TV over fireplace?

[David Craig]

I've been thinking of buying a 52 or 58 inch LCD or plasma for a room that is 12 feet wide by 18 feet long.

The problem is where to locate the TV.

One possible location would be above the fireplace.

However I am concerned that looking at this from a sofa about 12 feet away may be awkward.

Does anyone have a setup like this? Will I get neck strain looking upwards at the TV?

Also are there any brackets that can pull the TV out from the wall and downwards. By downwards I mean lowering the TV a foot or two, not just rotating the angle.

[skamins1]

I had considered putting a tv over the fireplace, but voted against it. It would be really hard on your neck if your playing for a while or watching a movie, and even worse if you had a bunch of people over and someone was stuck watch from the floor. My tv ended up on a tv table.

[cajmoyper]

Here's what I think. A fireplace heats up an entire room. That includes above the fireplace.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

Here's what I think. A fireplace heats up an entire room. That includes above the fireplace.

My thoughts exactly... that's a meltdown I would not want to be party to. And even though it might be cool to actually witness, I would sob heartily for the owner.

[antoony]

I have one of my tv's, a 37 inch panasonic plasma, above the fireplace. I have seats that lean back so I never have any issues with the neck. I never use the fireplace so I don't have to worry about the heat. Anyway, that's one of my setups, but everyone is different.

[whippersnapper]

When we bought out HDTV (a 50" Pioneer Elite 1080P model - a MAJOR investment for our family) my wife asked the Tweeters manager where we bought it if we could place it above the fireplace (I had already told her that I didn't think THAT was a good idea). Before he replied "definitely not" he had the look a world famous chef might have on his face upon seeing someone throw a mouse into his favorite creation. So, with that look on my face, I add to the voices saying "No, don't do that".

Edit: We use our fireplace somewhat regularly. My no wouldn't apply for those who don't actually use their fireplaces.

[Gremal]

As you may be able to see if you look really hard at my avatar, I not only installed my plasma above the fireplace but my center speaker as well (the HTM1 is about 60 lbs, so it is a large speaker). This is when I lived in my condo. I no longer have that setup.

I sat about 12 feet away and did not strain my neck even using the plasma several hours/day.

A couple issues: I never used the fireplace after installing the plasma over it. There would be no real problem with having a small fire, or duralog. I could simply remove the center and its shelf. But yeah, if you are talking about a wood burning fireplace, you live in the north and you have large fires frequently, you won't want to use this installation.

I used a wall mount that could angle the screen down, but at 12 feet, there was no need and I kept the plasma parallel to the wall.

The other issue you need to consider is cables and speakers. Is there adequate room for a good installation.

The main reason I opted for going above the fireplace was seating issues as it related to wall space.

[jorg]

is this a gas or wood fire place if it is wood then do not even think about it if it is a gas one then leave the first place on for around 1 hour at were u would normlay haveit and after see how warm it is

[David Craig]

Thanks for all the info so far. I guess I should have clarified that we don't ever use this fireplace. We have another one in the house that we use instead.

So my original question was really all about whether the viewing angle would be awkward.

We do have people sit on the floor from time to time, so thanks for that caution.

[MrBogey]

If you rarely use it, see about taking out the guts of it and converting it to a decorative fireplace.

[so7o]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

When we bought out HDTV (a 50" Pioneer Elite 1080P model - a MAJOR investment for our family) my wife asked the Tweeters manager where we bought it if we could place it above the fireplace (I had already told her that I didn't think THAT was a good idea). Before he replied "definitely not" he had the look a world famous chef might have on his face upon seeing someone throw a mouse into his favorite creation. So, with that look on my face, I add to the voices saying "No, don't do that".

Edit: We use our fireplace somewhat regularly. My no wouldn't apply for those who don't actually use their fireplaces.

Great TV.

My name is Rob and i work for bestbuy/Magnolia

The salesperson you had at tweeter isnt exactly correct. The fireplace is a very common install nowadays and yes on some, you cannot do it. Best bet for anyone wanting this install would be to have it professionally done. At best buy, we offer consultations for a $100 wich basiclly means, we send an installer and a salesperson to your home to see if any install is possible, and what product would work best. Best part of that deal is, not only do you see if your idea would pan out, but that 100 comes off of your purchase. I had one the other day resulting in a 65'' panasonic 1080p being put over a fireplace...=)

as far as that 1080p pioneer...we just lowered the price to like 4k...GREAT PRICE...the tv was flying off the shelves at our stores when we were offering a free 50'' 720p pioneer with it

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by PORNin1080p

Great TV.

My name is Rob and i work for bestbuy/Magnolia

The salesperson you had at tweeter isnt exactly correct. The fireplace is a very common install nowadays and yes on some, you cannot do it. Best bet for anyone wanting this install would be to have it professionally done. At best buy, we offer consultations for a $100 wich basiclly means, we send an installer and a salesperson to your home to see if any install is possible, and what product would work best. Best part of that deal is, not only do you see if your idea would pan out, but that 100 comes off of your purchase. I had one the other day resulting in a 65'' panasonic 1080p being put over a fireplace...=)

as far as that 1080p pioneer...we just lowered the price to like 4k...GREAT PRICE...the tv was flying off the shelves at our stores when we were offering a free 50'' 720p pioneer with it

Why don't you offer a free Blu-ray disc player with it? And I'm serious; I think that that would help out both Magnolia move product and the Blu-ray cause. I still cannot believe how incredibly great BDs look on this plasma monitor played from my simple PS3. Family friends & neighbors who see a Blu-ray movie at our house leave convinced that they need to plan on Blu-ray.

In the original posting I didn't fully discuss our situation. When watching television in our family room, my wife will frequently (other than summertime & warmer spring/fall) have that fireplace going - for the "mood" if nothing else. It's a gas fireplace with a remote control so it's real easy for her to simply click it on. And that puppie gives off a LOT of heat quickly.

And that IS a great price you're offering the monitor for.

[so7o]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

Why don't you offer a free Blu-ray disc player with it? And I'm serious; I think that that would help out both Magnolia move product and the Blu-ray cause. I still cannot believe how incredibly great BDs look on this plasma monitor played from my simple PS3. Family friends & neighbors who see a Blu-ray movie at our house leave convinced that they need to plan on Blu-ray.

In the original posting I didn't fully discuss our situation. When watching television in our family room, my wife will frequently (other than summertime & warmer spring/fall) have that fireplace going - for the "mood" if nothing else. It's a gas fireplace with a remote control so it's real easy for her to simply click it on. And that puppie gives off a LOT of heat quickly.

And that IS a great price you're offering the monitor for.

well the tv offer is something that pioneer was backing...bb doesnt choose what kind of deals we kick out..especially off that magnitude....

as far as blu ray on that tv..

i had a couple come in...the wife came in first actually...she said so i think this samsung 720p looks better than that elite you showed me...why is that..i told her straight out i feel challenged and i gaurnteed she was about to be wowed...turned on open season on the elite bluray that was hooked up to it..she replied with WOW...WELL BUY THAT


ended up being a 16k sale...

and about the price..yea the new one is gonna be hitting stores soon..supposed to be even better.....i love those elites

[GasCat]

Originally Posted by David Craig

Thanks for all the info so far. I guess I should have clarified that we don't ever use this fireplace. We have another one in the house that we use instead.

So my original question was really all about whether the viewing angle would be awkward.

We do have people sit on the floor from time to time, so thanks for that caution.

The set should be at seating eye level. So take a seat and look forward. Don't look down or up. That's the height you want it. If it isn't there your neck will get strain.

If you convert the fireplace, ask a real estate agent if the covey will add value or lessen value to the home. I wouldn't do it but hey, I don't own this place.

[T-Town Oil]

[QUOTE=PORNin1080p;163089]Great TV.

At best buy, we offer consultations for a $100 wich basiclly means, we send an installer and a salesperson to your home to see if any install is possible, and what product would work best.

What kind of idiot would spend a hundred bucks to have someone tell them "where" they could put a tv. What a rip.

[so7o]

Originally Posted by T-Town Oil

Great TV.

What kind of idiot would spend a hundred bucks to have someone tell them "where" they could put a tv. What a rip.

for someone who is interested in putting a tv over a fireplace...its logical and not a rip....the guy who posted the original post..is wondering if the over the fireplace is a logical spot for him..what the consult is meant to do is

1. so where it would sit compared to where he is sitting
2. if they want to fireplace mount...see if there are appropriate studs and a way to run in wall hdmi/other cables behind the wall
3. recommend something else that could work out.

how is this an advantage???

there are to many joe schmoes (probably yourself included) that think anyone and their mom can and should install tvs on walls...so they buy everything they need only to find out that it isnt possible...hell there is even people thinking you can run the power cord behind the wall

and a rip?? ITS A FREE CONSULT..the 100 comes off the price of whatever they decide to buy....and if they dont buy with BB...they have a detailed list of what works that they can take wherever they decide to buy..how is that a rip?

thats for the reply..hopefully mine was helpful to you..

[mildots]

$100 bucks is a rip when there are other company's that will do it for free

[k20king]

I have a projector, and I project it above my fireplace.

Not awkward at all. Personal preference it be.

Good Luck

GO Blu-ray!!!

[so7o]

Originally Posted by mildots

$100 bucks is a rip when there are other company's that will do it for free

and like i said ..IT IS FREE AT BEST BUY....name a company that will do it for free?? tweeter? theres a reason they are shutting stores down

any company sending people out to houses without charging nothing is stupid

gas...scheduling installers..sending them to a job without having anything charged would just be taking time they had to do other jobs...

[blackpixels]

Originally Posted by David Craig

I've been thinking of buying a 52 or 58 inch LCD or plasma for a room that is 12 feet wide by 18 feet long.

The problem is where to locate the TV.

One possible location would be above the fireplace.

However I am concerned that looking at this from a sofa about 12 feet away may be awkward.

Does anyone have a setup like this? Will I get neck strain looking upwards at the TV?

Also are there any brackets that can pull the TV out from the wall and downwards. By downwards I mean lowering the TV a foot or two, not just rotating the angle.

Originally Posted by k20king

I have a projector, and I project it above my fireplace.

Not awkward at all. Personal preference it be.

Good Luck

GO Blu-ray!!!

As long as you're not heating your home with that particular fire place, I'd say go for it...its certainly not the "optimal viewing" positioning for any display, I personally wouldn't place my main viewing TV over one, but hey it looks cool and I like the idea of decorating it up a bit to servce as a focal point. Good luck~!