TV Stands
Picking the right TV stand can be difficult, especially when you consider how many different ones there are out on the market. There are floor models, there are stands for sitting on tabletops, there are wall-mounts — deciding which one is right for you and your TV can be an overwhelming task. Here are some tips to help you in your quest.
First thing to consider is how many other home entertainment modules you’ll have to fit inside your stand in addition to your television. There’s sound amplification equipment, DVD players, and video game platforms, plus all the video games and DVDs you have. A TV stand that’s the right fit for all your equipment must have adjustable shelves to accommodate everything.
The height, width and depth of your television set are the next considerations. Width is a measurement that’s relatively easy for matching a TV to a stand — height, on the other hand, is more of a problem. You should not have to strain your neck to watch TV. Sit in your favorite TV-watching chair, look straight ahead at the wall and figure out the point where your line-of-sight hits the wall. Measure from that point to the floor, and you’ve got the height at which the base of the TV screen should be. Now you know the height of the stand.
Avoid any television stands that are closed in the back, because every TV set needs a large open back through which to run the electrical wiring, the audio-visual cables, and the cables to the rest of your components, as well as the antenna or cable-TV box. Also avoid stands that aren’t adjustable for width — each time you upgrade to a new TV, you seem to end up with a wider TV, and the old TV stand should fit the new one too.
Notice the materials from which the TV stand is made. Avoid stands with cardboard and particle-board backings. Check the maximum weight that can be supported by the stand, and compare against your television’s weight — the TV’s weight should be no more than 90% of the max weight. Wooden TV stands may be strong enough, so don’t limit yourself to looking only at metal stands.
Consider where the TV stand will be placed. Figure out where the electrical outlets are, and where the satellite or cable-TV wires enter the room. Corner TV stands are a possibility in a room where spare space is at a premium. Wall units are also a good alternative. either ones that stay open to the room, or ones with sliding doors to conceal all the equipment.
Flat screen TV stands are usually the simple tabletop type, where a flat pedestal supports the TV from behind with a mounting bracket on a post — TV stands for flat screens can also be the wall-mount type. LCD TV stands do not have to be as sturdy, due to the lower weight of LCD television sets — LCD TVs can be mounted on the ceiling or on a swivel arm. Plasma TV stands generally have to be room furniture, because of the heavier weight of a plasma TV, especially if the set is a 60″ plasma flat panel.
The final consideration for a TV stand, after you’ve figured out all the physical requirements, is, of course, cost. Shop around for the model of TV stand you’ve determined is the right one for your TV set. A mass-market retailer may have the lowest prices for TV stands, but not the variety from which to pick out the TV stand perfect for you.
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