Are Plasmas/LCDs too hot for entertainment centers? I know the common thinking is you buy a flat Panel to mount on the wall not set in an entertainment center, but is heat a big concern? We've picked out an Entertainment center that seems to have the perfect amount of storage for DVD's, componants and etc. http://www.belfurniture.com/entertainment/8055c.html
but I'm wondering if it will keep in to much heat.

That is a true concern. In electronics, heat kills. Your computer position should allow for air movement as should your display. Most flat panels have a fan for a good reason.

So do you think this Entertainment center could pose a problem?

Most manufacturers recommend 3"-4" clearance on all sides (top, bottom, L, R) to allow for heat.

What if you had the Pioneer Pro-110FD which is a 50" Plasma but with Speakers attached measures at 56" and so many 32's. Would it be too hot for a Entertainment center with a 57" wide TV Stand and a bridge over-head?

I really like this entertainment center.

didn't like the answers you got in the other thread you started about this?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=912273

pioneer wants you to have about 20 inches clearance over the top of it...

if you want to cook it, cook it... it's your tv...

didn't like the answers you got in the other thread you started about this?

I was hoping someone had a viable solution. Wish I could post pictures of my room to show what I'm dealing with.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=912273

pioneer wants you to have about 20 inches clearance over the top of it...

I didn't know about the 20" clearance spec.

if you want to cook it, cook it... it's your tv...

Sucks because I really wanted this TV. If it gets that hot it won't be worth it. Looks like the Sony LCD is best for me. Unfortunately I already have approved financing at a Plasma only store. I could mount it in the bed room but I rarely watch there.

Sucks because I really wanted this TV. If it gets that hot it won't be worth it. Looks like the Sony LCD is best for me. Unfortunately I already have approved financing at a Plasma only store. I could mount it in the bed room but I rarely watch there.

maybe you can find something else to put it on? mine is on a stand (wall mounting wasn't really an option with my old plaster walls, not easily, anyway).

unfortunately, plasmas make heat. and if it doesn't have anywhere to go, that really will cause problems.

Are Plasmas/LCDs too hot for entertainment centers? I know the common thinking is you buy a flat Panel to mount on the wall not set in an entertainment center, but is heat a big concern? We've picked out an Entertainment center that seems to have the perfect amount of storage for DVD's, componants and etc. http://www.belfurniture.com/entertainment/8055c.html
but I'm wondering if it will keep in to much heat.

My plasma throws a substantial amount of heat (great for keeping heating bills down in the winter), so being overly generous with cooling in a partially-enclosed space would be advisable. One solution might be to buy a couple of small computer-case fans to mount on the entertainment center behind the plasma. Get fans that are reasonably quiet so you won't hear them in normal use, and with decent CFM capacity, and you can increase circulation of cooling air to minimize heat buildup. This would be a good idea for any other heat-producing equipment that you may also put in your furniture, especially AVRs or disk players. Also, look for your home heating outlets - you don't want to make the problem worse by siting the plasma near a radiator, or where hot heating air might be blowing in it.

Any further thoughts on this? I'm looking at the same thing: Pioneer 5020 going in an entertainment center that is about 3 feet deep, but it has no cover on the back, just a box, completely open on front and back. I just noticed that the manual calls for 20 inch clearance on the top, which is possible, but would put it way down in the bottom of the opening. The diagram in the manual shows the TV in an enclosed box - is the 20" needed when the back is enclosed but maybe not as much if the back is open? Guy at the store who claims a lot of experience says "Oh, don't worry about that, only a few inches is really needed", but I don't trust his judgement.