Suppliers Rev Up Motorized Mount Models

By John Laposky On Sep 3 2007 - 6:00am

As flat-panel mount vendors begin to face a similar dilemma as flat-panel TV manufacturers — namely a flood of new suppliers entering the market and disrupting existing pricing structures — some of the more established players are seeking profits where their TV brethren do, on the high end.

Here at the CEDIA Expo, installers are being offered a range of new motorized mounts to complement the home automation systems that are at the heart of the custom install business.

One such established player is OmniMount (booth 628), debuting its first motorized model, the Motion52 Motorized Cantilever mount. The Motion52, developed in partnership with Samsung, allows users to tilt, pan or swivel flat-panel displays with the touch of a button on the included IR remote control.

The mount features universal rails for compatibility with all flat-panel brands ranging in size from 37 inches to 52 inches to 95 lbs. It tilts up 15 degrees and pans 20 degrees to each side. Its low profile sits 2.9 inches from the wall when retracted and extends to 10.5 inches. "Virtually silent operation" peaks at 25dB.

Available in an anthracite finish, the Motion52 is equipped with a safety mechanism that stops motion when movement is obstructed. The Motion52 comes with a cable management system, double-studded mounting for stability and an installation template and level for easy setup. The remote has two programmable memory positions and the mount can also be manually adjusted.

It will be available next month for a suggested $799.

CLO Systems (booth 396) brings to CEDIA its newly developed T-arm remote controlled robotic wall mount specifically designed for flat-panel TVs mounted above a fireplace. In addition to helping eliminate heat issues while in its stowed position, according to CLO the T-arm solves the three major complaints associated with viewing flat-panel TVs installed above a fireplace: glare, reflection and off-axis viewing problems such as color shift and loss of picture detail.

The T-arm's variable downward 0-degree to 20-degree tilt movement allows glare-free, on-axis viewing. The included universal IR remote control has two programmable memory settings to recall stored viewing preferences and can control A/V components in a system. The T-arm is also compatible with RS-232-based control systems from Crestron, Lifeware, AMX and other providers. Cables are concealed within a bellows located behind the display. The bellows also prohibits foreign objects from interfering with the movement of the actuators.

When not in use, the T-arm retracts the display to a flush position 4.2 inches from the wall. The retracted, completely vertical stowage position eliminates potential damage to the TV caused by fireplace heat being trapped in the display's upper bezel. An auto mode automatically retracts the television when it is turned off and extends it for viewing when the set is turned on.

The T-arm is suitable for flat-panel displays from 40 inches to 63 inches weighing up to 180 pounds.

CLO is also showing its motorized S-arm swivel mount. The S-arm's 90 degrees of continuously variable swivel range eliminates flat-panel viewing problems such as glare, reflection and off-axis viewing problems including inaccurate color and loss of picture detail, according to the company. Developed with integrator input and consultation, S-arm features easy on-wall installation and when not in use, retracts the display to 2.8 inches from the wall. The mount may be installed to swivel to the right or inverted to swivel to the left.

It includes an IR remote with two programmable memory settings.

Available now, the S-arm is designed to accommodate plasma or LCD flat-panel TVs from 26 inches to 50 inches weighing up to 100 pounds.

Pricing and availability is available at the company's booth.

CLO recently signed an agreement with Chief/Sanus Audio Visual (CSAV) to be distibuted exclusively in the United States and Canada by CSAV.

For its part, Sanus Systems (booth 472), a division of CSAV, is introducing the VisionMount LA112 full-motion wall mount, which uses CLO's automation technology.

The LA112 offers motorized features including 20-degree down tilt, 7-degree up tilt, 28-degree side-to-side swivel and up to 12 inches of extension. The mount sits 4.5 inches from the wall when fully retracted. Four programmable settings allow favorite viewing angles to be saved.

The mount has an internal cable management system and comes with a universal remote control with TV, DVD and mount control functions. Flexible bellows surround the mount's interior, protecting mechanical components and providing a decorative appearance. An IR receiver and RS-232 port are included.

The LA112 fits flat-panel TVs from 40 inches to 63 inches weighing up to 180 pounds. It is currently available and lists for a suggested $1,199.

Sanus sister company Chief Manufacturing (booth 548) has added the CM7 automated swing arm to its Cinematic Series of flat-panel mounts.

Also using CLO technology, the CM7 comes in four sizes to support flat panels from 40 inches to 63 inches and weighing up to 180 pounds.

It includes a removable control box for easy access and a selector switch with LED for TV size selection.

The low-profile mounting solution sits 4.6 inches from the wall and extends out 12 inches. It swivels left and right up to 28 degrees, and offers automated tilt using the included IR remote. An RS-232 port is included, as is cable management technology.

Another company using CLO technology is Media Décor, (booth 884), which is featuring it HideandChic QX series of motorized TV concealment art pieces, featuring a robotically operated arm that extends a flat panel through the picture frame and into the room, stopping at one of the user-defined optimal viewing angles.

At the touch of a button on the accompanying remote control, or via a RS-232C controlled touchpanel, an exclusive, patented twin-roller system powered by a Lutron Sivoia QED silently and smoothly raises the custom artwork. The CLO robotic arm then glides the display through the mounted picture frame extending the display 10 inches past the picture frame into the room. Using the remote control, the user can adjust the swivel range 20 to 28 degrees, depending on display size, and tilt range up to 25 degrees down and 7 degrees up. Two memory locations are provided to recall viewing preferences for day and night, or user one and two.

The HideandChic QX series is compatible with flat-panel displays up to 60 inches. The TV is completely concealed when not in use and the design obviates the need for special ventilation in instances when the TV is mounted a fireplace.

Media Decor offers more than 500 art selections. The art pieces integrated into the series are produced using Giclee technology — a high-speed finishing process that fires extremely small pixels of inks onto special canvas materials, rendering smooth, "museum-quality" reproductions. A protective UV agent is then applied forming an invisible non-yellowing and crack-resistant topcoat.

There are 24 standard frame styles and hundreds of optional, separately sold frame choices. Clients can use their own custom art or photography, business art or logos at no extra cost.

Available now, the HideandChic QX series is designed to accommodate flat-panel TVs from 42 inches to 60 inches. Prices start at $11,750.