Sanus Wall Mount

Since LCD televisions are so thin, they are prime candidates to be hung on a wall, much like a picture would be. Unlike a picture, however, a TV takes more than a simple nail to install. Due to the weight and sensitivity of the electrical components, flat screens must be hung using a proper mounting method to ensure correct operation. LCD TV mounts allow you to achieve a level, secure surface that is directly connected to a stud.

Function

Though it will have the standard holes to accept a mount, the back of a television will not generally come with a mounting bracket. These aftermarket mounting systems bolt up to the back of your set, then slide over thick screws in your wall. Since most mounts you will encounter at any major retailer follow VESA standards, the holes should line up perfectly with any TV within its size specifications. The end result is an extremely secure mount that sets flush with your wall, and allows you to easily move or transport your television at will.

Types

There are several different types of brackets out there. Some are simple, low-profile devices that allow you to mount your screen almost completely flat against the wall. Other designs, though they cause the TV to sit further from the wall due to their thickness, allow the TV to swivel up-and-down and sometimes even side to side. Even more complicated mounting systems exist that place the entire television on a collapsible arm, which can position the screen at almost any imaginable angle. The more complicated the mount, the less weight it can bear, so larger televisions can be limited to a simple stationary bracket.

Benefits

In many rooms, achieving an ergonomic viewing experience that is at the proper angle for your eyes can only be done with a mount. The seamless look of a flat screen mounted directly on a wall, with no visible power or video cables, is one of the most modern looks for a living room television. Mounts allow your LCD TV to be placed in locations that would otherwise be off limits, such as above a fireplace, or in small rooms where furniture to set it on may take up too much space.

Considerations

It is important to know what mounting standard your television follows. Almost all sets use what is known as the VESA standards, which have several subtypes, such as VESA 100, VESA 200 and VESA 400. These different standards define the distance between the mounting holes. For example, VESA 100 is 100 mm between the holes, where as a VESA 400 television will have holes spaced 400 mm apart.

Warning

Make sure the mount you choose is rated to withstand the size and weight of your television. Overloading a bracket will increase the likelihood of failure, and flat screen televisions are not designed to survive a fall from several feet up. Not only does the bracket itself need to be strong enough to support the television, the connection to the wall itself also needs to be secure. The bolts or screws should always tap into a stud, since drywall is never strong enough to support this much weight without eventually breaking.