Technology Showcase: Flatpanel Mounts

Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Jay Ankeney

Market expands with some unique designs to show off new TV technology.

The new Slimline series of thin wall mounts from Peerless Industries that we will be seeing at InfoComm 08 is the first universal wall mount designed to fit all ultra-thin displays. The new Slimline Ultra Thin Universal Mounts deliver a practically no-profile installation that positions flatpanel screens a mere 0.4in. from the wall — barely the thickness of a CD case. Peerless also offers its SmartMount 700 series arms, such as their the new SA750PU, that provide a full 1in. of internal cable management and color-coded electrical and AV component knockouts. Its double stud, single-arm design allows for up to 10.75in. of horizontal adjustment. The SA750PU is UL-listed to hold up to four times the stated load capacity.

Premier Mounts has designed and installed the industry's first suspension mount for Panasonic's 103in. flatpanel display. A less intrusive digital-signage placement option, the custom mounting solution securely suspends the 485lb. flatpanel display from the ceiling. The 200lb. suspension mount has a maximum weight capacity of 1600lbs., and it includes a cable-management system concealed by outer covers, locations for both an outlet box and magenta box in lower cover assembly, and optional speaker brackets. Redundancy is built into the design with two sets of mounting points that allow for a second set of safety cables.

Out this summer from Sanus Systems, the new VisionMount LT25 tilting and LL22 low-profile universal wall mounts for displays from 32in. to 60in. are especially designed for ease of installation with their new ClickStand feature. Thanks to ClickStand, the flatpanel display quickly locks to the wall plate without bolts or tools, and two props — triggered by simple release levers — hold the bottom of the TV away from the wall for easy access to cables during and after installation. These universal wall mounts also boast post-installation heights and level adjustments for aesthetic conformity to their surroundings. The LT25 also features Sanus' patented Virtual Axis technology that allows smooth, effortless tilting for the perfect TV viewing angle.

In addition, Sanus has automated mounts, such as the VisionMount LA112, that started shipping last September with new ones due out this year from June onward. The LA112 features a 20-degree down tilt, 7-degree up tilt, 28-degree side-to-side swivel, and up to 12in. of extension for optimal viewing. It ships with a programmable IR remote and can be integrated with other control systems via an RS-232 port.

The PDM-C universal large flatpanel ceiling mount from Video Mount Products is designed to accommodate most 37in. to 63in. flatpanel displays. Its mast telescopes 18in. to 30in. from the ceiling and rotates 360 degrees with an adjustable 0- to 15-degree tilt and a load capacity of 180lbs. Video Mount Products also highlights its pipe/ceiling mast electronic-component holder that can hold VMP ceiling mounts and works with all manufacturers' ceiling mounts, using masting from 1in. to 2in. outside diameter. Its U-shaped mounting tray extends 13in. from the pipe to accommodate DVD players, CD players, DVRs, HD receivers, VCRs, and other electronic components up to 25lbs.