A designer friend is asking me if a TV could be on a track for viewing in a family room, then move approximately 14 feet and rotate so it can be seen on the patio through an open window. Sounds like a non – starter to me, but I told her I would get an opinion or two.

Even with a custom track, the cabling sounds like a train wreck.

Cabling definitely will be a problem. Cable wear is guaranteed to cause failure. The only way to avoid cable wear is to never move the TV. So... put in two TVs, one at each of the two desired locations. If they want the TVs to be able to disappear, put energy into making something that conceals them, that has no wires.


edit: corrected a typo

I think I've seen mention of the Trak-kit here at RC.

That's what I was thinking, I think someone showed that or there was a link to a product that did that exact thing. I don't remember how the cabling worked.

I would start the conversation by telling them: any such product/installation is going to be a complete custom job. The amount of money we are talking about could get into 5 digit territory. This is the kind of thing a skilled handyman makes a YouTube video on, after spending months putting it together and trial & error. It is not something a typical person pays a pro for, unless they are looking to spend some big bucks.
They probably have no clue of how much stuff costs. And are thinking toy train tracks for some cute little setup.

They could get an actual outdoor rated TV with installation, for MUCH cheaper than what this would cost.

Yes, it can be done. There was at least one demo of something like this at CEDIA. No help since i cant remember the name! lol But is possible. BIG BUCKS. Sounds fun to me. But a very very detailed and skilled install. No doubt in the 5 figure range.

If I recall the track solution that was discussed was not only very expensive but very probelmatic to install and later maintain.
I would absolutely look for another solution, but only after confirming a resonable budget actually exists.
For the life of me I cant fathom why someone would even consider moving a TV around as you've described could possibly have a good outcome or look good. Why would anyone want a track on their ceiling to move a TV around?
I agree that looking for a dedicated outdoor solution would be in everyone's best interest.

ditto

Cable management is reliable because the cable is bound inside of a "caterpillar" style track. There are no uncontrolled sharp bends. However, this is not very pretty and I'm sure that the designer will freak. One would need to place this track above the ceiling, leaving a long slot for the track follower arm where the TV mount is attached. Unless this is an industrial duty contraption, there will be swaying in the breeze and, if the TV needs to be rotated, stability becomes more of an issue.

Is this a manual or motorized move?

Would this be sliding along a track that's built out from the inside of a wall? If not, is it going into a bearing wall? That would need a pretty strong header!

I have an install with two TVs on a track. They are very cool but a total service nightmare IMO. We usually know better but the builder kept pushing and we caved like fools.

They have to be configured with archaic machine configuration software. Things like left right/rotation speed were not the same on each of them. Then you have to choose your preset positions. Every time you lose power you lose your position preset settings. So get a huge UPS and be ready to set the presets whenever it fails.

After power loss we found that a button like "home" would send the TV spinning forever destroying the 70' HDMI and power cable. Hardware limiting devices help but are not perfect.

We had to find another company more familiar with the product to tame it.

Once a year i go out to the project for 2 weeks to upgrade/add/repair things. Every year i have to fix something related to it. The plan right now is that when it completely fails we are going to replace it with something manual where the client would move the TV to the position they want. Nothing motorized.

I can’t believe a designer would be more ok with a track running 20’ along the wall than just putting up two TVs. If they don’t want the look of a tv all the time on the patio side, sell them a Samsung Frame. I know it’s Samsung, but the frame is pretty cool.

Here's another thread that I think should be printed out and presented to the client. Everybody has been respectful and offered factual information. Clients should be able to read what additional installers think of ideas like this.

I once had a client who had an 8 ft wide glass door with a wood frame. Now, that's a pretty hefty door, but... he wanted it to open when his huge dog walked up to it. He was forever tinkering with the light beam, the chain, the motor, the limit switches... Good thing he was a famous actor whom nobody wanted to hire! He had something to keep him busy. I can just imagine this thing with the TVs will be more of the same.

I can't believe no one has done it.
Or that you're all so negative about it.

I'm working with tracks that move 4,000-50,000 times a month. Anything from 18" to many feet.
We have fluids, air and vacuum as well as power and data bundles.
Years and years of usage without issues.

Back to topic at hand.
Wish you asked this 3 days earlier. There was a demo at cedia.

What are they looking for?
Is it asthetics or cost savings by eliminating a second TV?
I've had those questions before and once explain that a track and installation would be in a $12k to $25,000, they quickly changed their mind and went with separate units.

I've done several units in dental chair type installation.
It was a complete system that I just tied my LV ends to.

With Sammy TV if you can get a longer umbilical cable, that would be a single, thin connection which provides data and power to display.
Install the oneconnect remotely and you're golden.

Properly engineered solution using something like this on the movable end would offer years and years of trouble free cable delivery.
[Link: amazon.com]