Q. I’m old enough to remember how big and clunky TVs used to look. They would take up the whole living rooms! But I love the sleek design of today’s new TVs. I just bought a new LG OLED TV and it’s so super sleek! But here’s my question: I want to put the TV on an empty spot above my fireplace in our big room, but a friend of mine told me it’s a bad place although he couldn’t really explain why. Can you clarify this for me — Ed, Big Spring, Texas. 

Ed, my wife sometimes watches the home remodeling shows and in each episode it seems like I see the TV mounted above the fireplace. And I mutter ‘no, no, no’ every time I see it!

Why?

Two reasons.

1. It Could Give You a Headache
Whether the set is mounted on a wall, or just sitting on a stand, the center point of the screen should be directly in line with your eyes. From that vantage point, you will see the best possible picture from your set.

You know you have it placed correctly if you could draw an imaginary straight line from the screen’s center to your eyes when you’re sitting in the chair in which you normally watch TV.

If you mount the screen too high on the wall, your eyes have to adjust to focus on the center point and, consequently, your viewing is not as smooth. You will feel like you are constantly adjusting your seat position and that’s no way to watch TV!

Plus, if the set is mounted above your eye level, you will indeed have to crane your neck to watch it. That may be okay for a few minute, or even a 30-minute sitcom, but try watching a two-hour movie that way. (If you do, bring a bottle of Advil. You will get a headache!)

2. It Could Make Your ‘Cool TV’ Hot
Placing your TV above a fireplace mantel is common sense-dumb. If it’s a working fireplace, the heat from the fireplace could do damage to your set. That’s why every TV manual warns you to keep your set in a cool place, right?

Now if it’s ‘fake fireplace,’ one that doesn’t emanate heat, this isn’t a concern. But the ‘line of sight’ issue still is. So, take it from The TV Answer Man, don’t mount that TV above your fireplace.

I’m sure many of you will disagree with me so you can post your comments below

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— Phillip Swann