I keep sharing the same thing, the guideline is that it should be at the same height as from where you are watching it...that said, I like the TV over the fireplace
4 months ago
An ideal location places the center of the TV screen level with or just a bit above your eyes. For instance, when sitting on a couch, typical eye height is 40-42 inches thus the center of the TV should be 3-4 feet from the floor. THX advises that the screen be placed so that viewers don't have to look up more than 15°.
http://www.thx.com/consumer/home-entertainment/home-theater/hdtv-set-up/3 months ago
TVs above the fireplace often look good from a room design viewpoint but they are almost always way too high for viewing comfortably. As noted in other comments, center of TV should be only slightly higher than eye height of seated viewer.
7 weeks ago
That TV absolutely ruins a nicely composed scene of fireplace mantel and bookshelves. The paint on that mantel is amazing.
7 weeks ago
Too high will cause eye strain and maybe even headaches.
7 weeks ago
Have you ever sat in the front roll at the movie theater? How high is your fireplace? If you must have the flat screen above the fireplace, get some comfortable bar chairs. My son has his flat screen high up; at home our flat screen in on a existing built in cabinet, 32” high, I’m not comfortable with this height. Good luck.
7 weeks ago
Our TV is above the mantel on our fireplace and I watch it every night with no problem. My suggestions are to make sure the mount allows you to adjust the set so that it is tilted slightly down. Make sure your chair is comfortable to sit in and gives you proper neck support when looking up at the television. Finally, place your viewing chair or couch far enough away so that the angle you're tilting your head up at isn't too great and you'll be fine. For example, we have a 42" plasma screen at a height of 6 feet, my head when sitting in the chair is about 3 feet off the ground, and the chair is about 12 feet back from the television. This means that I'm elevating my gaze about 14 degrees off of horizontal which isn't too bad. I also recommend back-lighting the TV which reduces eye strain.
7 weeks ago
TV is on bracket that tilts down and we've never had to tilt it down even with younger children. Our couch is regular height. No issues at all!
12 days ago
One primary factor is the distance your seating is from the TV. Our rule of thumb is that most folks'll be OK if they are sitting ten feet or more away from the TV, but might be uncomfortable if they are closer.
9 days ago
I don't think the TV ruins the look of anything.. It looks great. I prefer the TV to be above the fireplace as opposed to next to it-which irritates me because it seems to off balance the room. Anyhooo, we don't have an issue looking up, no neck strain, no headaches, maybe if we sat directly under say a foot away, then yes, but who sits that close to a TV anyway.
9 days ago
Times and technology have changed. The old formulas of height and distance and viewing angle must be taken with a rather big grain of salt. Todays Plasma TVs have incredible viewing angles. Also, most people slouch when looking at TV, thus the viewing angle is improved.
We have supplied custom units to 1000's of clients. Approximated 75% go above fireplaces. In most cases where the client insisted the TV had to be tilted, the TV was never tilted.
Having the screen center near eye level is fine for a dedicated home theater, but the trend of design and lifestyle has put the TV in the entertainment/family room and most clients are happy with the necessary compromises.
9 days ago