When it comes to installing your flat-panel LCD or Plasma TV wall mount, it pays to listen to the pros. To help you successfully install your wall mount, we've included a few professional tips that may come in handy. Of course, these suggestions are not a substitute for reading the directions and may not work in every case. If you have questions, get answers from a reliable source before you begin. And remember, unless you're completely sure of what you're doing, it always pays to call in the pros.

Eliminating "cable" TV. Nothing looks sillier than a beautifully mounted screen with cables dangling beneath. Many mounts make accommodations for hiding the cords within the mount itself. Or, if that's not the case, you can cut a hole in the wall behind the screen and snake the wires through it, and then put another hole near where your A/V gear is. But since most building codes forbid running a power cable inside a wall, you should get an electrician to install an AC outlet behind the television set. Another option is to hide the wires behind something on the floor but this seems of defeats the whole purpose of having a wall mount in the first place.

Whatever you decide to do, obtain all your cables--even ones you may not immediately use, such as a DVI cable--and connect them at installation time, suggests Netzer Martinez, senior installer for 6th Ave Electronics in New York. That will make adding new devices later considerably easier.

Time is money (well spent) Don't rush things: Give yourself plenty of time to do the job right. A professional installation typically takes around 2 hours--3 if it involves snaking cables inside walls. Do-it-yourselfers should set aside twice that amount of time.

Picture the possibilities. To visualize what your TV will look like once it's up on the wall or on the stand, one thing to try is hanging a poster or picture in the space selected for your TV. Then live with it for a while. If it still looks good after a few days, chances are, so will your TV.

Breathing room. When choosing a wall mounting location, make sure the wall is at least twice the width of the television so you have room to hang speakers or art to complement your entertainment center of attraction.

Does this make me look short? When it comes to wall mounts and the right height for comfortable viewing, avoid the temptation to, like Clint Eastwood, hang 'em high. In general, there are two schools of thought: If you will be watching the TV while sitting on the couch, then the center of the TV should be at eye level when sitting up straight on the couch. However, this could make the TV seem low when standing next to it. If you wish to install the set to make it more appealing as a room decoration, raise it to the point where the bottom of the screen is at eye level while sitting and the top is eye level when standing. Again, tilt mounts do wonders for relieving neck strain.

That's close enough. Regardless of what size TV you have, proper viewing distance is very important for comfortable viewing. With conventional tube TVs, you used to have to sit at least 8 feet from a 32" screen to ensure a clear picture. Any closer, and you'd start to notice the screen's scanning lines. Today's HDTVs have higher-resolution screens that let you sit much closer. As a general rule of thumb, proper viewing distance can be calculated by multiplying the size of the screen by 1.5 (see chart below.)

Keep an eye on the kids. If you find that your children seem to be sitting too close to the TV, it could be a sign that they might need to get their vision checked.

VESA sets the standards. All LCD flat-panel televisions and mounting brackets should be VESA compliant. This is a standard rule of measurement for wall mount kits.

Universal appeal. Universal mounts are wonderful things - if your monitor happens to be in the right galaxy. So even though universal mounts can accommodate most, if not all, mounting hardware, you still need to check weight and size compatibility with your specific brand and model of TV.

Avoid altering the mount or adding components. I know what you're thinking; if I just add a bolt or two here and here, I think I can hang a platform beneath the mount that would be just perfect for my DVD player. Before you start improvising, we have a word of advice - Don't! Altering the mounts or adding components that the mounts are not designed to hold will, in most cases, void the manufacturer's warranty. Also, this could cause you to exceed the stated maximum load capacity, which then presents an important safety issue. In plain English, your TV will fall off the wall. It is critical to install the mount as it was designed, using the fasteners provided, and to only add accessories that the manufacturer indicates work with that particular mount.

Read the instruction manual. OK. Chances are you're probably a guy and of course you know what you're doing but, please, please, please - for my sake - read ALL the instructions anyway. Installing a heavy piece of electronics in a home involves significant safety precautions. The manufacturer's design team takes this factor into account when designing the product and includes detailed installation instructions to eliminate any guesswork and avoid common mistakes.

Make sure you have proper clearance. It may seem like a no-brainer, but be sure to check for clearances when installing the flat-panel to the mount. If the mount's adapter plate slides into or hooks onto the wall plate from the top, make sure there is enough space above the mount and the screen. And if you are installing an articulating arm mount, make sure there is clearance for full movement of the arm. This is a simple step that will reduce the chance for errors and maintain your efficiency. Mount manufacturers can usually provide technical specifications to help you with this process.