Television Displays: Past, Present, and Future -- Part 2

What do we do with the TV? That was the question posed at the end of Part One of this article. In looking at the evolution of TV technology we had come to the present-day era of flat-screen TVs in the form of plasmas and LCDs. For those who choose not to have the display in full view on the wall or on a stand, what is the alternative?

Well short of having David Copperfield or Lance Burton in your home to do a disappearing act each time you push the "off" button, there is an answer -- remote controlled motorization. Here in Part Two we'll take a look at some of the choices offered by these masters of disguise of the TV world.

Manufacturers of motorized lifting devices typically do not sell directly to the consumer, but rather to the trade or to distributors. However, you should familiarize yourself with what is available and how to purchase what you want.

One option is a motorized art frame that covers the TV on the wall. There are manufacturers that offer the painting and motorization all in one product, and others that provide the motorization which is installed by a professional while you provide the artwork.

The other choice, which we'll explore in more depth, is a piece of cabinetry with motorization that conceals or reveals the television at the touch of a button. Depending on your budget, and/or the degree of customization you want, there are choices. You can do your shopping on-line, in furniture stores, through designers, A/V installers, or custom furniture and cabinetmakers. A starting point may be using search terms, such as, "TV lifts," "Plasma TV lifts," "Motorized TV cabinets," or "Swivel TV lifts" (yes, some do offer this option) on an Internet search engine. Familiarize yourself with the products and designs available in the marketplace. Look at the photos shown on some lift manufacturers' Web sites to get design ideas.

One source is a custom furniture manufacturer that offers TV lift cabinets in their line of furniture; for instance, manufacturer of French and English antique reproductions Bausman & Company, Inc., "Fine Bench Made Furniture." The term "bench made" means each individual piece is assembled from beginning to end at the bench of a skilled craftsman. The rack and pinion motorized lifts they use are sized for your model of TV, and a motorized swivel is an option. They have showrooms in various locations in the U.S.

There are motorized TV cabinetmakers, such as Cabinet-Tronix of San Diego, California, who offer a plug-and-play set-up with everything you need and many options. They have a large array of cabinet designs from contemporary to traditional for you to choose from. The cabinets include a custom-built television lift that is sized for your particular model of plasma or LCD. Again, you can also choose a remote control swivel option to view the TV from various seating areas in the room. Also available are smaller matching cabinets to house your audio-video equipment like cable boxes, DVD players, etc.

If you decide not to opt for a custom-made cabinet, some retail furniture companies offer a line of TV lift cabinets. One of these is Hooker Furniture. In a recent press release, Ethan Allen states they will also soon offer a TV lift cabinet. The cabinet includes a motorized lift that typically fits up to a 42-inch (or 50-inch without side speakers) plasma TV.

Outside of cabinetry and art frames, there is another type of display option -- the ceiling lift. These make your TV "magically" appear from the ceiling and are used in homes, mobile homes, boardrooms, and marine applications.

Not only do these remote controlled devices solve a problem in design, they also have that "Wow, how cool!" factor.

We looked at the past and present in TV technology, displays, and designs in this two-part article. What does the future hold? It would be nice to have a window to the future, but we don't, so we can only make predictions based on past trends and current knowledge. Articles abound talking about the reduction in price of flat screen TVs and the subsequent increase in ownership. We also know there is an increase in popularity of video projectors, and DLP rear-projection TVs. So, while it is safe to say that the current display choices and options in designs that go with them will remain popular in the near future, we need to look at technology that is now in its infancy to use as our crystal ball to the distant future. Will it be new wireless technology? Or further development in voice- or touch- activated sensors? There's buzz about new mobile robotics. What is the potential of hologram technology?

Will you be the "first kid on the block" to own the latest and greatest? Remember, that if you are a consumer pioneer in new technology, stock up on refreshments for all your friends and relatives who will be regular drop-in guests to "share" in your enjoyment.