Flat Panel TV Mounts - Exploring the Different Choices

Ok, so you've purchased or are thinking about purchasing a flat panel TV, and now you are thinking about the types of flat panel tv mounts available. Well, first you need to know what kind of TV you are getting, or if you've already purchased it the easy part is out of the way. Finding a flat panel tv mount is not hard, but selecting the correct one is a challenge that simply requires some thought and good information on the front end to ensure you are happy with the result.

It's unusual for a flat panel tv to come with mounting hardware, so you are going to have to get a kit. You will need to check to make sure that the flat panel tv mount you end up with has everything you need to get started. Sometimes you may need special mounting bolts for the surface you will be mounting to. For example, a concrete block, brick or stone wall surface is going to require some sort of lag bolt or a lead shield combo hardware that may not be included. Fortunately, you can easily grab something like this from the hardware store when you've discovered the correct mounting location for you new flat panel tv mounts.

Most flat panel TV's use a standard to determine sizing and spacing of bolts. These standards from the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) were established for the television manufactures so that each brand doesn't necessarily need a specific mount for that brand only. This insures that prices are reasonable and eliminates licensing red tape and also helps to keep good supply.

You will generally encounter the standard displayed as a VESA number. So for example, VESA 75 indicates that the mounting holes are in a square pattern 75mm apart. Another example would be VESA 100/200. This means the holes are in a rectangular pattern with one set of holes at 100mm apart and the other set of holes at 200mm. You can usually find this information in the owners manual for you TV or you might try the manufacturers website online. This is the information you need to determine a starting point for flat panel tv mount compatibility.

As mentioned in my article on choosing a television wall mount you need to make sure that the mount you purchase is made to handle the size and type of TV you are going to hang from it. I mentioned in that article that CRTs and Plasma units are heavier. Again, try locating the size and weight information for your television set in the owner's manual or online.

There are primarily three choices of flat panel tv mounts to consider for attaching to a wall. There are also ceiling mounts and pole mounts that may be considered for special circumstances. We are primarily going to discuss the TV wall mounts available since they are by far the most popular.

The Types of Flat Panel TV Mounts

Low Profile Wall Mount– If you do not need any adjustment capacity for viewing angle or positioning, then this flat screen wall mount may be right for your application. This is the mount you should choose if you do not want the TV set to intrude into the space of the room any more than necessary. Low profile means it is held very close to the wall, so there is no room for any tilt or right-left adjustment. These mounts are also difficult if you tend to change cables around much, such as if you are frequently attaching a video game system and disconnecting it, since they are so close to the wall. Usually a tilting or full-motion mount is better for this use.

Tilting Wall Mount – This type of mount may cost a little more, but it will give some additional flexibility in positioning for viewing angle. This will allow you to mount your flat panel TV a little higher, such as over a fireplace, and tilt it downward for a more accommodating viewing angle. These are similar and nearly as simple to hang as the low profile mounts. The primary difference is there is a pivot point on the bracket and it sits out a little further from the wall. Besides the adjustment range afforded, this has the added benefit of making it easier to plug and unplug cables when necessary.

Full-Motion Wall Mount – This is the type of mount you will want if you need the maximum amount of range of adjustability. This is also the most expensive type of mount. With this type of flat panel TV mount you can tilt up, down, left, or right, and many of these allow the TV to be brought out from the wall. There are even some full-motion mount styles that can be mounted into a recess in the wall behind the TV, so when the TV is fully retracted it resembles the low profile mount.  This is a fantastic and versatile television wall mount!

No matter which of these flat panel TV mounts you choose, go for a quality purchase. With so many manufacturers now there is a fair amount of junk out there. I'm sure you paid enough for your flat panel TV that you wouldn't want to trust it to a flimsy mount.

In our next installment we will cover the exact process needed to successfully and painlessly install your flat panel TV mount, so until next time.

Thanks,

The TV Mount Guy