Video switch, wall mount LCD, and wiring

twmattox · Post by **twmattox** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:11 am

I currently have a 30" tube HDTV (Insignia) mounted in an entertainment center I built. It fits well, looks nice, and functions as we had hoped. However, the family thinks it is too small and would love a nice 42" LCD mounted above our gas fireplace. I am researching all of this to determine what all I will need to do to make this work and have questions:

1) Much of our componentry is very old and I do not want to upgrade all of it (honestly can't afford it). Ideally what I am considering is some kind of video selector switch that will allow me to plug in RCA cables, component cables, s-video, (and if possible the coax cable from our antenna) and output a single HDMI to the new TV. Basically, I only want to run a single HDMI cable from the selector to the TV (instead of a ton of cables through the wall). I believe I would need inputs for:
- VCR (RCA cables)
-DVD player (Component cables)
-DVD Burner (Component cables)
-iPod dock (s-video cables)
-Wii (Component cables)
-RF Transmitter (RCA cables)
-open (someday we may decide to get satelite or something)
-coax (from the antenna)
Does this kind of selector exist???

2) I have the mount picked out and have checked the angles and all...this should work perfectly for all of us. However, I am concerned about the heat generated from the fireplace. Will this affect the TV? Will it shorten the life of the TV?

3) I had selected the tube TV because I was under the impression it would deal with glare better, have deeper blacks and colors, and appear brighter. Will the LCD look as nice? I know the ones they have in the stores look nice, but... most that I have seen in person (in houses) look blurry or I can see hazy ghosting issues. I am not certain if this is due to the people's TV not being connected to digital cable or what it is...but I don't want to spend the $$$ on a bigger TV only to hate the result.

4) Will 42" be sufficiently large or will we want to go bigger in a year or so. Our typical viewing area will be approximately 14' from the TV...advice would be appreciated.

5) Anyone have pictures of surrounds available? I am trying to figure out if the TV mounted on the wall will look fine, or if I need to make some kind of "picture frame" surround.

I know I have asked a lot and appreciate any input you may have...
Thanks,
Thoma

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:55 am

Your best bet for a "switch" is an upconverting A/V receiver. You just have to make sure that analog sources (RCA, Svideo, Component) are all upconverted to the HDMI output (some do, some don't). This will also support surround sound either now or in the future. Whether you use an A/V receiver or dedicated switch this won't be cheap - I'd expect $300-$400 minimum but I haven't looked at them recently.

As for fireplace mounting - check with the tv manufacturer. They should cover this explicitly.

How do you currently receiver your TV programming? Analog cable? Digital Cable? OTA?

twmattox · Post by **twmattox** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:06 pm

Currently receive signal OTA...

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:20 pm

Then you'll need to run both a coax line and HDMI to the TV unless you plan to use a separate OTA receiver or DVR (Tivo, e.g.). You can't send the antenna signal over hdmi.

As for size, 42" will be ok at 14' - no worse than your current 30" 4:3 set at least. I'd recommend bigger - 46" to 50" if possible. If you want inexpensive, go for a 768p or 720p 42" set. You won't notice the difference between that and 1080p at that distance. Otherwise I'd wait until you can afford a 50" 1080p and an upconverting A/V receiver.

eliwhitney · Post by **eliwhitney** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:15 pm

Hello twmattox -

Regardless of which or who's HDTV - NONE - allow for mounting above an active fireplace & Maintain the warranty . . . . to verify, simply download the full manual of each Brand in which you might be interested & within theose initial 4 - 5 -6 pages, it WILL be so stated!

A top limit IS 104 F . . . even that Gas Log may exceed that.

The vertical picture quality limits of LCDs also will prevent any such mounting . . . all are especially limited in their abilities to maintain picture quality in the vertical "off-axis" viewing modes - I.E. - as in your case, the set will be mounted FAR above the recommended 41" - 42" exact display center from the floor - unless only viewing from tall bar stools, of course.

This IS simply a Good Decorating Magazine gimmick .... never a serious mounting option!

Admittedly - done time after time , particularly in those multi-million dollar McDonald Homes so popular before this Crash ! BUT - if / whenever that set is "opened" for service, the interior will clearly demonstrate it's "history" & therefore, No Fix - at least by the Maker! Perhaps, these folks don't care anyway . . . just want " dramatic appeal !"

eli

twmattox · Post by **twmattox** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:00 am

Thanks...I was afraid of the heat generated by the fireplace. We do have a nice deep mantle...but it still puts out a lot of heat. I guess I could take a measurement of the heat where I would mount the TV...but it is sounding like I should look for a better alternative. I was just imagining relaxing on the sofa...watching both the TV and fire (currently, I have to choose which to watch...and it results in us not using the fireplace nearly as much as we would like).

Thoma

pmalter0 · Post by **pmalter0** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:14 am

While I agree that a 720p is the way to go, 42 inches is not big enough to see HD from 14 feet away. The very smallest would be at least 50 inches. Fortunately, both Samsung and Panasonic have 50 inch 720P plasmas being closed out at a number of stores for under $1000. You can get wall mounts for these online for $30 including shipping. Put a thermometer on the mantel and check the temp--I bet it will be less than 104.

eliwhitney · Post by **eliwhitney** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:37 am

Hi twmattox -

He's correct regarding the Panasonic closeouts - here's one from a very respected web store - no Tax except NY + KY = $1000 net and safe, guar, dely into your TV Room { not that wall mount, naturally } - - - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_13350PX80/ ... tml?tp=161

And, although slightly larger than absolutely needed, I've used this #3401 before & found it to be a very secure hardware set, offering sufficient "tilting" for your specific application, as well - - - - - - - - - - - - - - http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... cification

Do keep the certified 1.3 HDMI cabling & electrical power on the surface rather than trying "concealed."
It'd cost a fortune to bury it inside a masonry / brick wall.

There are also very "wee" specific cooling fan(s) which ARE designed for providing added circulation re {HDTVs } at very modest prices - - - just place on top of the mantle & "aim" to blow horizontally below that wall-mounted HDTV, so that any heating Never even reaches it at all !
eli

pmalter0 · Post by **pmalter0** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:27 pm

Here's a Samsung 50" for $900: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... lectronics

eliwhitney · Post by **eliwhitney** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:25 pm

Hi -
But that requires Tax & a separate charge for home del'y specifically into the TV Room . . . . so, these are about equal.

Just depends which Brand one prefers.

eli