Floor or ceiling mount?

[rolyasm]

Curious why more people don't put their projectors on the floor or table? Is it the noise? I suppose the picture would be the same, as long as the PJ was the same from top or bottom of screen. If a person built a table for the projector, but boxed it for WAF, could a few fans make it cool enough in most instances? My idea for a friend was to build a 2-3 foot tower, then in the top of the tower but the PJ. The rest of the tower could be used for DVD storage or something. That way, you wouldn't even see the PJ when it wasn't being used. He has an HVAC dropped in from left to right in the room, so the picture will have to be low enough to go beneath it. One tier in the back, so if the screen goes too low, the back will have a hard time seeing the bottom.
Roly

 

[rnatalli]

Simple... If someone walks in front of it, picture's gone. Other than that, no reason why a projector can't be located towards the floor so long as ventilation isn't a problem.

 

[orAgon]

I like the “permanence” of a ceiling mount. It just seems so precarious sitting on top of a table like some knick-knack, especially if kids are around. Ceiling-mounted and out of reach, I don’t have to worry about re-zooming, re-focusing, re-positioning, etc., the projector whenever I want to use it.

 

[rolyasm]

Thanks.
Good point. So if I actually mounted it to a fixed table/stand, that would eliminate the chance of having to re-rient it everytime. What about the idea of enclosing it? If I left a big vent out the back, like a 3x12" vent, maybe even one under it, and added a few fans, do you think that would be enough ventilation for most, or does it depend a lot more on brand and such??

Roly

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks.
Good point. So if I actually mounted it to a fixed table/stand, that would eliminate the chance of having to re-rient it everytime. What about the idea of enclosing it? If I left a big vent out the back, like a 3x12" vent, maybe even one under it, and added a few fans, do you think that would be enough ventilation for most, or does it depend a lot more on brand and such??

Roly

A couple of things here to consider.
Projectors have a limit how much above or below a screen you can place it before you enter keystone territory and distorted picture. Usually, the screen is at such a height that a projector on a table is close to chest or head height whereas on top it would be out of the way.

As to ventilation, that too need to be carefully considered from the manual where the intake and exhaust is on the projector for free air movement.

You can use a lift on the ceiling and lower it into place if ceiling is higher than 8ft, usually. Then build a nice box there.

 

[rolyasm]

Mtry,
We looked at projector mounts that dropped from the ceiling, but they started at $2,000. Out of budget. Even tried to design, and are considering, some kind of manual pull down. Just not smart enough to do it.

Roly

 

[KevInCinci]

Putting my projector on the floor would've made life easier because of the silly offset of the Optoma DLP, but we had the problem I suspect many people have: the projector would literally have the "best seat in the house." It would be centered on the screen at the same distance as our seats (farther back it would be blocked, farther forward it would block your view, unless really low down). We've got a home theater loveseat in the optimal viewing spot, which doesn't leave any space for a projector in the middle, especially fi you extend the footrests. Throw in a precocious 18 month old boy and ceiling mount it is!

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[mtrycrafts]

Mtry,
We looked at projector mounts that dropped from the ceiling, but they started at $2,000. Out of budget. Even tried to design, and are considering, some kind of manual pull down. Just not smart enough to do it.

Roly

Well, you can try it and see how well you can live with that position. You can always move it to the ceiling later

Yes, ceiling mounts that lower it is not cheap. Fixed mounts on the ceiling may not look good at all as the projector needs to be at a certain height to project the picture.

 

[orAgon]

Well, you can try it and see how well you can live with that position. You can always move it to the ceiling later

Yes, ceiling mounts that lower it is not cheap. Fixed mounts on the ceiling may not look good at all as the projector needs to be at a certain height to project the picture.

True, but considering the alternative, which is placing it on a table, I’d mount it -- exposed -- on the ceiling where it’s most unobtrusive. In fact, I do not mind the looks of my cheap mounts at all. My mounts are quite inconspicuous I don't even see them where I'm seated.

 

[mjg100]

A couple of things here to consider.
Projectors have a limit how much above or below a screen you can place it before you enter keystone territory and distorted picture. Usually, the screen is at such a height that a projector on a table is close to chest or head height whereas on top it would be out of the way.

As to ventilation, that too need to be carefully considered from the manual where the intake and exhaust is on the projector for free air movement.

You can use a lift on the ceiling and lower it into place if ceiling is higher than 8ft, usually. Then build a nice box there.

If he is looking at an LCD projector then most of them have a fair amount of vertical or horizontal adjustment. I have my Epson HC400 on an extended floor mount so that I can use it with my DaLite High Power screen.