Everyone loves a new dvLED display or the latest classroom technology that enhances the learning experience. But what about the support systems for these shiny toys and the latest innovations? After all, a dvLED display isn’t much without something holding it in place.
Carts and mounts may not be glamorous, but they are imperative in large-scale rollouts or assembling systems in the boardroom. We caught up with some industry experts to discuss the latest innovations and features, as well as tips for your next installation.
Racking Up Innovation
Most manufacturers agree that innovation stems from understanding the needs of both the integrator and end user. "We recognize the challenges of fitting more system devices behind large displays and the need for those devices to be easily accessible if a problem arises," said Beth Peterson, director, product management, Chief, a Legrand | AV brand. "Innovation can be as simple as integrated cable management or eliminating time-consuming steps, such as site surveys."
Take the Chief Velocity outdoor triple pedestal system, for example. This modular outdoor digital signage pedestal mount, which supports Samsung and LG 55-inch outdoor displays, was designed for drive-thru menu boards and wayfinding signage. Its modular design allows for single, double, or triple displays and easily accommodates future expansion. It was crafted for easy installation and its open back allows easy access for maintenance.
One of the common trends in any Pro AV technology is ease of use, and that holds true with recent innovations in racks and mounts as well. According to Joe Wentworth, senior product manager, Peerless-AV, these AV accessories are becoming sleeker, slimmer, and more modular to ensure an aesthetically pleasing finish and a safer, more efficient installation. "Features such as integrated cable management and power outlets, configurable X/Y/Z alignment, tool-less hanging, and easily adjustable builds are gaining popularity, opening the possibilities for more complicated configurations and future adaptability," he added.
Another innovation gaining momentum is the use of Unistrut-based mounting systems. "This is especially true for video walls and menu boards," explained William Bear, VP of sales and marketing, Crimson AV. "Integrators and general contractors already know and use Unistrut, so being able to drop in mounting hardware that’s designed to work with those components is a big win. It shortens install time, reduces the learning curve, and creates a more scalable, repeatable solution—something that’s especially valuable in multi-location rollouts."
Let the Good Times Roll
Not all displays are permanent installations and often need to be ready to roll from room to room. When evaluating AV carts—whether for corporate, education, healthcare, or rental applications—Bear said safety, mobility, and flexibility are key considerations. This includes looking into UL weight rating and tip testing to ensure the cart can safely support the specified load, plus height adjustability, integrated cable management, a wide wheelbase for added stability, and smooth rolling, locking casters to simplify mobility.
Crimson AV has designed the M90XL heavy-duty mobile cart as a solution to meet these requirements. Crafted for displays ranging from 50-98 inches, the M90XL is an all-in-one mobile cart, built for durability, performance, and aesthetics. It offers shelf options that make it ideal for demanding commercial environments. Two side shelves, a top shelf, a front/back heavy-duty steel shelf, plus a full back panel cover system deliver a clean, professional appearance. Other features include four height settings, tilting vertical brackets, cable management, and easy transport.
"Carts with easily maneuverable builds and storage options allow for effective transportation from room to room, while keeping all AV components stored together," explained Wentworth. "Height adjustability and support for a wide range of display sizes also ensure the cart is ready to use for any purpose." Other features to look for include built-in organization tools like power outlets and cable management, as well as a slim build and wide-set wheels.
"At Chief, we prioritize the quality and safety of our products, ensuring they meet UL tip standards and are built to last," Peterson added. "We've all seen the school district buy closeout-priced carts from Amazon, only to have to replace them the next year because the casters have buckled and they aren’t holding up to heavy use. Considering storage is essential, such as whether it offers a shelf or storage bin for items that need to stay with the system when it moves from one classroom to another."
For example, the Peerless-AV SmartMount flat panel carts combine durable support with adaptable setup. These carts are designed with all the requirements of a mobile display setup in mind, making them suitable for diverse professional and educational environments, which earned them HETMA approval. The tubular design ensures a minimalistic and portable setup by concealing all cables internally. Plus, the rear ABS molded cover maintains a clutter-free appearance and offers convenient storage for cables, media players, or mini PCs.
Wall Mounts: Best Practices
Getting a wall mount placed correctly and securely the first time is imperative to avoid delays and additional costs, especially in large-scale rollouts. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, as there are mistakes aplenty in mount installation. According to Wentworth, common mistakes he has seen are overloading the mount, insufficient anchoring, limited rear access for serviceability, and poor cable organization. All these pose safety hazards and damages to displays and aesthetics.
Peterson said a common mistake has been not planning for the inevitable servicing a room system will require. "Our Chief pullout extension accessory can attach to several of our standard wall mounts," she added. "It allows one technician to troubleshoot instead of needing two to remove a large display from a wall to access behind it."
Bear recommends a five-step process to streamline installation. Each step carefully prepares to avoid the mistakes made, including requesting bulk shipping for large projects, standardizing mounting and height templates, checking for stud spacing, pre-assembling whenever possible, and using leveling features and micro-adjustments.
It's important not to overlook the pre-installation process. As Wentworth noted, gathering accurate measurements and weight calculations can avoid those alignment errors and ensure the mount can safely support the display.
Placement is a key decision. "It’s important to consider easy access for serviceability or future replacements," Wentworth said. "Features like open‑back wall plates and internal wire channels allow for easy cable routing and future maintenance without having to remove the entire system."
To ensure everything is properly installed, mounts are designed with features critical in avoiding these installation pitfalls. "Ensuring compatibility is a top priority in the buying process," Peterson said. "We provide the Mountfinder tool, which features hundreds of thousands of models researched over the past 25 years, along with their specifications matched to our range of mounts. Eliminating guesswork in compatibility allows us to continually support our AV integration partners."
Wentworth added that built-in adaptability tools, as well as simple installation tools, aid in making future adjustments more efficient. These include quick-connect and release clamps, micro-tilt adjustability, and alignment tools. Additionally, he added, tools like built-in cable management and universal display size and weight support also allow for easier management for safe, long-term use.
[Brewing Up Effective Digital Signage]
"I often hear from customers that the secret to a stress-free mount installation is to stick with the mount you know well," Peterson said. "When designing our mounts, we focus on quick installation. The key is selecting mounts with post-installation leveling and micro adjustments. These features enable a ‘close enough’ alignment initially, followed by quick fine-tuning at the end."
