Looked around and couldn't find anything on this particular subject. My daughter is planning on buying a 42"-46" lcd flat panel. She has 3 kids and a larger sized dog(boxer). How sturdy are the stands that come with the tv's. Is there a worry about tip over.

My 50" Panasonic plasma has a pretty big stand, I think it's 32" wide at the base. There is no way short of an earthquake that it'll just "tip over". Now if a decent sized kid or large dog crashes into it, well who knows. The TV did come with some metal bands and screws to affix it to whatever it's sitting on, that would certainly help with stability.

If they're really worried they should put it about 4' off the ground on a wall mount.

jeff

My 50" Panasonic plasma has a pretty big stand, I think it's 32" wide at the base. There is no way short of an earthquake that it'll just "tip over". Now if a decent sized kid or large dog crashes into it, well who knows. The TV did come with some metal bands and screws to affix it to whatever it's sitting on, that would certainly help with stability.

If they're really worried they should put it about 4' off the ground on a wall mount.

jeff

I personally don't like TV stands. I prefer a formal entertainment center.
They're more sturdy, you don't have to bend over to tend to your components, they hide all the wires and cables, and in my opinion they are more pleasing to the eye. In my opinion (just my opinion) TV stands look like you couldn't afford or didn't want the real deal.

There is plenty to be concerned about with children and an LCD. The screen has a layer of plastic over a layer of Liquid Crystals over a thin piece of glass (less than 1/16" and as big as the screen). There are dozens of reports of destroyed panels in this Forum, which in an LCD is a total loss not covered by warranty.

Things that have totally destroyed LCD displays include small balls, balsa airplanes, plastic bats, and especially WII remotes or the batteries from them. Definately, anything that tips over the stand will break the TV.

For small children, a screen protector is reccomended. That's a clear plastic cover. For general piece of mind, an entertainment center with a video panel or a wall mounted set is the reccomendation. The pedastal base is really taking a chance unless you screw it or strap it down.

I personally don't like TV stands. I prefer a formal entertainment center.
They're more sturdy, you don't have to bend over to tend to your components, they hide all the wires and cables, and in my opinion they are more pleasing to the eye. In my opinion (just my opinion) TV stands look like you couldn't afford or didn't want the real deal.Well I see where you're coming from but...an entertainment center that would be large enough for the average 42"-50" flatscreen would be massive. Most people don't have an unoccupied wall large enough for such a monolith...nevermind that not being able to see the sides/back of the tv ruins some of the flat panel '"coolness factor".;)

sony xbr4's come with a tie down strap that bolts to the back of the tv and to your tv stand to keep it from tipping....

So do those of you who own large plasma TV's 46" or larger strap them to the wall as well as the TV stand you have it on?

I have a 50" panny from last year I just strapped it down with the two straps to the stand its sitting on and never had a second thought even with a 115lb. doberman pincher running around the house its so heavy it doesnt seem to need the wall straps.

I ask b/c my new 58 panny arrives tomorrow I just noticed my 50 and 58 both have wall straps as well as the table straps. Wonder if anyone uses these wall straps at all I have never seen these used even in the major electronic stores.