05/27/2026
WORST TECHNOLOGY OF THE WEEK
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This is probably a bad idea.
I saw this product for sale at a garage sale in North Philly, and it's obvious that my wife would love this - what a great way to hide cords and keep your devices very tidy!
The problem is that, _depending on how your WiFi is physically placed_ this could absolutely crush your signal.
A modern flat-screen TV is basically a big sheet of silicon, with a bunch of wires and other supporting electronics behind it. That sheet can block incoming WiFi signals, so if the line of sight between your WiFi router and the streaming box runs through the TV itself, you can slow your Netflix to a crawl. Add the mounting plate (also a big hunk of metal), and you may spend more time buffering than a bartender with hay fever.
There are a couple of ways around this
- You can position your WiFi router BELOW and BEHIND the TV (not just behind, because then you're making trouble for all your other devices.
- You can skip the mounting plate entirely, and just put your streaming box on your entertainment center
- You can use a wired connection
And, of course, you can call your friendly, local Digital Handyman to get your home theater system purring like a kitten. Give us a call or text or drop an email!
