Do You Want to Mount Your TV? You Have More Options Than Ever Before

A rash of The current bargains on HDTVs, even two-for-one TV deals, could leave you with a dilemma that has plagued us since the dawn of the flat-panel era: Where do you want to mount the thing?

Of course, assembly is not for everyone. All HDTVs come with a stand or legs to place the device on an entertainment cabinet or other flat surface. If you don’t want to place your device on a wall, in a moveable setup, or in a newer version of wall mounting, a stand-up approach is perfectly fine.

But if you really want to get this going, you might be surprised by some newer options that have popped up since the last time you did this.

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Wall mounting procedure

The great world of wall mounts begins with the assumption that your new television meets VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) guidelines for the threaded holes on the back of your television or monitor. TV mount manufacturers take these dimensions into account when telling you what size TV they can accommodate (e.g. a mount that fits HDTVs between 37 and 70 inches).

A standard wall mount is a metal bracket that attaches securely to the studs of a wall, paired with hook rails that screw to the TV itself. Once everything is installed, the TV slides onto the mount with the rails attached and you have a mounted TV. Variations of this include mounts that can extend outward, pivot left and right, and tilt up and down, allowing for more viewing angles and flexibility. If you’ve only ever used simple TV mounts, you might love how useful it is to move your giant TV to avoid glare at certain times of the day, or pull it out towards you for a closer viewing in a large room.

Some wall mounts can also be adjusted using a remote control. Motorized mounts like the Vivo Electric Mount can pull your TV out of the wall with the push of a button. The MM815 from MantelMount can be raised and lowered via remote control and offers a height adjustment of 26 inches. Remember: These motorized mounts require an electrical outlet to operate.

If you’re trying to place a TV in a location that doesn’t have a flat surface, corner TV mounts are also available. For HDTVs mounted above a fireplace, another option is “pull-down” mounts that can be lowered when the fireplace is not in use.