Mounting TV over fireplace vs TV unit

dubdub123

Registered User
Messages
605
Im about to get keys for my house (following months of viewings, bidding etc)
Ive puchased a flat screen tv and had planned to buy tv cabinet, but might get it mounted over fireplace.
I will have some consoles to connect intermittently.
Any feedback would be appreciated regarding pros/cons.
I also see that installer.ie will install - anyone use these?
Thanks!
 
Open fire or stove? Heat from the fireplace may be an issue. Likely not as much a problem with newer LCDs than it was for plasmas, but operating in a hot environment will shorten the lifespan. a decent shelf redirecting airflow would help there.

The other main issue is viewing height. Ideally you want the screen centered at eye level. How comfortable a high mounting position will be for extended viewing will depend on how far away from the set you are.

The other thing to consider is hiding all the cables. Where are the power sockets and where will the consoles live?
 
If yours is a 53" or less I suggest you buy a television support which attaches to a frame you connect to four screw holes on the back of your new television. This support costs around €70.00 and fits all new flat screen tv sets (check for one that suits your television). This can be mounted on even a small press and usually the television can be raised or lowered a few inches to accommodate your preferred height or additional speakers for sound improvement. It also allows for tilting the television. With this stand you can move your television easily from room to room. The lot is available from all television outlets and will save you buying a dedicated press. Fitting will take 30 minutes or even less if you're handy.

Flat Screen Television Over Fireplace:- Very Noughties, Mrs Lep would pull it down and fire the lot into the nearest skip without even switching it off. If she didn't . . . I would! (Hope this doesn't offend).
 
I installed a TV above my fireplace myself for practical reasons, the room is going to be more of a playroom / day room so we wanted to leave the space either side of the chimney breast free rather than for a tv unit.

Regarding the viewing height, I bought a TV mount that allows for angle changes which helps when sitting lower than the TV. If you google you can find an equation for distance / height mounting recommendations for best viewing experience. I didn't chase the walls and luckily the plug socket is on the side of the chimney breast. I just bought some white plastic trunking from amazon to hide the wires, I plan to paint as the same colour as the wall to further disguise. I also fitted the sky box to the side of the chimney breast so everything sits neartly out of view.

If you have a drill, and a level it is relatively straightforward to install yourself otherwise installer.ie is probably around 150 euro.
 
We have ours on a cabinet that is eye level with the sofa and chairs. Took 5 minutes to take the tv out of the box and put it on the cabinet. Easy access to cables, plugs etc. No need to spirit levels, drills, brackets, hiding cables and arguments on whether the thing is straight!
 
I don't have to move that cabinet once a week for hoovering.
 
Don't light the fire or better still, block it up permanently. It should be illegal to light fires soon anyway.