TV Wall Mount Bracket

So you have gone and bought a Plasma or LCD TV for yourself.  You probably already have a plan as to where you want to put it, like on a shelf, cabinet, or table somewhere.  On the other hand, have you ever considered using an LCD TV wall mount bracket?

An LCD TV is lighter and flatter than a regular CRT TV set, which means it consumes less surface area.  This reduction along certain dimensions and increase in space and weight efficiency opens up many options for wall mounting.  There are quite a few kinds of wall mount brackets for LCD TVs and the following highlights what you should be looking out for.

Many of these brackets use a flat panel sort of mounting system.  These have a base plate or frame that attaches to the wall, a frame that attaches to the TV itself that allows tilting up and down and sliding from side to side, and possibly an accordion-like extensible structure in between.  This style is very sturdy, but is not particularly flexible in terms of adjustment options.

Another design philosophy for a Plasma or LCD TV wall mount bracket is the arm system.  By using an extensible arm with several points of articulation, you can adjust the TV into exactly the position you want it.  These models also tend to be smaller that the wall-frame models.  The downside is that they are not quite as sturdy as the other type.  Since these have smaller wall plates and TV attachment plates, stresses are increased and can pull the structure apart.  Additionally, the joints along the arm are also potential points of failure, after all the more the moving parts, the likelier that something will break.

Lastly, there may be platform-style wall mount brackets.  These are basically adjustable shelves for your LCD TV.  Though not very exciting, they can be the sturdiest of this lot.

Considering how expensive your LCD TV is, choosing the right bracket becomes even more important.  You would not want the mount to fail somewhere and send your precious TV crashing to the ground, right?  The most important factor to consider is the weight capacity of the bracket, which translates into several other points to consider.  First off, check the manufacturer’s maximum weight specifications, and make sure they match or exceed your TV’s actual weight.

The weight of the TV is distributed depending on the points of attachment as well as the configuration of the bracket.  The wall plate should have screw holes distributed throughout the structure and must be large enough for heavy-duty screws.  The piece that attaches to the TV must also be sturdy and have enough reinforced screw holes.  The joints along the arm should also be as tough as possible, with locking mechanisms that prevent unintended adjustments if possible.  Lastly, remember that the stresses are different according to positions, and fully-extended states often provide the least stability.  Read the product manual in order to know how to use your LCD TV wall mount bracket right.

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