A comprehensive TV mount guide that will
give you all the information you need on how to buy the right flat panel
TV mount buying guide.
Getting Started
If you recently bought a flat
panel TV, you have to determine where you are going to put it.
Most flat panel (LCD or plasma) TVs come with table stands,
but many people want to mount them on the wall. There are many
options to consider when choosing a wall mount. We hope that
this buyer's guide will give you knowledge to make the right
decision. If you need further assistance, feel free to call
an Abt sales associate for guidance.
Most wall mounts are universal
and have a specific range of screen sizes that they are recommended
to work with. It is very important to choose a mount that is
designed to hold your TV's screen size and weight.
We recommend that you purchase a mount that has been UL Rated.
Underwriter's Laboratory tests these mounts to hold 4 times
the recommended weight load. Purchasing one of these mounts
ensures that the mount will hold your TV safely on the wall.
All mounts sold at Abt (in-store and online) are UL rated.
Although most mounts are universal, there is no one mount that will hold every TV on the market. It is important to check with the manufacturer of the mount to verify compatibility with your TV. Most manufacturers have a mount finder link on their websites that will allow you quick and easy verification of which mount is right for fitting your TV. The Abt website contains a link to both Sanus and OmniMount's mount finders.
There are different types of wall mounts that offer varying motion options for
your TV. Depending on the placement of the TV you may choose to
have a flat mount, a tilting mount or an articulation or cantilever
mount. Each mount has specific benefits as listed below:
Flat/Fixed
This type of mount will keep the TV snug against the wall
which allows for a clean look from the side of the TV. You
will see no wires from the side view and the TV will remain
in a fixed position as close to the wall as possible
Flat/Tilt
This type of mount will keep the TV close to the wall, but
allow for up to a 15 degree tilt. This is a great benefit
when the TV is to be mounted higher on the wall such as
in the case of mounting above a fireplace. The user can
tilt the TV down in order to reduce glare or to make the
TV easier to see from seating below.
Swing Arms
This type of mount will hold the TV off the wall in an increased
distance from that of the flat or tilt mount. This mount
will allow the user to swivel or pan the TV from side to
side in order to increase the viewing angle of the TV. This
is a beneficial option in a large room that has more than
one group of seating that may be utilized in watching the
TV
Articulating/Cantilever
Like the swing arm this type of mount will typically protrude
a few inches off the wall. The ability to pull out and pan
the TV up to 180 degrees allows the TV to be viewed from
2 different adjoining rooms. Another use for this type of
arm would be when installing the TV in an armoire or entertainment
cabinet, the user could hide the TV inside when not in use
and simply pull it out when it's time to watch TV.
Different manufacturers make
their mounts out of a variety of materials. Steel, aluminum
and plastic are all standard building materials utilized by
the mount manufacturers. Common sense will tell you that steel
will likely hold up the best over time on a larger TV, but you
should feel assured that no matter the materials used, if the
mount is UL rated for your TV it should be fine.
The most important aspect of
your flat panel purchase is who will be installing the TV. Most
of the wall mounts on the market can be easily installed by
2 relatively handy adults. It is important to read all safety
warnings and follow the manufacturer's instructions on which
type of screws or bolts to use when installing the TV. It is
always a good idea to anchor the TV to studs in the wall, as
standard drywall or plaster can weaken over time and cause the
TV to fall. If you have any reservations about installing the
TV, you should consult a professional installer, like those
employed by Abt's Custom Home Theater department.
While installing your TV, you
will quickly find a need for wire management on your wall mount.
Nothing will ruin the appearance of your install quicker than
loose wires hanging down. Some mounts offer channels in the
body of the mount where the wires can be run neatly and hidden.
While others simply offer clips on the outside of the frame
to hold the wires in place. You should check to see if any wire
management is included with any mount that you purchase.
Once you have determined which
mounts will fit the size of your TV you can eliminate all the
rest. Then consider the motion option that you think works best
for your application and again eliminate the rest. Look at the
wire management and ease of install variables to further narrow
your choice. Finally, inspect the quality of construction, existence
of UL listing and your choice should be complete.
Pleasing People...Since 1936
