I have a 32" screen, articulating mount, bolted onto a piece of 5/8" plywood. The Plywood extends across three studs and is also glued to the wall. The articulating mount bolts are sent through the plywood from the wall side. I counter-bored the bolt holes so that a washer could be used and the bolt head is inside the counter-bore.
I don't do any heroic measures to protect the screen when in transport, I just swing and compress it so the screen is close to the wall and parallel. The screen weighs 8 lbs.