Types of TV Wall Mounts
Mounted TV/fireplace anyone?
Today's televisions are rapidly progressing marvels of technology, requiring little or no maintenance and capable of performing a host of audio/visual functions. Most flat screens can even be fitted with fireplace inserts that allow them to double as actual heat-producing electric fireplaces. Space-saving, ultra-thin designs make locations practical today that would have been unheard of just 10 years ago. Freeing valuable floor space, eliminating the messy collection of cables and power cords, and providing an improved viewing angle are all reasons why many people choose TV wall mounts as the best solution for their plasma, LCD, and flat-screen TV placement.
Choosing The Right Mount
Television wall mounts are available in several styles, employing either a bracket or shelf-like design to keep your screen securely mounted. Listed below are the three most common types.
Flat - This is the most basic kind of wall mount. The name refers to the type of TV screen that the mount is designed to hold. There are actually several types of "flat-screen" mounts.
- Simple flat mounts are purchased according to the dimensions and weight of your flat-screen television. They are best suited for mountings not much higher than standing eye level. Most are constructed with adjustable wall brackets that can be moved horizontally for proper stud alignment, as well as TV brackets that attach to the back of your flat screen.
- Tilting flat mounts are basically the same as flat mounts, except most of these models allow for up to 35 degrees of tilt. Tilt mounts are ideal for higher mountings. They allow you to tilt your television downwards and avoid the screen distortion that occurs when flat screens are viewed from too severe an angle.
- Swivel and articulated flat mounts extend out from the wall, and can enable screens to be adjusted horizontally up to 180 degrees, as well as up to 35 degrees vertically.
Shelf - These wall mounts are designed for the heavier conventional-style television sets. A shelf or platform is extended from the wall by an arm and is designed to support the TV from the bottom as opposed to the rear brackets of the flat mounts.
Yoke - Generally suited for conventional and larger units, yoke-style wall mounts fit around the whole TV and are suspended from the top by a bracket arm attached to the wall. They typically have a full range of horizontal swivel, as well as varying degrees of tilt.
Selecting the right mount for your TV is one of the main keys to enhanced viewing enjoyment.