Hellobee Boards

I really like the look of the mantel mounted tv, but I never understand how people actually watch tv. Don't their necks permanently hurt? We have ours mounted, but have a very tidy looking pass through for cables, though. I'm in a rental, and I don't expect our landlord to mind.

My sister just has a plastic cover for her cables, I think she may have even painted it to match the wall. It's not perfect, but it really isn't an eyesore.

I agree, i like the look of TVs mounted above a mantel/fireplace but it is incredibly uncomfortable to view the TV unless you are very far away. I have no idea how people find it comfortable.

Here are some ideas from Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/amychermela/ideas-for-mounted-tv/
http://pinterest.com/pin/518899188285629952/ (how to mount and hide cords)

I agree with @sarac; when you have your tv up so high that it's over a mantel it's supposedly pretty bad for your neck. Keeping it eye-level is better. You could keep the unit you have now?

In order to wall mount a tv with the bottom being at 5' you need to be approx 12ft away from the the tv for viewing comfort.

We have something like this:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Init%26%23153%3B+-+3-in-1+TV+Stand+for+Flat-Panel+TVs+up+to+50%22/2138607.p?id=1218312456566&skuId=2138607

It's basically a medium low stand, with a panel up the back the the TV mounts to- so it's mounted and less dangerous for a LO to pull over, but we didn't screw anything into our wall. The wires hang down behind the bar/panel thing. We do not have a LO yet so I truly have not tested it for safety, but I wonder if something like that would work? Probably better with doors instead of shelves, since the shelves are all of a sudden looking like steps of a ladder to me!

@Coco Bee: Just another suggestion: If you don't want to mount it, you can get Quake Hold TV straps on Amazon that will attach it to your console. The adhesive is super strong and they work great for us (also in a rental).

Check out the TV Smart Shelf - http://flatscreenshelving.com. It works great in this situation. We've got a very mobile 1 year old who likes pressing buttons and exploring. The shelf is way out of reach and so are the components.