[Jessica Beganski]

Can anyone suggest an installer for a flat screen tv & home theater? I've got a tricky set up above a brick fireplace and need a professional. Already spoke to Geek Squad - not impressed.

Location is West Hartford, CT. Thanks!

[nico7]

Hi Jessica,
You might want to look into Best Buy. They offer installation service for home theater. There are stores in Meriden, Newington, North Haven, and Orange (and possibly other towns). We found out about their service when we purchased our TV from them -- although we chose to install it ourselves. Now I understand why people pay to have their TVs installed.

I have no idea about the experience level of their service people, so it wouldn't hurt to ask them about it.

[heather121]

Originally Posted by nico7

Hi Jessica,
You might want to look into Best Buy. They offer installation service for home theater. There are stores in Meriden, Newington, North Haven, and Orange (and possibly other towns). We found out about their service when we purchased our TV from them -- although we chose to install it ourselves. Now I understand why people pay to have their TVs installed.

I have no idea about the experience level of their service people, so it wouldn't hurt to ask them about it.

The OP already mentioned they weren't impressed by Geek Squad, which is owned/operated by Best Buy...so that's probably not the route they are looking to go

[JayCT]

Why don't you call S.K. Lavery in West Hartford and ask them for a recommendation. Lavery's is a great independent appliance store and they may sell TVs too but they certainly would know an installer. I also believe there is a TV and video repair place in West Hartford. I don't remember their name but they were on Park Road a few years back. You might try them. Jay

[nico7]

Originally Posted by heather121

The OP already mentioned they weren't impressed by Geek Squad, which is owned/operated by Best Buy...so that's probably not the route they are looking to go

Haha, that's funny -- they never mentioned Geek Squad in their promo to us. It was more like, "Our highly trained technicians will perform the installation, no sweat. We do this all the time." Luckily, I am a one-man more-than-Geek-Squad.

We are in Ohio now, though. Maybe it's different around CT. I always used to buy at Bernie's in CT, which now has sadly gone under.

[Jessica Beganski]

Didn't even consider SK Lavery's. Just bought our washer/dryer there. And I remember the tv repair place on Park but not sure if they're still around. Both good suggestions.

[toddb]

Originally Posted by Jessica Beganski

Can anyone suggest an installer for a flat screen tv & home theater? I've got a tricky set up above a brick fireplace and need a professional. Already spoke to Geek Squad - not impressed.

Location is West Hartford, CT. Thanks!

I would def. advise against the places like Best Buy's Geek Squad, doubly if it's a tricky setup. They are major rip-off's, and their installers are usually very uninformed, lazy, and destructive.

A better bet would be an electrician or carpenter, especially someone you've worked with in the past. To prevent having ugly wiring running around your fireplace or down the middle of your wall, they can come in and run the cabling you'd need, properly. This includes HDMI or other inputs. Make sure to plan for more than you currently have - 1 for Cable TV, 1 for BluRay/DVD, 1 for a gaming system, maybe 1 for hooking up a future HTPC. They can make it pretty and put a plate on it, instead of dangling cables or punching holes and having the cable that way.

Lastly, I'd be careful with installing above a fireplace. You don't want to have issues with the TV components overheating if you're having a fire going, or potentially starting a fire. You can also damage the components if your chimney isn't properly insulated.

[Scott R]

There's a place called Perfect Vision & Sound on Rt 44 in Avon that caters to high-end home theaters. I don't know if they do small jobs like that or what they charge, but it probably wouldn't hurt to call and ask. If you want to try doing it yourself, I recommend checking out monoprice.com for very good quality, but very cheap, flat panel mounts and HDMI cables.