Like most of you I’m sure, we had been lusting over this TV for well over a year. But with a perfectly functioning TV hanging on our wall we just couldn’t justify the investment…and it is an investment. That all changed when we decided to renovate our Living Room as part of the One Room Challenge. When we locked in the design of the new space we decided to pull the trigger on The Samsung The Frame. Two major features sold us – the art mode and the no gap mount. We created this post to show you exactly how you can accomplish a true no gap mount with the Samsung The Frame TV, because we have seen it done incorrectly. We plan a future post on how to create your own custom “no gap frame” for your existing TV, but until then here we go.
Measure Your Space
You want to make sure you have the appropriate room to center and hang your No Gap Mount. MORE IMPORTANTLY you want to make sure you have a stud at either side of your center point. Use a stud finder to locate each of those studs. Those 2 studs will each receive 2 lag bolts to attach the mount – more on that later.
Mark Your Height
Once you confirm you have the appropriate space to install, you want to mark the height of your TV. Height will vary on many components, such as what type of room you are placing it in, and what type of seating area you have. If you have a low profile couch you’re more than likely going to want the TV mounted lower than you would with a traditional height sofa. We recommend 2 – 3 people for this step.
During this step you also want to mark where the top of that no gap mount will rest on the wall. Temporarily place the no gap mount on the back of the TV while it is safely on the ground, or a covered flat surface, then measure from the top of the TV to the top of the no gap mount. Then mark that line on the wall. You want to take a level and mark a long horizontal line for the top of that no gap mount. This will help ensure a flush and level installation.
Next you want to take a level and mark vertical lines for each of your studs, then hold up your mount and mark where each of the 4 lag bolts will be installed on the studs. Take a drill bit smaller than the included lag bots, I recommend a 5/32 bit, and drill pilot holes for each of your lag bolts. Two things will happen here – first, you’ll know whether or not your stud finder was accurate and you actually hit a stud. If this is the case you are golden, otherwise you need to locate two real studs prior to moving forward. Second, you know exactly where your lag bolts go when it comes time to place the no goal mount. Win win.
Locate Optical Feed Placements
From my experience this is the most essential piece to determine – where your optical cable will be placed. Whether you’re roughing this into a new wall like we did, or you’re adding an old work box to an existing wall, you need to make sure the box is installed flush with the drywall and has no plate cover on it behind the TV. Any additional spacing will take away from achieving the no gap look, which is against the point of hanging The Frame, right?
To find the appropriate box placement, measure from the line you marked that represents the top of the TV and measure down to where the optical cable feeds out of the TV, about 2 inches or so up from the bottom of the TV. That measurement will give you the center mark for your box to be installed.
The 2nd box, which is where the optical cable will come out and plug into your One Connect Box (the command center so to speak), can now be placed. We had the luxury of creating a completely new space, so ours happens to be placed in a built-in cabinet to the left of the mantle.
BEFORE YOU SECURE EITHER BOX IN PLACE you will need to trim out the back of the box in order to fit the ends of the optical cable. Using a utility knife will work, but an oscillating tool with a carbide tip blade would be even better.
Feed Your Optical Cable
Before you attempt to hang the no gap mount you want to make sure you feed the optical cable through the wall. This has to be done extremely cautiously, as the optical cable is sensitive and when bent, it can shatter. Once it is shattered it will not work, and they are not cheap to replace. It is a general rule of thumb to be gentle with any electrical components and wiring, so this should come as no surprise.
We installed ours through the wall prior to drywall, but that is a rare scenario. I recommend using a fish tape to feed the cable in one box and down and out of the next. Simply attach the optical cable to the fish using electrical tape and begin feeding the wire through. Another job I recommend having 2 people for – one to fish and the other to feed.
Install The No Gap Mount To Your Wall
With the optical cable is run it is finally time to install the no gap mount to the wall. Remember earlier when I had you mark the top of your TV and top of where the no gap mount would fall? Bet you’re glad it is there now because it is time to install the no gap mount! Using your lag bolts and a drill, begin installing the no gap mount. Get all 4 lag bolts loosely in (say 80% or so) and then throw your level on the top as you slowly fasten each one.
Hang Your TV
It is getting real now…it is time to hang The Frame TV! Again with some help, lift up your TV and insert the bracket on the back of the TV to the no gap mount on the wall. Then plug in the optical cable into the TV and slowly tilt the TV back into a flush position against the wall. Place your level on the bottom and shift if necessary to level it out – the no gap mount has some flexibility to level it out, so rest assured you’re good.
Plug the other end of the optical cable to your One Connect box and turn that baby on!
Attach Your Frame Kit
If you purchased a frame kit it is time to install it. Super easy to do as it is magnetic! Start with each side, then the top and finally bottom. It should all align seamlessly.
That was a lot to get out, but I feel confident that you have all of the knowledge and preparation required for a seamless installation of you Samsung The Frame TV. Any questions, please leave a comment and we will be there to help you.
-much love
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