How To Hang A TV Above A Fireplace.
A
nice modern, artificial (usually gas powered) fire can be an attractive
feature in any living room. The fireplace is usually the focal point
and it can make for great aesthetics if a smart PDP can be placed above
it. But can you do it?
In a word yes... But there are a few precautions and checks.
Safety, generally speaking is not really the main issue. If your
fireplace is a good old fashioned coal or wood burning thing where
loads of smoke and debris (embers, ash) etc are emitted then you
absolutely should NOT put anything electrical or plastic anywhere near
it.
I guess most people who have a fireplace and are considering putting a
flat panel Plasma above it probably have an artificial fire. This is a
totally different matter because the fumes, smoke and other debris
given off is almost zero. In this instance the issue is temperature.
This post will explain what to check for.
OK, so the important factor is temperature. If an LCD TV (or any
wides-screen beauty for that matter) is used when the temperature is
too hot then it will significantly reduce the life of the television.
So the question of course is how hot is too hot? Different makes and
models will state different operating temperatures but as a good rule
of thumb if the temperature around the Plasma Display Panel is less
than 90 degrees then everything should be, well cool, and the life of
your beloved 50" Samsung (or whatever) screen should be unaffected.
Even a little higher than 90 is probably fine as well. If your a one
for detail then check your manual.
This method should enable you to decide if it is possible or wise to
put the LCD super cinema above the fire. Tape a thermometer to the wall
near where you intend to position the bottom edge of the TV. This is
the hottest point. Now turn the fire on and give it a good roaring for
a while. If the thermometer is 90 or less your gorgeous 50" Sony Screen
should be fine and dandy.
Even if the temperature is a bit higher it does not necessarily mean
you cannot hang it there. Just that you should be more cautious. Some
precautions you can take are not using the Panel at the same time as
the fire or only using the TV for short periods when the hearth is
roaring.
The last point is that you will probably want to mount you 42" super
television with a slight tilt. Plasma has the best viewing angles but
even in that case (especially because of the light source directly
beneath it) a slight tilt will make the picture easier on the eye and
help avoid eye strain etc. With LCD TVs where the viewing angle is not
so good then a slight tilt is probably essential.
My last caution would be that when you clean your fireplace (and if its
gas have it checked as well by a professional) be sure to cover you
liquid crystal (or whatever) display as dirt, dust and soot can damage
the electrical components. And give it a quick clean afterwards as well
be extra careful not to wipe the display area when there is debris on
it..
