TV Wall Mounts: How To Take Your Flat Screen TV From Great To Awesome

A TV wall mount may seem at first to be little more than an optional accessory for your flat screen TV. Nice to have, but not that important. At the end of the day it's only the TV that matters, right?

Every year millions of flat screen TVs are sold throughout the US as well as many other countries. They offer a dramatic increase in picture quality over a conventional CRT and have become one of the hottest selling consumer electronic products in history. Unfortunately, many owners ultimately fail to realize the full benefits of their big screen investment because of poor installation and setup.

Today's high-tech screen technologies require pinpoint precision in selecting the right viewing position in order to maximize performance.The best way to do that is with a properly installed flat screen TV wall mount.

The big advantage with today's mounts is flexibility. Unlike the plastic stand that came with the TV a wall mount gives you the ability to place the screen exactly where needed, usually to within a few inches. With the screen at the right height and angle, picture quality is enhanced and the home theater experience overall is noticeably improved.

TV wall mounts work by attaching to the back of the TV via a set of mounting holes. The mount itself is then bolted securely to a wall or other vertical surface. Correctly installed in this way, the screen will appear to 'float' against the wall, often to great effect.

At this point you might be asking yourself if this setup is really safe. Flat screen TVs can be heavy as well as expensive. What happens if the mount falls and everything comes crashing down on the floor? To prevent any mishaps it is worth taking a few moments to understand how to match the mount to your TV.

To do that you need to look at the following three metrics:

Load Capacity

Load capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight the mount is designed to hold. In order not to exceed this limit you will obviously need to know the weight of your TV. This can frequently be found in the TV owner's manual, or by contacting the manufacturer directly.

Even though most mounts have a built-in safety margin over and above the published load rating, it is usually a good idea to pick something with a capacity in excess of what is needed. It gives added confidence and the mount is less likely to become obsolete in the event of an upgrade to a bigger, heavier screen down the road.

Screen Size

Each wall mount is designed to fit a certain range of screen sizes. For example, if the mount has a screen range of 32-50 inches then it should fit any TV with a screen size within that range.

Understand that this figure is only a guide. In some cases the mount might be incompatible with the TV, even though it is within the specified range. This is frequently the single biggest area of confusion for consumers trying to select the right mount for their needs.

The only way to know for sure if a particular mount will fit your TV is to check the mounting hole pattern on the back of the TV and compare that with the mount. Most television and mount manufacturers conform to the VESA standard that helps simplify this step. But If your TV has non-standard mount hole spacing you may have to measure the actual dimensions and match it from there.

Mount Type

The main reason to wall mount a TV is to get the optimal viewing angle. Depending on the room layout and seating arrangement this can often be a challenge. The ideal location is not always the most convenient or practical.

To help solve these problems TV wall mounts come in three basic types. Each type is designed to address various installation issues.

• Fixed - For any setup where the viewing area is a fixed location and there is a nearby wall directly in front, the fixed mount can be a simple and inexpensive solution. Fixed mounts hold the screen parallel to the wall so getting the right height from the floor is crucial. Since there is no adjustment once installed it is important that you can control the light in the room to avoid screen glare. Fixed mounts tend to have very low profiles (profile is the stand off between the wall and the TV). Lower profiles create a more stylish look as the screen is flush against the wall.

• Tilt – Frequently the viewer and the screen are not on the same horizontal plane. This is probably the single biggest cause of poor image quality related to installation. A simple way to rectify this is to use a tilting mount. Tilt mounts are ideal in situations where the TV is located above the viewer. A hinge mechanism in the mount allows you to angle the screen down so as it can be viewed head on. It is usually a good idea to measure the required tilt angle as each mount has a limited range and they can differ considerably.

• Articulated – For the more complex installs the articulated mount offers the most flexibility. They work well in room corners and in situations where the viewing area changes frequently. They get their name from a folding arm mechanism connected via a series of joints. You can pull the TV away from the wall, tilt it up and down and turn it from side to side. In many cases it is possible to position the screen perpendicular to the wall. Unlike most fixed and tilting mounts, many articulating mounts can be installed using a single wall stud.

DIY Installation

Anyone with some basic DIY skills should be able to install a TV mount in an hour or less.

To make sure the mount and your valuable TV stay put it is vitally important to select a sturdy surface that can support the combined weight of the TV and the mount. For the majority of installations this will entail locating one or more wall studs. To do that you will need a stud finder, available at most hardware stores. (Some mount manufacturers actually include a basic model as part of the installation kit).

Once you have pinpointed the studs the next step is to position the mount at the correct height. Check the line of sight from the viewing area and mark the height on the wall accordingly. If you are mounting above the line of sight check that the mount has enough tilt angle to compensate. Remember, for best results you want to view the screen head on as much as possible.

Using a bubble level, line up the mount on the wall and check that everything is plumb. Mark the positions of the mount holes and then drill the required pilot holes as detailed in the instructions. Carefully bolt the wall plate to the wall using the supplied hardware. Be careful not to over tighten as this can sheer the bolt heads off.

Locate the correct sized screws in the mounting kit and attach the TV brackets or mount plate to the back of the TV. This may require a bit of trial and error as many of the screws are very similar in appearance. Under no circumstances should you force the screw thread into the TV. If it does not turn easily it is the wrong screw.

The final step is to raise the TV into position and lock it in place. Double check that the TV is firmly attached to the mount. Hook up the rear electrical connections and you are ready to enjoy your new awesome flat screen TV.

Conclusion

A TV wall mount can take your big screen TV to the next level of home entertainment. You can create the look and style of a professional showroom for a fraction of the price and free up valuable living space at the same time. With hundreds to choose from you are sure to find one that meets your needs and budget.

For the best deal avoid the major retail electronic stores and shop online. You'll get the same brand name quality for a lot less.