I installed a Sony LCD TV on a cantilever bracket. The are holes for padlocks where the TV brackets hang on the other half of the bracket arm going to the wall but with the arm extended you can still unscrew the 6mm screws from the back of the TV. I saw some security screws at Home Depot but they are the type that only screw down the bracket but can't be removed later.

I saw a torx type screw with an upraised dot in the center so you couldn't use a regular torx driver to unscrew it in the past but wondered if anyone has seen any type of security screw with a head that uses a proprietary bit that would be hard for the mischevious teenager to find but still allow removal of the screw, later. I understand that a pro will be able to defeat this measure but we are only concerned with slowing down the thief...

Several security bolts and screws exist- here's a link.
[Link: hudsonfasteners.com]

Fortunately, all it takes to find these is clicking on the first link in a google search for 'security screw types'. Unfortunately, if we can find them this easily, a thief probably has them already.

Use the torx pin head screws. Very few TV thieves will have this bit. Squirt some liquid nails in the head for added security.

If you were mounting a $20,000 50" TV back in the good old days i might worry more about it but today the TV can be replaced for $1000 or less. The class of criminal who is after the wall mounted TV isnt carrying around a spy kit. They put a boot against the wall and grab the TV on both sides and yank until it comes loose. Usually causing it to fall to the floor and break.

IMO the primary issue will be dealing with wear and tear on the TV/Mount/Wall via end users having their grubby paws on it. Some people have a problem with strength/depth perception. They like to grab and pull like they are picking up large stones.

I agree, just had one client get broken into. The dirty thieves not only nicked the TV, but also ripped off the bracket from the wall, subsequently pulling half the wall down while also breaking all the cables. This house was alarmed, the Tv was bolted to the wall with a padlock connecting the TV and the bracket. They then found the 82" rack built in a little cupboard filled with goodies. Realising that the sheer amount of cables tied to the rack meant they couldn't just pull it free so it looked like the ba*tards went to the loom with a saw, something must of spooked them as they only got through half-way loom.

Everything was insured, we got paid again by the insurers to do the TV again, sort out all the wires they had tried to cut through, plasterers had to be called in again, just pure and utter hassle for some little tits who think they can take what they want.

Sadly nothing stops them, the house was alarmed, that didn't stop them, the house had cctv, they just wore balclava's, the house had a dog, they beat it and locked in the cupboard, the TV was locked and secure that didn't stop them.

But saddest thing of all they have two neighbours either side, alarm ringing down the street, 5 men with a white van loading all they could get into it and none of them did anything, as they were and i quote "scared of repercussions" if they stepped in or called the cops.

Sad times.

Really sad for those cold heart people... But it seems the safety guard of that community didn't do anything either? No actions from the home security system was done to send out a message to the safety guard of that community?

Sadly we did not do the alarm system, but from what I heard from the client is they cut the main telephone line into the house so the alarm system could not call out when the alarm was going off.

That's why cell phone interfaces exist. Time for your client to get a clue. Landlines are useless when a thief knows what he's doing.