Installing a TV in the TV hole above Fireplace

[escalade]

I am looking to get a 47 - 55 inch TV and have it mounted on top of the fireplace mantle. Unfortunately there is a giant hole above it where the TV is supposed to sit in. The problem is i cant fit a tv larger than 36 inches in this hole.
I thought i could get a TV mount and mount it to the back of the hole and have the mount arms bring the TV out, but unfortunately the depth of this tv hole is 24 inches, and most of the TV mounts i have seen, the arms extend out a maximum of 20 inches.
I have seen a few online that extend 30 inches, but they run about $600+.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do? This is a very frustrating problem.

It kind of looks like this but ALOT deeper. Like i said 24 inches deep.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8BvRkpXEg6w/TYZr8-k9U6I/AAAAAAAADcs/vtQSJates5M/tv+on+floor.bmp

Thanks.

[kid3]

I have the same problem. What I was thinking of building a frame to mount the tv stand inside the box. I plan to use 2x4 and paint it afterwards. I figure the TV should cover the hole and the frame I build.

I also plan to use the arm type tv stand so I can pull the tv out to dust inside the box.

[mcplar]

I would frame it up with 2x4's and mount the TV mount to the 2x4's.

Would be really cheap and easy to get framed as long as you have the tools. I doubt a contractor would take it on as it would be a very small job.

[Mr Nobody]

I'd drywall it flat with the proper stud bracing to handle the TV.

[number8888]

Not sure why builders do this since a TV above the Fireplace is a TERRIBLE idea. The viewing angle is terrible and the heat coming out from the fireplace is not good for electronics.

With that in mind I recommend filling the hole with shelves and use it as a display and put the TV elsewhere.

Of course if you really want to put a TV in there anyway, there are mounts that extends out that high that aren't too expensive: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10828&cs_id=1082806&p_id=6517&seq=1&format=2