Plasma TV wall mount question.

[ThA tRiXtA]

I currently own a Monoprice universal flat panel wall mount for a plasma or LCD TV... I bought it about 8 months ago to a year and it says it will accomodate up to a 62 inch TV weighing upto 175 pounds. It was the biggest and heaviest duty mount they sold.

It's been sitting unused in the box while I have been building my room and at the time I bought it I figured I would never afford anything bigger than a 60" TV, so I figured I was safe with a 62" max.

Long story short with the prices of TV's having come down to reasonable prices (did I really say reasonable?!) I was looking at the Pioneer 60" models, being either the 6020FD or the pro 151FD... they are still a little more pricey than what I hoped to spend so I don't mind going to the panasonic plasma line.

I kind of have my heart set on not getting anything less than a 60" display now, but I notice that the Panasonic models near that size are either 58" or a monster 65"...

The weight of the 65" beast is less than the rated capacity of the mount, but I'm going to assume I wouldn't be able to hang it because the mounting hole pattern on the back of that TV is going to be too large for the brackets on my mount?

Anyone that is more familiar with these things happen to know why they say up to a 62" for my mount even though the weight is not even near its limit?

Thanks in advance!

 

[adk highlander]

I've mounted several TV's using both the mount you have and the Sanus tilt mount. The holes on the back are a standard bolt pattern and I would not think they are too wide for the mount.

The issue that I could see is if you don't have studds where you could center the mounting plate and if the plate is offset to one side then their could be an issue of getting the TV centered on the wall and not have it too close to then edge of the mounting plate .

I would measure the plate and see where it would go on your wall. Then go in where they have the TV and measure the spacing of the mounting holes.

On the weight vs. size issue. How close are you to the maximum weight? If it is under 150lbs I would say you will be fine.

 

[Halon451]

I agree, I think the mounting pattern of the holes will not be an issue, most of the mounts these days are fairly well standardized to accomodate every set on the market, and the TV's likewise have standardized mounting holes. The 65" will likely have larger diameter mounting holes than TV's of smaller size, but use this general rule of thumb - if the screws that fit the mounting holes in the 65" aren't included in the mounting bracket's hardware that you have, then it's probably safer to go ahead and upgrade to another bracket. My thoughts are that you do have the proper bolts with the bracket you have on hand, and weight won't be an issue (most of the weight ratings are conservative anyway, for obvious reasons), and go for it!

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

Thanks for the replies guys, very much appreciated... but it turns out I was severely mistaken on the weight on the 65 inch model... going from a 58" which weighs in at a modest 137 pounds to the 65"... you gain over 60 pounds (!) totalling 198 pounds and a few ounces.

Yuck.

Well back to the drawing board I guess. Either that or back to the Pioneer... hmm what to do, what to do...

It's too bad too, I definitely had the wall strength and the studding put in for it...

Sorry for wasting your time guys.

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

A second thought... I would almost be willing to buy a bigger wall mount in order to get the 65" display... but I guess it comes down to overall picture quality with the Pioneer or pure size of the Panasonic.

Although, the 65" Panasonic is the same MSRP as the 60" kuro elite. The 58" Panasonic MSRP lists for $4495, which is $3000 less than the 65". So basically $3k for an extra 7 inches or $428 dollars per inch LOL.

Why are these TV's still so damn expensive. I am going with a projector in my next house.

 

[jostenmeat]

Why are these TV's still so damn expensive. I am going with a projector in my next house.

Exactly.

I forget the viewing distance, but bigger is better. I definitely vote bigger. Remember, the larger the TV is already, every "extra inch" represents a lot more viewing surface, and hence the rapidly rising cost and weight.

 

[jliedeka]

One thing to be aware of is how the wall plate fits in relation to your studs. I have the Sanus VMPL and I had to drive the outside screws in at an angle to be sure I was catching the studs.

Jim

 

[Halon451]

Most of the wall plates I've worked with - wait, take that back, ALL of the wall plates I've worked with have slotted openings for the lag screws to pass through, which helps you center the plate itself, even if the studs aren't centered for your viewing purposes.

Trixta, if I were you, I would pony up for what you really want in a TV, and get the mount that will accomodate it. Otherwise (if you're like me), you'll be sitting there on more than a few days asking yourself, 'Why didn't I get the other one?"

 

[jostenmeat]

T.T., I'm transplanting your post here.

LOL Josten you read my mind... truth be told I was already looking at that 65" Panasonic.

I found the weight of it somewhere on the net, what site that was escapes me at the moment but it stated it weighs 198 pounds. For some reason Panasonic does not list the weight of that model TV.

From further research I see that most of these plasmas feature removable speakers and bases which would lighten it's weight considerably. If I can get it down below 175 pounds then it would appear I can swing that.

Can anyone confirm that the 198 pounds was either with the speakers on or off?

On a side note, a few sites around the net are selling the 6020FD for between $3200 to $3700 US... Do you guys think there will be any deals coming with the US holiday sale?

I would call Pana, and email them as well for good measure. I believe they have something called the Concierge, I think. I'll go look. Here we go:
http://www2.panasonic.com/vieraconcierge

Yeah, I think deals might be found.

 

[jliedeka]

I should clarify. The first time I attached my mount to the wall, I tried to center it on one stud and catch a total of three studs.

Originally I mounted the TV too high so when I lowered it, I shifted it over and just attached it to two studs. That's still plenty of support with those big lag screws.

Jim