ceiling projectors

[hangemhigh]

Can anyone tell me what might be the lowest height ceiling one might mount a projector or doesnt cieling height have much to do with it ? forgive me if thats a stupid question but i am designing my home theater room now and need to decide which type of display i will use. Any input on projectors for home theater use in general would be great.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Can anyone tell me what might be the lowest height ceiling one might mount a projector or doesnt cieling height have much to do with it ? forgive me if thats a stupid question but i am designing my home theater room now and need to decide which type of display i will use. Any input on projectors for home theater use in general would be great.

I am not sure about your question. Do you want to lower the ceiling in the whole room or just where the projector is?
Code has a spec on ceiling height for livable spaces such as you contemplate and that might be 7ft. Why would you lower the ceiling in the first place is you don't have to?
We'll go from there.

 

[brian32672]

Well if you are worried about ceiling height, I would make sure you get a PJ that has vertical lens shift. At that point you could use a cieling as low as 6'. Granted thats not the norm. If your worried about to height of a cieling they make extension mounts for PJ's.
For a quick reference on FAQ's for projectors try this place first - http://www.projectorcentral.com/buyers_guide.cfm

I am not sure about your question. Do you want to lower the ceiling in the whole room or just where the projector is?
Code has a spec on ceiling height for livable spaces such as you contemplate and that might be 7ft. Why would you lower the ceiling in the first place is you don't have to?
We'll go from there.

Funny thing is Marty, that by chance my grandfather was quite small. His basement cieling was actually 5'9". Just thought it was funny.....

 

[BMXTRIX]

www.projectorcentral.com is a great place with a decent forum to help you out.

Ceiling height matters for some projectors, and not as much for others. Bottom of the line (but good) projectors like the InFocus SP4805 and the Optoma H31 have fixed lenses that project the image about 12-18 inches downward. That is, if your screen is 48" tall, the center of the lens must be mounted 18" above the TOP of the screen. With a low ceiling (7 feet) that may put the screen to low for personal enjoyment.

On the other hand, projectors like the Panasonic AE900 or the Sanyo Z4 (both VERY highly rated right now), offer lenses that can be shifted up/down (and side to side). This feature is called lens shift and allows you to raise and lower the projector without the placement of the screen being affected. So, if your screen is 2" from the ceiling, and your projector is a foot from the ceiling, it works fine. Likewise, if your screen is 12" from the celing, and the projector is 2" from the ceiling, that will work fine as well.

Plus, the huge zoom range of the AE900 and Z4 allow for the projector to be placed more easily on a shelf in the rear of the room. This is very useful in rooms where running the wires to a ceiling location may prove to be difficult.

Definitely do some research (several hours) over at Projector Central. Especially on the 4 models I listed above as they seem to be some of the absolute most popular right now. Then feel free to ask more questions if you have any.

 

[hangemhigh]

I am not sure about your question. Do you want to lower the ceiling in the whole room or just where the projector is?
Code has a spec on ceiling height for livable spaces such as you contemplate and that might be 7ft. Why would you lower the ceiling in the first place is you don't have to?
We'll go from there.

No i dont want to lower my exsisting ceiling height itsto low right now( 7'3"), i was just wondering how much that played a part in my decision to go with a ceiling mount projector or use a rear projection display.

You see i'm finally getting around to finishing of part of my basement for home entertainment. It wont be used for just TV/Movie viewing so in the first place im wondering if i can use a ceiling mount or even if i should. Say your gonna spend the same amount of money on a ceiling projector as you would on a rear projection display, on average which is the best way to go? Thanks for your input guys.

 

[df4801]

you will have no problem with that cieling height.
you can vary the screen and projector to match.
just do some research before you purchase to make sure it will work, but most pj's will do fine with that height (or maybe a little lower)

 

[brian32672]

Say your gonna spend the same amount of money on a ceiling projector as you would on a rear projection display, on average which is the best way to go? Thanks for your input guys.

This is going to be very vague. But to answer that question, for a basement theater by far a front projection is the way to go. You will ne be stuck on one dimension. (say 52") You would start at 52" for a projector. And would normally have room for anywhere between 96" to 120"+

A beter way to ask, would be to let us know what your budget is.

With a 7'3" ceiling, you will have no problems....................

 

[BMXTRIX]

A good front projection setup, with 1280x720 (HD) resolution, will run you under $3,000 w/projector, mount, and a good fixed frame screen from Carada or Severtson.

That's for a 106" diagonal.

Now, how many 50" displays can you get for 3 grand?

How is the image? It is very comparable. Often better, most definitely bigger. Home theater begins at 80" diagonal, not a 50 or 60 inches. Anyone who has ever gotten front projection is just floored by the experience. This is the bottom line! Everyone is hesitant, because it just doesn't seem like a projector that costs around $2,000 combined with a screen will actually produce excellent results. It's just a common misconception that is bred by the big box stores not carrying front projection setups. Or, those that do, only using $10,000 projectors, so you end up thinking that the $2,000 projector must not be nearly as good.

Step beyond your fears, it is awesome.

 

[brian32672]

Well said Bmx. I especially like that part 'step beyond your fears'
Quite clever actually.

But for the o/p that about sums it up.....