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How high to mount my TV monitor?

Familiar story. New (to me) home, family room has a fireplace, as does living room. The height, to the top of the mantle is 53" and 55" respectively. Viewing distance will be 10'-12'.Is it advisable to mount a flat screen this high? Will my neck be permanently cocked upward, as if I am constantly looking for Superman? Any guidance is very, very appreciated.
Marty
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telemarc
13 posts
 
Mine is 13.5 feet away. A 60" scree and is mounted over the fireplace. Very comfortable and natural when sitting on the couch. It is tilted about 10 degrees forward. Sit on your couch , get comfy and see where your eyes are pointing. If you look at my virtual setup you can see.
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herman
2,254 posts
 
Most would say Telemarc's screen is a little further away than ideal and way too high. I imagine he has to sit leaning back on his sofa with his head tilted back to be comfortable. If he is comfortable then who am I to judge his setup, but most experts agree that the center of the TV should be the same height as your eyes when seated at the viewing postion. You can go slightly higher as you increase the viewing distance but if you feel like you are looking up then it is too high.
steuspeed's avatar
steuspeed
501 posts
 
Proper TV hight should be near eye level. When I design home theater cabinets or Home theater screens I usually start at 36" off the floor for bottom edge of screen. I'll make adjustments up or down a few inches from there if needed. The screen over the fireplace can work, but I am not a big fan. Yes, you will be looking up. No, it's not optimal. Now you can't put anything on the mantle or it's in the way. You can raise the screen higher. It's even worse for viewing now.

All the screens are high at your local sports bar. It's not bad for eating with friends and watching the big plays. Go out for dinner sometime and see how you like it.

Over the fireplace works well in a master suite with one of those high beds. High screen placment works well in a game or rec room where people might be mixed seated and standing playing pool or at bar stools. The center channel should be right under the lower edge of the screen. If you do this in a rec room the center speaker won't get blocked by furniture to those located in the back of the room.

For a living room or family room I would look for lower placment elsewhere.
telemarc
13 posts
 
It is 6 feet to the center of the screen. When I sit back in my couch I am looking directly at the center of the T.V..
Not many people sit with their back vertical to the floor so this makes sense to me.The 13 feet is from your eyes when lying back on the couch.
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