How high is too high to mount a plasma?

[Descartes]

I know that mounting over a fireplace is common, but I'm a little worried that it might actually be too high in my case.

I recently purchased a 50" Panasonic, and the bottom of the screen would be ~60" off the ground if I mounted over my fireplace. The room was practically designed around this idea though. There is a "smart tube" in the wall, a recessed electrical outlet and cabinets on both sides of a fireplace. Here is a pic (crappy phone pic, sorry).

Anyway, I'm just looking for some opinions. I will likely need a tilt mount, but I'd like to know if anyone else has mounted it this high.

Thanks much. Loving the plasma. I have a 50" Samsung DLP that I could also use if the plasma doesn't work for this room.

 

[olds]

Your neck might get sore watching it and it's nice to have the front speakers around the same height of the TV for DD sound/effects.
Other than that, I see no problem

 

[Rio Rebel]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I know that mounting over a fireplace is common, but I'm a little worried that it might actually be too high in my case.

I recently purchased a 50" Panasonic, and the bottom of the screen would be ~60" off the ground if I mounted over my fireplace. The room was practically designed around this idea though. There is a "smart tube" in the wall, a recessed electrical outlet and cabinets on both sides of a fireplace. Here is a pic (crappy phone pic, sorry).

Anyway, I'm just looking for some opinions. I will likely need a tilt mount, but I'd like to know if anyone else has mounted it this high.

Thanks much. Loving the plasma. I have a 50" Samsung DLP that I could also use if the plasma doesn't work for this room.

I am in a similar situation, and I decided against mounting it there because of the strain on your neck over time.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Your neck might get sore watching it and it's nice to have the front speakers around the same height of the TV for DD sound/effects.
Other than that, I see no problem

The speakers are in the ceiling. I know this won't be the setup of an audiophile's dream, but it's clean and sounds nice.

I don't know what I was thinking about the plasma though. The only reason I bought it was to mount it. Putting it in any other location ruins the whole layout of the room. Ahh well.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Your neck might get sore watching it and it's nice to have the front speakers around the same height of the TV for DD sound/effects.
Other than that, I see no problem

The speakers are in the ceiling. I know this won't be the setup of an audiophile's dream, but it's clean and sounds nice.

I don't know what I was thinking about the plasma though. The only reason I bought it was to mount it. Putting it in any other location ruins the whole layout of the room. Ahh well.

I feel for you and I am willing to help. I already have 1 50" Panny but if you want to give me that one I will get it out of there for you.

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I know that mounting over a fireplace is common, but I'm a little worried that it might actually be too high in my case.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=781476

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I know that mounting over a fireplace is common, but I'm a little worried that it might actually be too high in my case.

How far away from the display are you sitting?

 

[alrocky]

Originally posted by: Chris

Originally posted by: Descartes
I know that mounting over a fireplace is common, but I'm a little worried that it might actually be too high in my case.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=781476

From OreoJoe's post:

"For optimum viewing, the eyes of the viewer should be level with the center of the screen." And within 15-20 degrees of center.

 

[manimal]

I have a 42 incher over a fireplace and if your viewing distance is around 8-10 feet the height will matter less than if your only 5 feet away. We got a wall mount that tilted down and we measured the distance and the angle to make sure we had a optimal flat viewing experience. Get a less expensive mount from Monoprice and if it sux for you you wont feel so bad about blowing 60 bucks versus 200 dollars for what the B & E stores gip you for.

 

[fisheerman]

Des

This is the exact tv i have mounted over my fireplace.

As someone already posted the further you sit back from it the less of an issue it will be.

In my setup we are about 12 ft away. I also like to sit at my bar in the kitchen and watch it as well and it is about 20ft away.

You should be fine unless you have a really short room.

-fish

 

[Tiamat]

Technically, its easier on your neck if the screen is closer to the height of your head when you are seated. How far away will you be from the display?

You could probably get one of those wall mount arms that allow you to lower the TV several inches so that the mantle is behind the suspended TV (rather than beneath the TV) and it is at a more appropriate height with respect to your viewing angle.

 

[ObscureCaucasian]

Why not mount it IN the fireplace..... just like in the picture.

 

[LS20]

i mount mine eye-level with the center of the screen while standing.. so when im in the kitchen or walking around i can view it.

when im sitting down, at 10" away, its not too high up... seems like a very good compromise.

in my situation, above the fireplace would be too high up

 

[Descartes]

Thanks everyone, this information has been helpful.

We're going to go ahead and mount it. Not much choice really. At the very least it will look great, and we do sit a considerable distance from the plasma. The room itself is quite large, and we have a bar that sits up high and a large island that sits a little higher as well. Mounting it over the fireplace should give a nice viewing opportunity to everyone in the room. This is what it looks like before the shelves.

I'll post a pic when it gets mounted if anyone is curious. Thanks again!

 

[RupTheKid]

Descartes,

I have the same situation as you - in fact my room looks very similar to yours (less the sexy coffered ceiling ).

There a few companies out there, Sanus and K2 being more of the well-known ones, that manufacture mounts that extend out, raise, and lower. Since they're pneumatic (or motorized if you're really up for it), you can do all of the adjusting with very little force at all - just a thumb and forefinger gently pulling/pushing is all you need.

The mounts are a little more expensive than standard mounts, but the benefit is that since they conform to standards, they'll be good for years even after you replace your current display. You may want to check it out if your budget permits.

Best,

Rup

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: RupTheKid
Descartes,

I have the same situation as you - in fact my room looks very similar to yours (less the sexy coffered ceiling ).

There a few companies out there, Sanus and K2 being more of the well-known ones, that manufacture mounts that extend out, raise, and lower. Since they're pneumatic (or motorized if you're really up for it), you can do all of the adjusting with very little force at all - just a thumb and forefinger gently pulling/pushing is all you need.

The mounts are a little more expensive than standard mounts, but the benefit is that since they conform to standards, they'll be good for years even after you replace your current display. You may want to check it out if your budget permits.

Best,

Rup

Those are nice. I'm not sure I could find one that could clear my mantle and still be lowered, but maybe I'm thinking about things incorrectly. It would be nice to be able to extend out and rotate it a bit either way. I'll go take a look at these mounts.

 

[LS20]

I bought a Monoprice wall moutn for 20$ -- compare that to the 200$ avg market price ... the monoprice mount has TILT feature and slide ...albeit there is a limited range of motion, im happyu with it

 

[hemiram]

A warning to anyone thinking about mounting a flat panel TV above a fireplace.

Doing it is just asking for neck problems! Ideally, you want the set to be centered at eye level when you are sitting where you normally watch it.

People will ignore this, and then complain of neck problems and headaches. If you are in your 20's and early 30's, it might not bother you much now, but time marches on, and later on, you WILL have problems, it's almost as certain as the sun rising in the morning. Just mounting my TV about 6" too high caused me a lot of problems. Moving it down cured them.

If you have to lift your head up from where you normally hold it to look at your TV, it's too high up!