Wall Mounts for Plasmas

[adm]

There must be a gazillion different wall mounts out there.

However, are there any ones in particular that really are great?

By the same token which ones are to be avoided like the plague?

What are the benefits of having a cantelever approach?

Other concerns that need to be considered?

I have 50" Panny Plasma (50px600u) which I am looking to mount above a gas burning fireplace. Considering that I am looking to use it on a 50" plasma that weighs approximately 100lbs, I realize that I will be looking at the upper end of the spectrum.

Additionally, I will be rebuilding drywall over the brick wall above the fireplace unit which is being retrofitted into an existing brick fireplace, so that construction and planning can also be worked in.

Please feel free to chime in with commentary related to any of the above.

One unit that has come to my attention is the Omnimount UCL-X. I am not wedded to this but am open to all comments.

If this became a thread full of commentary directed at sharing wall mount stories (good, bad & ugly). That works as well because then we all benefit along the way.

Thanks in advance,
..Mark

[calv1n]

Mark,

I've bought PDR mounts and I think they are great quality for the price. Do a google search for them and you'll find all you need. Are they a lot better then Sanus or the other larger brands ? I don't know but I know I bought my PDR for 1/2 the price of the others and it not a cheaply built unit by any means.
Cheers
Calvin

[tvbug]

Sanus VMPLS mounts are good.

http://www.mountsdirect.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=45&products_id=170

[rgdawson]

I have the Panasonic 50PX60U and I mounted it with an OmniMount "U3 Tilt" mount. This mount allows a little bit of tilt. I am very happy with the mount due to its ease of use. For example it allows some left/right slide so you can get you display centered exactly how you want it. Second it was flexible with respect to wall stud spacing. I had some real weird spacing where I mounted it (like 22 inches along the top of the mount and 19 inches along the bottom of the mount). I strange piece of wall, but the OmniMount design had no trouble at all. And the tilt is very easy to adjust which is handy when you are messing with cables and such. Highly recommended.

[adm]

[QUOTE=calv1n]Mark,

I've bought PDR mounts and I think they are great quality for the price. Do a google search for them and you'll find all you need. Are they a lot better then Sanus or the other larger brands ? I don't know but I know I bought my PDR for 1/2 the price of the others and it not a cheaply built unit by any means.
Cheers
Calvin[/QUOTE]


Calvin,

Thanks. Did the checking you suggested.

I also read through your "construction" post. Very impressive. Sorry to read about your delema with your vents as cited in those posts. VERY smart move with the insulation in all walls, as we found out the hard way with some remolding how important that can be between rooms and floors!

I am looking forward to see the posting of the pics when you frame the plasma area and then install it.

[adm]

[QUOTE=rgdawson]I have the Panasonic 50PX60U and I mounted it with an OmniMount "U3 Tilt" mount. This mount allows a little bit of tilt. I am very happy with the mount due to its ease of use. For example it allows some left/right slide so you can get you display centered exactly how you want it. Second it was flexible with respect to wall stud spacing. I had some real weird spacing where I mounted it (like 22 inches along the top of the mount and 19 inches along the bottom of the mount). I strange piece of wall, but the OmniMount design had no trouble at all. And the tilt is very easy to adjust which is handy when you are messing with cables and such. Highly recommended.[/QUOTE]


Thanks,
Is the U3 different from the Omnimount UCL, UCL-x? or are they the same?
Not sure what you meant with the 22" & 19" comments.

How high up on the wall is it and how far away is your "preferred" seating/viewing spot?
Did these factors influence/impact on the placement of the wall mount?
..Mark

[adm]

[QUOTE=tvbug]Sanus VMPLS mounts are good.

http://www.mountsdirect.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=45&products_id=170[/QUOTE]


tvbug,
Thanks. Any concerns with the product/installation? How is the tilt & clearance to the back once installed? WHat size unit do you have attached to the mount?

[rgdawson]

[QUOTE=adm]Thanks,
Is the U3 different from the Omnimount UCL, UCL-x? or are they the same?
Not sure what you meant with the 22" & 19" comments.

How high up on the wall is it and how far away is your "preferred" seating/viewing spot?
Did these factors influence/impact on the placement of the wall mount?
..Mark[/QUOTE]

Different. Go to the OmniMount Web Site and you can see 4 models they sell for the Panny 50PX60U. The UCL mounts are cantilever mounts, meaning they allow the panel to come way out from the wall enough to be rotated sideways. The U3 Tilt mounts do not rotate sideways but allow up/down tilt.

I mounted my panel above what used to be a wide doorway from the bedroom into another small room. The previous owner filled in the doorway and made the other room a separate office. So the stud space and wall contruction is pretty wierd - not the normal 18-inch spacing. Some mounts might rely on normal 18-inch spacing and that would not hav worked for me.

I mounted the TV about 7-8 feet (measured to screen center) above the floor and about 13 feet from my pillow. (I have high ceilings.) I watch from a reclined position looking out over my feet. Directly under the TV is a 5-ft tall dresser and a DVD player and small amp sit on top of that but just under the TV panel.

I think 13 feet is very slightly further than optimum for this set. 10-11 feet would be fine.

[tvbug]

[QUOTE=adm]tvbug,
Thanks. Any concerns with the product/installation? How is the tilt & clearance to the back once installed? WHat size unit do you have attached to the mount?[/QUOTE]

2-1/2 inches clearance and 15 degree tilt, I have a 50" phd8uk mounted on it, over the fireplace.

[adm]

[QUOTE=tvbug]2-1/2 inches clearance and 15 degree tilt, I have a 50" phd8uk mounted on it, over the fireplace.[/QUOTE]

tvbug,

Since you have the 50"8uk (which became a real scarce & sought after item last fall), how do you find accessing the cable connections in the back?

Does the 2-1/2'' cleareance provide the needed hand space, or was everything pre-done so that you would not have to go there again?



Also, did anyone run extra unconnected cables from the avr to the plasma (or visa versa) to address future connectivity? And if so, where did you leave them to have access when needed? Is this a good idea, or a wasted effort?

[tvbug]

[QUOTE=adm]tvbug,

Since you have the 50"8uk (which became a real scarce & sought after item last fall), how do you find accessing the cable connections in the back?

Does the 2-1/2'' cleareance provide the needed hand space, or was everything pre-done so that you would not have to go there again?



[/QUOTE]

I have a HDMI blade fitted.

All the wires were connected first and then the plasma was lifted into its place.

I do not need to access it again. If necessary then tilt the plasma 15 degrees to remove the wires.

[unionmade]

Visualapex packages Peerless mounts with panny commercial unit as "avs" special. Are these good mounts? Also, I'm going to be mounting on an entertainment system with the unit at the proper height. As such, do I need tilting?
thanks for any thougts,
Bryan