Please recommend LCD Wall Mount for my Samsung LN46A550...

[mshan]

I would like to wall mount my Samsung LN46A550 LCD tv.

I've looked at the models at Monoprice, but am leaning towards this one on eBay because it has a 7 degree rotational adjustment: Link (edit: looks like my eBay link is being blocked; looks like you have to copy and paste item number 330308731052 into eBay search engine.)

What do you guys think of that mount for my tv?

And more generally, what features should I be looking for when shopping for an LCD wall mount?

 

[newnameman]

Why not this one from Monoprice: http://www.monoprice.com/produ...format=3#specification

 

[mshan]

The one from eBay apparently has 7 degrees of rotational (twist) adjustment so that I can precisely level tv if I don't mount to wall perfectly level (?)

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: mshan
And more generally, what features should I be looking for when shopping for an LCD wall mount?

This is really something you need to decide. How high will you be mounting it? Do you need it to swivel for side seating? How close do you want it to the wall? Do you need to be able to extend it from the wall? Will you need to be able to get to the back of the TV for additional connections?

I think the best-looking mounts are low-profile like this one. It puts it only 1.25" from the wall. The problem is that it's very difficult to access the back of the TV for additional connections. If I were to use one, I would just fill up every HDMI and component connection before mounting it. Another possible issue is if you wanted to install bias lighting, which might be larger than the 1.25" of room behind the TV.

If you still want the TV somewhat close to the wall but want easier access to the back of the set, then a tilting mount like this is what you want. It extends 4" from the wall when parallel and will tilt up and down 15 degrees. If you tilt the bottom up, it makes for easy access to connections. Some people like the option of tilting to possibly reduce glare on the TV or to tilt it down if it's mounted really high (i.e. above a fireplace), but even in those situations I think a TV looks best when perfectly parallel to the wall.

If you want to tilt, swivel, extend, and retract (that's what she said ), then you want a mount like this, which newnameman already provided. It's more expensive and extends an additional inch compared to the tilting mount (5" total), but it allows the most versatility. These are great if you need to tilt, swivel, and extend the TV, but they're unnecessary for most people. If I were to wall-mount my TV, I would get one of the first two options, probably the first one as long as I could find bias lighting that would fit behind it.

 

[mshan]

I have the tv jerry rigged on a computer desk and copy paper while I determine optimal positioning.

Using stock stand, it is about 34 inches from floor and about 1 foot out from wall.

I think I would like swivel option, both for occaisional side viewing, and because most connections are on back of tv.

 

[newnameman]

Originally posted by: mshan
The one from eBay apparently has 7 degrees of rotational (twist) adjustment so that I can precisely level tv if I don't mount to wall perfectly level (?)

It's really not that hard to mount it level.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Are you looking for a full motion mount or simply a tilting mount?

There's many good ones, in the living room we have a Sanus holding our Plasma. More expensive than the Monoprice one but it's more pleasing to the eye IMO.

My next one will be Monoprice because I'm putting it in my bedroom and black goes well, also the price can't be beat.

 

[mshan]

Full motion mount.

With shipping, the Monoprice one is $80, so eBay one is competitive at about $85.

For those who have mounted their HDTV's using a wall mount, do you really need to have the tv precisely leveled horizontally and vertically for picture to look right, or is proper viewing height the only important factor?

edit: Samsung LN46A550 manual says not to tilt tv more than 15 degrees, while eBay mount say can tilt up to max of 25 degrees. Is 15 degree tilt max just cautious recommendation to maintain stability on wall, or does it put undue strain on actual lcd panel?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Some allow you to actually adjust the screen angle side to side so you can level it. I find that if it's not level I can tell. Minor distraction.

 

[mshan]

I think I am going to go with the dual arm one from Monoprice linked above.

eBay one is apparently a Cheetah Mounts wall bracket, and their webpage specifically mentions up to 4 inches of sag and 2 inches of tilt possible with their single arm design: http://www.cheetahmounts.com/P...=APSAMB&Show=TechSpecs

Their dual arm design page says it has significantly less sag and twist than single arm one. Plus, from reading some reviews at Monoprice, I think it might have same slight twist adjustment of tv faceplate as eBay one, just not advertised.