Mounting your projector on the ceiling offers the optimum viewing for business presentations or theater-style home entertainment.
This guide show you how mounting your projector on the ceiling can give you more room and better viewing.
Know your ceilings
The screen height and width of the screen is determined by height of the ceiling. This will then determine how far back your projector must to show the full image.
You must buy a ceiling mount that will work with either of the three types of ceilings:
- Cathedral: Any tall, high rise ceiling resembling those found in a church. You won’t be able to do flush mounting but will have to buy an extended mount.
- Structural: The main ceiling, usually flat and at least eight feet high.
- Suspended: Also known as a drop or false ceiling, this is a secondary ceiling hung below the main ceiling. This is most typically found in an office setting.
After determining what type of ceiling you have, buy the appropriate ceiling mount adaptor kit.
Mounting kit
Match your mounting kit to your brand. There aren’t any generic mounting systems since each brand of projector has different placements for air vents as well as mounting holes. Don’t substitute your mounting unit and match your brand. Allow from between four to six inches between the ceiling and projector. Many projectors are mounted upside down and image inverted using the menu options.
Important measurements
You’ll need to do some important measurements to get the projector and screen aligned properly.
Screen height formula:
- Take your ceiling height and subtract three feet. This is the maximum screen height. Minimum height is three feet off the floor.
Maximum screen width formula:
- Business presentations will need to install the 4:3 aspect ratio. To calculate take the maximum screen height and multiply the number by 1.33.
- For home entertainment, use the maximum screen height number but multiply it by 1.78.
Throw Distance
After figuring out the screen dimensions, you’ll need to determine how far back to install the projector — the “throw distance.” Your throw distance depends on your particular model; each projector model throws a different image. Consult your manual for the manufacturer throw chart listing image size based on distance from the screen. This will determine exactly where the projector should be mounted.
Ventilation
Make sure you have enough airflow around your projector that it can cool down. A projector to too close to the ceiling or walls will overheat because airflow is dampened. The projector may respond by shutting down and the lamp life will be significantly shortened. Most manufacturers recommend a three-foot radius for proper ventilation.
Mount the Projector
Locate the ceiling stud (use a stud finder to locate the appropriate beam). Your ceiling mounting kit will have instructions and all the necessary hardware for mounting your projector.
Adjust the Image
After making sure the projector is level on the mount you’re ready to adjust the picture. Align the picture using the zoom, horizontal and vertical lens shift controls. Adjust the focus. If your projector doesn’t have the vertical lens shift you will have to adjust the height of either the screen or projector. Your specific user manual will have more information.
Be patient
You will need to keep adjusting and tweaking the adjustments to get the best picture. That can take a bit of time sopatient knowing that once you have everything working, you won’t have to do any more adjustments. It will be permanent! Your ceiling mounted projector will give you a great image and enhance your presentation or viewing enjoyment.