LED TV behind a mirror

[bkharman]

Hey team,

I am moving into my new house later this week and wanted to see if anyone has ever built or knows if plans out there to help me make my TV disappear!

I have looked at the flip over brackets, roller shade art boxes and two way mirror systems and each one has it's pluses and minuses. I really like the brackets to flip the tv over and convert to art or a mirror, but the price is crazy!! 

I also like the two way mirrors but it seems just as pricey!!

Anyone make their own system?  This is above a mantle so I can't do a lift. Any and all thoughts are welcome!

Cheers. Bryan.

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[antss]

You're balking at crazy prices on a Festool forum ? 

You just need to adjust your mindset to the same frequency that allows you to justify festool over ryobi or dewalt and apply it to these TV gizmos.  There is a lot of engineering and specialized manuf. that goes into a finished retail product like this too.  It no more an overpriced mirror and actuator than a FT saw is and overpriced blade, casting and motor winding.

 

[bkharman]

You're balking at crazy prices on a Festool forum ? 

You just need to adjust your mindset to the same frequency that allows you to justify festool over ryobi or dewalt and apply it to these TV gizmos.  There is a lot of engineering and specialized manuf. that goes into a finished retail product like this too.  It no more an overpriced mirror and actuator than a FT saw is and overpriced blade, casting and motor winding.

As usual you have such great wisdom to provide. If I wanted to ball at prices, that is my prerogative.  If I wanted to talk about my pricey cars I could have done that as well. If I wanted to talk about my tools or my business or my other hobbies, I most certainly could have done that as well.

YOU telling me jack squat about the question I posted looking for ideas is out of line. This is your constant MO and I for one am sick of it. Troll somewhere else.

Seth or Peter, feel free to remove his crap post as well as this one so I can get back to my question at hand.

Cheers. Bryan.

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[shanegrilah]

Bryan,

Is there a different type of lift mechanism available that would allow the mirror or framed art to be lifted vertically out of the way for TV viewing then lowered back down when not in use? The TV could possibly be mounted stationary to the wall inside of a framed box painted to match the surroundings. Haven't seen anything like this myself but I don't have the need either. Or maybe something you've already seen could be modified. Depth you have available could also be an issue.

Regards,
Shane

 

[bkharman]

Bryan,

Is there a different type of lift mechanism available that would allow the mirror or framed art to be lifted vertically out of the way for TV viewing then lowered back down when not in use? The TV could possibly be mounted stationary to the wall inside of a framed box painted to match the surroundings. Haven't seen anything like this myself but I don't have the need either. Or maybe something you've already seen could be modified. Depth you have available could also be an issue.

Regards,
Shane

Shane (good screen name by the way!),

I had thought about that option where the "frame" would glide up, and had seen some good executions on the internet, but none really to my liking. 

The TV is a Samsung so it is only ¾" deep, and I can get into the mantle easily, so i do have options.

Looking to do a project here, no rush, just need something that hits me!

Thanks for the suggestion! 

Cheers. Bryan.

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[morts10n]

Check out Auton, Inc.
They have a motorized unit that will work for you

 

[bobbobbob]

Why not put tv behind a two mirror with a frame?  Once the tv is off, it's a mirror.  This should be much easier on the wallet than the other options.  I've not done it yet, but looks easy enough.  Worth looking into...

 

[ddb]

Instead of using a lift to move the TV, why not use it to move the art/mirror up?
And keep the TV stationary.
Or cabinet style: two sections of art/mirror that open on hinges to either side, to reveal your TV.

 

[oldie]

Disclaimer:  I know nothing about what you are looking to achieve – zero! 
So, here goes… 

1/  Wonder if an ‘exposed’ mirror, whilst watching TV, would be a distraction - unwanted reflections from the TV? 
Mirror would though, for sure, be attractive – and suit the room. 
But equally like the idea of a nice arty crafty ‘picture/montage.’ 
2/  Might heat from fire below – if used – warm up the TV too much? 
Guess will need to allow adequate ventilation for TV regardless. 
3/  My main thought is: what about an adaption of a sash window design; particularly if designed to match existing features. 
With Festool drills providing the motor power to move the sashes up – mmm – perhaps not… 

Look forward to reading how it all pans out. 

Richard (UK) 

 

[Mr_Mod]

The best place to ask the question about having a mirror to hide the TV is over at Remotecentral, there has been many similar questions over the past few years on this subject.
Try the Custom Installers section

 

[butzla]

Bryan, I was recently touring  a hoytee-toytee town home model and they had a slick system using a framed painting.  The painting itself would roll up in the frame like a window shade,  revealing the TV.  Very cool.  Your new digs look very nice, BTW

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[Maximus]

Is it worth thinking laterally?  Do you HAVE to mount the screen over the fireplace?  If there's a possibility of placing the screen somewhere else then it might offer a cheaper chance of hiding it, say, using a lift from the back of a cabinet.  Or placing it behind paneling on an adjacent wall.  Just a suggestion.  Thinking of alternatives often creates interesting new ideas.

 

[antss]

bk - I think your tone is what's outa line.  This forum isn't your personal learning center or for your sole enjoyment.

And after all , you did say "any and ALL thought are welcomed! "

My opinion was that you should just get the flip over mechanism that you said you "really" liked - except for the price .  And I gave you a reference point to that end.  Your prerogative is no more valuable than mine.  I'm sorry you didn't like it or find it helpful, but such is participation in a public forum.

 

[nickao]

For me this is a better way to go than that box contraption in the first post, I dont like the look of that huge box at all. I know this isn't exactly what you asked for but it does hide the TV.

I believe "hiding it in plain sight" should be considered, especially with 4K and the newer TV's with smaller bezel this really works and looks like expensive art. This company does the hard part for you:

[attachimg=1]
http://framemytv.com/

The company has many option from traditional to modern:
http://framemytv.com/app/configuration/new/frame-type

 

[Cochese]

Is it worth thinking laterally?  Do you HAVE to mount the screen over the fireplace?  If there's a possibility of placing the screen somewhere else then it might offer a cheaper chance of hiding it, say, using a lift from the back of a cabinet.  Or placing it behind paneling on an adjacent wall.  Just a suggestion.  Thinking of alternatives often creates interesting new ideas.

TVs over fireplaces provide such poor viewing angles and experiences. I say find another home for that, commission a full mural artwork in that space and be happier long term.

 

[nickao]

Is it worth thinking laterally?  Do you HAVE to mount the screen over the fireplace?  If there's a possibility of placing the screen somewhere else then it might offer a cheaper chance of hiding it, say, using a lift from the back of a cabinet.  Or placing it behind paneling on an adjacent wall.  Just a suggestion.  Thinking of alternatives often creates interesting new ideas.

TVs over fireplaces provide such poor viewing angles and experiences. I say find another home for that, commission a full mural artwork in that space and be happier long term.

Well that's not always true I have seen many floor plans that have a low fireplace and the couch sits on a raised room. Maybe this TV isn't supposed to be for center viewing from a couch etc, maybe it's for parties where people walking around are  to get the benefit of the over the fireplace TV and the home theater is in another room.

So I say it depends on the space and how the person who lives there watches this TV and where THEY want the TV, thats not up to our opinions. He asked how to hide it.

That being said I have seen plenty of TV's over fireplaces that were ill thought out and were impossible to watch without getting a neck cramp.

 

[Paul G]

TVs over fireplaces provide such poor viewing angles and experiences. I say find another home for that, commission a full mural artwork in that space and be happier long term.

Personally I like a higher placement, the top of our 50" screen is at 8' and is a great height for us when kicking back in the sofa. YMMV.

 

[Cochese]

Is it worth thinking laterally?  Do you HAVE to mount the screen over the fireplace?  If there's a possibility of placing the screen somewhere else then it might offer a cheaper chance of hiding it, say, using a lift from the back of a cabinet.  Or placing it behind paneling on an adjacent wall.  Just a suggestion.  Thinking of alternatives often creates interesting new ideas.

TVs over fireplaces provide such poor viewing angles and experiences. I say find another home for that, commission a full mural artwork in that space and be happier long term.

Well that's not always true I have seen many floor plans that have a low fireplace and the couch sits on a raised room. Maybe this TV isn't supposed to be for center viewing from a couch etc, maybe it's for parties where people walking around are  to get the benefit of the over the fireplace TV and the home theater is in another room.

So I say it depends on the space and how the person who lives there watches this TV and where THEY want the TV, thats not up to our opinions. He asked how to hide it.

That being said I have seen plenty of TV's over fireplaces that were ill thought out and were impossible to watch without getting a neck cramp.

Asking invites opinions that don't necessarily agree with initial plans.

Hiding it seems to be an expensive, and on average, worse experience with TV viewing by leaving it above the fireplace. IMO it's a space better suited for art.

 

[bkharman]

Thanks everyone for the ideas/thoughts on the matter. 

Reality is that we do have a media room that we built so as someone stated, this is more of casual gathering, futbol (and other spots) type of TV.  I had designed the nooks to the right and left for built ins with shelves, cabinets and hidden areas for AppleTV and other basics.  I didn't originally set them as the "area for the telly" but I suppose I could  It is a 2 story room with a ton of light but I have Somfy motorized blinds going in should anyone care to truly watch tv there.  Beyond the nooks, there is not a good place to set a tv as the rest of the room is very open.

As some have argued, the aspect of hiding the fact that there is a TV there period, IS the goal.  I have blown well past my budget on this and many other things in this build, but I do want to keep the price low, but not with screwing the aesthetics of the room.  Sounds like the art cover or mirror are still my best options.  I will browse through the ideals again later this weekend, but really do appreciate the input from all.

I also will post some projects I am working on for the build (master closet, built-ins, etc.) and post them here.

Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[rizzoa13]

I'll say that putting an attractive frame on the wall and recessing the screen back (you said it's only 3/4") so that it actually looks like a painting would be the best option. Download some artsy fartsy backgrounds and boom problem solved.