Can you lay down a flat screen TV? Have you ever wondered how flat screen TVs are transported? If you have bought a flat screen TV in the past, you might have realized that the company shipping the TV and the people handling it are particularly careful about moving it around.
This is for good reason: flat screen TV screens are incredibly delicate, and even the slightest of bumps could leave a permanent mark on the screen.
To prevent this from happening, these TVs are generally packed in cardboard boxes with generous amounts of packing materials, and covers are placed around the borders to prevent the TV from sustaining any kind of damage.
However, have you ever wondered why these TVs are not stacked on top of one another in the shops? If you notice, all flat screen TVs are just kept upright; they are not laid down and stacked.
In fact, nothing is kept on top of the box. Why? If the TV is properly packed and the weight is evenly distributed, why can’t it just be laid down properly like most other things? A lot of people have this question, so in this article, we will try and answer it for you.
Can You Lay Down an LCD TV?
Transporting an LCD TV is generally difficult. There are serious concerns associated with the chances of your screen cracking or sustaining damage in one way or another.
There might not be a visible crack on the screen, but you may notice lines or discoloration when you turn it on. While some people do lay down their TVs flat from time to time, it’s not a wise idea by any means.
If you have a plasma screen, you should never lay it down flat. However, LCD TVs are not made from the same materials as a plasma TV, so you can technically lay them down for a little while without having to worry about something major.
However, even LCD TVs should not be laid down for longer periods of time. You need to understand that there is a difference in the types of panels used in an LCD TV and a Plasma TV.
A plasma screen consists of a double layer of glass that holds millions of tiny cells together, so when you lay it down, you are probably risking a serious problem.
In case the two layers collide or if there is excessive pressure placed on top, there is a risk that some of these tiny cells, or lamps as they are known, might pop.
On the other hand, an LCD panel contains millions of pixels, which determine the amount of red, green, or blue light that should be allowed on the display. The light produced is in varying percentages.
Can You Lay Down an LED TV?
An LED TV is just like an LCD TV, though it’s a bit advanced and contains an additional layer for even better picture views. Again, as is the case with LCD TVs, laying down an LED TV for long hours is not recommended at all.
You can lay down the TV when you are about to plop it up and need to put the stand on, or you can lay it down for a little while to get some stuff sorted.
Leaving the TV like this for long hours is definitely not recommended. The reason for that is simple: these TVs are designed in a way that their weight is balanced ideally when the TV is kept upright, or when mounted to a wall.
When you lay down a large TV flat on its back, the middle of the screen usually gets very little support, if at all. In fact, in most situations, the middle part of the display doesn’t get any support whatsoever. The larger the TV, the lesser the support.
Can You Lay Down a Plasma TV?
We have already talked about plasma TVs and how they need to be transported. If you are not careful with transporting your plasma TV, there is a risk that your TV could sustain damage from the center of the screen.
If you take a look at the back of your TV, you are going to notice that it has a slightly curved back. The curved back of the TV is usually designed to prevent people from laying it back, and if you place the TV on a firm surface, the amount of tension in the center is going to increase dramatically.
You need to make sure to avoid placing the TV down firmly on its back. Modern TVs are generally made using plastic, so you also risk cracks on the back of the TV.
If that happens, there is a risk that your TV might stop working properly completely. More importantly, most modern TVs come with strict manufacturer instructions, so in case you do not keep the TV the right way, it might sustain damage and you won’t even get your money back.
How to Transport a Flat Screen TV
Transporting a flat screen TV in a safe and secure manner requires you to break down the whole process into several steps. First of all, you need to trace your journey; how far is the location? Will you have to carry the TV downstairs and put it in a car before transporting it to its destination?
Or, do you just need to move the TV from one place to another? Here’s what you need to do to transport the TV in a safe and secure manner.
Pack it up
If you have the original box that came with your TV, you need to take it out and place the TV neatly inside. The corners of the box are usually lined with polystyrene, which is capable of absorbing impact.
You will have to unscrew the TV stands and make sure you keep it in so that the edges don’t touch the box. From there, the next step is to properly cover the box.
Place the polystyrene edges on the top right and left of the TV so that it’s properly protected and then cover it up. You might want to consider using powerful adhesive tape to make sure that the box does not open during the transportation.
Also, when transporting the TV, especially a large one, it is important that both hands be placed at the bottom of the box so that the TV doesn’t fall out.
If it’s a used, old box, you might want to reinforce the bottom by putting more tape on the edges and on the bottom. Make sure that everything is properly sealed from all sides.
When lifting the TV, it’s best if two people hold it from either side. Always walk in a single file to protect the front of the TV, with even, balanced steps.
If you have to keep the TV in the back of a car or a van, make sure you do so in an upright fashion. Do not lay down the TV flat on the surface and tie it up, as there is a chance that it could sustain damage. These are just a few things that you should know about transporting a flat screen TV.
