Decorator wants the TV recessed over the fireplace with a TV mirror in front of it but sitting on the mantel leaning back. Guess the mirror sitting on the mantel leaning back is the new hot setup in decorator land. Any thoughts on this affecting picture quality since the mirror will be at a angle and the TV will be closer to the mirror at the top and farther away at the bottom.

TIA

yeah it wont work real well... glass needs to be right up on the display to work properly

That's queerer than a three dollar bill.

TV above fireplace, lame.
TV behind mirror above fireplace, even more lame.
TV behind angled mirror above fireplace, find a new decorator.

All my opinion of course but I suspect you already know this is a bad idea. Client should be asked "what is more important, a reflection of the ceiling in the mirror or watching TV". Can't have both IMO.

My experience is that you want only the tv image shining behind the mirror. By definition, with the mirror leaning back, light will potentially come in through the triangular shaped spaces at eithe r side.

Thanks for the idea, but on further review, let's try other options is the response I'd give.

tell the interior decorator she is an idiot. Then make sure your clients know your position on this ignorant idea.

Compromise with her and the client and say that if they are dead set on the TV going above the fireplace then do a framed TV with a roll up picture or if there has to be a stupid mirror there then it has to be FLAT.

God, interior designers make me willy. I had it out with one last week

Thanks! That's what I needed to know.

Decorators, client doesn't watch that much TV, bla bla bla. Just wait till she finds out I putting speakers in the ceiling.

LOL! be prepared for a fight, Also be prepared to offer them a solution like this if shes going to bitch about it (and she probably will)

[Link: sonance.com]

Haha good luck. I once had an interior designer insist that we either a) put BOTH of our on-wall side channel speakers on the left side of the room or b) only use 1 side channel. Sweet!

Don't tell her. Let her see them in the mirror that's leaning back. Look, it's quite possible she doesn't know the ramifications of doing what she asks. She may just think it's a cool thing to do without knowing what the effects of it will be. Personally I'd make sure she understands the problems and if she insists, knock up a quick disclaimer that outlines the problems and ask that the homeowner sign it before proceeding. My guess is that will stop the idea dead in it's tracks.

Sounds like they have a better room for watching TV in already. So maybe you can talk them into spending the money on upgrading the TV and other stuff in that room and nix a TV above the fireplace all together. :)

Or spend the money that would have went to that ridiculously located TV on some very nice "decorator friendly" freestanding speakers in that room. :)

Even if they sign a disclaimer and go with it, it will still end up badly and your name will be thrown around when anyone asks who did that. Not good for referrals at all.

exactly!
plus crap picture when watching tv thru a mirror.

Motorize it. Use a Seura mirror tv. Create custom back bracket. Give 1 preset for the tv to sit back as requested and a viewing option that lifts and tilts to the appropriate angle. Some measurements and a little work and everyone will be happy

This is exactly the right approach. It's a fact that the interior desecrator (a term that shows just how many people think they are idiots) is an idiot, but that's because it's not her job to understand optics and technology. Starting an argument will not win you anything.

She doesn't know the ramifications -- very gently said!

The disclaimer will tell everyone that you not only believe there is a problem, but you understand and can explain the problem and you will not take any crap if they decide to overrule the technology expert in favor of the "expert" who understands what she'd like to see but has no idea:
*if it's possible
*if it really would look as good on the wall as in her head
*how the hell to do it.

As for the TV up there being lame, it is, but that's just too bad. Some people will not accept that TVs should not be that high except in a room with a pool table (i.e., people are standing). The angle to the TV should be gently up, not way up. Ask the client where they sit in the theater, because there they can totally choose the angle of "up" at which they view the movie. Then point out that a TV above the fireplace is similar to moving to front row seats where the image is uncomfortably high.

Sheldon, that should be "its," not it's." I know you did that on purpose because you make no mistakes.

The battle of the anal-retentive males... ;)

Hmmmmm, see anything wrong with:

that should be "its," not it's."