Flat screen tvs above fireplaces.. are just a bit tacky

scruffpot · 28-02-2009, 16:00

Is there anyone out there who can convince me this is a good idea?as i think it isn't?

When i watch tv i dont want my head to be angled at 50
degrees upwards - i just want straight ahead viewing.(ok depends how tall you are) but would lcd mounted in this position be effected by viewing angle ?

I just walked past some houses last night on my way out and saw people with smallish front rooms about 3metres away from thier 50" tvs mounted half way up a wall above a fireplace... (ok i want peeping through windows but they didnt have curtains pulled, so a sneaking glance)

Would a tv get hot from the rising heat as well?

Also if you have a fireplace isnt that a folcal point and then the tv is situated away from it.. I hate the look of tvs above fireplaces is it just a bit tacky?

or can you convince me otherwise?

Nigel Goodwin · 28-02-2009, 16:04

Viewing angle isn't a problem, decent LCD's have massive viewing angles.

The set too high is a problem though, it gives you neck ache watching it.

However, 'tacky' is really a personal opinion, and personal taste is up to the individual.

late8 · 28-02-2009, 16:06

I don't have a problem with them on walls- looks pretty cool on floating walls but well above fires- no. Its mainly because I couldn't stand watching a screen above the height you sit at on the sofa. - I guess its for the people who like to sit on the front row and the cinema - cranking there heads up.

It was done as a sign of expression and wealth ages back when Plasmas were on the scene at thousands of £. It was a marketing thing of hanging a TV on your wall too.

This isnt tacky? http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-...ml#post5526559

scruffpot · 28-02-2009, 16:09

i think im being a bit snobby saying its tacky

Ok its personal preferance I understand, for me the 2 objects ina room should be separate. ive nothing wrong mounting a tv ona wall but not above a fireplace. anyhoo thats my view. it was just strange to see these people in thier house craining thier necks up a wall to watch tv....

chrisbartley · 28-02-2009, 16:15

Quote:

Viewing angle isn't a problem, decent LCD's have massive viewing angles.

but necks don't

personally think they are still a bit too deep to go on the wall (unless bult into a false wall) - some of the new panasosic should solve that though - only 1" thick some of them

scruffpot · 28-02-2009, 16:20

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uima...ace2012309.jpg

http://chooseyourpriceinstallation.c...ily%20Room.jpg

this is what i mean

especially the 2nd one, like having the speakers up there are going to make a bit of difference, only if you sit on a stool then you might geta bit of surround sound

edgexedge · 01-03-2009, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by scruffpot

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uima...ace2012309.jpg

http://chooseyourpriceinstallation.c...ily%20Room.jpg

this is what i mean

especially the 2nd one, like having the speakers up there are going to make a bit of difference, only if you sit on a stool then you might geta bit of surround sound

americans

i like the other one thats been posted, but if theyve taken out a fire to do that, i can see them having 'difficulties' selling the house in the future

scruffpot · 02-03-2009, 03:32

ahhahahaha this is the best one i could find ummm tastely
top left picture
hahahahaha
http://weburbanist.com/wp-content/up...fireplaces.jpg

ummmm mahogany
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0wR8yFCYZe...reen-tv-01.jpg

http://www.bornrich.org/entry/wave-t...lted-together/

whhoooooooooop i want

paddysu · 02-03-2009, 04:43

Wouldn't you get distracted with what was actually in the fireplace itself. Most fireplaces are at least 5ft tall when you get to the mantal peice so wehter its a real fire, a bar fire, gas effect fire or what ever i'd be really distracted at times with what was down there as you can only consciously hold your head up at the right angle for the screen and look directly at it for a certainly amount of time before you get to the stage where you're more relaxes and just looking in the general area most of the time but nearer enough for when ever anything important comes on immediately you can be back looking at it.
I find having anything other than just boxed in the unit under the telly annoying thats why the video and dvd wer moved as light would reflect off of it.
No i think the only good thing for tv's obove fireplaces is that i love it when they get turned into screen savers and made to lok like tropical fish tanks. You just have to pretend though that the fish dont feel the heat.

bilsat · 02-03-2009, 06:19

When we decorated we opened our disused fireplace and filled shelves for the TV, stereo, satellite and recorder inside it, its adjustable thank god as the old tv had to be replaced and the 32" LCD set was taller so one layer had to be removed, and yes it's at eye height....and we gain space in the room.

rhod · 02-03-2009, 07:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by scruffpot

Is there anyone out there who can convince me this is a good idea?as i think it isn't?

When i watch tv i dont want my head to be angled at 50
degrees upwards - i just want straight ahead viewing.(ok depends how tall you are) but would lcd mounted in this position be effected by viewing angle ?

I can't understand the current fashion for positioning TVs higher than eye level, either. (Unless there's a compelling reason for making the TV more visible or less prone to fiddling, such as in a public place)

Our eyes are far more comfortble looking at a downwards angle. We spent millions of years foraging for stuff in the undergrowth rather than up trees, and the development of our eyes reflect this.

IvanIV · 02-03-2009, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by scruffpot

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uima...ace2012309.jpg

http://chooseyourpriceinstallation.c...ily%20Room.jpg

this is what i mean

especially the 2nd one, like having the speakers up there are going to make a bit of difference, only if you sit on a stool then you might geta bit of surround sound

It's just there's a free wall over the fireplace and the fireplace is a higher priority, it's taking the place where the TV should have been. In the first picture the TV is placed very high so unless they have something to support their head/neck it must be very uncomfortable to watch that TV. But maybe it's not the main TV set and is more an accessory.

margophile · 02-03-2009, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Viewing angle isn't a problem, decent LCD's have massive viewing angles.

I have no wish to hijack this thread but in spite of what you say Nigel, I am still having great difficulty finding a 19" LCD TV with a wide enough vertical viewing angle to allow me to view it in the designated TV position in my caravan, the rotatable shelf is about 5' from the floor.
It's my opinion that for PQ and comfort, if not for style, TVs should be positioned,when possible, at or slightly below seated eye level.

Nigel Goodwin · 02-03-2009, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by margophile

I have no wish to hijack this thread but in spite of what you say Nigel, I am still having great difficulty finding a 19" LCD TV with a wide enough vertical viewing angle to allow me to view it in the designated TV position in my caravan, the rotatable shelf is about 5' from the floor.
It's my opinion that for PQ and comfort, if not for style, TVs should be positioned,when possible, at or slightly below seated eye level.

Check Sony ones, they are usually the best for viewing angle - but I would always advise that a TV should be at eye height anyway.

louise1966 · 02-03-2009, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by scruffpot

Is there anyone out there who can convince me this is a good idea?as i think it isn't?

When i watch tv i dont want my head to be angled at 50
degrees upwards - i just want straight ahead viewing.(ok depends how tall you are) but would lcd mounted in this position be effected by viewing angle ?

I just walked past some houses last night on my way out and saw people with smallish front rooms about 3metres away from thier 50" tvs mounted half way up a wall above a fireplace... (ok i want peeping through windows but they didnt have curtains pulled, so a sneaking glance)

Would a tv get hot from the rising heat as well?

Also if you have a fireplace isnt that a folcal point and then the tv is situated away from it.. I hate the look of tvs above fireplaces is it just a bit tacky?

or can you convince me otherwise?

I don't, and won't, have mine on the wall. But I wouldn't criticise anyone else for doing so. People have different tastes; if someone thinks an LCD TV looks good propped up against a wall, that is their choice.

smitj017 · 02-03-2009, 21:27

if you go ahed, dont get a samsung 5 (i think) seris. we went into a local electrical retailer (lakes) and they showed us a big issue with veiwing angles

indianwells · 03-03-2009, 14:17

Our 50" Plasma is above the fireplace because it was the only practical place for it. We don't use the fireplace anyway. The room is large and we sit 20' from the screen. Works perfectly for us, tacky or not.

cordunkni · 03-03-2009, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Check Sony ones, they are usually the best for viewing angle

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitj017

if you go ahed, dont get a samsung 5 (i think) seris. we went into a local electrical retailer (lakes) and they showed us a big issue with veiwing angles

I love the internet!

Samsung & Sony panels are unlikely to be that different...

e.g.
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Pr...14E/index.html

Nigel Goodwin · 03-03-2009, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by cordunkni

I love the internet!

Samsung & Sony panels are unlikely to be that different...

e.g.
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Pr...14E/index.html

We sell both Sony and Samsung LCD sets - and have them on display side by side, the viewing angle on the Sony sets is far superior.

I'm fully aware that most Sony sets (but not all) use S-LCD panels, which is a consortium of Samsung and Sony. But all the Samsung's I've had in pieces use Samsung badged panels, and not S-LCD badged ones like the Sony's do.

It may be that Sony only use higher spec panels?, but certainly their viewing angle beats the Samsung sets we sell.

28-02-2009, 16:00	#1
scruffpot Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,342	Flat screen tvs above fireplaces.. are just a bit tacky Is there anyone out there who can convince me this is a good idea?as i think it isn't? When i watch tv i dont want my head to be angled at 50 degrees upwards - i just want straight ahead viewing.(ok depends how tall you are) but would lcd mounted in this position be effected by viewing angle ? I just walked past some houses last night on my way out and saw people with smallish front rooms about 3metres away from thier 50" tvs mounted half way up a wall above a fireplace... (ok i want peeping through windows but they didnt have curtains pulled, so a sneaking glance) Would a tv get hot from the rising heat as well? Also if you have a fireplace isnt that a folcal point and then the tv is situated away from it.. I hate the look of tvs above fireplaces is it just a bit tacky? or can you convince me otherwise?

02-03-2009, 06:19	#10
bilsat Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 427	Fireplaces When we decorated we opened our disused fireplace and filled shelves for the TV, stereo, satellite and recorder inside it, its adjustable thank god as the old tv had to be replaced and the 32" LCD set was taller so one layer had to be removed, and yes it's at eye height....and we gain space in the room.

28-02-2009, 16:04	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Viewing angle isn't a problem, decent LCD's have massive viewing angles. The set too high is a problem though, it gives you neck ache watching it. However, 'tacky' is really a personal opinion, and personal taste is up to the individual.

28-02-2009, 16:06	#3
late8 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 7,052	I don't have a problem with them on walls- looks pretty cool on floating walls but well above fires- no. Its mainly because I couldn't stand watching a screen above the height you sit at on the sofa. - I guess its for the people who like to sit on the front row and the cinema - cranking there heads up. It was done as a sign of expression and wealth ages back when Plasmas were on the scene at thousands of £. It was a marketing thing of hanging a TV on your wall too. This isnt tacky? http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-...ml#post5526559

28-02-2009, 16:09	#4
scruffpot Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,342	i think im being a bit snobby saying its tacky Ok its personal preferance I understand, for me the 2 objects ina room should be separate. ive nothing wrong mounting a tv ona wall but not above a fireplace. anyhoo thats my view. it was just strange to see these people in thier house craining thier necks up a wall to watch tv....

28-02-2009, 16:15	#5
chrisbartley Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: berks Posts: 1,643	Quote: Viewing angle isn't a problem, decent LCD's have massive viewing angles. but necks don't personally think they are still a bit too deep to go on the wall (unless bult into a false wall) - some of the new panasosic should solve that though - only 1" thick some of them

28-02-2009, 16:20	#6
scruffpot Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,342	http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uima...ace2012309.jpg http://chooseyourpriceinstallation.c...ily%20Room.jpg this is what i mean especially the 2nd one, like having the speakers up there are going to make a bit of difference, only if you sit on a stool then you might geta bit of surround sound

01-03-2009, 15:32	#7
edgexedge Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,881	Quote: Originally Posted by scruffpot http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uima...ace2012309.jpg http://chooseyourpriceinstallation.c...ily%20Room.jpg this is what i mean especially the 2nd one, like having the speakers up there are going to make a bit of difference, only if you sit on a stool then you might geta bit of surround sound americans i like the other one thats been posted, but if theyve taken out a fire to do that, i can see them having 'difficulties' selling the house in the future

02-03-2009, 03:32	#8
scruffpot Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,342	ahhahahaha this is the best one i could find ummm tastely top left picture hahahahaha http://weburbanist.com/wp-content/up...fireplaces.jpg ummmm mahogany http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0wR8yFCYZe...reen-tv-01.jpg http://www.bornrich.org/entry/wave-t...lted-together/ whhoooooooooop i want

02-03-2009, 04:43	#9
paddysu Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brighton Posts: 4,796	Wouldn't you get distracted with what was actually in the fireplace itself. Most fireplaces are at least 5ft tall when you get to the mantal peice so wehter its a real fire, a bar fire, gas effect fire or what ever i'd be really distracted at times with what was down there as you can only consciously hold your head up at the right angle for the screen and look directly at it for a certainly amount of time before you get to the stage where you're more relaxes and just looking in the general area most of the time but nearer enough for when ever anything important comes on immediately you can be back looking at it. I find having anything other than just boxed in the unit under the telly annoying thats why the video and dvd wer moved as light would reflect off of it. No i think the only good thing for tv's obove fireplaces is that i love it when they get turned into screen savers and made to lok like tropical fish tanks. You just have to pretend though that the fish dont feel the heat.

02-03-2009, 07:28	#11
rhod Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,833	Quote: Originally Posted by scruffpot Is there anyone out there who can convince me this is a good idea?as i think it isn't? When i watch tv i dont want my head to be angled at 50 degrees upwards - i just want straight ahead viewing.(ok depends how tall you are) but would lcd mounted in this position be effected by viewing angle ? I can't understand the current fashion for positioning TVs higher than eye level, either. (Unless there's a compelling reason for making the TV more visible or less prone to fiddling, such as in a public place) Our eyes are far more comfortble looking at a downwards angle. We spent millions of years foraging for stuff in the undergrowth rather than up trees, and the development of our eyes reflect this.

02-03-2009, 08:13	#12
IvanIV Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 25,199	Quote: Originally Posted by scruffpot http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uima...ace2012309.jpg http://chooseyourpriceinstallation.c...ily%20Room.jpg this is what i mean especially the 2nd one, like having the speakers up there are going to make a bit of difference, only if you sit on a stool then you might geta bit of surround sound It's just there's a free wall over the fireplace and the fireplace is a higher priority, it's taking the place where the TV should have been. In the first picture the TV is placed very high so unless they have something to support their head/neck it must be very uncomfortable to watch that TV. But maybe it's not the main TV set and is more an accessory.

02-03-2009, 09:08	#13
margophile Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 15	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin Viewing angle isn't a problem, decent LCD's have massive viewing angles. I have no wish to hijack this thread but in spite of what you say Nigel, I am still having great difficulty finding a 19" LCD TV with a wide enough vertical viewing angle to allow me to view it in the designated TV position in my caravan, the rotatable shelf is about 5' from the floor. It's my opinion that for PQ and comfort, if not for style, TVs should be positioned,when possible, at or slightly below seated eye level.

02-03-2009, 11:15	#14
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by margophile I have no wish to hijack this thread but in spite of what you say Nigel, I am still having great difficulty finding a 19" LCD TV with a wide enough vertical viewing angle to allow me to view it in the designated TV position in my caravan, the rotatable shelf is about 5' from the floor. It's my opinion that for PQ and comfort, if not for style, TVs should be positioned,when possible, at or slightly below seated eye level. Check Sony ones, they are usually the best for viewing angle - but I would always advise that a TV should be at eye height anyway.

02-03-2009, 18:39	#15
louise1966 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: workington, cumbria Posts: 3,384	Quote: Originally Posted by scruffpot Is there anyone out there who can convince me this is a good idea?as i think it isn't? When i watch tv i dont want my head to be angled at 50 degrees upwards - i just want straight ahead viewing.(ok depends how tall you are) but would lcd mounted in this position be effected by viewing angle ? I just walked past some houses last night on my way out and saw people with smallish front rooms about 3metres away from thier 50" tvs mounted half way up a wall above a fireplace... (ok i want peeping through windows but they didnt have curtains pulled, so a sneaking glance) Would a tv get hot from the rising heat as well? Also if you have a fireplace isnt that a folcal point and then the tv is situated away from it.. I hate the look of tvs above fireplaces is it just a bit tacky? or can you convince me otherwise? I don't, and won't, have mine on the wall. But I wouldn't criticise anyone else for doing so. People have different tastes; if someone thinks an LCD TV looks good propped up against a wall, that is their choice.

02-03-2009, 21:27	#16
smitj017 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maidenhead, Berkshire Posts: 492	if you go ahed, dont get a samsung 5 (i think) seris. we went into a local electrical retailer (lakes) and they showed us a big issue with veiwing angles

03-03-2009, 14:17	#17
indianwells Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 12,236	Our 50" Plasma is above the fireplace because it was the only practical place for it. We don't use the fireplace anyway. The room is large and we sit 20' from the screen. Works perfectly for us, tacky or not.

03-03-2009, 14:51	#18
cordunkni Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 262	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin Check Sony ones, they are usually the best for viewing angle Quote: Originally Posted by smitj017 if you go ahed, dont get a samsung 5 (i think) seris. we went into a local electrical retailer (lakes) and they showed us a big issue with veiwing angles I love the internet! Samsung & Sony panels are unlikely to be that different... e.g. http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Pr...14E/index.html

03-03-2009, 15:52	#19
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by cordunkni I love the internet! Samsung & Sony panels are unlikely to be that different... e.g. http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Pr...14E/index.html We sell both Sony and Samsung LCD sets - and have them on display side by side, the viewing angle on the Sony sets is far superior. I'm fully aware that most Sony sets (but not all) use S-LCD panels, which is a consortium of Samsung and Sony. But all the Samsung's I've had in pieces use Samsung badged panels, and not S-LCD badged ones like the Sony's do. It may be that Sony only use higher spec panels?, but certainly their viewing angle beats the Samsung sets we sell.

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Flat screen tvs above fireplaces.. are just a bit tacky