| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | as support the 42 inch LCD TV itself. Make sure you |
| Unless you’re mounting your new 42 inch LCD | | | | pick a stand that has shelves or compartments for the |
| TV on the wall or on the ceiling, you’ll need a | | | | equipment you own, or even may someday own. |
| solid and reliable stand to support it. Many TVs come | | | | 2. Determine if the stand will position your TV at an |
| furnished with an appropriate stand, but some require | | | | optimal viewing height. The height of the TV is an |
| that the stand be purchased separately. If the | | | | individual choice — make sure the stand you |
| manufacturer furnishes your 42 inch LCD TV stand, | | | | select will place your 42 inch LCD TV at the height |
| and it meets your needs in terms of styling, | | | | you want. If you can, find an adjustable stand that |
| you’re in great shape. Because your 42 inch | | | | gives you some flexibility. If not, determine the right |
| LCD TV could become an integral part of the | | | | height for you and select an appropriate height stand. |
| room’s decorating scheme, though, you may | | | | An easy way to calculate your optimal height is to sit |
| choose to purchase a stand that matches the needs | | | | in your favorite chair or couch and determine how high |
| of your viewing habits, your home, and your sense of | | | | your eye level is. Once you’ve determined eye |
| style. | | | | level, make sure your 42 inch LCD TV will be centered |
| Because a 42 inch LCD TV is reasonably heavy, the | | | | at that point. |
| most important requirement is that any stand must | | | | Many stands are pre-engineered to approximate an |
| handle the weight of your particular 42 inch LCD TV | | | | appropriate viewing level for the average person, but |
| and must provide a stable base in case it’s | | | | make sure you’re comfortable with that height |
| bumped or jarred. For that reason, make sure the | | | | before you make a purchase. Some pedestal stands |
| stand you purchase meets the unique weight and | | | | are adjustable; if you don’t need storage space, |
| strength requirements of the 42 inch LCD TV you | | | | check out a pedestal stand. |
| purchased. The last thing you want to have happen is | | | | 3. Check to see if the stand has integrated cable |
| for your new TV to become damaged simply | | | | management. If you’re buying a cabinet with a |
| because your stand wasn’t up to the task. The | | | | closed back, cable management probably isn’t |
| owner’s manual for your 42 inch LCD TV will | | | | an issue, since you’ll have plenty of space to |
| specify all the requirements of a suitable and effective | | | | hide cables. If you’re interested in a pedestal |
| TV stand for that model. | | | | stand or a stand with an open back, make sure there |
| There are a few other considerations besides | | | | are provisions built in to hide all the cables you may |
| strength, though. Let’s look at a few other | | | | have. If you have a home theater, video gaming |
| decisions you’ll want to make to ensure you get | | | | system, DVD player, and other components, |
| the maximum enjoyment from your 42 inch LCD TV. | | | | you’ll have a large number of cables running |
| 1. Determine if the stand needs to hold other | | | | from component to component — make sure |
| audio-visual equipment? If you own a DVD player, use | | | | the stand gives you plenty of room to store those |
| a cable converter, have game systems like an Xbox | | | | cables out of sight. The stand shouldn’t just |
| or a PS2, and/or have a home theater system, you | | | | house your 42 inch LCD TV — it should handle |
| may want your stand to house that equipment as well | | | | all the cables and components, too. |