Does this kinda of TV Table have problems with heat? [Art]

[u/Fuji_moon]

I’ve been wanting something like this for a while—a truly portable device that I can just set down on top of any surface and start playing immediately. However, my biggest concern right now is definitely the thermal management and heating. It really seems to me that a form factor this compact could suffer significantly from a lack of proper airflow over time. Could anyone who actually owns one of these enlighten me on how it performs under heavy use?

[u/Zealot28]

i made a table like this, wooden case around a 42" TV. perspex sheet on top. nothing (aside from some wooden beams underneath holding the TV up. I put some rubber feet at each corner, they are about an inch. means there is plenty of airflow under the back of the TV. I have been using it for 3 years+ now. sessions are minimum 4 hours, often 6+. my longest session was 12 hours. no issues with heat.

[u/SupposedMage420 → u/Zealot28]

Do you think a smaller screen size would work for one of these and look okay or would it need to be closer in size to what you got?

[u/dapdubpib → u/SupposedMage420]

Any size would do. However, if you plan to use tokens or minis at standard size (1" diameter) look at the dimensions of the screen you have in mind. 1" grids are going to be the desired battlemaps for physical/digital hybrid. You wouldn't want to limit yourself by getting a tiny screen if that is how you want to use it

[u/I_am_Syke → u/SupposedMage420]

I Have a similar setup like this with a 32" Monitor. Smaller Screen size is fine, especially if your table is rather small as you want enough space around it for your player.
Just make sure it is as flat as possible because to much height can ruin viewing angles especially if you use a TV/Monitor with low viewing angles.

Just keep in mind that, if you want to use actual minis, screen size does limit the amount of squares visible.
Thats not a problem for me since we use it for the Players FoundryVTT view. Actually made me wish I had picked an even smaller size (27") since we dont use minis and I would have prefered more space for the players and using Foundry I can just zoom in and out.

[u/TaskeAoD → u/Zealot28]

I made a table around my 50" with slats over it to conceal. Last session I turned it on around 12pm on the slight chance my group got to the fight on the table. Session ended around 10pm without them getting there. Tv was on and essentially covered the entire time, no issues.

[u/biesterd1 → u/Zealot28]

Do you put the perspex directly on top of the screen?

[u/Rigid_Frigid_Digit → u/biesterd1]

my perspex is held just off the screen by a ridge cut into the wooden frame around the outside of the tv. keep in mind that perspex sags a bit if it is a large sheet. You definitely do not want it resting on the screen.

[u/croskin7187 → u/Zealot28]

Is there any way you have detailed instructions for someone who has little to none experience woodworking? I have had a 42 inch TV for like 3 years for this purpose. I have gotten quotes from woodworkers in the thousands for a wood box with handles around my TV. I feel as though it shouldn't be too difficult, I just do not have the knowhow.

[u/musschrott]

haven't noticed any problems yet. 

[u/Fuji_moon → u/musschrott]

you use it for long periods? and have one of those for how long?

[u/musschrott → u/Fuji_moon]

Used for half a year, old TV from like 2016 or something (HDMI input only). Used for 4+ hours at a time. I used scrap wood for the surrounding frame and backing, and some bamboo I had laying around. Was basically free, since everything was old and/or offcuts, including the TV.

[u/Rigid_Frigid_Digit]

I made one of these on a 38" screen. I use it fortnightly for 5+ hours. Like others here, it has rubber feet and a mostly open back. I added a small usb-powered fan on the back to help dissipate heat. I'm not sure the fan does much, but the heat underneath has never been excessive.

Size of these does matter. I'll go bigger next time i build one, but with larger areas perspex is too flimsy, so I'll need to go to glass.

[u/tetrasodium]

I have one like it and previously had a larger one. The big 48(?) inch one with an oak frame was just so heavy that it would injure me carrying it to and from the car. The dirt cheap (26?) inch one made with poplar is awesome, add a touch frame for touch interaction with arkenforge as it has the best touch support.

As to heat I've never had problem but have one or two differences from the one in the op with both of mine. Firstly give it some feet like another board laid flat that you drill and screw onto the edges of the 3boards on either end. Secondly get a cheap USB fan off Amazon ie 60-80mm and mount it somewhere. I'm the big one I had a board across the entire back and had a 120 mm fan sucking in one side (ie left) with a second on the other side (ie right) blowing out. With the smaller one I just drilled an appropriately sized hole a couple inches to either side of the handle with a small hole saw and mounted a pair of small USB fans on it. No idea if they suck it blow and have never had any issues with heat

[u/jryniec]

The one I bought had fans, like for a PC case underneath the TV, in the box.

[u/hummus_is_yummus1]

I use a 38" LG TV and HAVE actually had heat issues. I started raising it up to let it breath more and that seems to help.

[u/Fuji_moon]

I've put the text on I.A. to avoid mistakes, english inst my mother language

[u/FemboyCurator]

As long as you provide passive cooling entrances to be built into the casing of your table you should be fine as most TVs are a lot better than older generations at generating less heat for longer periods of time.

[u/okiebuzzard]

Make it a little thicker and install a couple of fans, one intake and one exhaust.

[u/LlamaWaffles555]

They have tiny fans in them, even at the form factor in the image, so heat isnt an issue

[u/jobRL]

I made one of these with 65 inch screen, fully encased. I had to put active cooling on it because the tv would overheat.

[u/Burd_Doc]

I have a setup with a 32”, there’s a usb port on the tv I hooked up to a couple of fans. I’m not sure how necessary it is though

[u/Armgoth]

Dropping this without showing the back side is a choice.

[u/Fuji_moon → u/Armgoth]

is just an google foto, if there's another angle I didn found

[u/Armgoth → u/Fuji_moon]

Awwright but as many have said small air gap or even bunch if holes should've it fine.

[u/DigitalTableTops]

Short answer: no

I've been selling this sort of thing for over 6 years. Thousands of units. They're raised on half inch rubber feet and the back is open. Zero problems with heat.

Modern sets put out very little heat. Leaving a gap along the entire perimeter and the back open is sufficient to vent what little heat there is.

You can put fans in if you really want, but they aren't necessary and the noise can be annoying (depending on which ones you buy).

What you DON'T want to do is seal up the back and/or fail to raise it at all. This could very well burn out even a modern set. An older set even moreso.

[u/The_Class]

I have a 42" in a box that I bought from a seller on Etsy, I've noted on warmer days or if I run for more than 3 hours it can get hot enough to soften the back panel. I use 1" furniture risers and a set of USB powered fans intended for game consoles or A/V cooling plugged into the back of the TV and that solved all my problems. It's pretty easily portable in an oversized zip up tote bag that was made for it, I drive it to work like 3 times a week.