We are moving into a new home and we don't have many options for tv placement in our living room. West wall is floor to ceiling windows and we don't want to block the view or have our backs to it so that knocks out the east wall as an option. South wall is largest wall where we would like to put our couch and the north wall is only the fireplace with a pass through on either side to the dining room and kitchen. We are feeling like our only option is mounting above the fireplace but I keep reading horror stories about the heat ruining tvs. Anyone experienced this or have tips for how to minimize that risk? Thanks in advance!

We have a 50" plasma TV that we mounted above our gas fireplace. Burned it a few times during the winter and never had an issue. I actually stood up next to the TV with a gauge and it never got more than 10 degrees hotter. By the way that's when we were actually burning wood when I did that.

You can look it up online and there are guides to the amount of temps TV's can take. Just google "mounting TV's above fireplaces". You'll get plenty of tips and info. That's why I did. If your in BCS I can give you some info on who I used.

If you gotta put there you gotta just make it work.

You will probably want a wall mount that tilts downward to improve the viewing angle because the typical above fireplace height is less than ideal.

My guess is that the heat threat is over stated for most. How often do you use the fireplace?

Wiring/cabling is an issue, but it can be solved. Are you going to rely on the TV's speakers? That really sucks. When you get to installing it - I suggest you at least consider or plan for a soundbar if nothing else.