37” LCD TV – Mounting Considerations

For many, a 37” LCD TV offers the best of both worlds: a large screen size that provides a home theater experience in a relatively inexpensive package (especially when compared to a 50” LCD TV, for example.) For that reason 37” LCD TVs come in a variety of makes and models, including popular models like the Sharp LC-37D7U 37” LCD TV, the Westinghouse LVM-37W1 37” LCD TV, the Philips 37PF7320A 37” LCD TV, and the Toshiba 37HL95 TheaterWide 37"LCD TV. Prices for most 37” LCD TVs range from $1,400 to well over $2,000, so they’re not cheap, but they’re certainly less expensive than a $4,000 to $5,000 50” or 60” LCD TV.

Even so, if you’re investing in a 37” LCD TV, it makes sense to place it where you’ll get the most enjoyment from it. For many people, especially those with space limitations, mounting the TV on the wall is the best choice. You’ll save space, make arranging furniture easier, and will add a little sparkle to your room’s décor.
Mounting a 37” LCD TV on the wall may be your best bet; if so, here are some tips.

Decide the right wall. Where, and on which wall, should you mount your 37” LCD TV? The choice is completely up to you and depends on your living space and your viewing habits. Some people hang a similarly-sized poster in various spots around the room to get a sense for the best location – hanging the poster makes it a lot easier for some people to visualize how a 37” LCD TV will look on the wall.
Decide how high to mount the TV. Experts typically suggest mounting a 37” LCD TV at the same height as the height you watch from. If you sit in a chair, mount the TV at eye level from that height. If you lie in bed, mount the LCD TV at a level appropriate for that viewing position.

Decide if you need professional help installation help. Many retailers, especially specialty stores, offer installation services. It’s not hard to do on your own, but it will take time, and it will require measuring accurately, using basic tools like a drill, following the instructions that come with the hardware, and most of all staying patient. If you’re unsure, hire an expert. Mounting a 37” LCD TV on the wall will require at least two people and it will take an hour or two to finish the job properly.

Decide how to run the cables. If you plan to use your 37” LCD TV as a home entertainment center, you’ll probably want to hook up a DVD player, audio equipment, a cable converter… which means you’ll have a lot of cables to deal with. The best (and the hardest) solution to the problem is to run the cables through the inside of the wall. Professional installers will run cables for you, but be prepared to spend around $100 to have the job done right. If you don’t want to run cables through the wall, accept that you’ll have wires running up your wall. (If you live in an apartment, you may have no choice but to leave the cables outside the wall.) You can either let them hang or hide them behind a decorative molding or other object.

Determine the correct mounting brackets to use. A flat panel 37” LCD TV is heavy – the mounting brackets you use must be strong enough to support its weight. Luckily there are standards you can follow: VESA standards are a rule of measurement for wall mount kits that ensures the bracket can safely handle the weight of the LCD TV. Simply check the VESA standards for the 37” LCD TV you purchase and make sure the mounting brackets you purchase are suited for the job.

If you can, purchase wall mounts that swivel and tilt. While you may not need to swivel or tilt your 37” LCD TV on a regular basis, swivel mounts are handy when you need to reach the back of the TV to install or change cables. And, a tilting bracket can be handy because it allows you to change the vertical viewing angle of the television dependent on the position of the viewer. If you move closer to the TV or lay on the floor, tilting the screen slightly may be a neat option. A swiveling bracket allows the user to change the horizontal viewing angle of the television. You can tilt the LCD TV up or down or side to side if you change furniture position, for example, or if you have guests. While swivel/tilt mounting brackets are a little more expensive (they usually cost at least $30 to $40 more than fixed brackets), they’re worth it in terms of the flexibility and adaptability they offer.

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