I have a situation in which I am attempting to mount a tv, and would appreciate any advice that anyone could offer. Although I am sure the situation is not unique to me, it is not the norm - mounting on an empty wall. So guidance would be helpful.


I will be placing a Pioneer 5020 on wall inside a large opening within built-in cabinets. The cabinets above and to the sides of the tv are only 12" deep, and there will be several inches clearance above and below the tv, with less space on the sides. In addition there will be small openings for ventilation at each side of the upper cabinets.


The Users manual shows a tv placed deep within a cavity and calls for nearly 20" clearance above the tv. I will have only 5-7 inches above the tv depending on where it is placed. The cabinet builder and electrican have both assured me that ventilation will not be a problem given that the cabinet above is only 12" deep, allowing hot air to easily "escape". (In addition, the tv will sit off the wall somewhat with any mount, and much of the heat is directed outward).


As mentioned, I am having the cabinet maker leave 2 small openings on each side of the upper cabinet to "channel" hot air upward to the ceiling. In addition I am considering a full motion mount so that I can pull the tv forward so that it is flush with the front of the upper cabinet (12" off the wall). The electrician and cabinet maker feel this is unnecessary.
I am still considering it however, to: 1) be extra cautious and 2) to avoid any complications should my tv need service (ie. the repairman denying service because the tv wasn't 20" from the cabinet above).


Is this necessary given the shallow depth of the upper cabinets, and the small openings for ventilation?


My only concern with a full motion mount is that it doesn't seem as if it would be as secure as a flat wall mount (particularly over a long period of time). I worry that the stress of the tv's weight on an extended arm over time will weaken or loosen the mount. Can anyone share their insights on this situation and recommend a good wall mount? I have been looking at the Sanus line, just because I have heard more about them.


Anyone's opinions or personal experiences will be greatly appreciated. I believe the electrician and cabinet maker feel that I am "over-thinking" this, but it is a significant expenditure for me and I do not want to make a costly mistake.


Thank You
Omeany

There is only one in my book....

Omni UCL-X <<< Click Here >>> (http://www.omnimount.com/consumer/product.aspx?ProductId=1cb677fc-879d-40ce-a1c9-cde15c17b785&CurrentId=2.3.3.6)

http://www.omnimount.com/products/side.1cb677fc-879d-40ce-a1c9-cde15c17b785.jpg (http://www.omnimount.com/consumer/product.aspx?ProductId=1cb677fc-879d-40ce-a1c9-cde15c17b785&CurrentId=2.3.3.6)

Here is a link to this mount in action <<< Click Here >>> (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=14106291&postcount=14)from a personal install at CP

Morning Omeany,

Manufactures of articulating mounts (all mounts for that matter) test their mounts on the low end and the high end insuring total security of that mount; in essence you have no need to worry about the mount weakening over time. Your major concern is to make sure you hit at least one, better two studs and make sure you use anchors that are rated to hold "X" amount of weight. The articulating mount can be pulled out to 20" therefore giving you full access to the TV - your height limitation is not an issue. Your small ventilation holes are not a bad idea; as for your "over thinking" is, as they say, better to err' on the side of caution. Our installers prefer the PDR articulatig mounts. Take a look at www.pdrmounts.com (model AWM175 is a single arm and AWM250 is dual arm - both need the extender SE14X6) Best of luck!

Deb

Thanks for the replies. Your input is appreciated.

Chris - I checked your links. You mentioned a difficult install. I also see the large piece if wood bracing on the wall. Is this due to the clients particular situation or is this a difficult mount to install. My electrician is a handyman (completed unfinished attic space, mounted tvs, etc) but I'm sure he doesn't have 25 years experience woodworking. I do not want to buy something too difficult fro him to install.

The mount does look very nice and amazon has one for a great price (CL-X with UAL Universal Adapter plate).


Deb - thanks for the info on the PDR mount, as well as the info that the extender is needed. I also appreciate that the "height limitation is not an issue" (I assume you mean regarding ventilation and not the mount).

Both mounts look good and I will check them out further.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

OMeany

This pertains particularly to the mount that Chris at Cleveland Plasma recommended, but my question applies to it or any other mount.


While reading reviews for the omnimount I came across the following:


"READ THIS if you plan to mount it yourself: If you plan on centering your TV perfectly, this mount does not have a wide enough base to give you extra slack to adjust left or right (gives you some but not enough to make a noticeable difference). If you are lucky enough to have your two mounting studs in your home spaced apart nicely allowing the unit to be centered, this unit is perfect.Because the construction of homes vary, check to see if this mount will center perfectly.

After installing the mount mine is off by at least 8' from the center using all the extra slack needed for centering, including loosening the hex bolts to move the arms as far as they can to the left."

An Amazon review stated the following:
"This mount looks great, feels great, is solid and well-constructed, but it had a fatal flaw which prevented me from using it:

It can only be mounted directly between two wall studs that are 16" on center.

For those of you who have older construction with studs 18" or 20" (or even 14") on center, you are out of luck.

For those of you who have the perfect place to put your television, but it isn't between the studs, you are out of luck.

I also couldn't return the product to the seller because it wasn't damaged, it just didn't fit. "

Does this sound correct? From reading and talking to the electrician (who will install the tv also) I assumed that all stands were adjustable to the extent that they would be able to place the tv exactly where I wanted it on the wall (he said this without knowing exactly where it would be placed). This is critical as I will have a very defined place on the wall between cabinets in which to place the tv. If I am off even an inch the tv will not look centered in the opening. This really concerns me. The studs in my house are 16" apart, but I am sure that the correct tv placement will not end up being centered exactly between studs. So how do I know which stands will offer the flexibilty to place the tv exactly wher it is needed?


Thank You
OMeany

OMeany,

I have this exact mount and was using it to mount my Pioneer PDP5070 to the wall. I say WAS using it because I never articulated the TV. I felt like my entire house might blow away if a tornado were to come through, but the mount, well it wasn't going anywhere.

Due to the way the holes are on this base, it is true that it isn't as flexible as most mounts. You may be able to have your handyman lag bolt a 3/4 sheet of plywood (which no one will be able to see) to the face of the wall (which he can go directly into the studs) and then you can mount the TV anywhere you want on that sheet of plywood. This is what I did but I actually opened up the back of the wall (which was a closet) and placed the plywood between the studs. Again - the house may blow away but my TV wasn't going anywhere. When fully articulated the mount didn't "flex" more than maybe an 1/8 or 1/16 of an inch (what I am really saying is it is a VERY strong mount even when fully articulated).

Few other things to consider:

Omni Stand Depth = 6.2" (according to omni)
5020 Depth = 3.7" (according to amazon.com specs)
Plywood = .75 (provided you go this direction)

So you are looking at an off the wall profile of about 11" -- which is probably pretty accurate based on what my TV measured when it was on the mount (though it is 2:19a and I am sleep deprived so my math may not be accurate). So you are looking at articulating the TV out maybe about 1-2" max -- so I don't think you need to worry about the weight or the stand flexing.

Let me know if you have any more questions -- and since I am going to be installing a low profile mount for my TV, I'd be happy to sell you mine (have probably 95%+ of the original parts (maybe missing a bolt - but suspect your TV uses the same bolts as mine for mounting) and I even still have the wall template.

Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions or if you are interested in my stand.

Regards,
Brian

staysafeonline

Thanks for the detailed information, it is greatly appreciated and very helpful. I really like the appearance of the omnimount but believe I may try to find something a little less complicated (easier to install with more flexibility as far as adjusting laterally).

I'm glad I saw the info about the omnimount before purchasing because I'm not sure my electrician would have been prepared for such an install. I just hope whatever mount I do get will allow me to place it precisely in the desired location (to the inch).


Thanks for taking the time to detail your experience.

Thank You
OMeany

Due to the way the holes are on this base, it is true that it isn't as flexible as most mounts. You may be able to have your handyman lag bolt a 3/4 sheet of plywood (which no one will be able to see) to the face of the wall (which he can go directly into the studs) and then you can mount the TV anywhere you want on that sheet of plywood.

This is why the plywood is there. The client did not want to tear apart his wall so he wanted the oak cabinet grade plywood on the outside of the wall.