Concealing plasma displays is a rapidly growing segment of the Custom Audio Video Industry. In the interests of full disclosure, I work for Media Decor, a company that designs and manufactures such devices. These solutions are well suited to the custom framer.
Here are some solutions:
1. Simply add a moulding to the TV. Generally size it so that the rabbett equals the outside dims of the TV. A simple vertical strap on the left and right side will hold it firmly to the TV. In most cases, the rabbet will not conceal the IR receiver for the remote control.
2. If the TV is close enough to the wall, a more elegant frame would be a shadow box type that conceals the left and right sides of the TV. You MUST leave the top and bottom open to allow ventilation. A 2" gap across the top and bottom is recommended.
The above are simple solutions with added value to sale, ie more profit. They do NOT conceal the TV, but for the budget minded it will dress up that big black glass on the wall.
3. Most framers have probably seen or used framed 2 way mirrors to conceal the TV. Glass is heavy, so DO NOT hang it directly on the TV. Ideally, the TV is recess mounted in the wall and a top and bottom continuous Z clip holds it firmly to the wall. The Z clip should be 1/8" thick aluminum.
1/4" thick glass is recommended, any thinner and there is bound to be optical distortion.
There are essentially two types of glass available for this purpose: Miropane glass and Media Mirror glass.
Miropane is an architectural glass best known as a 'half-silvered' mirror. It is readily available almost anywhere. When the TV is off it is essentially a decorator mirror, when the TV is on the picture shows through the glass. It has an effective measured transmission of about 15%. The TV brightness must be cranked up, but this adversely affects the contrast and some colors. The cost is about $20 per square foot.
Media-Mirror Glass is actually a beam-splitter, not a half silvered mirror. Instead of using metals to create the reflectance/transmission, it uses a non metallic dielectric coating. It has an effective measured transmission of about 50%. The visual difference is dramatic. The TV brillance does not need to be turned up. The cost is high because of the manufacturing process. It runs about $100 per square foot.
4. Moving artwork is probably the best way to conceal a TV, but it is expensive. This solution as well as the 'Media Mirror' is covered by various Patents. The cost (retail) runs from about $2500 to $8000. Three companies manufacture the moving artwork:
-Media Decor, LLC
www.mediadecor.com
-Visionart,
www.solarshading.com
-Vutec,
www.vutec.com
You generally get what you pay for in these systems. There is no reason a skilled framer could not modify any of these units with their own frame.
Hope this info is helpful.
