The only component attached to the TV is a Comcast cable box. When we built the house I had the electrician wire and install a power outlet and cable jack above the mantel. The cable box is plugged into these two outlets and stored (wedged) behind the TV. Because the TV is above the mantel and tilted down quite substantially, there is plenty of room between the TV and fireplace to store the cable box. Depending on where your TV is installed and how tight it is to the wall, you may or may not be able to fit a cable box behind the TV. I know with Comcast, their boxes can vary in width and height quite dramatically. So, depending on your TV setup and cable provider, you might have to try to acquire one of their thinner or smaller boxes. As for the cleanliness of hiding your cable box this way, you are unable to see the cable box even from the side. The TV mount hides the cable box. I have several wall-hung TVs in my house, and I have hidden all the cable boxes this way. There is an infrared (IR) cable attached to each of the boxes and affixed to the front of the TV in order to allow the controller to communicate with the cable boxes.