Big Picture Big Sound

Gentlemen, Mount Your Televisions!

Six years ago, when flat screen plasma televisions first hit the consumer market, the appeal was undeniable, but the concept was out of reach to all but the most affluent consumers. Hitachi's 32-inch 32HDT20 plasma flat panel, one of the first consumer flat panels in North America, sold for a whopping $5999 in 2002. As flat panel prices have plunged (e.g., VIZIO's 32-inch VP322 plasma, now selling for a remarkably low $514 at Wal-Mart), and with no end to this trend in sight, demand has increased. Flat panel TVs have truly become an impulse purchase.

But those who spend $500-$600 on a TV certainly don't want to spend another $100 or more on a mounting bracket to hang it on the wall. And now they don't have to, with the Peerless SF640 Universal Flat Wall Mount for 23" to 46" Flat Panel Televisions.  Is it the most advanced, most feature-rich wall mount television bracket on the planet?  No.  But it will allow you to put your flat panel TV on the wall, and isn't that the point?

For a list price of about $70, and a street price below $40, I wasn't expecting a very elaborate mounting solution. And the SF640 is pretty basic: no articulated arm, no tilt - just your basic mounting bracket. But what surprised me was the ease of installation and the comprehensive selection of mounting screws and bolts that came with the kit.  The included English and metric screws of multiple shapes and sizes will accommodate virtually any make and model television of an appropriate size. Sure enough, this "Sorted-For-You™" fastener pack included the metric bolts necessary to attach the mounting plates to the afore-mentioned VIZIO VP322 32-inch Plasma Television, as well as some nice beefy wood screws to attach the wall-plate to the studs behind a plaster and lathe wall where we installed it.

Although the mounting bracket is said to work with TVs from 23 inches up to 46 inches diagonally, you should check your TV's documentation (or check directly with the manufacturer) to determine whether this mounting bracket is compatible with your TV. The mount supports TVs with "mounting patterns" up to 17.73" wide and 12.94" high. In English this means that the mounting bolt holes in the back of your television can be no more than 17.73 inches apart (width) and no more than 12.94 inches apart (height). If your TV's mounting pattern is larger than this in either dimension then look elsewhere for a mounting bracket. The load capacity of the mount is up to 150 pounds so this should accommodate most flat panel TVs 46 inches or below (assuming you mount it properly).

Installation couldn't have been much simpler:

1. Attach two brackets to the back of the television using the appropriate bolts
2. Attach the wall plate to the wall using the included screws
3. Hang the TV on the wall plate, fitting the brackets into the track on the plate
4. Tighten two Allen screws (using the included Allen wrench) to secure the brackets to the wall plate

That's it! Of course, you should use a stud-finder to determine where the studs are in your wall, and a level to make sure the wall-plate is mounted properly. If you have metal studs, or are unable to mount the wall plate using studs (due to location restrictions), then you will need to purchase different screws or toggle bolts in order to secure the TV properly. But for most people, and most purposes, everything you need is in the box. Just add a drill, stud-finder, a pencil and Philips head screwdriver, and you're good to go.

The Allen screws needed to secure the brackets to the plate were a little hard to reach, but Peerless thoughtfully includes a long Allen wrench that works reasonably well for the task.  It's still a bit awkward, but not much could be done about this, considering the slim-mount design with just 1.2 inches of clearance between wall and TV.

Turn-Ons:

• Low Price
• Solid construction
• Simple straightforward instructions
• Comprehensive selection of mounting hardware included

Turn-Offs

• No tilt
• Size may not accommodate many larger flat panel TVs

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a simple but effective wall-mount for a small to medium size flat panel LCD or plasma television, the Peerless SF640 is an excellent choice. Its comprehensive mounting hardware, simple instructions and low price leave little room for improvement.

Where to Buy:

• Peerless SF640 Universal Flat Screen Wall Mount on Amazon.com

Specifications from the Manufacturer:

• Universal mount fits screens with mounting patterns up to 17.73" W x 12.94" H
• Open wall plate architecture allows for total wall access, increasing electrical access and cable management options
• Ultra-slim design holds screen only 1.2" from the wall for a low-profile application
• Horizontal screen adjustment of up to 6" (depending on screen model) for perfect screen placement
• Universal brackets easily hook onto wall plate for fast installation
• Mounts to wood studs, concrete, cinder block or metal studs (metal stud accessory required)
• Comes with Peerless' Sorted-for-You™ fastener pack with all necessary screen attachment hardware
• Integrated security options available
• UL listed
• Dimensions (W x H x D) 19.37" x 13.75" x 1.2" (49.19 x 34.9 x 3 cm)
• Load Capacity: 150 lb (68 kg)
• Product Weight: 3.5 lb (1.6 kg)
• Warranty: Limited 5-year

What's in the Box:

• SF640 universal mounting brackets and wall plate
• Installation instructions
• Sorted-For-You™ fastener kit
• Allen wrench

Manufacturer's Contact Information:

Peerless Industries, Inc.
3215 W. North Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160

(800) 865-2112
(708) 865-8870
Fax: (708) 865-2941

On the Web: www.peerlessmounts.com