| LCD flat panel TVs have been flying off the shelves in | | | | allow your TV to be flat against the wall or will allow |
| recent months. If you have been one of the lucky | | | | them to swing out a foot or more from the wall in |
| ones to have purchased a new TV or if you plan on | | | | order to view it from a variety of locations and angles. |
| purchasing a new flat panel in the near future, you are | | | | Many arm mounts will also allow the TV to swivel or |
| no doubt considering mounting your flat screen on the | | | | tilt as well and are sometimes referred to as |
| wall. A properly mounted flat screen TV will not only | | | | articulating arm mounts.o For the ultimate in wall |
| provide optimum viewing for your new TV, but will also | | | | mounts you can consider a motorized wall mount. |
| help spruce up the décor of your room. | | | | They allow virtual silent operation allowing you to rotate |
| When considering an LCD TV wall mount take these | | | | the TV for an optimum viewing angle with the touch of |
| 5 things into consideration. | | | | a remote button. These can certainly provide a "wow" |
| 1. Size of TV - When purchasing a wall mount, one of | | | | factor for your home theater. |
| the first things you will see is that there are different | | | | 4. Cable management - You will want to make sure |
| wall mounts for different size TVs. There is a huge | | | | you plan on how your TV will be connected to the |
| difference in size and weight in a 22 inch LCD | | | | rest of your home theater components. Some people |
| compared to a 50 inch model. Mounting hardware will | | | | simply install molding in order to hide the wires, while |
| provide more support for bigger TVs such as | | | | most people will install a wall plate that allows the |
| connecting them to multiple studs instead of just one. | | | | connectors to be run through the wall to ensure a |
| The brackets for fastening to the TV will also | | | | clean clutter free look. Be aware of the proper |
| obviously differ from a large TV to a small one. | | | | electrical code and consult an electrician if necessary. |
| 2. Type of wall - Flat panels can be mounted on | | | | Power cords should not be run through the walls and |
| various types of wall. The most common type of wall | | | | most times a receptacle will be installed behind the TV |
| is one with wood studding. You will need a stud finder | | | | in order to provide power to the TV. HDMI cables |
| in order to locate the center of the studs which you | | | | have simplified things by allowing both audio and HD |
| will mount your TV to. Another common mounting | | | | video signals through one cable, but make sure to also |
| option is to mount the TV to a solid concrete wall or a | | | | consider adding component and composite |
| cinder block wall. In order to install on these walls you | | | | connections as well since it is much easier to do it now |
| will need to use concrete anchors for a secure | | | | rather then adding them later. Many LCD TV wall |
| connection. Most wall mounts will include the proper | | | | mounts will have cable management options built in to |
| fastening hardware. | | | | them for added convenience. |
| 3. Type of LCD TV wall mount - There are many | | | | 5. Where to mount your LCD flat panel - Finally you will |
| types of wall mounts to choose from.o A fixed wall | | | | need to figure out where to mount your TV. The |
| mount does not have the bells and whistles of the | | | | location will be dependent upon your room environment |
| other types. Once your TV is mounted you will not be | | | | as some people choose to mount above things in the |
| able to move it at all so take extra care in making sure | | | | room such as a fireplace. It is generally agreed that for |
| the TV is exactly where you want it to go.o A tilting | | | | an optimal viewing experience you should mount the |
| mount provides some extra flexibility by allowing you | | | | center of the TV slightly above eye level of your |
| to tilt the TV up or down to ensure a proper viewing | | | | viewing position. Also keep in mind to leave enough |
| angle. Generally a tilting mount will rotate up about 5 | | | | room for your center speaker and front speakers of |
| degrees and down about 15 degrees. This is a good | | | | your sound system. |
| choice for many large screen flat panels often times | | | | A clean install of a high quality LCD wall mount will be |
| found in a home theater or family room.o Another | | | | a welcome addition to your home and a great way to |
| option is an arm mount. These are more common for | | | | showcase that new LCD flat panel. |
| smaller LCDs as opposed to big screens. These will | | | | |