Mounting Flat Screen TVs
In The Beginning . . .
The 20th century involved watching TV with the screen 'housed' in an elegant wood cabinet or set as a console that sat squarely on the floor as another piece of room furniture. Yes, it is still ok to have a console TV in one's home if that is one's preference! However, today's blog for our neighbors of the Austin, Texas metro area is about what most 21st century households have embraced: a thin, flat-screen TV of LED, HD, OLED, and HDMI, High-Definition Multimedia Interface TV, bringing a brilliance of color to screen sizes ranging from 32 inches to a whopping 85 inches! Oh, the joy of watching sports, movies, and videos in true-to-life color!
The High Dimension Multimedia Interface TVs can be connected to other sources of entertainment such as the internet, music, and gaming consoles. The one consequence of such thin, flat TVs is that they can tip easily. With safety uppermost in mind, many Americans shifted their eyes 'upward' to mount the wide-screen flat TV on the wall! In addition to the safety aspect, the benefits of wall mounting a flat-screen TV includes:
- Adding more space to a room by eliminating the TV stand or table.
- Adding aesthetic appeal by giving room a modern, uncluttered appearance.
- Reducing glare from windows and artificial ambient light fixtures in the room.
Experience Is Key To Wall Mount Success
We caution Austin, Texas households that there is much to consider when deciding to wall mount a large flat screen TV to a wall. The first and obvious consideration is what wall should be selected. Naturally, the TV power cord should be able to reach the electrical outlet. Examination of outlets and possibly installing new outlets and switches will require the experience of an ATX electrical professional.
The next consideration is the type of wall mount to select. A fixed wall mount keeps the TV flush to the wall in a stationary position. A swivel TV mount pivots the screen left and right to accommodate whatever seat is taken in the room. Tilt mounts provide the ability to angle the screen down when placed higher on the wall. Full motion mounts allow for manually adjusting the TV right, left, up, or down. Some full motion mounts have a telescoping arm when mounting in a corner position. The electricians of ATX electrical can advise the best angle to reduce glare.
When selecting mounting hardware, mounting hardware must be compatible with the size and weight of the TV. ATX electrical, experienced in wall mounting many flat-screen TVs, ensures the correct wall mounts are used.
Determining the height of TV placement is vital for a comfortable viewing experience. The bottom of the TV should be eye level when seated and no higher than eye level when standing. Wall studs will need to be found for drywall to providesecure anchor. Never fasten flat-screen TVs to hollow wall anchors. There will be the need for drilling holes in the wall, which will require knowledge of the electrical wires that lie beyond the plaster or drywall. Working with electrical outlets, low-voltage rings, HDMI cable cords, sound systems, and the expertise to 'hide' cable wires requires the licensed electricians of ATX electrical. ATX electrical can also calibrate cable, media player, video game consoles, and smart home assistant to the TV after the TV is securely wall mounted.
If you feel nostalgic for the simplicity and elegance of grandma and grandpa's console TV — well, GREAT, don't ever stop thinking of grandma and grandpa! Still, you don't want to miss viewing the brilliance of color found on your flat-screen TV and safely wall-mounted!
Call ATX electrical — the electrical professionals who get the job done right!