A Plasma TV, even with its deceptively thin profile, is actually very heavy. A 50-inch Plasma TV can weigh over 160 pounds. Mounting a Plasma TV on its table stand is at least a three person job, and we’re talking three strong people.

You need to invite several muscular people over to help when your TV is delivered. The delivery people will put your TV on the curb outside your home, or in your living room, depending on the arrangement you made with them.

The delivery people won’t mount or install your TV, that’s a service you pay for. You may decide to mount and install the TV yourself, or you could hire someone to do this. Do you want a TV Stand, Flat Wall Mount, Tilted Wall Mount or Ceiling Mount? Your volunteers should be able to lift Plasma onto its base. Suppose you and Fred decide to install a wall mounted Plasma. If you’ve never used a spirit level or a stud finder, you’re going to end up with your head on one shoulder trying to watch your tilted TV. Hire a professional to mount your Plasma on a wall; this requires running wiring inside your walls. Be sure to pick the perfect location, since moving the TV is even worse after it’s been mounted.

And also don’t buy a plasma TV without getting a Dolby sound system. I know that you grew up listening to the tinny, scratchy sound on your parent’s 19" Motorola TV, and to you it was just fine. Well your parents grew up with the cheesy sound coming out of a 12" black and white, and their parents grew up watching a radio! Sadly, it’s time to move on!

Do you want a TV Stand, Flat Wall Mount, Tilted Wall Mount or Ceiling Mount? Your volunteers should be able to lift Plasma onto its base. Suppose you and Fred decide to install a wall mounted Plasma. If you’ve never used a spirit level or a stud finder, you’re going to end up with your head on one shoulder trying to watch your tilted TV. Hire a professional to mount your Plasma on a wall; this requires running wiring inside your walls. Be sure to pick the perfect location, since moving the TV is even worse after it’s been mounted.

The 21st Century has not only brought affordable, super sharp Big Screen TV to your living room, Dolby Surround Sound came along too. Next time you’re in a movie theater, don’t just watch the picture. Close your eyes during an action sequence and listen. Shouts, tire screeches, gun shots and explosions will come from the right side of the screen, now the left, even from behind you. Sounds will start on the right side and travel to the left, the way sounds really do. Systems start as low as $250, including amplifier, speakers, wire and a subwoofer. Your living room will be awash with the lush sound track of your favorite movie. Dolby 7.1 is even more advanced: eight channels going to seven speakers and a subwoofer. Soon you'll be able to hear everything your Plasma TV is capable of; from the menacing hum of Darth Vader's light saber to the tiny swoosh of Forest Gump's feather!

By: Bob Jackson