Sanus, specialist in product placement and support, offers some insight into the current installation landscape.
“We’re definitely noticing a big consumer swing to ultra-large TV screens across the UK and Europe as well as in our biggest market, the US,” says Dean Carroll, Sanus’ International Sales Director – Consumer.
The likes of Hisense and TCL have been leading this trend, with their XXL screens, and Sanus has been at the forefront of supporting this demand with its range of compatible TV mounts. Products like the VXL7 have been developed to mount screens from 65in up to a maximum 140in in size, making it the only mount that can be used with 140in screens. It achieves this through an innovative adjustable design that expands widthways to accommodate all TV models within these size parameters. The extending wall plate, which can span three studs, and the extendable TV brackets provide secure and safe mounting of screens with VESA patterns from 200 x 200 up to 1100 x 700.
Dean also adds his thoughts on the Sanus approach to changing trends in home entertainment infrastructure, “Integration and simplicity are a big consideration for consumers these days. With the advent of smart TVs, which feature a mass of streaming services, soundbars incorporating Dolby Atmos and other connected music streaming services, it’s no longer necessary to have a rack of black boxes and speakers everywhere to enjoy a really good movie and multi-room experience.
“For this reason, we’ve introduced a range of products that physically integrate these digitally integrated services in a seamless and aesthetically sympathetic manner. The smart TV, the centre of the digital entertainment experience, can be wall-mounted on a full-motion bracket for flexible viewing, in front of a wall-mounted media box that houses the Apple TV and hides the signal and power cables from view. And positioned below the TV on a dedicated bracket is the Atmos-equipped soundbar, which moves with the screen to ensure perfect audio alongside the perfect picture.
“If the customer wants a multi-speaker immersive sound experience, the same brands that produce the Atmos soundbars also offer discrete wireless speakers that work alongside the soundbars. Our engineers have worked with the likes of Sonos and Sony to produce bespoke stands and wall mounts for these speakers, creating a complete solution for integrated home entertainment.”
Staying relevant
The need to keep abreast of developments in consumer electronics is at the forefront of the Sanus R&D team’s minds. This is why the company’s US-based engineering team has built strong relationships with both Sonos and Sony, developing supporting accessories that are launched at the same time as the new products from these brands. “It’s this dynamic and agile approach to product design and cooperation that enables us to provide dedicated solutions for consumers that are available to use as soon as they purchase their new home entertainment product,” says Dean.
Sanus has a vast array of products in its portfolio, many of which have been developed specifically to support changing consumer trends. For example, it recently introduced a range of outdoor TV mounts in response to the growing use of outdoor spaces for entertaining. And its SuperSlim mounts cater for a growing awareness of interior aesthetics and the necessity to integrate entertainment products as discreetly as possible.
It is also ever mindful of the needs of installers, with technological developments such as the 4D SHIFT height adjustment system. Designed to easily allow post-installation height adjustment of screens up to 90in in size by 200mm vertically, it makes positioning around mounted wall hardware simple or allows the screen to be lifted to fit a soundbar underneath at a later date.
Dean summarises, “It’s products like the SHIFT range that make Sanus stand out as a company that has the installer at heart. Many of our R&D team have been installers, so they know what’s required in the real world. And this extends to the consumer as well. Our products for Sonos and Sony and the ultra-large screen mounts demonstrate how ‘on the pulse’ the company is with market trends to ensure our installers have the best tools to hand to serve the needs of their customers.”
