Get matched with top tv mount installation pros in Dysart, IA

The shorter the coaxial cable, the better. The further you run the cable, the more signal loss you'll experience. At 50 feet, you'll see significant signal loss, and by 100 feet, you'll experience at least a 30% drop in signal strength.

If you don’t have studs in the area where you want to install your TV mount, you may still be able to install a TV mount on drywall. The easiest way to install a mount on drywall is by using drywall anchors—but not just any plastic anchors. Choose molly bolts or toggle anchors, which have a weight capacity of around 50 pounds. For added support, consider pairing drywall anchors with a wall mounting plate. Extra heavy TVs may need to be mounted via the ceiling joists or beams.

The VESA mounting standard refers to the layout of the mounting holes on the back of all televisions that follow the standard. These holes appear in the same place on all TVs of a certain size. This allows the mounting bracket and hardware manufacturers to build the brackets to fit the VESA standard. Ideally, if everyone follows the VESA standard, any brand of TV should fit any brand of mounting bracket, as long as the sizes match up correctly.

There are a few easy ways to locate a wall stud without a stud finder. First, try knocking on the wall with your knuckles. Most parts of the wall will sound hollow, but when you tap over a stud, it will sound more solid. Alternatively, since studs are spaced 16 or 24 inches apart, you can measure those distances from a corner of the room, which will always have a stud.