be if you are doing a lot of rewiring of your home theater system. But most people just have a home theater they unhook when they move and are not video production companies. You might as well save your money.
The Length of Cables to Use
Here is a tip that the pros use to get the right length of cable. Get a spool of string or yarn and some measuring tape. Run the yarn through where the cable is going to go. Then cut or mark the string and then measure it. Add about a foot more for some play. Doing this step, which only takes a few minutes, can save you from running back to the electronics store with an open package to return because the cable was not long enough.
You should try to keep wires as short as possible to reduce any signal loss that might occur. The maximum length for HDMI cables is 50 feet, which may sound like a lot but for some home theater setups, that might be too short. In that case, you should look into other available options.
Where to Run Those Cables
Where to run the cables will, of course, depend on your particular setup. If you are going to use a LCD TV wall mount, then it is nice to run the cables through the wall to help hide them. You cannot run power cords through the wall as that is not safe. So you may need to hire an electrician to put in an extra outlet up where the TV will be mounted.
If you cannot run wires through the wall, then your next option is getting a conduit. They mount to the wall between your digital TV and the components below. These can sometimes be painted to help match the wall color and decor of the room, making them almost invisible and keeping things looking clean.