VESA Mounting Interface Standards
January 24, 2012
Flat display mounting interfaces (FDMI for short) aka VESA Mounting Interface Standard (MIS) are a collection of standard shaped bracket and mounting fittings from the Video Electronics Standards Association for manifacturers of tv and monitor brackets, formed to bring standardisation to the manufacture of brackets and mounts.
VESA History
VESA, first launched in 1997 aka FPMPMI, is basically a collection of attachment holes on the back of the TV, which allows the display to be mounted to a wall or ceiling via a bracket system.
The initial version was a very simple set of 4 screws, set 100mm apart from each other, and arranged in a square formation, and proved to be a very useful and popular configuration pattern for PC monitors, with a smaller 7.5cm x 7.5cm version built for smaller sized screens introduced at a later date.
Larger LCD and Plasma TV screens (typically those 31” and upwards in size) normally use VESA hole patterns, with holes anywhere from 40cm x 20xm to 80cm x 400cm apart, depending on actual size and weight of the unit.
The majority of VESA screws are M4 thread x 10mm deep in size, but larger patterns may have M6 or even M8 thread patterns.
In order to comply fully with VESA regulations, manufacturers of TV brackets must also provide cable exists at specifically defined points on the mounts. By doing so, manufacturers are then able to license the use of the widely recognised ‘VESA Mounting Compliant’ logo.
Buying the Correct TV Brackets
Follow these tips to be sure that you’re about to buy the correct brackets and mounts for your specific make, model and size of TV or monitor.
1) Make sure that your TV actually has the VESA holes. Although most TV’s do, there are still some that don’t – a quick check now can save yourself a lot hassle and embarrassment.
2) Use a tape measure or rule to measure the distance between each of the centres of each hole and take a note of the shape (square or rectangular?) and dimensions. These will normally have 4 or more holes. Typically the gaps are either 100mm or 200mm apart, but it does no harm to check.
3) A quick sketched outline drawing of the hole pattern on paper will prove an invaluable resource to refer to when comparing the seemingly endless variety of different brackets and fittings that are available.
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