Entertainment Center for Widescreen TV
DavidA | Posted in Project Plans/CAD Software on
Hi All- New to Knots and glad to be here. Sometime this year I will buy a wide screen LCD TV – 50″ maybe, I don’t know yet. A friend mounted his above the fireplace which I thought was a big mistake. We all craned our necks upward to watch, and thus I was spared from making a similar mistake. All TV’s should be viewed at roughly eye level or a little above. Thus, my question is, has anyone seen an entertainment center that is low and wide, roughly 30″ tall and 60″ wide? It would house about 6 pieces of electronics. Aside from that, I was planning to learn “”Sketch-Up” and design it myself. I subscribe to about 5 wood magazines and haven’t see any designs/plans for this center.
Cheers, David
Replies
David, I state the obvious when I say a trip to a TV center will show you many versions, albeit composites. Most are pretty straight forward with slender shelves and chambers for the components. Nothing outrageously exotic to build.
I drew up the attached in SketchUp for a cabinet maker whose client intended to hang the large TV from a wall mounted bracket. The bracket is designed t allow the TV to be pulled out and turned for viewing.
This sketch is an early concept drawing. The project has evovled into a floor-standing cabinet but I kind of like this idea. The original plan was for the TV mount to be installed on the wall with a French cleat above it on which the cabinet would hang. A large opening in the back of the cabinet would clear the mount.
The bifold doors would slide back into the case on the ends.
Just an idea.
View Image
Thanks for that. It is a good solution if you want the t.v. to be hidden and protected from dust. I initially thought the t.v. would be wall mounted (as is your design) and above a cabinet, but I may have to rethink this. Thanks again.
Bear in mind that if you wall-mount the TV, you have complete flexibility in the design and location of the cabinet that houses the components--they don't have to be in a long, low cabinet below the screen. I've put my components in a relatively tall, narrow cabinet that sits over to the side.
-Steve
Check out the posts and related links in this same fourm group under the title "Mission Style Plasma TV Cabinet" , the last posting was March 19th
Thank you I will!
Check out http://www.televisionlifts.com to see if you can get some ideas from their web site. An enclosed cabinet with a QUALITY lift might be the way to go.
Pena
Good idea - thanks!
Here's one I made a couple years ago to give you an idea. This is a 42" TV. The doors on the bottom are sliders. This should be a simple project. One thing to consider when designing, is the depth of your DVD player, cable box, etc, since they will probably be deeper than the TV.
That is the tiniest moose I have ever seen.
-Steve
Be sure to allow for lots of airflow to remove heat. The cable box/DVR, etc, will appreciate it, and a plasma or LCD projection TV in particular give off a LOT of heat.
It didn't take long to quarter him up and pack him out though.
It did fill up our little freezer.
David,
If you mount it on the wall you have more flexibility, but you also have to find studs and a way to hide the cables. I made the mistake years ago of making the cabinet to fit the TV. For my flat screens I made a cabinet that looks much like a sofa cabinet. The TV sits on top of the cabinet and I have doors(glass inserts) and shelves for all my components. I did not put any back on it for heat dissapation. The cables are hidden and the the ability to get a bigger TV is very easy. I have a Samsung LCD and it swivels and that makes it even better.
Hi Terry;
I plan to build a low-boy type of cabinet (similar to yours) so the screen is slightly above eye level. Maybe 30" high, 21" deep and 60" wide, depending on the size screen I get. Do you find the screen is safely mounted on top of the cabinet? I thought there might be a stability risk and was thinking to wall mount for safety. I know how to snake cables behind sheet-rock. You don't mount directly to studs - they are never where you need them. You get a 1/2" thick piece of plywood wider than the mounting plate but smaller than the TV and mount that securely to the studs - wherever they may be. The location of the studs will determine how wide the plywood needs to be. Then install the mounting plate to the plywood. Paint the plywood before mounting.
Cheers!
David,
Curious to know what style of furniture you want to make? You mention that dough dimensions would be about 30" x 60", assuming that it will be 30" high and 60" wide/long. Depth I would think to be somewhere around 21".
The wife and I wanted a piece that didn't look like the typical HUGE EC but rather a simple piece that looks more like a traditional cabinet (whatever that is? :>).
We're making what I would call a sideboard to house the components and the flat panel will be encased in a picture frame for mounting on the wall. The cabinet will be a Queen Anne style with cabriole legs. I have some rough sketches in an old discussion here on Knots. I'll try finding it if you're interested.
Just searched and found it here.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 4/16/2008 9:54 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Hi Bob;
This is pretty much the way I am going to do it. You are right on the dimensions, including the 21" depth. Depending on the width of the screen my width might be wider. Store bought ec's usually don't provide that much depth. I am going the traditional route also, but not the Queen Anne style you are using - something plainer I think.
Also, will a remote penetrate your doors? I was thinking that maybe I had to use black speaker fabric within a "hollow" door frame. Haven't researched that yet. Thank you for the sketches - it provides a starting point for me.
David,
Just a couple of things to clarrify it a bit better for you. Not sure if these thangs were apparent or not.
The cabinet is completely separate from the screen thus it could be moved if necessary and wouldn't have to sit underneath the screen but would/could be a wiring nightmare though. :>)
The screen will be housed in a picture frame and mounted on the wall.
As to the remote being able to shoot thru the doors, so to speak. There are several companies that make eyes that can be mounted in the doors such that the IR signal can pass through the doors. Check this out.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Here is a link to a previous FWW article by Steve Casey, who makes some beautiful entertainments centers. He also did a blog for FWW but Iost that link.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignPDF.aspx?id=25270
Not a plazma screen but a 12" deep appearing cabinet that is 24" within. TV is on a shely that extends out 22" and unit is on a turn table.
Hi-
Thanks for the response and great job on what you built. Here is something interesting - did you know that a 42" plasma screen uses more electricity than a refrigerator? That's incredible to me. An LCD uses less than that, but still a considerable amount. Coming later this year will be LED TV's that use just a fraction of that. Initially these will just be smaller TV's, but later in 2009 they will be full size. That's what I am waiting for. Given the amount of time I get to spend in the shop, 2009 should be when I am done building this unit!
Regards, David
Here's one I built for my new wide-screen TV last year. Even though the LCD TV you plan to buy isn't deep, all the other components are so you still need some depth to the unit. This one is more a dominant piece of furniture for the room, with extra shelves for decorative knick-knacks, which is what I was after. Sounds like you are looking for something more condensed. Hope you get some ideas at least.
Hello-
Well, you were right - I am looking for something simpler; a unit that would be beneath the screen. You did a great job on your unit.
It looks as though you have space for one big speaker under the TV!
Regards, David
Yes, I wanted a very open look underneath and with the TV (rear projection) at 170 pounds I had to install an angle iron to be sure the shelf never sagged under the weight. But, this area usually gets filled up with junk, board games, etc. I cleaned it out for the picture. Good luck with your project.
Mounting above the fire place is fine, if you have the distance to place your seating.
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