TV nook
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We're having our home built in Georgia and I have a dilemma with my entertainment system. Our system will be over the fireplace in a nook that the builder threw in for free. There is wiring in the nook to in ceiling speakers. You can see all of this in the picture[^]. The dilemma, is that my TV, DVD player, receiver, and a cable box need to be in there. So, I need some type of component stand underneath the TV. The dimensions of the nook are constrained 55" x 40" x 28". The two ideas I had were to build a low-profile stand (my measurements show that I can spare 12" high), or some type of shelving attached to the sides of the nook. I am not good at building things, but a friend is the only problem is that once I move I'd have to wait awhile to get my system setup, because we'd need to build the stand. The adjustable shelving system sounds promising, but I have no idea where to get something that would be good for this application. Does anyone have recommendations or ideas I haven't considered?
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We're having our home built in Georgia and I have a dilemma with my entertainment system. Our system will be over the fireplace in a nook that the builder threw in for free. There is wiring in the nook to in ceiling speakers. You can see all of this in the picture[^]. The dilemma, is that my TV, DVD player, receiver, and a cable box need to be in there. So, I need some type of component stand underneath the TV. The dimensions of the nook are constrained 55" x 40" x 28". The two ideas I had were to build a low-profile stand (my measurements show that I can spare 12" high), or some type of shelving attached to the sides of the nook. I am not good at building things, but a friend is the only problem is that once I move I'd have to wait awhile to get my system setup, because we'd need to build the stand. The adjustable shelving system sounds promising, but I have no idea where to get something that would be good for this application. Does anyone have recommendations or ideas I haven't considered?
When we first moved into our townhouse, we had the same hole in the wall and thought what a great idea. Then we realized that rabit ears don't fit in there and only a receiver for cable would fit in there, since most TVs are relatively big compared to the hole. So we realized how much of a nuisance the hole was after a while. :(
There are II kinds of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who understand Roman numerals. Web - Blog - RSS - Math
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We're having our home built in Georgia and I have a dilemma with my entertainment system. Our system will be over the fireplace in a nook that the builder threw in for free. There is wiring in the nook to in ceiling speakers. You can see all of this in the picture[^]. The dilemma, is that my TV, DVD player, receiver, and a cable box need to be in there. So, I need some type of component stand underneath the TV. The dimensions of the nook are constrained 55" x 40" x 28". The two ideas I had were to build a low-profile stand (my measurements show that I can spare 12" high), or some type of shelving attached to the sides of the nook. I am not good at building things, but a friend is the only problem is that once I move I'd have to wait awhile to get my system setup, because we'd need to build the stand. The adjustable shelving system sounds promising, but I have no idea where to get something that would be good for this application. Does anyone have recommendations or ideas I haven't considered?
So it's a non-functional fireplace? ;) I'm only asking because I can't imagine leaning in on tip toes over a roaring fireplace trying to put a dvd in, or the amount of heat that would build up in there with the chimney likely right behind it. 90 degrees is the absolute environmental limit for a plasma tv, probably for other equipment as well. Adjustable shelving strong enough to hold a tv is going to require shelf brackets that will have some height to them, i.e. they won't be perfectly flat so you need to subtract that wasted space from your calculations, also they won't look very nice in there since it's so high you will see the brackets all the time. Unless you paint it all black inside. Have you given thought to the fact that a mantel over a fireplace is historically and all but inevitably going to be a place for "feminine touches" like picture frames, plants etc and factor that into the height, clearance to the equipment for remote controls etc. Personally I'd go for some kind of steel grill type stuff so air can flow around in there as much as possible. I'm about 100% certain that if you went to a local audio visual place that specializes in home theaters they would give you all the practical options and sources to get it done.
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We're having our home built in Georgia and I have a dilemma with my entertainment system. Our system will be over the fireplace in a nook that the builder threw in for free. There is wiring in the nook to in ceiling speakers. You can see all of this in the picture[^]. The dilemma, is that my TV, DVD player, receiver, and a cable box need to be in there. So, I need some type of component stand underneath the TV. The dimensions of the nook are constrained 55" x 40" x 28". The two ideas I had were to build a low-profile stand (my measurements show that I can spare 12" high), or some type of shelving attached to the sides of the nook. I am not good at building things, but a friend is the only problem is that once I move I'd have to wait awhile to get my system setup, because we'd need to build the stand. The adjustable shelving system sounds promising, but I have no idea where to get something that would be good for this application. Does anyone have recommendations or ideas I haven't considered?
I'm going to second everything John said and add my own experience. In our last house, we had a window over the fireplace. The heat from the fireplace, which we used about a dozen times over the course of 9 years, caused the window to crack. I can't bear to think what fireplace heat (remember, heat rises) will do to a plasma TV.
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So it's a non-functional fireplace? ;) I'm only asking because I can't imagine leaning in on tip toes over a roaring fireplace trying to put a dvd in, or the amount of heat that would build up in there with the chimney likely right behind it. 90 degrees is the absolute environmental limit for a plasma tv, probably for other equipment as well. Adjustable shelving strong enough to hold a tv is going to require shelf brackets that will have some height to them, i.e. they won't be perfectly flat so you need to subtract that wasted space from your calculations, also they won't look very nice in there since it's so high you will see the brackets all the time. Unless you paint it all black inside. Have you given thought to the fact that a mantel over a fireplace is historically and all but inevitably going to be a place for "feminine touches" like picture frames, plants etc and factor that into the height, clearance to the equipment for remote controls etc. Personally I'd go for some kind of steel grill type stuff so air can flow around in there as much as possible. I'm about 100% certain that if you went to a local audio visual place that specializes in home theaters they would give you all the practical options and sources to get it done.
It's a ventless, gas fireplace. They are 99.8% efficient, so heat isn't going to be leaking around it, but it will be projected out through the front. Even with that considered, I really don't see the occasion that I will be using the TV at the same time as the fireplace. But, that aside. Whether or not I'm going to use the nook is not the question. I'll see if I can find a local specialty place. The typical places Best Buy, Circuit City, et al. are jokes. So, I'd appreciate it if you had particular products or companies that I could research online.
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When we first moved into our townhouse, we had the same hole in the wall and thought what a great idea. Then we realized that rabit ears don't fit in there and only a receiver for cable would fit in there, since most TVs are relatively big compared to the hole. So we realized how much of a nuisance the hole was after a while. :(
There are II kinds of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who understand Roman numerals. Web - Blog - RSS - Math
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I'm going to second everything John said and add my own experience. In our last house, we had a window over the fireplace. The heat from the fireplace, which we used about a dozen times over the course of 9 years, caused the window to crack. I can't bear to think what fireplace heat (remember, heat rises) will do to a plasma TV.
I cannot picture a window over a fireplace for the life of me. I could see some of the ambient heat being a problem if I were using the TV at the same time, but I don't plan on using them both at the same time. Do you have any suggestions for solving my question regarding the components?
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So it's a non-functional fireplace? ;) I'm only asking because I can't imagine leaning in on tip toes over a roaring fireplace trying to put a dvd in, or the amount of heat that would build up in there with the chimney likely right behind it. 90 degrees is the absolute environmental limit for a plasma tv, probably for other equipment as well. Adjustable shelving strong enough to hold a tv is going to require shelf brackets that will have some height to them, i.e. they won't be perfectly flat so you need to subtract that wasted space from your calculations, also they won't look very nice in there since it's so high you will see the brackets all the time. Unless you paint it all black inside. Have you given thought to the fact that a mantel over a fireplace is historically and all but inevitably going to be a place for "feminine touches" like picture frames, plants etc and factor that into the height, clearance to the equipment for remote controls etc. Personally I'd go for some kind of steel grill type stuff so air can flow around in there as much as possible. I'm about 100% certain that if you went to a local audio visual place that specializes in home theaters they would give you all the practical options and sources to get it done.
John Cardinal wrote:
Have you given thought to the fact that a mantel over a fireplace is historically and all but inevitably going to be a place for "feminine touches" like picture frames, plants etc and factor that into the height, clearance to the equipment for remote controls etc.
By the way, the wife was much happier to have the separate living room all to herself; and only have limited decoration control on the mantle.
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I cannot picture a window over a fireplace for the life of me. I could see some of the ambient heat being a problem if I were using the TV at the same time, but I don't plan on using them both at the same time. Do you have any suggestions for solving my question regarding the components?
I'd go with the low profile stand. If you're not handy, have someone you know cut 1x12s to width. Put two of them front to back on 2-foot long on-edge 1x8s (or whatever height you want), spaced every 12 to 16 inches. You could have this wood cut in a couple of minutes, pound in a few nails, and start using it right away, or you could get fancy and do a bit of sanding and gluing, nailing and screwing, then paint it all white to match the trim.
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I'm going to second everything John said and add my own experience. In our last house, we had a window over the fireplace. The heat from the fireplace, which we used about a dozen times over the course of 9 years, caused the window to crack. I can't bear to think what fireplace heat (remember, heat rises) will do to a plasma TV.
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We're having our home built in Georgia and I have a dilemma with my entertainment system. Our system will be over the fireplace in a nook that the builder threw in for free. There is wiring in the nook to in ceiling speakers. You can see all of this in the picture[^]. The dilemma, is that my TV, DVD player, receiver, and a cable box need to be in there. So, I need some type of component stand underneath the TV. The dimensions of the nook are constrained 55" x 40" x 28". The two ideas I had were to build a low-profile stand (my measurements show that I can spare 12" high), or some type of shelving attached to the sides of the nook. I am not good at building things, but a friend is the only problem is that once I move I'd have to wait awhile to get my system setup, because we'd need to build the stand. The adjustable shelving system sounds promising, but I have no idea where to get something that would be good for this application. Does anyone have recommendations or ideas I haven't considered?
I would go with having a low-profile shelf built. If you try to go 55" width with adjustable shelving the shelving material will sag. If you put the adjusters to the rear the 28" depth would require very large brackets (not available), 16" would probably be the largest you could find. You could add the stand after the fact...A friend of mine had a system and when he upgraded from a 42" to a 46" we built the stand and then just lifted the TV, put the stand under it and rerouted a few wires. I also recommend this method because 12" is not a lot of space to try and run wires and such through and shelving is not stable when doing this. Hope this helps. Mike
Started out with nothing and still have most of it left!
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We're having our home built in Georgia and I have a dilemma with my entertainment system. Our system will be over the fireplace in a nook that the builder threw in for free. There is wiring in the nook to in ceiling speakers. You can see all of this in the picture[^]. The dilemma, is that my TV, DVD player, receiver, and a cable box need to be in there. So, I need some type of component stand underneath the TV. The dimensions of the nook are constrained 55" x 40" x 28". The two ideas I had were to build a low-profile stand (my measurements show that I can spare 12" high), or some type of shelving attached to the sides of the nook. I am not good at building things, but a friend is the only problem is that once I move I'd have to wait awhile to get my system setup, because we'd need to build the stand. The adjustable shelving system sounds promising, but I have no idea where to get something that would be good for this application. Does anyone have recommendations or ideas I haven't considered?
The first impression was that a TV placed over the fireplace is in itself too high for pleasant viewing. I would have probably covered that nook with a painting, and placed my entertainment system somewhere else. Thomas
-------- Micrologic Networks, India
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The first impression was that a TV placed over the fireplace is in itself too high for pleasant viewing. I would have probably covered that nook with a painting, and placed my entertainment system somewhere else. Thomas
-------- Micrologic Networks, India
Thomas George wrote:
The first impression was that a TV placed over the fireplace is in itself too high for pleasant viewing.
That was our first impression too. Then I did the match and calculated that the angle was about 13 degrees (based on where the couch will be) which gives us almost 2 degrees for variance. The maximum recommended viewing angle is 15 degrees -- saw it on a DIY show that covered home entertainment systems.
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Ed Gadziemski wrote:
we had a window over the fireplace
Where did the chimney go???
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
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I'd go with the low profile stand. If you're not handy, have someone you know cut 1x12s to width. Put two of them front to back on 2-foot long on-edge 1x8s (or whatever height you want), spaced every 12 to 16 inches. You could have this wood cut in a couple of minutes, pound in a few nails, and start using it right away, or you could get fancy and do a bit of sanding and gluing, nailing and screwing, then paint it all white to match the trim.
Ed Gadziemski wrote:
I'd go with the low profile stand.
That kind of reaffirms where I was headed. A friend where I'm moving can help me with it, because I'm not mechanically inclined. The only problem was that I'd have to wait until after we move to have a television. The design that we put together involved two 18" trays with a little area for remotes, etc. The whole thing was 12 inches high. The tray areas would be on a slide, so I could pull the components out in order to get better access to the wires.
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It's a plasma monitor, no tuner, so a cable or satellite box is a prerequisite anyway. I had the opportunity to confirm the size they could reasonably make it prior to putting it in.
We were able to put the TV on a stand with the cable box receiver just barely under it. However, we had no place to put the DVD player or VCR player or any other extra for that matter, so we ended up watching DVD's in the living room and cable in the basement. I also had a wire going from the cable outlet in the whole to my desk about ten feet away for my cable internet. Not very eye-catching. If I had a chance to choose how I'd want it, I'd ask for an entire hole in the wall to fit an entertainment center there and not just a hole in the wall.
"There are II kinds of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who understand Roman numerals." - Bassam Abdul-Baki Web - Blog - RSS - Math - LinkedIn - BM
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Ed Gadziemski wrote:
we had a window over the fireplace
Where did the chimney go???
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
Josh Gray wrote:
Where did the chimney go???
It was a natural gas fireplace. No need for a chimney.
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Ed Gadziemski wrote:
I'd go with the low profile stand.
That kind of reaffirms where I was headed. A friend where I'm moving can help me with it, because I'm not mechanically inclined. The only problem was that I'd have to wait until after we move to have a television. The design that we put together involved two 18" trays with a little area for remotes, etc. The whole thing was 12 inches high. The tray areas would be on a slide, so I could pull the components out in order to get better access to the wires.
tgrt wrote:
The design that we put together involved two 18" trays with a little area for remotes, etc. The whole thing was 12 inches high. The tray areas would be on a slide, so I could pull the components out in order to get better access to the wires.
That sounds like a winner, although you may want to go with 8 inches high if possible in case you get a taller TV in the future.
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tgrt wrote:
The design that we put together involved two 18" trays with a little area for remotes, etc. The whole thing was 12 inches high. The tray areas would be on a slide, so I could pull the components out in order to get better access to the wires.
That sounds like a winner, although you may want to go with 8 inches high if possible in case you get a taller TV in the future.
Ed Gadziemski wrote:
although you may want to go with 8 inches high if possible in case you get a taller TV in the future
I actually wanted to go with that which was perfect for the height of my receiver. But, I have three pieces that I need to consider -- receiver, DVD player, and cable box. The DVD player and cable box wouldn't fit. That's okay though. I think a 42" is going to be fine in there for a long time. If I decide I want something bigger (I'm not that hungry for those types of toys) then I can get my butt in gear finish the basement and build myself a media room.
