Best LCD for above the fireplace...

[TxOutlaw]

I am looking at the Sammy 530 for this application... 46" LCD to mount above our fireplace in our new home. This TV does not need to be super fancy as I am not even running a cable box or dvd player to it. I want to simply use it downstairs in the living room for straight cable from the wall. We will have a media room upstairs for the high tech stuff... I am going to install a sound bar (possibly yamaha) because the sound quality is poor with these thin TVs...

Any better or more reasonable suggestions??

[cavu]

Originally Posted by TxOutlaw

46" LCD to mount above our fireplace in our new home. [...] I am going to install a sound bar (possibly yamaha)

The Yamaha is a great idea.

Mounting above the fireplace is not!

A couple reasons:

• Damage to display from heat/soot/etc.
• Display too high for seated viewers

But if its just for casual ("airport"-type) viewing the latter may not be a big issue.

See: Will I get a crick in my neck from watching a TV over the fireplace?

[DigitalGriffin]

I concur. Mounting a TV above a fireplace really isn't the best of ideas. Even if you didn't use your TV and fireplace at the same time, no display centerline should be above eye level. It will give you neck problems.

I remember this phenomina popping up in the late 90's early 2000. Some designer probably thought it was great aestethically, but unfortunately lacked the pratical experience to realize that the placement is really a no go.

Sorry to be a party pooper.

-D

[Bullet94]

Originally Posted by TxOutlaw

I am looking at the Sammy 530 for this application... 46" LCD to mount above our fireplace in our new home. This TV does not need to be super fancy as I am not even running a cable box or dvd player to it. I want to simply use it downstairs in the living room for straight cable from the wall. We will have a media room upstairs for the high tech stuff... I am going to install a sound bar (possibly yamaha) because the sound quality is poor with these thin TVs...

Any better or more reasonable suggestions??

As long as you take a few precautions, there should not be a problem placing any LCD or Plasma over the fireplace. Check out the Flat Panel General & New FP Tech forum, there is a thread called Flat Panel Over Fireplace. In that thread you can see a lot of pictures of TVs (both Plasmas and LCDs) over fireplaces. I have my 46" Sony XBR5 mounted over the fireplace in the family room. I love the set up; no problems with running the fireplace and having the TV over it, it also frees up a lot of space in the family room. Check out that thread, it will help.

I respectfully disagree with cavu and DigitalGriffin; no damage has occurred to my XBR being over the fireplace (as stated above, follow certain precautions) and a good tilt mount will help with the "Display too high for seated viewers." Further, I still feel strong like bull with no neck problems!

[zerog6]

Make sure it's a fire proof LCD

[sirjonsnow]

Make a cardboard duplicate the size of the TV, put it over the fireplace, then watch it for a couple hours. Okay, no one will stare at cardboard that long, but try to do it for 10+ minutes at least. Most people wouldn't like it there, but you might.

[Mikewarrior]

It's fine = Don't listen to people here saying it's not (Unless you have a old style fireplace) = When you lay your head to rest on a chair/couch, your eyes angle upward... I would also suggest you get the 46A550 instead, for no more than 1.5 grand= Much better set.

Here's a low quality pic I took that shows it's o.k.

[AlexInvision]

The Samsung LN46A650 is an amazing set, with one of the best LCD pictures I have ever seen. The Yamaha YSP4000 is amazing for sound quality, most customer from our showroom prefer that over 5.1 or 7.1.

[Mikewarrior]

Originally Posted by AlexInvision

The Samsung LN46A650 is an amazing set, with one of the best LCD pictures I have ever seen.

Costs too much, it's Screen is way too glossy & 120hz makes film look fake. The 46A550 is better for the price.

[AlexInvision]

Originally Posted by Mikewarrior

Costs too much, it's Screen is way too glossy & 120hz makes film look fake. The 46A550 is better for the price.

I always keep the 120hz off, I agree with you on it looking fake, but with it off it looks amazing.

[stranx44]

Agree with the others here. Although it looks aesthetically pleasing, i hated looking up to the display and dealing with the cables. Will never do it again. Here's a shot of my old Westy 47" at my old house:

[canadianaquos]

Some folks have space limitation... and the ONLY way is to place it above the fireplace saving precious space!
Make sure you get a tilting mount and and do not sit too close. Also using a tilting mount makes viewing a lot more comfortable even for several hours no problem at all. In addition, a swivelling mount will also help in case you need more options.
Regarding the cables, make sure you purchase "in-wall" cetrified cables and hire an electrician for added safety.
You should not have ANY problems either comfort or fire hazard if you do things properly.
Everyone has his own views and set up as long as you know what you are doing you will be fine and NOTHING will happen to the pannel

People are maybe jealous and try to impose their opinions and views.
You decide what is good for you just be safe enough said!

[rocky01]

Now you didn't expect the videophiles that congregate here to give you free pass on that idea, did you?

Aesthetically, designers love putting flat screens in that location. My better half watches design shows on premium channels and they almost always slap it up there, and I groan. But hey, since you're not using it for critical viewing, I say go for it.

If you intend to watch films and stuff on the set at some point, you probably should instead consider mounting no higher that your eye level from seated position. Friends with fancy home theater rooms that don't follow this rule (and I wonder about home theater installers that do this routinely), well, I find an excuse not to watch big games or movies there.

[cavu]

Originally Posted by canadianaquos

People are maybe jealous

"Jealous"?? Of what?!

This is the "Audio Video Science" forum. The OP asked for input.

Some of the responses are based on the technical and factual problems of "fireplace" mounting. Others are not.

Simply put, mounting TVs above fireplaces not a great idea:

• Heat, smoke, and ashes from the fireplace will ultimately damage the display; and
• Unless you want to permanently damage your neck from looking UP at the screen, it should be at such a height that your eyeline falls in the center third of the screen height.

Vertical viewing angle is measured at seated eye height from the front row center seat to the top of the tallest projected image.

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) notes that for most viewers physical discomfort begins when this angle exceeds 35 degrees!

[Tony6225]

One thing you should keep in mind here is that the A650 is not a plasma, and you really should consider viewing angles. The A650 has some really good viewing angles from the side but if you move above or below the screen it begins to wash out pretty quickly. If you still plan on mounting this thing above your fireplace, consider how high up it will be, and make sure you can mount it at an angle that faces straight at you.

[Bullet94]

Originally Posted by cavu

"Jealous"?? Of what?!

This is the "Audio Video Science" forum. The OP asked for input.

Some of the responses are based on the technical and factual problems of "fireplace" mounting. Others are not.

Simply put, mounting TVs above fireplaces not a great idea:

• Heat, smoke, and ashes from the fireplace will ultimately damage the display; and
• Unless you want to permanently damage your neck from looking UP at the screen, it should be at such a height that your eyeline falls in the center third of the screen height.

Vertical viewing angle is measured at seated eye height from the front row center seat to the top of the tallest projected image.

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) notes that for most viewers physical discomfort begins when this angle exceeds 35 degrees!

What is great about these forums are that people can express their opinions. Simply put placing a TV above a fireplace is a personal preference. I do though believe cavu is on to something regarding his statement "unless you want to permanently damage your neck from looking UP at the screen." All the people that have spent countless hours/days at their favorite bar or watering hole made to watch those TVs high on the wall watching baseball, basketball, football, boxing events, etc....(you get my drift) must have sometype of "permanent neck damage." Image, a class action lawsuit against the bars and TV makers!! Get the lawyers started!!

Come on, it comes down to either you like the TV above the fireplace, or you don't. Throw all the technical data out you want about this topic, but it simply comes down to personal preference. I like the TV above my fireplace and neither me, my wife, or kids have any "neck problems" or complaints. And once again, no damage to my LCD.

[TxOutlaw]

WOW!!! Thanks for all the input... Well we are still in the framing stage of building so we thought it would be much easier to have them install the cable and elec. outlet up there now. As for the fire place, we live in south texas, we might use the fireplace 3x a year... We will have an open kitchen to that room with the fireplace in the corner on a 45* angle facing the kitchen. We like the idea of watching the tv while cooking and entertaining around the first floor, but watching movies and relaxing in the media room or the upstairs family room with our 52" DLP...

So I should look into the pivoting mount for sure... is the 46" sammy the way to go then?? Thanks!!

[canadianaquos]

To AVU
Ideally one should avoid mounting above the fireplace for obvious reasons... However some people like you try to impose their opinions on others by spreading rumors and health risks backed with "technical data....PLEASE!.If you're happy with your set up great I am happy for you. So many people have it set up in such a way and nobody ever had any neck problems or started a fire. If that was the case health Canada will issue a warning. Worst case if it is such a pain just take if off the damn wall!!
I meant jealous because placing a tv above the fireplace requires investment and patience: You'll have to get the right in-wall rated cables, solidifying the wall, electric outlet, mount...etc which is a hassle and one should really know what they are doing or hire someone.

Some folks like myself do not the luxury of choosing another place, and mounting an LCD above the fireplace is THE ONLY WAY while saving sqf especially in condo living for example
Just use common sense and DO NOT LISTEN to so called experts with their technical information propaganda.
It's your money, your set up just reasearch and do not mount it very high keep a clearance of no less than 10 inches between the opening of the fireplace and your panel and you should be fine. Also put a thermometer just under the panel to make sure the heat is not extreme and install a wide mantle/shelf for added safety like i did

[TxOutlaw]

Also, our fireplace will be constructed of stone with a stone mantle that comes out pretty far. The rest of the way up will be drywall...

If we have any neck issues we will be ok... I am a PT

[cavu]

Originally Posted by TxOutlaw

I am a PT

Well then ... if you have been keeping up with your professional journals, you know that "fireplace" mounted TVs have been generating increasing numbers of problems, so many so that your profession has coined a term for it.

[studdad]

Originally Posted by cavu

Well then ... if you have been keeping up with your professional journals, you know that "fireplace" mounted TVs have been generating increasing numbers of problems, so many so that your professional has coined a term for it.

We are looking at purchasing a new house that has an "alcove" above the gas fireplace that is designed for a flat screen tv. I have a 52' Sammy 750 that would fit nicely in that space. Since it is a gas fireplace, there wont be smoke or soot, but there will be heat generated. So I assume this heat would rise and cause issues?

[sharkcohen]

I didn't know LCDs were fireplace dependent, that is to say I didn't know some were better than others above a fireplace.

[cavu]

Originally Posted by sharkcohen

I didn't know some were better than others above a fireplace.

It is an issue of the vertical angle performance. Most LCD screens are very poor when it comes to this. If you are stuck using an LCD, make sure your mounting bracket allows you to set the vertical angle so the the screen is perpendicular to the line of sight.

[TxOutlaw]

Originally Posted by cavu

Well then ... if you have been keeping up with your professional journals, you know that "fireplace" mounted TVs have been generating increasing numbers of problems, so many so that your profession has coined a term for it.

Haven't treated anyone for it yet...

OK... So if I wanna LCD TV *anywhere* in that room (hehe), which 40-46" LCD would be best in my application? No HD box, no DVDs... Just cable from the wall... Do I need a 1080, etc??

Thanks!