Chimney mounted TVs...

[admin_exported]

We've just bought a stone cottage and I could really do with mounting the TV on the chimney. The general costs and limitations in the cabling alone seems to be a little prohibitive. I would need 5m+ cables for: 1x stereo interconnect, 1x component, 1x decent mains & 1x coax.

Do people really spend a small fortune on long cable runs to mount on chimneys and walls? Is heat a consideration if it's being used with a wood burner?

I think I know the answer to all of this but was wondering what other people's views were.

Cheers,
Igg

 

[Dave_]

I wouldn't even consider mounting it on the Chimney breast if the fireplace is in use.

Firstly there is the heat issue to consider,and secondly the size of the fireplace opening and surround will probably mean you'll have to mount the tv too high for a decent viewing angle and will end up with a sore neck.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I expect a very good point. I've yet to try the wood burner to see what the heat output is like on the chimney breast but something's telling me I should burn this idea completely. It's only TV so I don't really mind...

 

[Andrew Everard]

Agreed on that one.

 

[John Duncan]

You've got it all wrong anyway Ig:

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, that's a prototype rig for Freeview 3D: one aerial for the left-eye channel, one for the right...

 

[Anonymous]

So if you only got one eye then you a bit stuffed.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:Yes, that's a prototype rig for Freeview 3D: one aerial for the left-eye channel, one for the right...

Ah, I see. So I can have one TV each side of the chimney in the alcove, and wear some special glasses to "locate the image" onto the breast...

 

[John Duncan]

So to speak.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Paulthefilmfan:So if you only got one eye then you a bit stuffed.

Well yes, you won't see 3D if you only have the use of one eye.

 

[lordmortlock]

I was absolutely determined to wall mount my tv above the fire. After loads of research I established the following -

Pin a thermometer on the wall with the wood burner going - establish how hot the wall gets and if this is above the reccomended temp from the manufacturer its a no go.

Smoke can be more of an issue than heat - sucking into tv fans etc.

Its an easier job if the wall is plastered as you can simply re plaster after chasing in all the cables. Its a right pain if its exposed stone as you've got to take out the pointing, tuck cable in and re point. Theres also a potential heat issue with the cables then - spesh with a wood burner.

I had to chase in a 4m HDMI lead, mains lead and three runs of cable to the L/C/R speakers, not to mention taking up the floor for the rears and lowering my recently made Stone fireplace so that the viewing angle was right. I'm really pleased with the results and its great having the tv dead centre as the surround really works but it was a lot of work... all a bit of a faff really.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Oh, and bear in mind that mounting it above a fireplace may put the screen too high for comfortable viewing, unless you invest in one of these

 

[mjs]

Andrew Everard:Oh, and bear in mind that mounting it above a fireplace may put the screen too high for comfortable viewing, unless you invest in one of these

Nah. I had one of those, and every time I sat in/on it to view something I really wanted to watch- I fell asleep! But I agree all these wall mounted TV`s are way too high, suppose you could stand up and watch.

 

[lordmortlock]

Mine works really well actually - although admittedly only after butchering a perfectly nice fireplace

 

[Anonymous]

Fantastic tips there, not to mention experience-bites! I might just not bother. Sounds very lazy, and yes, it is.

 

[lordmortlock]

I'll stick some pics up later Iggs if I get time - give you some idea of the carnage

 

[Anonymous]

Just take the fire out and put a 50inch plasma in there . That'll give you enough heat !

 

[Miggs]

We moved into a house last Feb, 08. That to has a wood burning stove in the living room. A TV would look good on the chinmey, except for one thing, the heat comming out of the fire. When you get the fire going in the winter the heat that comes out of the wood burner is tremendous. They really do pump out a lot of heat. TV on the chimney, don't think so.

Miggs

 

[mjs]

Miggs:
We moved into a house last Feb, 08. That to has a wood burning stove in the living room. A TV would look good on the chinmey, except for one thing, the heat comming out of the fire. When you get the fire going in the winter the heat that comes out of the wood burner is tremendous. They really do pump out a lot of heat. TV on the chimney, don't think so.

Miggs

What did you live in before last Feb???

 

[bigboss]

TV above fireplace is a very tricky issue, especially if it involves burning wood. The manufacturers won't honour their warranty if anything goes wrong due to the heat / smoke.

I got mine installed above a gas fireplace after getting the mantle height down to 1m. I'm not planning to use the fireplace, though.....my home cinema system generates enough heat already!

It's a bit high, but with a recliner, it's at eye level.

I'm not able to attach a picture of my home cinema to show how it looks. How do I do that?