Motorized Flatscreen Mount Tilts on the Fly

By Nick Mokey August 29, 2008

The most frustrating thing about wall-mounting a flatscreen TV, besides fishing all those cables through the walls, must be the permanence of it all. After you hoist that 40-inch behemoth up on the wall – it’s there, and you’re not moving it without a lot of muscle. OmniMount’s new Motion40 mount solves that problem by adding some electronic muscle to the equation, allowing you to remotely tilt, pan and swivel a flat screen TV at will.

The Motion40 complements OmniMount’s existing Motion52 mount for larger displays. It handles screens from 23 to 40 inches and up to 66 pounds, which it tugs around using an electric motor. Unlike the larger version, the Motion40 needs only one stud for mounting, and adds a gap of just three inches between the wall and TV. OmniMount also claims the motor is nearly silent, at just 40dB, so it doesn’t sound like you’re trying to winch a Jeep Wrangler out of a ditch every time you go to tilt the screen a few degrees.

The Motion40 will go on sale through OmniMount distributors shortly for $400. The older Motion52 has also had its price dropped from $800 to $600, effective immediately.

Editors' Recommendations

Managing Editor

As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…

Audio / Video

Should you mount your TV above a fireplace?

please dont mount your tv over the fireplace 3 1500x946

Here's an experiment: Pick a real estate or interior design show -- literally any of them will do -- and look for the number of times a TV shows up mounted above a fireplace. It happens so often, it could be a drinking game. It happens so often, you might think it's a good idea. Let us be perfectly clear: it's a terrible idea.

We get it: a fireplace is often the focal point of a room, so throwing your beautiful new TV in the same location feels like the right thing to do, especially if you have limited space. Even some TV manufacturers appear to endorse the idea (just look at some of the photos in this article). But before you start drilling holes, allow us to list the many reasons we're begging you to reconsider this decision.
Heat + electronics = bad
Seriously, TCL? TCL / TCL

Audio / Video

B&O’s latest full-size luxury speakers feature motorized curtains

Bang & Olufsen Beolab 28 wireless speakers

Beolab 28 - Hi-res wireless stereo speakers | Bang & Olufsen

Bang & Olufsen (B&O), the storied Danish audio brand, has a long history of designing products that put an equal emphasis on form and function, a philosophy that often results in gorgeous but very expensive gear. The company's latest speakers are a perfect example: The Beolab 28 are tower-style wireless speakers that can be floor-standing or wall-mounted, and they start at $14,750 per pair for the fabric editions. You can also buy wood trim versions that will run you $16,500 or more depending on the wood you choose.

Audio / Video

Buying a TV wall mount? Read this first

The Vizio V-Series 4K TV in the living room.

Mounting a TV is a great way to free up space in your living room. If you've got kids who get touchy with electronics that they shouldn't be putting their hands on, an out-of-reach TV will keep gooey prints off your new OLED screen. In terms of visual charm, mounting a TV is a staple of modern home decor. It's aesthetically pleasing, especially with TVs getting thinner every year. Plus, they can go anywhere from a flat wall to a corner, and even above a fireplace (although we advise exercising caution when doing so).

If you're on the fence about mounting your new set, where it should go, and what mount you need, we've put together this guide on what to consider about your home before mounting, and what hardware you should be on the lookout for to get the job done right.
What's with your walls?