1. Make sure the mount fits – it is such a simple step but one that many people will not take the time to follow. You not only need to make sure the mount matches your TV but the kind of wall you will be using it on.

2. Cabling – think about what you will be using and the cables that are required. If you know you are going to be using stuff like DirectStarTV then cable and wire management is your top priority. Wall conduits can be purchase for mounts, as well.

3. Go with the stud – make sure your mount is on the stud. You can purchase a stud finder cheap at most hardware stores.

4. Hang the TV – and make sure to check the stability. If you have bought the correct mount and anchored it solidly to the studs you should be fine.

5. Enjoy your new television.

When they were first introduced as mass-produced pieces of home entertainment equipment, flat panel TVs were extremely high in cost. For around 5,000 to 15,000 customers could take home a brand new plasma television set and be the talk of their neighborhood. These offered a maximum of 720p HD resolution, which was something that was unheard of at the time.

With the invention of LCD television, prices went down dramatically. It happened again recently with the unveiling of 3D TV technology. Now, customers can get a full-HD, 1080p resolution television set, loaded with features for under 600. People who purchased their sets back when they were 10x more expensive are now likely jealous of the fact that the streamlining of technology has created such a decrease in price.

If you’re in need of something simple and do not want to spend a lot of money, there are much smaller LCD screen televisions which can be purchased for under 200.I found some more information here. These have virtually no bells and whistles and will satisfy the very basic need of watching television. If you have a thirst for excellence and need something that will bring you the latest sporting events and blockbuster movie hits with crystal-clear clarity, you are going to want an LCD television which displays images in full 1080p resolution. You also want to make sure that this set has a 120Hz refresh rate and possibly a wireless internet connection for possible software updates.

The short answer is, yes, but there are certain precautions you have to take before you can proceed. First off, if it tends to get too hot above the fireplace when in use, between the range of 80 and 100 degrees, it’ s probably not a good idea. However, you can go through the lengths to get a heat shield to protect your TV from the heat if you believe it is too hot.

Secondly, you’ll need to make sure you clean the TV and the fireplace often. Fireplaces generate a lot of dust and soot which can build up in your TV and damage it.

Thirdly, make sure that the position above the fireplace won’t be a bother while viewing. Generally people aren’t used to looking up for long periods of time. If you’re perfectly fine with the height and have taken all the necessary precautions, though, it is perfectly fine and safe to hang your plasma screen TV above your fireplace.

The most important thing to take into account if your picture is distorted is what kind of connections you are using. If you are using a simple A/V or coax cable to connect your expensive set into your cable box, there will likely be distortions. This is because your television has to blow the image up large enough to be presented onto the screen correctly. AV and coax cables do not allow the proper filtering to portray the image in the HD quality that the television requires to display a non-distorted image.

It is best to replace your old cable box or DVR system with one that has HDMI outputs. This will ensure that the image displayed on your screen is crystal-clear and free of distortion. It is also worth noting to make sure that you have HD service included in your cable package, because if you aren’t watching HD channels on that new set, you will likely see some blur and distortion.