Creative Flat Screen TV Mounting Options

[angler]

I am currently in the middle of a complete overhaul of my downstairs (pics here -http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=32276.15.msg591325).  We are kind of stalled out at this point waiting for a WSSC inspector for the heat so I can get the GF's office back into the basement.

We are going to buy a larger flat screen TV (>42") and I want to hide it.  I don't like TV's being the focal point of the room, but I like big TVs.  So, I am thinking of building a cabinet with an electronic lift in it.  I would want to put said cabinet all the way back on the wall you barely see with in the following picture - the one with all the books on it.



That would put the TV about 20 feet from where we want to put the couch (couch would be at the POV of the camera essentially), which seems way too far.  First question for those with big TVs, is that too far?  I found this calculator which says I am on the edge of max distance if I buy a 50" diagonal screen http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

So, instead I'm thinking about mounting it on an arm just in from the new corner in the above picture.  Most of the arms I have found extend but only swivel less than 45 degrees, which wouldn't work.  I have found one arm that will extend and swivel up to 90 degrees built for large TVs.   Another option I have thought of is to find or fab a super duty hinge and mount the TV to the back of a cabinet door (TV faces wall when stowed).  Open the door and there is the TV.....

Thoughts?  I can't do a recessed mount into the wall anywhere and I don't like ceiling mounts (makes for odd viewing angles).  Anyone done something similar or seen something similar?  I know there are some great cabinet makers and big TV fans on this board......

[mookieo2]

I think 20' is a little too far for a 42". I have an older model Peerless swing arm that will do about 170 deg laying around that is brand new if your interested . If you are going to spend the money on a lift (and it WILL cost more than the TV) maybe look into getting one of the lifts that slides a picture over or to the side of the tv. There are also picture frames that have pictures roel up inside to reveal a tv inside.

Do not use Auton. There products are garbage. I ordered a projector lift for one of my customers and it looked like some guy made it in his garage and painted it with rustoleum. For 5g`s they could have at least powdercoated it.

The simplest and most cost effective solution is to just build a cabinet with doors and open the doors when you want to watch TV

[Bun-bun]

Our living room is 30' long, and my chair puts my eyes 18' from my 50" TV, and I have no problems at all. I suggest you purchase the TV first, set your viewing area up, and see if you feel the need to change the viewing area at that point, rather than putting $$ into something that may not be necessary.
Experts have told me that the vertical line of sight is more important than the distance from the set. Your eyes should be centered on the vertical midpoint of the TV.
For reference purposes, our bedroom TV is 40" and sits 12' from the head of the bed(where our heads rest on the pillows). I would not want that TV much further away than it currently sits
Since you say you like a big TV, buy at least a 50-55" set. It'll give you more viewing options.

[angler]

I think 20' is a little too far for a 42". I have an older model Peerless swing arm that will do about 170 deg laying around that is brand new if your interested . If you are going to spend the money on a lift (and it WILL cost more than the TV) maybe look into getting one of the lifts that slides a picture over or to the side of the tv. There are also picture frames that have pictures roel up inside to reveal a tv inside.

Do not use Auton. There products are garbage. I ordered a projector lift for one of my customers and it looked like some guy made it in his garage and painted it with rustoleum. For 5g`s they could have at least powdercoated it.

The simplest and most cost effective solution is to just build a cabinet with doors and open the doors when you want to watch TV

Yeah I found that out.  I had no idea the lift would cost more than the TV when I started down this path.  I may end up building a cabinet with a door........

Which model Peerless do you have?  I might be interested....... At the end of the day, putting the TV on an arm at that corner is the least preferred option.

Our living room is 30' long, and my chair puts my eyes 18' from my 50" TV, and I have no problems at all. I suggest you purchase the TV first, set your viewing area up, and see if you feel the need to change the viewing area at that point, rather than putting $$ into something that may not be necessary.
Experts have told me that the vertical line of sight is more important than the distance from the set. Your eyes should be centered on the vertical midpoint of the TV.
For reference purposes, our bedroom TV is 40" and sits 12' from the head of the bed(where our heads rest on the pillows). I would not want that TV much further away than it currently sits
Since you say you like a big TV, buy at least a 50-55" set. It'll give you more viewing options.

I currently have a 36" Sony and sit about 12' from it and its great.  A little low, but great.  I totally agree that the vertical is more important.

I'm currently looking at Sony TVs.  I am a big fan of Sony products and they have some great new 50"+ TVs.

+1 on trying things out. Before we make any big changes or actually even buy the TV we are going to play with room configuration a lot. 

[Bun-bun]

My 50" is a Sony. Nice TV. The 40" is a Vizio. Incredibly, I think the Vizio has a better picture. Both are 2+ years old, neither has given any problems. A friend of ours has a 50" LG and has had it repaired 3 times in 2 years.

[DesmoDiva]

The clients we just did an addition for are mounting a 54" TV to the wall in their new family room. They went with the Solidmounts UADD-800 Dual Arm Articulating mount 40" to  58" [UADD-800]

We had to add significant reinforcing (slight overkill) to accommodate the mount and weight of the TV.

Behind the drywall:



In front of the drywall:



Don't have a pict of the TV mounted on it yet.  

[Popeye the Sailor]

We hate the focal point TV thing, but we're currently considering a Hi-def projector and a screen that rolls up into the ceiling-might be something that you could consider.

[JEFF_H]

monoprice is a good place for mounts

i wish i could mount mine above the fireplace in a frame...but the mantle is just way too high.

[angler]

The clients we just did an addition for are mounting a 54" TV to the wall in their new family room. They went with the Solidmounts UADD-800 Dual Arm Articulating mount 40" to  58" [UADD-800]

We had to add significant reinforcing (slight overkill) to accommodate the mount and weight of the TV.

WOW that is some crazy reinforcement.  I definitely don't want to open that wall again!  Was the reinforcement recommended in the install instructions or more of a might as well type of thing since you had the wall open.  I would love to seen pics of the arm installed an in use. That looks like a great project.  I love the PVC wire chase - totally flexible in terms of adding TV inputs.  Don't need to worry what kind of panel to mount and how things might change in the future.  Totally cool idea for the future remodel bank......

EDIT - the mount you link to is the one I like the most - it seems to do everything I want.  What are your impressions with the mount?

We hate the focal point TV thing, but we're currently considering a Hi-def projector and a screen that rolls up into the ceiling-might be something that you could consider.

GF doesn't like the idea of a projector.  I do, but I have read that they aren't the best for casual TV watching - much better for movies.  Ambient light is always a problem with projectors as well.

[mookieo2]

We hate the focal point TV thing, but we're currently considering a Hi-def projector and a screen that rolls up into the ceiling-might be something that you could consider.

I was going to suggest that but some people don`t like the warm up and cool down times of a projector for everyday tv viewing.

My 50" is a Sony. Nice TV. The 40" is a Vizio. Incredibly, I think the Vizio has a better picture. Both are 2+ years old, neither has given any problems. A friend of ours has a 50" LG and has had it repaired 3 times in 2 years.

Not to bash the Vizio but it is probably "perceived" better because it is set to be more vibrant and brighter. The Sony is probably more accurate. They play tricks on you in the showroom. When you get the TV home it is usually set on Vivid mode and looks like sh$t.  Watch any kind of fast motion closely and look for a blur. Scrolling text acroos the bottom of the screen is a good example of video processing capabilities. Look for how jerky it is on a poor lcd. I am an ISF certified video calibrator. When you go to a store to buy a tv most people will buy the one that stands out. It is all a game. Unless you are educated in the process you will not look for video processing and color accuracy. If I had my choice for regular tv viewing of a 50" and under I would still get a 720p plasma anyday over anything out there. If you are watching BD`s then obviously a 1080p set is better but a good quality 720p plasma, which are really hard to find will beat a 1080p LCD anyday in producing an accurate picture. I just finished a high end restaurant and installed 3 -720p Panasonic pro plasma`s and everyone could not believe that they were only 720p.


DD you gus trying to mount a 100" plasma off that wall. Its better to be safe and the walls were open so why not. You really don`t have to reinforce the wall. The bracket is designed to catch two or three studs and support the TV.

[DesmoDiva]

WOW that is some crazy reinforcement.  I definitely don't want to open that wall again!  Was the reinforcement recommended in the install instructions or more of a might as well type of thing since you had the wall open.  I would love to seen pics of the arm installed an in use. That looks like a great project.  I love the PVC wire chase - totally flexible in terms of adding TV inputs.  Don't need to worry what kind of panel to mount and how things might change in the future.  Totally cool idea for the future remodel bank......

EDIT - the mount you link to is the one I like the most - it seems to do everything I want.  What are your impressions with the mount?

A little bit of both....that size of a tv is big $$$ just to have hanging there.  The steel appeased the client.

I'll snap some more picts the next time I'm over there. 

I have yet to see the mount with the TV on it.

The client did the PVC work himself.  He already has all the speaker wire run and was smart to put the caps on to keep drywall mudd out of the pipes.  Really through off the electrical inspector, he thought the were putting in a kitchen.   

DD you gus trying to mount a 100" plasma off that wall. Its better to be safe and the walls were open so why not. You really don`t have to reinforce the wall. The bracket is designed to catch two or three studs and support the TV.

Nope, just a 54".   

[mookieo2]

As long as the client is happy and comfortable that is the main thing. Good job.

[rgramjet]

I mounted our 58" Samsung Plasma on a bracket purchased from Costco.  Think it was $119.  Comes with tilting mounts and horizontal mounts.  The wall bracket comes pre punched so you can catch 2 adjacent studs with ease, plenty of room for wires and power.  Lots of left/right adjustablility without havin to move the wall bracket. Even comes with a lockable security bar so your TV cant be stolen. I give it .

Projectors usually have loud little fans which are annoying.

My plasma is 16' from my skull where I usually sit.  TV midpoint is 56" and my eye level is 42" while seated.  Over 16' its not too bad.  I think a TV can look "too low", plus Ive got a couple of greasy pawed 3.5 year old gremlins that like to decorate things with Sharpies......30' of red sharpie on new green couch=OUCH!

How about a beefy, nicely grained piece of rustic or exotic wood to act as a shelf for the TV?

[angler]

How about a beefy, nicely grained piece of rustic or exotic wood to act as a shelf for the TV?

Why, you got one laying around?  I like that idea, however my main objective is to hide the thing behind a panel or a door or something.

[rgramjet]

Check out Exotic Lumber off 124 near the airpark/Battleys.  Im sure they have a chunk of natural edged something or other that you will like.  Everytime I go there, my mind races with project ideas.  They had a few slabs of Bubinga, 5' wide x 13' long x 10/4.........I visibly drooled.