If it can be done neatly, I think it's a good idea. I know how it is to not have enough wall space. :)

Your pony wall will need to be a bit taller than your railing to achieve the proper height for your TV.

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Pony wall is fine.

you can do either if you put your tv in a pop up cabinet. But the TV will look terrible there because it will be higher than a pony wall. You could actually incorporate the build of a tv lift into the pony wall, It could possible be built with a bump out and hinged lid to accomodate a tv lift.

Don't do it! I have been in many many split entry homes that have either the pony wall or the railing. The railing is sooo much better. Split entry homes are difficult enough with the little space there is for answering the door - put up the pony wall and now your guests will feel like their in a narrow hallway. I grew up in a split entry - so I feel ya.

I was just in a remodel where they opened up the entry way so you could see downstairs into the family room. Not sure how your plan is - but it was amazing and I felt like every split entry home should have been designed that way.

I don't see a tv being able to go there.

if you want the sofa there, the wall will need to be a bit higher.

so basically you want to do this

is there no other place for tv? lets see the whole room

Having had toys and a escape artist hamster fall from a loft with a railing, I think a pony wall is a good Idea. Throw some sheets or blankets over it to see how it would block the light. BTW the hamster actually survived his daring escape from his cage but was missing for 3 days.

Our second home had the railings but it wasn't as long as yours. I am not sure why you don't want the sofa there...many people have the back of their sofa visible. My son does have his TV up against his railings and I've never noticed the cords and sure it is taller than the railing but so what? I don't' think the wall is worth the time or flooring issues to bother with.

While I've placed smaller pieces of furniture against our upper level railing, the backs and undersides have to be impeccable and the impact the color and mass have on the lower level carefully considered. The photo in the example below defeats the purpose of the open railing.

I agree with your idea because the balusters are, IMO, too large and a bit dated, the living room is larger and used far more than the entry so it's functionality should be prioritized, plus you are planning measures to compensate for the loss of light in the entry.

If you have little ones and place a sofa against the pony wall or railing, consider adding another piece of furniture like a sofa table in between so you aren't setting up a springy launching pad for them.

Im wondering why you cant put the sofa up against the railing? Have you tried that? for two reasons see if it works and also see, does it really give you that many more options. I agree that a pony wall would make your space feel pretty closed in.

I think a bigger improvement would be to change that entry light :}

I hate those railings....just for the reasons you mention...takes up too much valuable space.