LCD and Fireplace

[gandytime]

O.K. you guys just need and opinion I've checked out alot of the home theater pics and those that have their displays mounted above the fireplace,it appears there would be alot of neckstrain from looking up,looks kind of high.Do you think it would be ok to box in/cover my fireplace so I could mount my tv lower for better viewing,we never use it, or just put it on the mantle like everyone else? I have a 52in sharp aquos.

[SDBlu]

Originally Posted by gandytime

O.K. you guys just need and opinion I've checked out alot of the home theater pics and those that have their displays mounted above the fireplace,it appears there would be alot of neckstrain from looking up,looks kind of high.Do you think it would be ok to box in/cover my fireplace so I could mount my tv lower for better viewing,we never use it, or just put it on the mantle like everyone else? I have a 52in sharp aquos.

A picture is worth a thousand words! (Post one of the fireplace). But from what i have read, it is not practical to place your TV above the fireplace due to it being too high. Some people on here, however, have no problems with it being above the fireplace.

PS. If you plan of getting surround sound down the road, you may also have issues on speaker placement around the fireplace as well.

[JimShaw]

I am considering doing the same, placing a 52" over the fireplace. With a slight tilt downward, I don't think there should be a problem.

Anyone out there that has done it??? and if so, any problems with viewing?? Or suggestions?

[moviefan]

Originally Posted by JimShaw

I will be doing the same, placing a 52" over the fireplace. With a slight tilt downward, I don't think there should be a problem.

Anyone out there that has done it??? and if so, any problems with viewing?? Or suggestions?

My daughter wanted me to mount her 46" HDTV high on the wall because of her kids.
I mounted it at standing eye level, and she askrd me to lower it.
Compromise was to mount it with the top at nose level, and tilt it down a few drgrees.
Don't forget that an over-the-fireplace mount can make it almost impossible to conceal wires, and will probablc cause neck strain for the viewer.
The media is doing us no favor by showing those over-the-mantle photos in their publications.

[gandytime]

Originally Posted by moviefan

My daughter wanted me to mount her 46" HDTV high on the wall because of her kids.
I mounted it at standing eye level, and she askrd me to lower it.
Compromise was to mount it with the top at nose level, and tilt it down a few drgrees.
Don't forget that an over-the-fireplace mount can make it almost impossible to conceal wires, and will probablc cause neck strain for the viewer.
The media is doing us no favor by showing those over-the-mantle photos in their publications.

I agree.But it does "look" good it just doesnt seem practical that's why i was thinking about mounting it right @ the mantle and covering the fireplace with a quick job of sheet rock or plywood,so that it is eye level,and below it put my rack with my center and other equipment,just wondering if it's ridiculous to do this for a ht set-up

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by gandytime

I agree.But it does "look" good it just doesnt seem practical that's why i was thinking about mounting it right @ the mantle and covering the fireplace with a quick job of sheet rock or plywood,so that it is eye level,and below it put my rack with my center and other equipment,just wondering if it's ridiculous to do this for a ht set-up

Almost NOTHING is ridiculous in the world of HT! Do what pleases you!

[richteer]

Originally Posted by gandytime

O.K. you guys just need and opinion I've checked out alot of the home theater pics and those that have their displays mounted above the fireplace,it appears there would be alot of neckstrain from looking up,looks kind of high.Do you think it would be ok to box in/cover my fireplace so I could mount my tv lower for better viewing,we never use it, or just put it on the mantle like everyone else? I have a 52in sharp aquos.

I'd never put a TV that high, for the reasons you articulate. IMHO, a TV should be at eye level (when sitting down).

[gandytime]

I was on AVS checking out their gallery and the one guy did what I was thinking except you could still see the fireplace and they tore him to pieces about it being mounted to the mantle,so just wanted to know you guys thoughts about it.Thanks

[Uniquely]

Over the fireplace may be an "impressive" looking place to mount a flat screen, but you are trading off a quality viewing experience to acheive that look.

You will get the best picture quality out of your tv by mounting it at seated viewing level. Also, tilting the tv downward will not change the fact that you will still have to crank your head upward to see it properly.

I'd stick with eye level.

[BLUE MYSTIC RAIN]

They have these new fireplace entertainment stands with the fireplace built-in on QVC and probably elsewhere .
I think they are electric and they look so nice !!!
when i get a plasma thats the stand im getting .
They cost around 4 to 5 hundred dollars.

[My_Two_Cents]

A previous home of ours had a TV nook over the fireplace (not my choice). Since my 57" CRT rear-projector obviously would not work in that setup, I purchased my first 42" plasma. It "looked" real nice, but I never did like having to "look up" to watch TV and movies. Having your set at eye level is the most comfortable (to me, and others). See if you can temporarily place your set at the level you are considering and watch it for awhile before you make the final decision. Maybe you'll like it.

[Hammie]

I've never like the over the fireplace look.

I went to someone house to watch a football game once and my neck hurt for a couple days after it.

All those HGTV shows are to blame. They always place the TV above the fireplace.

[Driver_King]

Here are some mounting options.

[gandytime]

Thanks for all the info I think I'm going to have it mounted eye level and cover the fireplace,since we don't use it.

[quexos]

Originally Posted by gandytime

O.K. you guys just need and opinion I've checked out alot of the home theater pics and those that have their displays mounted above the fireplace,it appears there would be alot of neckstrain from looking up,looks kind of high.Do you think it would be ok to box in/cover my fireplace so I could mount my tv lower for better viewing,we never use it, or just put it on the mantle like everyone else? I have a 52in sharp aquos.

We all have our opinion on this matter but personally I would advise to either put it above the fireplace or if the neck strain is an issue to you, to put the TV elsewhere. The fireplace even if not used it a nice looking part of the room not to be hidden IMO.

[gandytime]

No other place to put it in the room,I now have it in a VERY small room and the sound is on top of me I know I'm missing ALOT(even though it looks nice in the room).I like the fireplace(ALOT) but not more than my HT so as it stands I think we will be covering up the fireplace that only serves as eye candy right now.

[MieDan4ever]

I have mounted hundreds of tvs over the fireplaces. I always tell them from what I heard that heat shortens the life of the tv. Gives you a neck pain what we all already know. Yes, it looks nice to have a tv over the fireplace instead of a large photo frame but highly not recommended. Mounting brackets that are tilted at that height tend to show a nasty gap between the back of the tv and the wall. I say mount your tv on a flat wall and eye leveled.

[UKTruBlu]

I' never mouned a TV over a fire place but can advise you that having the top of you T.V at around 6'2" and tilted down slightly felt like the perfect viewing angle for me. But i also think it depends on the size of your screen.

I had a 42" prior to my 52" but did not have that as high up the wall. Sorry if you hav already posted - i havn't read all the replies, but ha size screen do you have?

edit:
ahhh you are part of the 52" inch club to!!!!

[Web Designing]

My brother is moving into a place with a fireplace built into the wall, and needs to mount a flat-panel above it. There is a made of wood beam running crossways the wall, above the fireplace, which extents 4 or 5 inches out from the wall. Will this give enough of a heat barrier between the fireplace & display?

[Therickus]

We live in a house, where we have turned our grand room into a bar/pool room area, which has a fireplace. The owner/my roomate would like to put a large tv over the fireplace. Since this is primarily a standing room, does everyone still have their hesitations?