Wall mounting 42" plasma on plasterboard (and hiding cables)

[Maxf]

I'm about to buy a 42" plasma, but (when mounting my speakers) I discovered that my wall is plasterboard, with a large cavity before it hits brick (I had thought it was just board directly onto brick). It is an external wall, but the flat is quite new so I'm assuming this is some method of insulation.

Any tips how to do this? I can't find a wooden beam anywhere to mount to, but I'm assuming with the right screws/plugs I can mount to plasterboard.

With regards to hiding the cables, I'm assuming that plasterboard has made this much easier - would it be madness to cut into the board and just poke the cables (hdmi, speakers, usb etc) in, before patching up? Sounds like a bit of a bodge though!

Finally, do people normally get a wall mounted plug socket put right behind where the TV is, or hide extension cables?

[cjs]

Cut a 4" sq hole in the PB directly behind the tv position, if you have a bracket there may be a hole in the back plate, use this as a template. Once you have the hole you can then see what is behind, there should be wooden studs running every couple of feet, if you're lucky you'll be able to fix to one of these.

You can use the hole for your cable entry, just use an extension lead for the power and push it in the hole, you may struggle to get a socket behind the tv and keep it close to the wall.

[vx220]

AVF make a range of brackets called "any tv any wall" which come with fixings for plasterboard

They won't angle or tilt though

[JimbobVFR]

How deep is the gap from plasterboard to brick.

Personally I'd never be happy with a 42" TV hung on plasterboard, especially a heavy Plasma as opposed to an LCD. While I've no doubt it could be done it just not be happy. I hung my 42" Plasma on brick the day before the UK earthquake a few years ago. Early hours of the morning the earthquake woke me up and I was convinced it was the TV falling off, although in reality the Rawlbolts I'd used could probably have hung a small car on the wall.

If the gap is big enough I'd be tempted to see if you could inset the TV in the wall with it mounted nice and securely on the brick behind. Would look very swish.

For example this is my dining room TV

[Maxf]

I havent opened the wall up, but given the drill bit went through the plasterboard like a knife through butter and didnt meet any resistance, maybe 2-3" or more.

I'm thinking that I'll get a big hole cut into the wall, then some wooden blocks attached to the wall and the TV attached to these. So, in short... it's still on a stand below the intended spot

[vx220]

If you recess a tv into the wall, leave some space all around or you may struggle with a replacement...
Had quite a few people in the shop running around with tape measures as TVs change sizes and frames evolve

[MagicalTrevor]

I had the same problem. I used a wider Vogels one, this one IIRC as it spanned two upright wooden posts behind the plasterboard.

You'd still need a cable entry hole in the plasterboard but you can make one to suit the TVs connectors.

For the entry whole towards the back orr my AV cabinet I used a single socket brushed cable entry thingy which looks neat (even though it's hidden anyway!)

[PAULJ5555]

JimbobVFR said:

How deep is the gap from plasterboard to brick.

Personally I'd never be happy with a 42" TV hung on plasterboard, especially a heavy Plasma as opposed to an LCD. While I've no doubt it could be done it just not be happy. I hung my 42" Plasma on brick the day before the UK earthquake a few years ago. Early hours of the morning the earthquake woke me up and I was convinced it was the TV falling off, although in reality the Rawlbolts I'd used could probably have hung a small car on the wall.

If the gap is big enough I'd be tempted to see if you could inset the TV in the wall with it mounted nice and securely on the brick behind. Would look very swish.

For example this is my dining room TV

What speakers are these?

[JimbobVFR]

They are Linn Sekrit in wall speakers. Bought second hand from AVForums. I actually got 3 for a bargain price so still have a spare in the cupboard. Although probably close to 15 years old they still sound good for in wall speakers I think.

The whole system is actually fairly bargain basement. A 2nd hand Arcam AV amp provides the power and a small Mission sub adds a bit extra, the amp was also a cheap bargain and the sub was free ☺

[TOV!E]

Maxf said:

I havent opened the wall up, but given the drill bit went through the plasterboard like a knife through butter and didnt meet any resistance, maybe 2-3" or more.

I'm thinking that I'll get a big hole cut into the wall, then some wooden blocks attached to the wall and the TV attached to these. So, in short... it's still on a stand below the intended spot

This is the only way to do it, most outside dry lined walls are stuck up with adhesive as timber struts will not be needed in the construction

[Jespin]

Rawlbolts. Job done. Made for this specific purpose and I have a 43 in Pioneer hung on this type of wall with no problem. They will go through the plasterboard and into the breezeblock behind. They are rated at something like 20kg per fixing so are more than capable.

[Jespin]

Rawlbolts. Job done. Made for this specific purpose and I have a 43 in Pioneer hung on this type of wall with no problem. They will go through the plasterboard and into the breezeblock behind. They are rated at something like 20kg per fixing so are more than capable.

[Jespin]

Rawlbolts. Job done. Made for this specific purpose and I have a 43 in Pioneer hung on this type of wall with no problem. They will go through the plasterboard and into the breezeblock behind. They are rated at something like 20kg per fixing so are more than capable.