Home audio & video: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace?
- 2/27/09 2:41 PM
Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace?
by kanezzar - 2/23/09 4:13 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I did not see a size given. Depending on size and other factors a flat screen can not only be Very heavy but also too large in it's protrusion at the back of it to fit into the form of a fireplace.Remember that a fire place is not only madeup of brick but inside the flue could be a set of clay pipes or a metal pipe to vent the gases from the burner. So be aware that there is a lot involved above where you may just see a fire. Now LCD/Plasma are each flat PANELS. These can be mountd with adequate brackets but here again it depends on the size as well as the distance from where you will be seated.When you take the shelf height of the fireplace @ 3ft.6ins then to mount say a 42" t.v. For adequate viewing your head/eyes will be tilted too high for prolonged viewing I believe. Furthermore there is a recommended distance for you to be seated away from the tv which in this case is about 6'to 7' Kanezzar
New Flat Screen Television mounted on the wall/fireplace
by bjgeek - 2/24/09 6:19 AM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
We just did the same thing and opted for the bracket with some swivel, the screen is viewable in the entire room from every seat. Our Television is a 46 in model, good for viewing up to 20 feet away. The tech support advised us with our model that we be at least 18 inches above the heat source and that the heat source have a fan to deflect the heat away from the television. We opted to install the television to the side of the fireplace to insure the warranty would remain good. We have access to only antenna reception and have increased the number of standard channels and the picture is great, now I am looking forward to the next blizzard and staying home.
BJ
Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace?
by goHokies - 2/24/09 1:57 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
We mounted our LCD widescreen over our fireplace and love it. It is a woodburning fireplace that is used frequently during the winter. We inset the tv such that it was flush with the wall and ran wires to the receiver through a 2in conduit. We also had a concern about the heat and its effect on the tv. We mounted two case fans hooked to a themostat behind the tv. The majority of the heat is blocked by the mantle and the case fans have not come on yet. I do stick my hand behind the tv every once and a while and it does not seem overly warm. Smoke and soot are not a problem either. The height, a concern of many, does not bother us at all since we do not have perfect posture while watching the tube. As far as construction goes, we mounted the mount on a piece of backer board which secures it quite well. We are very pleased with the installation. Cheers!
Hi, I am looking to purchase a flat screen television,
by kanezzar - 2/24/09 5:11 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Barbara,
I noticed that you've gotten lots of answers to your question. I wish to bring to your attention,just in case, that there is a big difference between a "flat screen" and a "flat panel"
A flat screen tv is one which has a CRT.The appearance of it is made to look flat in the front so it is technically referred to as a flat screen. A flat panel is the narrow depth device which you can hang on a wall like a picture. The difference between the LCD as opposed to the plasma is among other things Plasma generates a little more heat. Also it's screen in the intensity of heat from a fireplce will attract more dust. There is some technicalities due to its operating mode that's why. DLP has a depth like the flat scrren but it is lighter. However it carries a bulb which gets very hot and which burns out over time.With that information you can now make your own decision.
precaution for safety mangement
by EMMANUEL 7 - 2/26/09 3:20 AM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I advice you to keep the flat screen away from the tv.
Don't know about the safety issue but,
by greta7 - 2/27/09 6:42 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
how high will the t.v. be? Most t.v.s over a fireplace are not set at a comfortable viewing height.
Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace?
by peterj2706 - 2/27/09 8:06 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have a 46" LCD mounted over a fireplace and it dones fine. Its a gas fireplace (with a variable speed fan normally run on low) and both the fireplace and the TV do great. The fan and the mantle move the heat away from the the TV. Its been in there 3 years and I would not hesitate to do it again. The TV is mounted in an alcove originally designed for a 36" CRT so the screen is even with the back of the mantle, but the heat at the front of the mantle is not real high. As for it being high, this has not been an issue, and actually is much better than the old TV's located near the floor.
Set aside the matter of safe or not safe
by quentintarantado - 2/27/09 9:19 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Wouldn't the fireplace be distracting if you're watching TV? I would imagine the movie would seem dimmer. Unless you only watch when there's no fire.
Flat screen on fireplace
by Girish Joshi - 2/27/09 9:29 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Take my word for it... Yes its ok. I ripped out the drywall, and even wired my home theater, mounts, and the electrical cabling etc... lowered the mantle, and then cleaned up the mess to mount a plasma on top of my fireplace.
This was 2 years ago, and I am enjoying it. Do yourself a favor, and route every piece of cable, and put connector points at both ends. This does increase cost of cables etc (connector plate to TV, and connector plate to components, AND hidden cables between connectors) but it is worth it.
regards
Girish
Competing light source
by Philcokid - 2/27/09 9:35 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I don't know if it's safe or not but what I can't understand is will there be a fire blazing while you're watching TV? Wouldn't blazing, dancing flames take away from the overall contrast of the LCD or Plasma? I always thought a darkened room would be the best environment for watching TV. Or do you simply not light the fire until after you're finished watching TV?
My 24" monitor is next to my 37" Sharp Aquos; when the monitor is on, the Sharp does lose some contrast; once I turn the monitor off, the LCD does seem to brighten. It would seem to me that any alternate light source, above, below or next to the TV would be a source of 'competition' and interfer with overal viewing experience.
I remember once in a movie theater when the movie started but the lights had not dimmed (for whatever reason). The screen was washed out!
When the crowd starting complaining and the lights finally dimmed, the movie became sharp and clear.
Have I assumed incorrectly? Would you have a fire going while watching TV? Or is this just an aesthetic thing??? Just curious!
It is safe if
by erginhasani - 2/27/09 11:26 PM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If the fireplace doesn't produce heat over the wall where you want to mount the flat screen it is ok to proceed but if it produces heat it can damage your flat screen.
THERE IS A ' THERMAL' CONSIDERATION HERE.
by Dr. William P Koerner - 2/28/09 12:19 AM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
As an Ex Television Engineer PLEASE consider the thermal range of components within the set. Check manufacturers recommendation for the thermal range of the set and check that the site over the fireplace does not exceed this. Many components within the set are run at almost their thermal limit [due to the restricted cabinet space that modern day aesthetics demand]. Exceeding thermal constraints would lead to a very short lifespan of the television in question.
PLASMA/ LCD MOUNTED OVER FIREPLACE
by bacwat - 2/28/09 2:44 AM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Why Oh why do people continually make the MISTAKE of mounting a TV "over the mantlepiece" ???? It makes no sense for several reasons.
Firstly, it looks crap unless you can afford the HUGE money to buy a TV that looks like a mirror when it is not in use. Secondly, at a minimum height of between 5 and 7 feet its way too high for comfortable viewing - optimal screen height is for the bottom of the TV to be no higher than 3 feet from the ground - maximum. Many couches and seating are only 20 inches high - a person sitting on this in front of a mantlepiece with TV over will have their neck looking upwards at an awkward angle - very uncomfortable if its more than just to watch the news. Thirdly, problems with access to connections - if you have a working fireplace it is not easy, without substantial construction and electrical alterations, to make this work right. Finally, heat IS a problem, especially with plasma and cannot be ignored. At best you will reduce the life of the set and will see picture deterioration much sooner than if you had lcae dthe TV some place else. You could of course alleviate this problem by fitting a dedicated ventilation system, something I have seen some folks do, at some expense.
Hope it all works out for you !
Brian from London
My 50" Plasma is Above my Fireplace - No problems
by c8799p - 2/28/09 4:38 AM In reply to: Is it safe to mount a flat screen over my fireplace? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have a direct-vent fireplace with an electric fan which pushes the heated air out towards the living room. I first cut a very small hole in the wall to see where the studs are located (with a flashlight) and to see how I would route the cables from behind the TV (fireplace wall) and the side wall where the audio/video set-up is located. I am using an articulating TV mount which allowed me to angle the view of the TV down (hence the height is not a problem even if you're sitting up on the couch). Some comments about the studs are VERY important! You can NOT mount the TV on just sheet-rock or it will surely fall. My two studs were in the right place, hence the articulating mount is affixed properly to support the weight. My TV weighs close to 100 pounds, so it took two of us to position it. Avoiding the flue behind the wall is important -- My wall's construction provided more than adequate space to run the AV cables behind the TV to the side wall. I've had the TV mounted now for about two years and have experienced no problems. Good luck!
What should I belive?
by rderkis - 4/18/09 11:54 AM In reply to: My 50" Plasma is Above my Fireplace - No problems by c8799pWhy is it that everyone that has their tv mounted above the fireplace loves it(even after years). Yet people, that have not mounted a tv above the fireplace, find so many reasons why THEY THINK it won't work? Don't they even hear, the ones who have done it?
Who should I belive and trust? The dreamers or the doers?
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