Mount Makers On Deck For Potential Demand Increase
By Colleen Bohen -- TWICE, 1/8/2007
LAS VEGAS — As International CES gets underway here, mount makers are gearing up to meet a likely increased demand for flat-panel accessories in 2007. This upswing can be expected to continue as long as flat-panel display sales stay on track.
Around this time last year, retailers were attempting to recover from a frustrating display shortage during the 2005 holiday season. That issue was largely resolved as 2006 unfolded, and at press time it looked like this year would be a different story. In fact, DisplaySearch, the Austin, Texas-based flat-panel display market research firm, recently announced that it expected total revenues for all flat-panel applications to rise 13 percent in 2006 to $84 billion.
On top of that, El Segundo, Calif.-based iSuppli, a research firm that specializes in studying the electronics industry, released data with its own revenue predictions for all four TV formats through 2010. According to its forecast, flat-panel display revenues are expected to grow to combined revenues of more than $60 billion in 2006 (less than DisplaySearch's prediction, but both numbers still indicate expected growth). iSupply also predicts that flat-panel displays will continue to take up more and more television market share, and by 2010 PDP and LCD displays are expected to pull in combined revenues of more than $97 billion.
With all of the predicted growth in display sales, it is only natural to assume that flat-panel accessory sales will see growth as well. Following are some of the latest mounting products and technologies to hit the market this year:
In 2007, Chief is introducing a spate of new flat-panel mounting solutions under its iC brand. Among the new products is its iCLPFA2 universal dual swing-arm mount for TVs measuring between 30- and 50-inches. The mount, touted as a solution tailored for recessed applications and corner mounting, provides wide viewing angles with 21 inches of extension. It features curved arms with cable channels to speed up installation and provide a clean finish. Its integrated roll function offers 5 degrees of adjustment room to level the screen after installation. The iCMPDA1 is a universal single swing-arm mount that can accommodate 26-inch to 40-inch TVs and offers many of the same features as the iCLPFA2
Chief's iCMPFM1 universal non-tilting wall mount is designed for televisions measuring between 23 inches and 45 inches. The product secures a flat-panel display 1.6 inches from the wall. It features a built-in lateral shift function and its sliding arms and multiple mounting holes are expected to fit most large LCD and plasma TVs.
The iCMPTM1 universal tilting wall mount is said to provide a gravity-centered tilt for 23-inch to 45-inch TVs. This product also features built-in lateral shift and Chief said installation requires only four quick steps.
To complement its new flat panel mounting solutions, Chief is offering its iCFPAC1 cable channel accessory which is designed to hide and protect cables and wires. The product, which can be used with all iC flat-panel wall mounts, can be mounted to a wall or other surface and snaps open to provide access to the cables and wires.
Chief is offering retailers a sales support program with merchandising materials, an image library and customer service help.
Maximo Products is bowing the latest additions to its MountMaster line of flat-panel mounting products for big-screen LCD or plasma models.
At the highest end of its new offerings is the Pro-Series FPTV line of wall mounts with suggested retail prices ranging from $179 to $199. Products in the series feature 20 degree tilt adjustment and are constructed of aluminum allow with a powder-coat finish.
The Tilt-Series FPTV wall mounts carry suggested retail prices between $59 and $149. The mounts can be adjusted up to 15 degrees and feature heavy-duty steel construction.
Also constructed of heavy-duty steel are the Flat-Series FPTV wall mounts, which the company says have low-profile mounting designs. The series has suggested retail prices ranging between $39 and $129.
Finally, the SW-24 swivel wall mount has a suggested retail price of $89.99. It has an adjustable 10-56cm mounting length with 360-degree rotation capabilities and 20-degree tilting options.
Additional OEM-packed models are said to be available for installers.
Vantage Point's aluminum U42 universal flat-panel mount is designed to support screens measuring between 27 inches and 42 inches and weighing up to 150 pounds. It features an adjustable sliding wall bracket that can accommodate any stud spacing and eases side-to-side alignment of the wall rail and monitor. The U42's wall profile measures 2.6 inches and it comes with a variety of monitor installation and mounting hardware to increase universality. It is available now in silver and black at a suggested retail of $149.99.
Other recent universal flat-panel mounts introductions from Vantage Point include the U50 for 30-inch to 50-inch plasmas and the U70 for 43-inch to 70-inch plasmas.
OmniMount's Moda wall furniture system was designed with the intention that customers would be able to install it themselves and it features integrated cable management and is customizable for a wall of any height. It comes with 10mm tempered glass shelved and is constructed of real wood with a veneer finish. The system has a suggested retail of $299 and it can be expanded by adding extra 8-inch or 16-inch wall panels, which retail for $99 and $129, respectively.
OmniMount is also showing its Tria shelf system, which it says can be used with or without a flat panel. The Tria is sold as a complete system with three adjustable tempered removable glass shelves with integrated cable management features. According to the company, each shelf can hold up to 30 pounds. The system is constructed of aluminum and comes with wall stud and masonry mounting hardware materials. It is available now for a suggested retail price of $149.
OmniMount's Medium four-in-one flat-panel mount, 4N1-M, is constructed of die-cast aluminum and designed to accommodate a flat panel measuring between 23 inches and 37 inches. It is available now for a suggested retail of $149.
Barkan Mounts has improved versions of its models numbered 30 through 35. The company reports that it has increased the products' weight capacity from 55 pounds to 66 pounds. The new models, manufactured from steel or thermoplastic materials, have suggested retails ranging between $34.99 and $119.
The company's four-movement mount allows the user to rotate, fold, swivel and tilt. Its Quick Connect feature allows for tools-free screen mounting. Other features include cable management, tools-free tilt adjustment and self assembly. The product comes with a lifetime warranty.
K2 Mounts' T-arm is a remote-controlled wall mount specifically designed for flat-panel TV's mounted above the fireplace. According to the company, the T-arm solves three major complaints associated with viewing flat-panel TV's installed above a fireplace such as glare, reflection and off-axis viewing problems like color shift and loss of picture detail. Notable features include its remote controlled operation and four user-programmable memory presets and cable management bellows located behind the display so as not to interfere with the movement of the actuators. The product has a 20-degree range of downward tilt options and when it is not in use, the T-arm fully retracts the display so that it is flush within 5 inches of the wall. The T-arm can accommodate displays between 40 inches and 60 inches that weigh up to 180 pounds. A universal IR remote control is provided to control the T-arm as well as other A/V components. The T-arm is compatible with RS-232-based control systems and is set to be available in the first quarter of 2007.
Peerless Mounts recently launched its Designer Series of universal flat-panel wall mounts which are available in black or silver.
The Universal tilt wall mount, model number RTFPT2-320, is designed to accommodate 32-inch to 60-inch plasma and LCD flat-panel screens. According to the company, it offers one-touch continuous tilt and features cable-management cutouts. The product, which carries a suggested retail price of $219, also comes with safety fasteners.
Peerless' RTPLA60 adjustable flat-panel mount accommodates 37-inch to 60-inch screens. It features easy tilt and pivot adjustments and come with various options for cord and cable routing. The RTPLA60 has a suggested retail of $519.
Premier Mounts' latest universal swing out arm, the AM250, is capable of pulling displays up to 18 inches away from the wall and retracting to less than 5 inches. It allows the display to tilt down 10 degrees and pivot to the left or right 45 degrees. The product is said to fit most 37-inch to 50-inch flat-panel displays that weigh up to 125 pounds. It is available now for a suggested $299.
Sanus Systems is bowing a double-sided tilt and swivel ceiling mount for large flat-panel TVs as part of its VisionMount line. This new universal ceiling mount is said to be ideal for spaces where the TV must be viewed from both sides of a room. VisionMount model LC2A is designed to fit virtually all 30-inch to 50-inch LCD and plasma TVs with a total weight capacity of 300 pounds when two large TVs are mounted on it. The product is constructed of heavy gauge steel and provides each TV with a 30 degree range for swiveling and a 20 degree tilting range. Set to be available this month, the LC2A has a suggested retail of $479.
Also new to Sanus Systems' VisionMount line are two ceiling mounts for smaller flat-panel TVs: the SC1A for displays up to 27 inches that weight up to 50 pounds and the MC1A for displays that measure between 23 inches and 40 inches and weigh up to 70 pounds. Both are made of aluminum, feature wire management channels, and allow height adjustment. The SC1A is currently available for a suggested $109 and the MC1A is expected to be available this month for a suggested retail of $129.
Sanus is adding four new full-motion wall mounts to the VisionMount line as well under the following model numbers: MF202, MF203, MF209 and MF215. All of the mounts have tilt, swivel, pan and extension features. The VESA-compatible mounts can support TVs weighing up to 60 pounds. All models are available in silver or black with a powder-coated finish. The MF203 extends up to 3 inches from the wall, the MF209 has one arm that can extend up to 9 inches from the wall, and the MF215 has two extension arms and can reach up to 15 inches from the wall. All four models are available now and suggested retails for the line are $69.99 for the MF202, $89.99 for the MF203, $109 for the MF209 and $129 for the MF215.
Wood Technology offers its Whisper-Ride flat-screen TV lift, which is intended to be mounted inside any cabinet that can accommodate the required 2.75 inches behind the display that is needed to operate the lift.
For small-screen flat panels, Techcraft's LCVU26B is designed so that users can mount their display and place it anywhere. The product offers 360 degree swiveling and a tilt feature to adjust viewing angle, and it features a small shelf to fit one component.
Finally, Vogel's Professional is introducing its PFW185, a wall mount designed to fit flat-panel displays measuring between 55 inches and 103 inches that weigh a maximum of 660 pounds. The mount features two wall-mounting plates to ensure that the support fits regardless of the screen's width. For ease of installation, the mount comes fully assembled and comes packaged with all mounting hardware including materials for double stud mounting. According to the company, the product can be positioned flat to the wall or tilted at an angle of up to 15 degrees.
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