 Sanus Systems DFAV30-MO1 Designer Series A/V Component Stand - a well built easy to assemble 37-inch AV equipment rack with a nice wood finish. Available from Amazon US |
An Introduction to AV Equipment Racks
While you can place your AV system components almost anywhere, the ideal approach is to install your gear in a fixed dedicated enclosure. Keeping system components in an appropriate equipment rack or component stand will ensure the safety of your expensive equipment while giving you easy access to system components for service and future growth.
It is true that in its simplest form, inexpensive rack systems are merely a cabinet with shelves to take your AV equipment. Yet today's rack solutions have evolved far beyond the simple enclosure designed to stack your gear.
Rather, more elaborate racks found in advanced home theater installations form a complete system in itself; these include accessories for power distribution, system thermal protection, and extensive cable management.
What's more, many manufactures have started to offer affordable stylish rack options that complement any room decor.
These designer component stands are a far cry from the industrial look of the traditional standard 19-inch rack. A case in point is the Sanus Systems DFAV30-MO1 Designer Series component stand featured above; it comes in a nice wood finish and includes special features like removable metal back panels for easy equipment access and a clever central wireway at the back to better manage your cables.
The Sanus is just one of a never-ending list of rack designs that comes in all shapes and sizes. Some of these racks are designed for use in media-closets, while others come in an attractive finish to better complement your home theater decor when used on their own, or embedded within some piece of furniture, cabinet, or built-in wall enclosure for that unique approach.
And there is more...
You can find AV rack systems that come with support shelves on rails that can be pulled out for ease of equipment handling and maintenance.
Others would even allow you to pull out the whole shelving assembly complete with the installed gear and rotate it a full 180 degrees for ease of access to the back panel of your system components.
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One such example is the range of Pullout/Swivel Audio Video Rack solutions by Middle Atlantic. The AV rack shown here may be mounted direct in a wooden cabinet to integrate better with the rest of the home theater room decor; alternatively, it can be floor standing and rolled on castors. Similar pullout rotating AV racks are also available from AVRAK as further featured on our site. AVRAK has a full innovative line of rotating AV racks - from stationary, rotating, pullout and rotating, freestanding with rotation - of outstanding quality. A unique rack solution within the full AVRAK line is a double-width rotating equipment rack as part of their Fatrak series; this would definitely come in handy when available height for your equipment rack is an issue. |
Middle Atlantic ASR-48 Available from Amazon US |
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AV Equipment Racks - All You Need to Know
Section Index:
This Guide to AV Equipment Racks is divided into a series of short articles, starting with the basics of standard 19-inch equipment racks.
In the process, we present a list of tips on how best to select and install equipment racks. We also discuss thermal management in rack enclosures. Finally, we look at some of the most interesting audio video rack options available for home theater use.
Standard 19-inch Rack Enclosures - The Basics
In this first part of our rack guide, we discuss the basics of rack enclosures for a better understanding of standard rack solutions.
Selecting and Mounting Audio Video Rack Enclosures
Selecting a suitable rack enclosure may turn out to be a tedious and time-consuming process. However, this does not have to be so!
In this second part of our guide, we cover the subject of rack selection and equipment mounting in rack enclosures. We also discuss the important issue of thermal management and see how to keep your equipment cool.
Available Rack Solutions for the Home Theater
AV racks range from industrial style EIA 310-D compliant 19-inch rack enclosures to the more decor friendly rack solutions available specifically for home theater use. More in this info guide.
AVRAK - The Rotating AV Rack System
Avrak extensive range of rotating AV racks is based on the simple concept of reaching the back of your gear from the front - simply by giving your gear a spin!
These AV racks are relatively expensive but in return you get a stylish heavy-duty rack of exceptional standard and high degree of adaptability.
Home Media Cabinets for that Unique Finishing Touch
Maria Yee Line of EcoLuxury™ Home Theater Furniture represents an exclusive three-piece collection of AV cabinets that offer more than just style and functionality. Read here to discover more.
Looking for AV Equipment Racks?
Check out the Amazon storefront for a vast choice of products at significantly reduced prices. You can search the amazon storefront without leaving our site by using the amazon search box below; your search results will appear here under.
While at amazon, we advise to do some research of your own; see the customer feedback posted on the amazon site to discover what others had to say about their purchase especially with respect to product quality and manufacturer customer support. This should give you a better insight about the product of interest.
