Before I did this, I saw several threads when I ran some searches related to mounting flat panels, specifically above fireplaces. Seems other folks had questions about doing it, so I thought I'd post my pics from my project.

Before I start:

1. Our couch is 12' away and no, it does not hurt your neck to watch. We've had it up there since we moved in over a year ago and we are comfortable with it there.

2. The firebox and piping has a warning on it that only 2" of clearance is needed, so no, the cables mounted on the studs will not melt or catch fire.

3. With a full fire going, there is no heat to be felt above the mantle where the TV/speakers are. It seems all of the heat is directed outward from the firebox.


What the temporary situation was after we moved in.
http://i28.tinypic.com/2d7y0xd.jpg

Cut a huge square in the guest bedroom behind the fireplace for access.
http://i26.tinypic.com/28tkifm.jpg

Added 2 extra studs to the framing above the firpeplace; $2 in wood goes a long way in piece of mind that the TV isn't going anywhere.
http://i28.tinypic.com/2ecgei0.jpg
http://i26.tinypic.com/2hzk6fs.jpg

Installed the recessed outlet and connected the wiring to the outlet on the guest bedroom wall - it's never used 99% of the time.
http://i26.tinypic.com/8vrbyq.jpg

Marked holes for the studs.
http://i27.tinypic.com/209rq1d.jpg

Used CL2 In-Wall rated cables - also bored a hole for cables behind the cable STB and home theater unit.
http://i29.tinypic.com/2u9sg02.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/2e34a42.jpg

2 HDMI, RCA component, coax - that's all I wanted for this because the basement finish job will include a mega-home theater. Just need a simple TV / HTIB / game setup here.
http://i32.tinypic.com/14t0xue.jpg

Inside the built-in cabinet.
http://i28.tinypic.com/1pth1i.jpg

First layer of mud on the hole repair in the guest bedroom.
http://i28.tinypic.com/rlyuyp.jpg

The plasma grows impatient, sitting on the floor being unused and sniffed by the dogs. Mounting brackets have been attached.
http://i25.tinypic.com/24zyrm0.jpg

Painted the wall where the TV will rest and fastened the wallplates.
http://i25.tinypic.com/2hdb59h.jpg

Hung that heavy mother.
http://i30.tinypic.com/14obx3p.jpg

In the cabinet underneath is where all the wires are - still have to straighten them up and zip tie it all to make it look neater/cleaner.
http://i32.tinypic.com/9sqgz7.jpg

But barely any wires to be seen up here.
http://i32.tinypic.com/opokdx.jpg

Painted more of the wall. Ordered smaller lights for either side of the TV. Because of the corner studs, they are out as far as they can be.
http://i31.tinypic.com/2d9cm7p.jpg

Drywall in guest bedroom, with mudding and painting completed. Good as new.
http://i31.tinypic.com/2vsg85h.jpg

Finally, new lights installed, painting almost completely finished in the living room.
http://i29.tinypic.com/whnz1i.jpg

too high, bottom of plasma should be closer to mantel, can the wall mount tilt? the scones are distractingly too close and the speakers should be there instead, it looks as if there's no audio for the component video, or is that composite? Is that a subwoofer in the bottom cabinet? If so do you need to open the doors for any bass? A Philips 2.1 system, a little weak don't you think? What's the coax run for? is that electrical tacked to the front of the studs? Lastly, with a fire going the heated air not only goes outwards but upwards too, mostly right up front, towards your plasma

If you had actually read my post you could have answered most of your questions. Not too high for us, maybe for you. Yes it tilts. Lights are as far out as they can go. Composite. Sub is in bottom, just open door when watching a movie. Just need something simple, 2.1 is fine. Building full-on theater in basement. Temp gauge placed at TV with fire going shows 2-3 degrees warmer than room temp. Yes, that's electrical cord and no there is no interference.

too high, bottom of plasma should be closer to mantel, can the wall mount tilt? the scones are distractingly too close and the speakers should be there instead, it looks as if there's no audio for the component video, or is that composite? Is that a subwoofer in the bottom cabinet? If so do you need to open the doors for any bass? A Philips 2.1 system, a little weak don't you think? What's the coax run for? is that electrical tacked to the front of the studs? Lastly, with a fire going the heated air not only goes outwards but upwards too, mostly right up front, towards your plasma

Hey Lee! Congratulations. Thanks for sharing the whole proccess. It was fun to see.

too high, bottom of plasma should be closer to mantel, can the wall mount tilt? the scones are distractingly too close and the speakers should be there instead, it looks as if there's no audio for the component video, or is that composite? Is that a subwoofer in the bottom cabinet? If so do you need to open the doors for any bass? A Philips 2.1 system, a little weak don't you think? What's the coax run for? is that electrical tacked to the front of the studs? Lastly, with a fire going the heated air not only goes outwards but upwards too, mostly right up front, towards your plasma

Wow, settle down dude. No need to be a dick to the guy who is pretty proud of his setup. Way to crap all over his efforts.

I do agree, however, that the light fixtures would distract the crap out of me right there. I probably would have gone with speakers as well, too bad the studs were where they were...

Otherwise, very clean setup, nice workmanship making it look seemless. And way to rock the original NES :D

Read an article that said 83% of all serial killers have plasmas mounted over their fireplaces :)

Thanks, guys. I know about the lights - they are a bit close, but we honestly don't even notice them when watching TV.

Read an article that said 83% of all serial killers have plasmas mounted over their fireplaces :)

http://www.leenetworx.com/smilies/suspect.gif

Didn't mean to sound like a dick, just calling it the way I see it, and your right, should have read post first. As a custom installer, I would have done quite a few things he did and a couple of things different but overall it's actually a pretty decent job

Thanks for sharing the pictures and your process.

do you have or planning to add n.1 surround? where is the center speaker? are you planning to use tv's speaker for the ctr channel??

forgot add-- good job....enjoy

the scones are distractingly too close

I agree! It's critical to keep your scones away from the TV. Having dry, crumbly, but tasty shortbreads anywhere close to your TV could be VERY distracting. Please, keep the scones as far away as possible.

Didn't mean to sound like a dick, just calling it the way I see it, and your right, should have read post first. As a custom installer, I would have done quite a few things he did and a couple of things different but overall it's actually a pretty decent job


It's all good. Since you are a professional installer and I'm not - would you mind sharing what you would have done differently? I might be able to use any info when it comes time to building out the home theater in the basement. Thanks.

do you have or planning to add n.1 surround? where is the center speaker? are you planning to use tv's speaker for the ctr channel??

forgot add-- good job....enjoy

Nope. Like I said - this is merely a vanilla TV/sound/game setup. Will be building a nice home theater setup in the basement when the time comes. :D

well, i admire your patience and motivation, you've put in a lot of effort for a VANILLA setup

Nope. Like I said - this is merely a vanilla TV/sound/game setup. Will be building a nice home theater setup in the basement when the time comes. :D

If you wanted to hide the control boxes on the shelf, you can get an RF remote and put the boxes behind the doors below. A nice cheap RF remote is the Universal RFS200 <<<Click Here>>> (http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=102) These are about $125 for the complete set.

RF remotes are good thru walls, floors, doors, and have a range of 100FT. Here is a link to my setup where my audio video gear is in my basement, out of sight out of mind. <<<Click Here>>> (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13008909#post13008909) I used this same remote. (By the way look at all three pics ;))

By the way I think you did a great job.

http://www.universalremote.com/images/product_page/PowerPak/image_PowerPak.jpg (http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=102)

Great job on the install. Is that an HDMI wall plate from Monoprice.com?