The fireplace in the photo above appears to be by EcoSmart, which is a bio-ethanol product:
http://www.ecosmartfire.com/en/bioethanol-fireplace-products/fireplace-inserts (the glass firescreen at the bottom edge of the fireplace opening is characteristic of their designs)

Because bio-ethanol fireplaces are unvented and generally have a smaller firebox chassis it is <i><b>possible</i></b> to place a TV more closely to the fireplace, but it is not <i><b>recommended</i></b>.

Unvented fireplaces (gas or bio-ethanol) produce mostly <b>convective</b> heat (hot air), so the heat rises right up across the face of the wall directly above the fireplace. Artwork or technology can be subjected to very high temperatures - 200 degrees F or more - in that area directly above the fireplace.

Generally speaking, it it best not to put <i>anything</i> combustible or sensitive to temperature up there. A non-combustible mantel shelf above the fireplace can help direct some heat away, but you lose some of the clean look of the arrangement above.

Ga fireplaces have very specific, defined clearances to combustibles, but none will tell you a "safe" distance at which to place your electronics. Bio-ethanol fireplaces are largely unregulated by building codes and are generally even less specific about proper clearances than gas fireplaces are.

It is possible to come up with an non-traditional arrangement where the TV is relatively low, but <i>ideal TV placement is seated eye level, and that isn't likely to happen with a fireplace underneath it.

Tom, thanks very much for the response - you've captured my dilemma in a nutshell. Unfortunately, there's no other wall to put the fireplace, so both the TV and fireplace need to occupy the same wall. The picture you posted is very similar to what we're planning on doing - the long horizontal 'bottom' of the shelving unit forms the mantel (and heat break). By mounting the fireplace as low as possible, and using a long lean fireplace, we've managed the keep the TV at a reasonable height, but I'm always looking at ways to go lower. Really appreciate your input!

Hi Tom and "Kprose". I note your post was 2011. How are your tv's holding out above the ecosmart fireplace 4 to 5 yrs on? And what clearance did you allow from the top of your fireplace to the bottom of your TV? Any words of wisdom appreciated. Cheers, Karen

Hi Karen - I'm a fireplace guy. My TV is not over my fireplace. ;-)

Maybe kprose will chime in.

I would like to know as well