Advice on fixing projector to ceiling

[arnprasad]

Hi,

I am tired of hauling and setting up my PJ every time i have to watch something. So thought I will have it fixed on my ceiling permanently. few questions:

(1) What kind/brand of holder should I buy? in one of the earlier posts - one of the members mentioned about a shop on SP road - the first one from town hall side...he only had a cheap one for thousand bucks which I thought was not very flexible.

(2) Will this stand be very flexible - meaning it will go up/down/sideways/angle..etc - just in case I realize its off..I can move it myself to fit the screen correctly

(3) Typically how much will it cost and would normal electrical guys install this or I need specialist for this? I spent 20K on my projector and hence dont want to spend 5K on the stand

(4) Also the current distance from screen is around 15 feet - I am thinking even on ceiling the distance will be same. In between the screen and the fixing place..I have hanging lights and fan - I am hoping the stand will be flexible enough to ensure these dont come in between

(5) Also if the fan is on all the time..will the vibrations have any effect on the picture when it is played?

(6) Also since the fan will be used most of the time - will its vibration also make changes to the alignment and if so the stand will be flexible enough for me to move it as needed?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[just4kix]

Hi,

I am tired of hauling and setting up my PJ every time i have to watch something. So thought I will have it fixed on my ceiling permanently. few questions:

(1) What kind/brand of holder should I buy? in one of the earlier posts - one of the members mentioned about a shop on SP road - the first one from town hall side...he only had a cheap one for thousand bucks which I thought was not very flexible.

(2) Will this stand be very flexible - meaning it will go up/down/sideways/angle..etc - just in case I realize its off..I can move it myself to fit the screen correctly

(3) Typically how much will it cost and would normal electrical guys install this or I need specialist for this? I spent 20K on my projector and hence dont want to spend 5K on the stand

(4) Also the current distance from screen is around 15 feet - I am thinking even on ceiling the distance will be same. In between the screen and the fixing place..I have hanging lights and fan - I am hoping the stand will be flexible enough to ensure these dont come in between

(5) Also if the fan is on all the time..will the vibrations have any effect on the picture when it is played?

(6) Also since the fan will be used most of the time - will its vibration also make changes to the alignment and if so the stand will be flexible enough for me to move it as needed?

Thanks in advance for your help!

1) Do not go for cheap mounts. Search and buy for professional looking mount, that is flexible. For example, it will be very nice if it has telescopic height adjustment. Something like this:

2) Most mounts can't go sideways but the mount plate/mechanism is flexible for limited sideways adjustment. If your projector has horizontal and vertical lens shift then this is not required. If not, you must get a professional to determine the best mount position before fixing. Once mounted, one should not be required to touch the projector at all - that is the true measure of the mount quality and work done.

3) As stated, you will need a specialist especially if the ceiling is a reinforced concrete slab. The ceiling mount may cost you 1500-2000 while the labour will be 1,000 or thereabout.

4) Generally (generally), I have observed that a projector projects the image so that the bottom of immage is about 1/3rd below the lens and 2/3rd above. So when ceiling mounted it will be reverse. Still if there are objects such as ceiling fan, lights/chandelier obstructing the image, then you must have the projector projecting such that there are no hinderances. This is where telescopic height adjustment will be beneficial.

5) No. Not unless the mount is flimsiliy installed that it vibrates due to air waves.

6) Same as (5).

 

[sash]

Generally up/down movement will not be much of an issue especially if you have pull down screen. Most mounts can move up/down. The trouble is in getting that perfect horizontal placement (tilt). I took so much pains during installation but still there is a very small tilt I can't notice it really while watching movies but if i zoom to absolute full screen (corner to corner), the picture is off by half an inch or so. I have taught myself to ignore it but sometimes it bothers me that it isn't perfect. BTW mine is a wall mount - a ceiling mount may be better tilt wise.

 

[prakash_ajp]

Before going for a ceiling mount, one thing you have to check is the kind of screens you have. Did you buy your screen specifically for having the projector on a stool/table or something, it's possible that it's retro-reflective. If it's retro-reflective screen, then on mounting the PJ on ceiling, you would loose lot of brightness. So, consider that factor too.

Rest of things can be figured out from the spec of the projects. Most good quality mounts will give you all the adjustment options.

 

[Thtpro]

Here is a suggestion on how to make sure that your Projector is lined up with the screen. See Attached Figure

1) Using a string- Attach it to the top left corner of the screen
Extend the string to a distance roughly 1 feet more than the mounting distance- using a pencil draw the arc.

2) Using the same string- Attach it to the top right corner of the screen
Extend the string to a distance roughly 1 feet more than the mounting distance- using a pencil draw the arc.

3) Where the 2 arcs meet is Intersection 1

4) Now reduce the length of the string by roughly 2 feet
Extend the string to a distance roughly 1 feet less than the mounting distance- using a pencil draw the arc.

5) Switch to the top left corner of the screen
Extend the string to a distance roughly 1 feet less than the mounting distance- using a pencil draw the arc.

6) Where the 2 arcs from steps 4 and 5 meet is Intersection 2

7) Draw a line between Intersection 1 and Intersection 2.

8) Place the Projector Lens on this line. Mount the projector with the lens on this line. This will ensure that the Projector is centered and lined up with the screen

 

[arunsankar]

I use a normal 1600 Rs mount for my PJ. Its hanging from the ceiling and the mount is movable in up/down and sideways. These things can easily handle more than 10kgs, so don't worry Installation is not a big deal if you have a decent drill. I used a professional's help to drill since it was on the concrete. I have a full time running fan in the room and it is not causing any vibrations/disruption to the picture. Between, am using a DIY screen on the wall. After an year and a half of this set up I never had to adjust the mount.

 

[arnprasad]

Thanks all of you for your suggestions. Since I watch the projector once in a week or once in fifteen days...way easier to just keep it on a portable shelf as I did visit SP road and couldnt find a good solution.

Also there have been couple of occasions where I had to carry the projector to a friends place..which I had not anticipated when I started the thread. Hence decided against the ceiling mount.

Thanks again for all your responses.:clapping:

 

[Premblr]

Thank you for this thread and the replies, I am in a similar situation and have to buy a ceiling mount.

What about Tono mounts? will this fit acer models? the other ones on ebay has legs extending to a feet where as this one is 6 inches. Will that effect?

Tono PWM 1 Projector Mount - Buy Audio & Video Accessories Online at Lowest Price | Snapdeal.com