TV Installation above a fireplace in Charlottesville VA- with drywall cutting and repair, soundbar and mantlepiece installation.

AVS has installed hundreds of TVs.  We can install yours.  In this post we’ll discuss installing a TV above your gas fireplace.

AVS has installed hundreds of TVs-  Flat Panels LEDs, LCDs and Plasma TVs in the past 2 decades.  We’ve installed many above fireplaces. Heres an  example of the process.

In step 1-one AVS visits your abode and takes some pics.

In step 2- two we come up with a plan- In this case: provide the TV, soundbar, hide cables in wall, and install a mantlepiece.  This TV is for Internet only. No cable bill.  No DVD.  All streaming all the time.  Part of step two is sending some pics to our drywall paint pros so they can give us and you a quote.  Nope- AVS doesn’t do drywall repair and we also don’t install microwave ovens or perform veterinarian services for your animals.  We do what we are best at- INSTALL the TV.  We let a PRO do the drywall and paint.  We work with quite a few.

In step 3-three we send you a pic of what all this awesomeness is gunna look like.  In this case we were about 90% accurate.  Not bad.

Instep 4-four we get out the sawzzzzzall, hammers, drills, chainsaws (kidding) drywall knife and get to it.  We lay down blankets.  We’re careful.  We clean up.  In this step we also  install the usual cables:  HDMI, POWER AC, cat 5, coaxial.  Some for use now, some for future proofing, some just in case you wanna hook up and play an XBox One SE Limited -Fortnite-Edition.

In step 5 five  we bring in the drywall repair painter and we install the mount.  The drywall pro usually takes 2-3 visits.  Average drywall repair on a job like this is $200-$300. The drywall pro matches the paint, buys it, applies it and dries – all while you sip that martini or craft beer.

In step 6 we install the TV, hookup the soundbar, and any additional requests- in this case we (I-Me-Jeff) installed the customer provided new mantle piece.  After this we turn it on, program, calibrate , do a rain dance and off we go…..You smiling ….because your Fireplace TV is AWESOME and ….me smiling…. cause I got paid for a job well done.

Here’s another final pic (taken while we we’re setting up Amazon Prime Video) :

HEY- What about Safety????!!!!   : Mounting and Electrical Safety is the the number one priority when hanging/installing a TV:

Hanging Safety: Today’s TVs are super light so it has become easier and safer (in general) to hang most TVs.  The light weight means that there’s a larger margin for error (if you do it yourself) relative to mounts, studs, bolts, screws and latches.  We recommend of course you just hire AVS  because AVS tolerates 0-zero margin of error even with these new light TVs.  Here’s what it takes:  1. A professional tilt, flush or articulating arm  Mount (We use STRONG ™ mounts) 2. Professional weight tolerant bolts/screws (like tapcons) 3. Proper stud (wood or metal) location, drilling and mounting.  AVS likes to get a solid tight grip with at least 6 to eight bolts/screws into the studs or rock or brick for flush or tilt mounts. Even more for Articulating arm mounts.

Electrical Safety: Virginia code dictates that no consumer TV AC lines can go in walls.  This means that the AC cord that comes with your TV is NOT to be used for in wall purposes.  It isn’t rated for heat, rat or rodent chewing, or long term wall burial.  You need to use Romex 12/3 AC wire and a code AC extension kit.  An AC extension kit makes it so you don’t have to hire an electrician or do extensive AC work to get AC to your TV (with hidden wires).  AC Extension kits  generally cost around $100 to $150 dollars.  We use this one by SnapAV:

AV Cable Pass Through Plates:  AV cables are a little easier to run than AC extension kit.  AVS usually uses 12′ cables and pass through plates. We don’t like wall connectors because we find that this adds another level of possible disconnect, error and/or quality.  We like to connect your DVD or Cable box directly to your hanging TV via 1 cable.  AVS uses pass through plates (1 behind TV and 1 below TV or near component shelf) like these:

AV Cables:  You can overboard with cables, prices, and technical specs. Most people don’t need an $80 dollar 6′ Monster cable.  AVS thinks this is a total ripoff.  Just get a good cable with this years specs and you’ll probably do fine.  If you plan on using the cable (hdmi) for internet or 3D- sure get a more expensive one. You don’t need gold plated HDMI under any circumstance.  AVS 6′ cables cost $19.  AVS 12′ cables cost $29.  Never had an issue with them.  Here’s a pic of our cables manufacture:

Is it pretty? A few more tips:   Make sure to use a level when mounting the TV.  Make sure you measure for horizontal and vertical distances- dependent upon how and where you want the TV to be located.  Use pencil when marking on walls and have an eraser nearby to get rid of any extra marks. Use blue painters tape to mark off where you want the TV- to see if it works, before you do anything.  Have a vacuum nearby.  Place a painters drop cloth or furniture blanket below the work area.  have all your tools on the blanket.

AVS hopes this helps you to get a better understanding of how to install a flat panel TV.  It’s not brain surgery but it does take a little time, effort and patience. AND- we can do all of it for you.

We would love to hear from you…

Please call or email us ! We’ll happily answer any questions about your audio visual needs or dreams.

Call us:   Email Us:

(434) 973-9269     office@cvilleav.com