Flat screen TV mounted above fireplace - yay or nay?

[Anonymous]

Finally giving in to DH's repeated requests for a flat screen but we can't agree on where to put it. Bad idea to put it over the fireplace? Why or why not? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I've been told it's a bad idea to put over fireplace b/c of the heat generated from the fireplace could ruin the tv. You may want to do a google search to see if it's for certain fireplaces (regular wood vs. gas) or specific tv models.

[Anonymous]

It depends on how often you actually use the fireplace. Is it a gas or wood fireplace? If you use it like 3 times per year and it is gas, then go ahead and put the tv on top of the fireplace. If you use it more often, and / or it is wood burning fireplace, then i'd say it is a bad idea: first, in terms of aesthetics, you will have two bright objects one on top of the other (bright flame and on top a bright tv), so it will be difficult focusing on one of them. The other reason: wood burning fireplace does get some ashes out sometimes and these will be flying to your TV. Last, the tv will be basically hanging on the chimney - which when you turn the fire place on, will become HOT - doubt it's very good for a TV.

[Anonymous]

how high is it? I really wouldn't want to have to look up at the TV? most of the time when I see TV's above fireplaces it makes my neck hurt just to think about watching TV that way.

[Anonymous]

For those of you who have mounted flat TVs on walls, did you do it yourself? Hire an electrician? Or did the retailer you bought the TV from install/mount it? My husband bought a flat TV about a year ago (the TV just appeared one day!) but, with toddlers underfoot, I'd love to get the TV to higher ground (i.e., mounted on the wall)

[Anonymous]

fireplace: bad idea aesthetically.

mounting a flat screen: highly, highly recommend Graffiti Audio.

[Anonymous]

We have a plasma mounted over a fireplace (woodburning even!). It looks fine and was the only place to put it - the entire rest of the room is windows. Just pick one with a good profile. The Pioneer Elites are good from this perspective. I think Sony makes some that come with picture frame moulding around them. I was thinking of doing this but once we got ours up I decided it was unnecessary and would take away from the mantel and the tile around the fireplace. Don't hang it where the first view someone walking into the room has of it is the side. Very unattractive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you who have mounted flat TVs on walls, did you do it yourself? Hire an electrician? Or did the retailer you bought the TV from install/mount it? My husband bought a flat TV about a year ago (the TV just appeared one day!) but, with toddlers underfoot, I'd love to get the TV to higher ground (i.e., mounted on the wall)

Our TV is mounted on the wall. We did not hire an electrician, as my husband did it himself. He's good at that kind of stuff, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:fireplace: bad idea aesthetically.

mounting a flat screen: highly, highly recommend Graffiti Audio.

I second the Graffiti rec. We bought our TV and home theatre components from them. Their prices were competetive. the install service was great. We have an older home with plaster walls so none of the big box stores would even bother with it. Grafitti had a guy who was very knowledgable about plaster walls.

The other thing to consider is what you will do with the cable box, DVD, etc. We ended up getting this media cabinet from Crate and Barrel because it was easy to put a child proof cabinet lock on it and the glass doors allowed the remotes to work without opening the doors.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=14000&f=26655

[Anonymous]

Nay.

[Anonymous]

Just heard a story this week on ABC news about flat screen TVs mounted on walls falling and injuring kids.

[Anonymous]

nay on above the fireplace... call barry at graffiti in bethesda, he took care of me, sony 52 xbr7 series, bdi stand, looks great!

[Anonymous]

We have one above the fireplace as well. We rarely (once in the past 4 years) use the fireplace.

Very talented husband mounted it and wired it hiding all of the cables and placing the DVR/Cable box/Wii in the closet around the corner. there's a small peep hole on the floor for the remotes to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just heard a story this week on ABC news about flat screen TVs mounted on walls falling and injuring kids.

Me too - but they're not typically mounted on walls. Deaths are up 41 percent because kids are pulling them off crummy, cheaply-made stands. Since the TVs weigh up to 100 lbs., they are literally killing the children. It was a hard article to read. Lots of case studies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just heard a story this week on ABC news about flat screen TVs mounted on walls falling and injuring kids.

Me too - but they're not typically mounted on walls. Deaths are up 41 percent because kids are pulling them off crummy, cheaply-made stands. Since the TVs weigh up to 100 lbs., they are literally killing the children. It was a hard article to read. Lots of case studies.

Mounting above a fireplace can be annoying since the TV would usually be too high depending on seating locations. We have one fireplace with no mantel but prefer using a stand. That TV also has numerous gaming consoles. Your children will get older and standards are xbox , play stations. That's 2 and you can also use them as dvd players. Also PC games can be hooked up to the TV. My son plays some big ones on the huge lcd. Flexibility is important.

We also have another room that is all windows and french doors on 3 sides. That TV is also on a stand. Wall mounts also remove flexibility in furniture arrangements. When my children were little we had a carpenter bolt shelves to the wall and adapted sturdy furniture for TV use- cut holes in back of chest etc..