Wow so many replies! First off thanks everyone for their replies. I know that the output can sometimes look easier than the input so while its a simple motion, there are a lot of factors involved with this project but dive into the world of arduino with something id actually use/want. I'd really not try to take this on if its going to be an impossible first project. But by hard, I am not worried about time as if I don't know it, I have the time to learn but if its something that will take me like a year to learn or if there just something you just can learn online then that's hard.
I should also mention that I have an extra unused Raspberry Pi sitting around. Also, I was able to find my TV stand online with a picture (See Below).
I cannot stress enough how new i truly am so I may not know how to answer some of your questions but Ill give it a whirl. I agree with the android as I can always come back to that. I typical use a Verizon FIOS remote but I do have a Logitech Harmony One which I could switch to. I like the idea of using a TV remote as I don't want to have another device to have to find to do something which is why I started with Android but infrared makes sense. As for handling the load, I was hoping for some suggestions. I had tried Chagrin method for finding the force but I don't know how to really judge that but it wasn't easy to move. Isn't it something like the further away from the pivot point the less force you need? My first thought, and please bare with me..., was some cable attached to each end with a spool in the middle that when received the signal, would spin one direction wrapping in the cable on one side and unwrapping on the other side. It seemed easy and sufficient but again, I'm far from qualified to make those assumptions.
For the TV mount, the wing span is 31.5in and height is 8.5in. The TV has 4 hooks, two on top and two on the bottom that just hang onto the parallel bars you see in the picture.