When all is said and done, the kit should be set up in such a way that the position of each drum / cymbal and stand, makes the kit as easy and as comfortable to play, as is reasonably possible.

** Should I study pictures from drum kit adverts and set my kit up the same way?

Definately NOT! Drum manufacturers allow photographers to set their kits in outrageous positions for adverts, just so that each drum can be seen clearly by the camera. These photos rarely show the kit how it should be set up in real life.

** What if I study the drum kits on T.V. or in music videos.

This is not a reliable way either. Not every drummer who has appeared on T.V. or in a video is a skilled musician. T.V. "drummers" are not always real drummers! There have been some absolutely dire performances on T.O.T.P's over the years. As for music videos, sometimes the kit is set up in outrageous positions just for effect (heavy metal bands are especially guilty of this).

** Well, can you give me some pointers?

OK, lets start with the bass drum. Set the length of the spurs (legs) so that the bottom of the front drum hoop stands approximately 1" above the floor. Now fit the tom tom holder(s) into the bass drum. Stand in front of the bass drum and observe if the tom holder(s) are standing perfectly vertical or not. If they are not, adjust the spurs to make them do so. Fit the bass drum pedal so that the claw attaches to the bottom of the drum hoop on the batter (playing) side.
Now set the high-hat stand up and position it roughly where you want it to stand. Sit on the drum stool and put your feet on both the bass pedal and hihat stand. We are now going to consider if the stool is set at the correct height or not, with your feet on the two foot plates look at the angle of your leg as it goes from your hip to your knee. For the height of the stool to be correct, I recommend that there should be a slight slope downwards, of your upper leg towards the knee. If there isn't a downward slope, adjust the stool height to obtain it. Now adjust the height of the snare drum stand so that the height of the drum is 3" higher than the stool. The hihat cymbals should be another 3 or 4" higher than the snaredrum. Position the floor tom tom so that it slopes very slightly down towards the direction of the stool and is about an inch lower than the snare in height. Now position the bigger of the tom toms which are going on top of the bass drum, to the right hand side (as you are sitting on the kit. Set its height so that the bottom of the drum clears the bass drum hoop by half an inch (assumes a 22" diameter bass drum)and the drum is angled towards the snare drum at a GENTLE and NOT STEEP angle. Set the smaller of the toms on its holder, to also angle towards the snare and set its height to be the same as the larger tom just fitted. The gap horizontally, between the two toms should only be an inch or so.
If you have a single crash cymbal, position it behind the small tom tom, angled so that it slopes gently towards the snare and stands about 9" higher than the small tom tom. If you have a ride cymbal, place it behind the floor tom tom and have it set at a height of 4" higher than the floor tom. Be sure that you can reach the cymbals comfortably.
Finally, the drum stool should be positioned directly BEHIND the snare drum and NOT to the side of it. In other words, the snare and stool should both be at a right angle to the back of the bass drum.

THIS DESCRIPTION HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO WORDS (pictures would be much better but not possible on the site). IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS OR FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE ADVICE, EMAIL ME FOR CLARIFICATION.