ncorace is correct . . . I don't think a there is TV manufacturer in this world that will honor a warranty claim if they figure out you had it mounted directly over a source of heat. However, a large number of the fireplaces we install have TVs over the top.

There isn't much convective heat (hot air) coming out of a direct-vent fireplace like the one shown. The real danger is over unvented fireplaces, where practically all of the heat is convective, especially without some sort of mantel shelf to deflect the heat.

I'd suggest talking to a seasoned fireplace pro about your specific application.

I would not hang a TV above a working fireplace unless you want to replace it soon.

man oh man...yes you can put a tv over a fireplace AND. you have more risk of heat with a direct vent.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why do you say there is more risk of heat from a direct vent, fixitlouie?

let me explain how fireplaces function. assuming there are no drafting issues masonry,modular and b-vent fireplaces all use room air to operate. heat out put is radiant typically just in front of firebox. the air is moving from inside the house to the outside. a direct vent fireplaces uses no room air. all heat will move in front as well as rise rolling off mantel and going into room. I have installed hundreds of fireplaces...the biggest challenge I deal with is adequate air to allow proper drafting, but thats a whole other topic

I misunderstood. I thought you meant heat was more of a concern with a gas direct vent than with an unvented fireplace. I did not realize you were comparing it with natural vent fireplaces, where efficiency is negligible.

We are in the final stages of our fireplace install and have a 52" flat panel TV recessed above ours. It looks similar to this however we built a 10" deep recessed box for the TV, there is no issue with heat as it rises past the front of the TV.

The hardest part of the install was how to frame the box and what materials to use. Our fireplace required that there be no combustable materials within 32" above the unit. This meant we needed to use metal studs and cement board.

We built our wall 2' deep by 8' wide which allowed enough room for the box, wiring, cable conduit and speaker tucked away above the TV.