How Does a TV Lift Cabinet Work?
Everything you should know about how to operate a TV Lift Cabinet, including by remote, manual switch, as well as integrations with smart devices.
June 25, 2025
How Do TV Lift Cabinets Work?
The first thing to know is that TV Lift Cabinets are very simple. They are just basic cabinets with a built-in TV Lift Mechanism that uses an electric motor to go up and down. The TV mounts to this mechanism, allowing it pop up out of the cabinet and rise to your preferred height.
How Do TV Lift Cabinets Operate?
While all TV lift manufacturers do things a little bit differently, but there are a few things that are consistent across the board.
- Every TV Lift Cabinet will include a remote control that operates the TV Lift Mechanism
- Most TV Lift Cabinets will include a backup switch on the cabinet that will operate the cabinet in case the remote is misplaced. Let’s be honest, most of us misplace remote controls constantly, so this is an important feature.
- Most TV Lift Cabinets include the ability to work with home automation software–if you’re into that kind of thing.
There you have it. The three ways your TV Lift Cabinet could go up and down. Now, let’s dive deeper into each of those options.
TV Lift Remote
The most common method of operating a TV Lift is with a simple remote control. However, there are two specific types of different remotes that you should know about. The difference is the type of signal the remote and mechanism use to communicate with each other. There are two options: radio frequency (RF) and infrared(IR).
Why RF is Best
The best option for a TV Lift Cabinet remote control is RF. The key difference between RF and IR is that IR requires line-of-sight with the TV lift mechanism to operate and RF does not. Think of it this way, RF is radio while IR is light. Radio waves can pass through objects while light cannot. So, if the device you are trying to control with your remote is hidden behind a cabinet door, only RF will work. This is crucial because the mechanism is supposed to be hidden.
You might be asking yourself, “If IR requires line-of-sight, wouldn’t every TV Lift Mechanism be built to operate with RF?” That’s a great question, and the answer is mostly yes. The vast majority of TV lift mechanisms (especially reputable ones) operate with an RF system. However, there are some mechanisms out there that use IR and rely on an IR receiver box that sits outside of the cabinet. This solution is clunky and much less attractive. I’m going to take a wild guess that, if you’re trying to hide your TV, you probably don’t want a black plastic box sitting on top of your TV lift cabinet either.
The Backup Switch
When was the last time you lost a remote control in your house? If your house is anything like mine, there’s at least one remote missing constantly. When the missing remote happens to be the one that controls our TV lift cabinet, it’s not the end of the world, because our TV lift cabinet has a backup switch installed. Imagine you are having friends over for the big game and right before kickoff you try to raise the TV only to find that the TV lift mechanism remote has vanished or the battery is dead. Without a backup, you’re out of luck.
Your Cabinet Needs a Backup Switch
It’s as simple as this: your TV Lift Cabinet needs an external backup switch. Losing your remote is not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. And when that happens, you need to be able to walk over and manually raise or lower the TV. If the TV Lift Cabinet you are considering does not have a backup switch (don’t worry, all of ours come with one) then you need to seriously reconsider your plan. Not only does this create an issue for you down the road, it also demonstrates that this manufacturer isn’t focused on the details.
Can TV Lifts Work With Home Automation Systems?
Yes, any decent TV lift mechanism will have the ability to control the lift with alternative methods. That includes integrations with home automation systems as well as devices like universal remotes. However, most integrations are not a DIY project. While TV lift mechanisms have the ability to integrate, it usually requires a professional home automation/AV specialist to set it up. It’s probably like any other home automation integration—automated blinds, lights, etc. The functionality is built into the mechanism, but you’ll need pretty specialized knowledge to make it happen.
Wrapping Up
TV lift cabinets can be a great way to boost the functionality of your space. Whether you want to add a TV to a space that isn’t conducive or remove a TV from visibility, TV lift cabinets are an excellent solution. At the most basic level, they are simply cabinets with an electric mechanism to raise and lower the TV. Operating this mechanism can be done with a remote control (preferably RF controlled), a backup switch, or more complicated home automation systems.
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us at (801) 901-8249 and we’re happy to help.
