You can hide One Connect Box & One Connect cable out of sight by installing AV Back Box flush into the wall behind wall mounted Frame TV.
This AV Back Box will provide the space needed for One Connect Box and One Connect Cable to be nested & hidden behind the TV.
*Samsung One Connect Cable from 2018 and later are not rated for in wall application. Therefore, it’s against the code to hide One Connect Cable inside a bare wall. We’ve confirmed this with Samsung Canada rep.
This article is written for Samsung Frame TVs & QLED TVs 7 series & above from 2018 to the latest 2022 models.
These are the generations that come with One Connect Box & One Connect Cable that also supplies power to the TV.
The latest 2022 “Slim Fit TV Wall Mount” & previous gen “No Gap Wall Mount” are both designed to keep the Frame TV or QLED TV flush against the wall. Therefore, you need to create space inside your wall for One Connect Box & One Connect cable to be hidden behind the TV.
AV Back Box Installation
FYI: In this example, we’ve used 17×14 inch AV Back Box for 75 inch Frame TV installation.
First, you need to locate studs in your wall with a stud finder where you wish to mount your Frame TV.
After locating studs in the wall, mark the outline (width x height) of the AV Back Box between 2 studs in a location where it will be completely hidden by the TV once the Frame TV is mounted on the wall.
Cut and remove drywall where you’ve outlined, which should be the same dimension (w x h) of the AV Back Box.
Once the drywall is cut open, install AV Back Box recessed into the wall with a Power Outlet installed inside of the AV Back Box.
Power Outlet Inside AV Back Box
Power outlet is required inside AV Back Box to plug One Connect Box power cord like the photo below.
Frame TV Installation
Install the wall bracket for your Frame TV. If necessary, you can install the wall bracket partially overlapping / covering the AV Back Box.
Place the One Connect Box into the the AV Back Box and plug One Connect Cable to the One Connect Box and plug power cord into the power outlet.
Final step is to connect the One Connect Cable to your Frame TV and hang your TV onto the wall bracket.
This is literally Work of Art!
Space required for AV Back Box installation
For 17×14 inch AV Back Box installation, required space inside the wall are: 17″ (H) x 14 3/8″ (W) x 4″ (D).
Your wall must have at least 4″ of depth/clearance in the wall from the surface of the wall to fit AV Back Box into a wall. *For example: 2×4 studs + 1/2″ drywall equals to 4 inches in depth which is standard in newer houses & townhomes. 4 inch clearance is the absolute minimum depth required for AV Back Box to fit flush inside a wall.
Also, there must be at least 14 3/8″ of clearance between the 2 studs. *Standard stud spacing is 16″ apart-on-center which equals to 14 1/2″ of clearance between 2 studs.
Common Walls Applicable For AV Back Box Installation Include:
- Drywall with 2×4 Wooden Studs (standard for newer Houses & Townhomes)
- Drywall with 2×4 Metal Studs (newer commercial buildings and *some condos)
- Plaster Interior Wall with Wooden Studs in older homes/buildings with at least 4″ of clearance
- Custom-made walls with at least 4″ of clearance from surface of the wall to the back
Common Walls NOT Applicable For AV Back Box Installation Include:
- Concrete walls (usually in condos & apartments)
- Brick walls (usually above wood burning fireplace)
- Drywall with 2×2 metal studs (usually in condos & apartments)
- Exterior Plaster Wall without any studs (older homes & buildings)
- Cinder block wall
- Any wall that doesn’t have cavity
9x14 AV Back Box could also work to hide one connect box with slight modification
If you have a 32″ or 43″ or 50″ Frame TV, you could use 9×14 inch AV Back Box with slight modification. You just have to cut off a small nub with a mini hacksaw which takes only a minute to do.
Photos shown below are from our installation of 43 inch 2021 Frame TV with 9×14 AV Back Box installed behind the TV to hide One Connect Box as well as Rogers Ignite cable box. Although, space was little tight but they both managed to fit inside this 9×14 AV Back Box.
Orientation of this 9×14 inch AV Back Box can be installed either long vertically or horizontally. If you install it long vertically like the picture shown below, make sure the AV Back Box is installed close to the stud on the opposite side of where the electrical outlet will be installed. *You need to make enough room for junction box (for electrical outlet) to fit inside the wall between the stud and AV Back Box.
Now, you just need to cut off a little nub shown in the picture below by using a small hacksaw to be able to slip in One Connect Box into this 9×14 AV Back Box.
The electrical outlet inside the AV Back Box will power the One Connect Box, which will feed power to the TV.
As you can see in the picture below, One Connect Box fits into this 9×14 AV Back Box after cutting off a nub. You just need to slip it in from the side that you cut off the nub.
For this installation, we also added Rogers Ignite cable box into the AV Back Box as well. It was a tight fit but we managed to put it in front of the One Connect Box and it was still flush to the trim edges around the AV Back Box.
9×14 AV Back Box fits perfectly between the 2 wall brackets and totally out of the way. *FYI: Only 32″ & 43″ Frame TVs come with these small wall brackets. For 2020/2021 year models, 43″ & bigger Frame TVs come with full size One Connect Box and 32″ Frame TVs come with Mini One Connect Box.
One Connect Box dimensions
2022 One Connect Box dimensions
2022 One Connect Box dimensions are 13.7 x 5.4 x 2.6 inches or 34.8 x 13.72 x 6.61 centimeters which is same as previous 2018~2021 models.
2020 Mini One Connect Box dimensions
2020 One Connect Box dimensions are 8.2 x 3.6 x 1.3 inches or 20.83 x 9.2 x 3.30 centimeters.
*Only 32 inch Frame TV comes with Mini version.
2022 Slim One Connect Box dimensions
2022 Slim One Connect Box dimensions are 13 x 11.5 x 1.62 inches or 33.02 x 29.21 x 4.1 centimeters.
Samsung’s 2021 & 2022 8K Neo QLED TVs come with “Slim One Connect Box” which is slimmer than regular “One Connect Box”. Although, it’s gotten slimmer, it’s wider now and shaped more like a square than a rectangle.
What size AV Back Box do I need to accommodate One Connect Box?
For 55″ & larger Frame TV, we recommend using 17×14 inch AV Back Box because it’s easy to install the Slim Fit wall mount above these AV Back Boxes.
For 50″ & 43″ Frame TV installation, we like to use 9×14 inch AV Back Box with slight modification (as mentioned above) since these TVs are not that big, it’s easier to hide the smaller 9×14 AV Back Box behind the TV.
For 32″ Frame TV, choose 9×14 inch AV Back Box as it comes with much smaller “Mini One Connect Box”. Install the AV Back Box long way horizontally towards the bottom of the TV if possible.
Tip: You should have AV Back Box installed very close to the bottom edge of the TV so it’s away from the TV mounting brackets as far as possible. As long as your TV can cover the entire AV Back Box when it’s mounted, that’s all it matters.
If need be, “Slim Fit Wall Mount” or “No Gap Wall Mount” can even be installed in front of the AV Back Box. You just might have to build some extra support behind drywall where it’s too close to the AV Back Box if there’s no stud nearby. As an example, you can use combination of 2×2 dimensional lumber with plywood behind drywall.
Where can I buy AV Back Box for in-wall Storage?
You can purchase AV Back Box for in-wall storage right on our website. We ship to USA & Canada.
What Ports are on the Samsung One Connect Box?
It depends on which generation it’s from. But, generally One Connect Box includes following connections;
- 4 x HDMI (3 x HDMI + 1 x HDMI ARC/eARC)
- 1 x Digital Optical Out (Toslink)
- 2 x USB 2.0 Port(s) 0.5A / 5V HDD Port
- 1 x Ethernet Port (Not included with One Connect Mini Box)
- 1 x Antenna In (Not included with One Connect Mini Box)
- 1 x One Connect Port
- 1 x Power
For more information, you can refer to Samsung (Australia) website to compare generation by generation. Please note that Australian versions are slightly different than the ones in USA & Canada. For some reason, Samsung USA & Canada websites don’t publish this information.
How do I connect more devices to my One Connect Box in the future if it’s hidden behind the TV?
Instead of worrying about possibly having to run more cables in the future, you can just run all the cables that you might need in the future at the time of installation.
Hence, it is strongly recommended that you run several HDMI cables at the time of TV installation even if you don’t plan on using any at the present time. That way, you’re ready to connect any new devices in the future without having to take your TV off the wall and fish cables later.
You can pre-run any low voltage cables such as HDMI, Coax & Ethernet cables that are fire rated for in-wall application from your components location to your One Connect Box hidden behind the TV.
Tip: It is best practice to install an innerduct (commonly known as “Conduit”) inside the wall, rather than having just pre-wired cables in the wall. Having an Innerduct in the wall is the ONLY true way to future-proof yourself so you can freely add / remove cables in the future when you upgrade your TV to the latest technology again and again. This is especially true if the TV is being mounted over fireplace or custom wall unit where it’s impossible or really difficult to fish cables later. Ideally, you want the inner-diameter of the conduit to be at least 1.5 inches.
Can I Hide Samsung One Connect Cable in Wall?
You cannot hide One Connect Cable that comes with the Frame TV or QLED TV as it’s not rated for in-wall installation. But there is an in-wall rated version available which is sold separately (albeit, it’s only compatible with very few models).
Samsung’s Frame TVs and higher end QLED TVs (7 series & higher models) from 2018 and later don’t have a standard power cord of its own that plugs directly from TV to wall receptacle. Instead, the power is actually supplied from One Connect Box to the TV through One Connect Cable.
What is One Connect Cable?
One Connect Cable is essentially a Power Cord with Fiber Optic Cable wrapped around together in transparent sheathing. Not only this cable carries AV & Data signals to the TV, but also carries power (voltage) to the TV as well. One Connect Cable that’s included with Samsung Frame TV or QLED TV is not certified for in wall application. Which means it’s against the code to hide it in wall.
Samsung One Connect In-Wall Certified Cable for QLED & Frame TVs
Samsung VG-SOCR86U/ZA One Connect In-Wall Cable for QLED & FRAME TVs is certified for in wall application. This cable can be purchased separately but apparently it’s only compatible with very specific Frame TV & QLED TV models.
One Connect In-Wall Certified cable has an extra layer of thick FT6 rated white jacket that wraps around the One Connect Cable that ends with “cord grip fitting” at the end of the white jacket on both ends of the cable.
FYI: Generally, power cords of any kind are prohibited from being hidden or buried in wall. But this specially designed One Connect in-wall cable (which also carries power) is certified to – UL approval type OFNP FT6 (NEC, Article 770/UL 1651) USA and Canada. Hence, making this cable safe to be hidden in wall.
In Depth
According to NEC Article 400.8 in USA & CEC Article 4-010 (3)(a)(ii) in Canada, they both state that “Flexible Cords” (referring to power cords) cannot run through holes in walls, ceilings or floors.
The reason behind this is because power cords are considered to be fire hazard if hidden inside a wall. This building code applies to almost everywhere in USA & Canada. And building codes exist to protect people from any potential accidents such as electrical fires.
Samsung (US) website shows following list of TV models that are compatible with One Connect In-Wall Cable;
- QN98Q900RBFXZA
- QN82Q900RBFXZA
- QN75Q900RBFXZA
- QN65Q900RBFXZA
- QN82Q90RAFXZA
- QN75Q90RAFXZA
- QN65Q90RAFXZA
- QN65LS03RAFXZA
- QN55LS03RAFXZA
- QN49LS03RAFXZA
- QN43LS03RAFXZA
- QN85Q900RAFXZA
If your TV is listed above, you can purchase this One Connect In-Wall Cable on Amazon.com (US) or Amazon.ca (Canada) and hide the One Connect in-wall rated Cable in wall and place the One Connect Box elsewhere away from your TV within the cable’s reach.
If your TV is not listed above, you will need an AV Back Box for in wall storage installed behind the TV to hide the One Connect Box & One Connect Cable behind the TV since the One Connect Cable that comes with your TV cannot be hidden in wall.
As you can see in the photo above, the In-Wall Certified version of the One Connect Cable looks quite different than the one that comes with the Frame or QLED TV.
In-wall version of One Connect cable is quite thick. It’s little over 1/2″ in diameter. So any excess cable needs to be carefully coiled into the wall to install the wall plates for it.
There are 2 wall plates also included to secure the cable by the “cord grip fitting” at the entry & exit points of the wall as shown in the photo below.
Difference between 2021 vs 2020 Frame TV from installation perspective
In terms of aesthetics, the biggest difference is that the 2021 Frame TVs have become noticeably thinner than the previous generation models, hence making it look much more sleeker when wall mounted. For example a 55″ 2020 Frame TV is 1.8″ in depth and 2021 & 2022 model is only 1″ in depth. That’s almost half the size!
Besides the difference in depth, the only other notable difference is the different style of mounting bracket.
Frame TV wall mount design changes
Samsung has changed the mount design going from “No Gap Wall Mount” from previous gen to “Slim Fit TV Wall Mount” for 2021 & later models.
No Gap Wall Mount (2020 & older)
“No Gap Wall Mount” came with just a single piece design wall bracket for mounting to the wall and single piece attachment on the back of the TV for hanging it on to the wall bracket.
Slim Fit TV wall mount (2021 ~ 2022)
For 2021 & later models, wall mount has been completely redesigned and it’s now called “Slim Fit TV Wall Mount”.
The new design comes with 2 separate pieces of wall brackets for mounting to the wall and 2 separate attachments that goes on the back of the TV for hanging them on to the wall brackets.
Is there any improvements to the Slim Fit TV Wall Mount compared to No Gap Wall Mount?
Since Slim Fit Wall Mount comes with 2 separate pieces of wall brackets, you’ll have a better chance of hitting at least 1 stud per wall bracket.
No Gap Wall Mount comes with just a single piece wall bracket, so chances of hitting 2 studs based on where you want to position / mount your TV is going to be very slim.
Either way, when you’re installing a Frame TV from any generation, it requires some extra fabrication to get it installed properly to make it look good. So if building some extra support behind Frame TV is necessary for mounting, that should also be done as part of the installation process.
Other than being able to possibly hit 2 studs with the new Slim Fit Wall Mount, we don’t see any other benefit over the No Gap Wall Mount.
*If you want to learn more about technical differences between 2021 & 2020 Frame TV models, you should visit rtings.com (opens in new tab) to get full in-depth technical analysis comparisons.