Framing a Plasma Tv

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froptop

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
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May 31, 2004
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NJ
Here we go again,

My client is putting a stone wall above a mantel and has a 50" plasma tv, and wants it framed. What should I advise her..the stone wall has not been built yet. She's Looking To Me On HOW To Build The Wall above her mantel!!!

--should she build a recess in the wall? Should it be flush?
--Or is the tv attached to the wall?
--how do I measure?

I am going online to MediaDecor but any input is greatly appreciated. Basically, I don't know where to begin and HELP..and Thanks
 
Cooling is a huge issue - a recess can't work unless it meets the manufacturer's recommended clearances - which I know are pretty large on my TV. The frame has to be cosmetic without blocking any cooling vents. Because of weight the TV it should be mounted with the manufacturer's kit. Be careful!

Pat :D
 
I would suggest building the stone wall without consideration of the TV. Before that stone wall falls down, she will buy a new TV, and what if it doesn't fit?

Consumer electronics technology is too fast-moving to assume the plasma TV hole would always be filled. For example, what if the Next Greatest Thing is to project the TV image on a screen? The screen may be motorized & hidden in the ceiling when not in use.

A framer I met last week said she has found good business in framing plasma TVs with one-way mirrors in front. When the TV is on, it shines through. But when off, it's just a framed mirror.
 
Some learning before putting one way mirrors in front of TV. They allow about 50% of light to pass through so the TV display must be bright. There is a potential reflection problem problem from the front surface of the mirror when the TV is on. Room usually must be a little dark. Suggest a trial before selling a 2000 dollar 60 inch frame and having it returned.
 
Jim, once again, [scarey aint it] we are in 100% agreement.

Only difference is... I think the stone wall would be nicer to look at. Last longer than a plasma that starts to deteriorate at 5,000 hours.....

AND that Holographic TV is only a few years away.
 
I have done quite a few tv this year and here is my $.02.

Have the wall and tv installed before you ever go into the house. Neither should be your responsibility. It is up to the installers to deal with the stone.

Once it is in place make a few things clear with the customer before proceeding.

1. That the tv will not be completely closed off. (In other words that you will leave PLENTY of venting all the way around the set. Overheating can kill a tv REALLY fast)

2. That the remote has been addressed by the installers and will work without actually being pointed at the tv.

3. Make sure the tv was installed high enough to allow space under it. Most of my clients have put tables or mantles under theirs and if the tv is too low then anything placed on top of it obscures the picture and the frame. Amazingly enough the tv guy I usually deal with messes that up quite a bit.

4. Are you just framing the outer most section of tv or does she want the frame to go up to the screen and hide the plastic face frame. Sometimes my clients compromise and want wide fillets with a frame. Sometimes I have to mill out the inside of a big deep frame to aproach the screen. Just make sure to make whatever design is chosen very clear.

Factor in extra for extra labor and delivery. Remeber you will have to go there twice, once to measure after installation and once to install.

Don't be afraid to charge for this work. If they have the money for a new plasma tv they probably won't ask how much but will ask when can I have it.

Email me if you need to. Hope this helped.
 
Originally posted by Bandsaw:
Some learning before putting one way mirrors in front of TV.... Suggest a trial before selling a 2000 dollar 60 inch frame and having it returned.
Click to expand...
I agree about the limitations of one-way mirrors, in general. However, the framer I talked to said there is some new kind of coating technology that results in good through-the-mirror viewing. I have not yet seen one of them, but she says the customers are quite pleased.
 
I installed 4 in a club. It wasn't in a stone wall, but a simple dry wall. I know your big issue is the stone wall part of the job but the advice I can give is, with the plasma screens that i framed I had to use an inside frame as a liner and rout it out so the screen would fit in a larger 6 inch frame and be flush. The flat screens I worked with were not exactly flat to a framer.
 
Thanks so much for your insights.

Instead of off-set clips, how about using Velcro to attach the frame???

ps: the client already did the stonework and the inset is already a done deal....

By the way, does anybody have any idea what the cost is for the mirror treatment, and is it the newer technology that Jim Miller referred to??

Thanks to all...
 
1)dont see how anything short of metal fittings will stand the test of time/gravity & for that you need to set anchors IN the stone works(ensure you can adjust how snug the framing can get to the wall)
2)did one of these last year..the guy supplying the 'mirror' (who actually came up from sarasota to help the local guy thru his 1st install) insisted the screen itself be 4-8 inches from the wall and that the "shadow-box" framing covering I created(to cover both the tv & his tv "holding harness") have plenty of holes top & bottom to allow air passage
3) his version of the mirror setup had virtually N O degredation in viewing of the screen(we did a 1/2 & 1/2 visual test) & no reflection problems(darkish bed room w/overhead & over bed lighting) & it made a really good mirror when tv was off. Great product!!!...unfortunately, he since developed has terminal sickness and is no longer be 'in the biz'
It was not an inexpensive installation..the tv cost $2-3k, the mirror cost $2-3k and my SB cost @$800
 
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