How does Tivo work when mounting Plasma on wall?

[atomarchio]

I am building a new home soon and am considering mounting a plasma above the fireplace which seems to standard for my builder. Then he runs the wires underneath the family room to a back closet which has all of the wires, receiver, tivo, etc.

In this setup, how would a remote work? Would the standard Tivo work or do I need an infrared Tivo? The Tivo box would not be in the same room as the remote or the plasma.

Please let me know. Thanks.

[Jbrock]

TiVo remotes are IR which means line of sight unlike RF which will go through walls etc. IR will work sometimes with reflected signals but that is iffy. A long HD cable could be pricy too if your TiVo is a long way from your plasma. I would ask the builder to build in some kind of hidden (Smoked Glass?") storage for your TVo and audio system that is in proximity to your TV and viewing location.

[ah30k]

There are plenty of IR repeaters available. You put the small IR receiver hidden near the TV and the repeater in the closet. The TiVoCommunity Store also sells a kit that converts your regular TiVo remote to RF.

[acvthree]

I've seen those types of installations and the TV always seemed uncomfortably high to me. Also, if you are planning on using the fireplace, proximity to heat is not always a good idea for plasmas.

Al

[dubluv]

I've seen those types of installations and the TV always seemed uncomfortably high to me. Also, if you are planning on using the fireplace, proximity to heat is not always a good idea for plasmas.

Al

True, but not likely to be of any concern as long as the tv is far enough above the fireplace to not get warm. i've got the same setup and my LCD TV is about 4' above a wood stove which is in the fireplace. the tv is mounted to a thick mantle which is over 2" thick which also insulates it. i tested the mantle surface for warmth and its surface is room temperature, as most of the heat generated by my stove is directed outward into the room. a regular fireplace loses most of its heat thru the chimney, so you're probably ok.
regarding the placement of your tivo, i would not want it too far from the tv as its been reported that long hdmi cable runs may suffer some signal loss. the above recomendation to put the tivo on a shelf near the tv would be best, imho.

[frazyaf14]

Both Harmony and Universal remote offer RF remotes that have IR adapters that go in the closet with the AV gear and work wireless with the remotes. They are also great because they control all of the devices and can still work IR with the tv at the same time! If you have any questions let me know, I have installed and programmed plenty of these remotes.

[jtlytle]

There are plenty of IR repeaters available. You put the small IR receiver hidden near the TV and the repeater in the closet. The TiVoCommunity Store also sells a kit that converts your regular TiVo remote to RF.What are those called?

[BrennanU]

We have a setup almost exactly like the one you are describing, except our TiVo and DVD player is in the basement. We went with a Radio Shack Wireless Remote Extender (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049642&cp=&pg=3&sr=1&origkw=remote&kw=remote&parentPage=search)
which seems to work pretty well. The only problems we have with ours are that our LCD tv seems to interfere with it when it first starts up. Also you have to point the remote almost exactly at the transmitter.

[Allez]

I've seen those types of installations and the TV always seemed uncomfortably high to me.

Al

I agree. Although this may be the standard for your builder make sure this is what you want to do - check it out in another home first if possible. Although there may be a certain 'wow' factor to having it above your fireplace, remember that most of the time you're not going to be having friends over to admire it - most of the time it's going to be you (and your family) watching it. Sitting on my couch my TV is most comfortable for me with the center of the screen at eye-level. There is no problem seeing the TV (in my family room) from my kitchen.

[SullyND]

I installed this system (http://www.smarthome.com/59500.html) from Smarthome at my parents a couple months ago and it has worked very well. His plasma is wall mounted and his receiver and DVD player are located in a remote closet.

[atomarchio]

I installed this system (http://www.smarthome.com/59500.html) from Smarthome at my parents a couple months ago and it has worked very well. His plasma is wall mounted and his receiver and DVD player are located in a remote closet.

This looks cool but I am not going to have any shelving around to set that that device on. From what I can tell from the builder plans, it's just a plasma mounted above the fireplace and nothing else.

Could I attach this device to the plasma somehow? And can I still use my existing Tivo remote? My receiver, Tivo Box, will all be in another closet not close to the plasma.

[jhimmel]

I have a 50" Plasma in my family room on the first floor.
The TiVo S3 is in the basement.
A 25' HDMI cable goes from TiVo to plasma.
I have a whole house IR system, which makes things easier for me.

Works great.

[ah30k]

Are you using speakers in the front? My in-wall speakers and most free-standing speakers have a little circular cut-out for IR receivers ( in-speaker (http://www.hometech.com/infrared/rcvrs.html#AT-MMX40PP)) or you could go with a ceiling mount (http://www.hometech.com/infrared/rcvrs.html#AT-CMX4056PW) but they both require some wiring back to the control box and seem to be quite expensive systems.

[stream]

I've seen those types of installations and the TV always seemed uncomfortably high to me. l

Agreed. I've been in several houses with that set up and it reminded me of sitting in the front row at a movie theater. Having the image at eye level is most comfortable to me.

[bizzy]

Since convection ovens operate on the same principle (hot air rises as it's less dense), I've always wondered why people would want to bake their fancy new $636821223 plasma televisions.

[atomarchio]

I have a 50" Plasma in my family room on the first floor.
The TiVo S3 is in the basement.
A 25' HDMI cable goes from TiVo to plasma.
I have a whole house IR system, which makes things easier for me.

Works great.

Does the HDMI cable have anything to do with the functioning of the Tivo remote?

And can you still use the same Tivo brand remote with an IR system?

Please let me know. Thanks.

[titsataki]

If you are going that route I would not even bother with the Tivo remote. Get a universal remote that will control all your equipment from your arm chair. There are plenty of those and they work fine via RF (radio frequency) Also they have programmable buttons that make watching/turning on equipment a one button deal. I have a couple harmony universal remotes that can do everything with no issues. I have a Harmony 890 that does everything. Also no batteries needed since it has its own cradle that recharges it. Sorry I would never go with an infrared ensor/eye that you have to point etc.. RF is the only way. I was skeptical as well but after I used it for a week or two I am sold.


Example

Think of it like this:

I have one button programmed called "watch TV" It turns the TV on, Turns the Receiver on, makes sure TV and Receiver are set to the correct inputs. I can control volume plus all tivo functions via an LCD screen on the remote. Also it has a feature that when I pick it up the backlit buttons/lcd screen comes up so I do not have to fumble.

Same with "watch DVD"



Regards

Nick

[dianebrat]

Does the HDMI cable have anything to do with the functioning of the Tivo remote?
No.

And can you still use the same Tivo brand remote with an IR system?
yes

atomarchio, there are a lot of links provided that with some legwork can get you all the information you might need for this project, but you seem to keep asking the same questions.

Many members have pointed you to a variety of what can easily be described as 'ir repeaters' knowing that, you should be able to find many sources for them. The manufacturers can then provide more details as to how their specific solutions work. You can do anything from a $30 solution to a several $1000 whole house system.

I'm with the others that I'm concerned about the viewing angle and the heat issues with a plasma over a fireplace, personally I just can't see it being comfortable to view.

Diane

[atomarchio]

Yes, I don't have a clear understanding of the entire IR thing. However, you're helping me get a general idea so I can start asking my builder some questions about how he's going to set this up.

Frankly, I did not realize that this was going to be complicated. However, with the plasma on the wall above the fireplace. And then all of the equipment in a closet nowhere near the TV, I was starting to think this may not be easy.

Either way, I need to discuss with my builder. Thank you to everyone here for the help.

At least I can start asking the right questions. I really love my Tivo remote and would hate to give that up. I'm sure the Harmony product would be fine we're just very attached to the Tivo one :-)

It would be nice to come up with a way to keep using the Tivo one but we would go with the Harmony if that's the only solution. I am going to get my builder involved so he can address this though. It seems like all of the houses they are building are doing this plasma above the fireplace.

[Pictor Guy]

What are those called?

Look into Niles for IR repeaters. Also make sure that the IR Repeater comes with an IR Receiver that works with plasma TVs. Plasma can interfere with some IR Receivers.

Take a look at... http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=RCA-HT&recordID=IR%20Kit&categoryID=Ingenious%20IR&catcdID=5&prdcdID=FG01423

Edit: I use this setup with my AVReceiver and TiVo in a cabinet. It works very well.

[squiddohio]

Also, be sure to check with the builder about how you will add or remove cables from the device closet to the display. New devices come along, and new types of cable are introduced all the time. You will surely, at some time, be changing things in your setup, although you have no intention of doing that now. So be sure that there is plenty of room to add new cables, and that there is access for you to fish the cables through from the closet to the display.
As for the remote, I have found RF remotes (eg: those made by Universal Remote Control, Inc.) to be more reliable than IR repeaters, which require the IR signal to go from the remote to the IR receiver, which then relays it to the device being controlled. The RF remote send a radio signal directly to the device closet, where the RF receiver converts it to an IR signal which the device can see and react to. With RF, the remote does not have to be pointed in any direction; range is about 50 to 100 feet, depending on walls.
Finally, I would not let a "builder" set up a video system without consulting with an AV installer also, to be sure the system is configured to operate as you need, both now and in the future.

[Allez]

It seems like all of the houses they are building are doing this plasma above the fireplace.

Again, I would recommend visiting a home similar to how yours would be to make sure this is what you want. This is your chance to design your home the way you would like - changes are harder once everything is built. I visited other houses in my community when I was planning our house - I learned a lot about what worked and didn't work. It shouldn't be difficult to find someone who would be willing to show you how their set-up is, especially if your builder is putting plasmas above the fireplace and components in a closet for everyone. Sit down and see if the placement works for you. Talk to your future neighbors - how is their stuff set up? What do they like about it? More importantly, what don't they like?

I'm not saying the plasma above the fireplace is wrong for you. I'm just saying try it out first. Part of the excitement of having a home built is doing it YOUR way. Get info and input from your builder and others, but don't be pressured to do something just because your builder says 'everyone else' is doing it. After all, YOU will be living in your new home, not your builder . . .

[dianebrat]

t seems like all of the houses they are building are doing this plasma above the fireplace.

Just because it looks cool, and impressive when showing off the house, doesn't make it a comfortable or acceptable viewing position. (and they're putting them there to show off the new houses.. that's a given)

My Dad was looking into the same thing, and neck strain to look up above the fireplace was just awful, so it would have looked great, and been fine for the occasional viewing, but in no way was it acceptable for daily viewing. As many others have said, eye level is usually a great place to start.

[Pictor Guy]

As for the remote, I have found RF remotes (eg: those made by Universal Remote Control, Inc.) to be more reliable than IR repeaters, which require the IR signal to go from the remote to the IR receiver, which then relays it to the device being controlled. The RF remote send a radio signal directly to the device closet, where the RF receiver converts it to an IR signal which the device can see and react to.

RF still needs to be converted and relayed since most components don't support RF natively. I've used both and I generally like a good IR repeater because some components will even have IR-IN so no IR emitters are even needed and you end up with a hardwired setup inside the cabinet. RF will generally have more advantages when you have situations with multiple zones in the house with audio or video. But even with up to two zones can be managed well with a good IR repeater. FWIW, I've also used cheap IR repeaters that were just too slow and not worth it but I've been very pleased with the unit from Niles Audio.

[jhimmel]

Does the HDMI cable have anything to do with the functioning of the Tivo remote?

And can you still use the same Tivo brand remote with an IR system?

Please let me know. Thanks.

HDMI cable is or A/V.
I still use my TiVo remote.

[brettatk]

I have something to add about mounting your Plasma on the wall above the fireplace. Most new houses have far better insulation than older ones. I would make sure you check exactly how hot the wall gets where you plan on mounting the TV. I had some friends who live in a older house mount their new 50" Plasma above the fireplace because they thought it would look cool. Well a month later the bottom of their Plasma was melted. Now the TV will suddenly change channels on it's own or even cut off. I'm sure there are probably internal components that are melted as well. Guess you could say they learned a valuable lesson to the tune of $2500.

[atomarchio]

TiVo remotes are IR which means line of sight unlike RF which will go through walls etc. IR will work sometimes with reflected signals but that is iffy. A long HD cable could be pricy too if your TiVo is a long way from your plasma. I would ask the builder to build in some kind of hidden (Smoked Glass?") storage for your TVo and audio system that is in proximity to your TV and viewing location.

How would the long HD cable allow me to still use my Tivo remote in his scenario? In talking to my builder, their setup wires everything back to a closet instead of creating hidden storage near the plasma. The equipment will actually be way behind me when sitting in my living room and watching TV.

Also, I can probably get an HD cable cheap. Can you tell me which one and other devices that I would need to still use the Tivo remote?

Please let me know. Thanks.

[Allez]

How would the long HD cable allow me to still use my Tivo remote in his scenario? In talking to my builder, their setup wires everything back to a closet instead of creating hidden storage near the plasma. The equipment will actually be way behind me when sitting in my living room and watching TV.

Also, I can probably get an HD cable cheap. Can you tell me which one and other devices that I would need to still use the Tivo remote?

Please let me know. Thanks.

I don't think he meant the long HD cable would allow you to use your TiVo remote - he meant that if you have your components in a closet you would need a long HD cable to get the picture to your TV from your TiVo or whatever. You would need either an HDMI cable or component cables (or perhaps both for the most flexibility for the future).

I can't see how you would be able to use your TiVo remote with this set up; as mentioned above, you would need to use an RF capable remote with an IR repeater in order to be able to control components in a closet. An example of such a remote would be the Harmony 890.

[Jbrock]

Exactly. Some components would go to your TiVo with one HDMI cable running to your Plasma. While that would be a long expensive run, you may wish to have an additional HDMI running from a Blu-ray DVD or from your sound system. Either way the distance complicates things. Are you going to go running into a distant location to insert a DVD? A Harmony type RF remote such as suggested (Harmony One is the latest) will give excellent control of all components through walls and the set up will give a clean, "wow factor" capability and look. If you can afford all of this I suggest you get a specialized entertainment/audio designer to lay it all out for you (and to install it all). If you can envision ALL that you will be using and then include a few extra cables, you might pull it off well. For many of us costs would be better spent elsewhere but if you have got it there are few areas where we spend more time that in front of a beautiful Plasma. I remain concerned with the placement of the screen--you would hate to have al this invested and realize it is uncomfortable to watch for extended viewing.

[Thornhills]

I currently have my Tivo behind the wall that my plasma is on and this thing works great. The RF transmitter replaces one of the batteries in the Tivo remote.

http://www.weaknees.com/rf-remote-details.php

[squiddohio]

Or, instead of long component cables, you can use a converter device which allows the component signals to be run on CAT5 cable, with adapters at either end. I use this to feed a hi-def signal to my bedroom and out to the deck outside. I then use an RF remote (UCR) to control the receiver and various (4) TiVos in my main viewing room. This allows me to watch HiDef or SDef from the HiDef TiVos or any of my other devices (DVD, VCR, S2 TiVo) at three locations throughout the house via CAT5 cable (8 conductor) which is only slightly larger than standard 4 conductor phone cable.

[JTYoung1]

I am building a new home soon and am considering mounting a plasma above the fireplace which seems to standard for my builder. Then he runs the wires underneath the family room to a back closet which has all of the wires, receiver, tivo, etc.

In this setup, how would a remote work? Would the standard Tivo work or do I need an infrared Tivo? The Tivo box would not be in the same room as the remote or the plasma.

Please let me know. Thanks.

Some building code officials will not allow electrical outlets above a fireplace. You might want to check into that before you plan on doing that. It does vary from area to area on enforcement, but AFAIK the National Electric Code (NEC) is used in every jurisdiction in the US and the wording of the particular codes in question can be interpreted to extend to fireplaces.

[rainwater]

Some building code officials will not allow electrical outlets above a fireplace. You might want to check into that before you plan on doing that. It does vary from area to area on enforcement, but AFAIK the National Electric Code (NEC) is used in every jurisdiction in the US and the wording of the particular codes in question can be interpreted to extend to fireplaces.

Since the TV is being installed by the builder who obviously has experience in doing this (its probably a packaged offered with the house plan the builder is using), I doubt it is an issue. It's possible the fireplace is venting directly out the back of the fireplace and not up a chimney.

That said, I agree with the other posters, that in most cases, mounting a TV above the fireplace is not an ideal location. If you don't do most of your viewing on this TV it might be ok. However, if you plan on watching a lot of this TV, I wouldn't recommend it.

[DallasFlier]

True, but not likely to be of any concern as long as the tv is far enough above the fireplace to not get warm. i've got the same setup and my LCD TV is about 4' above a wood stove which is in the fireplace. the tv is mounted to a thick mantle which is over 2" thick which also insulates it. i tested the mantle surface for warmth and its surface is room temperature, as most of the heat generated by my stove is directed outward into the room. a regular fireplace loses most of its heat thru the chimney, so you're probably ok.
regarding the placement of your tivo, i would not want it too far from the tv as its been reported that long hdmi cable runs may suffer some signal loss. the above recomendation to put the tivo on a shelf near the tv would be best, imho.
Would be interesting to hear the rationale for reports of "some signal loss" on a cable transmitting a pure digital bitstream signal.

[Bierboy]

I'll chime in here on eye level viewing. I have an older Hitachi 51UWX20B rear projection unit. The center of the screen sits only 34 inches off the floor which is EXACTLY eye level when we're sitting on the couch.

[stresstool]

Would be interesting to hear the rationale for reports of "some signal loss" on a cable transmitting a pure digital bitstream signal.

Ran across this the other day. Has more info than what you specifically asked, but your cable length info is contained therein:

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html