Home Theatre Room Construction

[sab30]

I am completeing phase 1 of a new theater room (ie framing and wiring) I would lik eto build a framed independent shelf for my panasonic projector AE700. I forgot about some drywall and only have 2" of clearance for air flow above it...what is the min distance required for airflow above a projector or any other component for that matter.

Thanks

SAB

 

[BMXTRIX]

All components can be different, but projectors usually use fans with directed airflow and intake. You would really want to take a look at the owners manual to make sure you aren't blocking any of the air passageways front to back or side to side. If you are, you must open them up. Overheating in projectors is the number one way to destroy a projector.

 

[sab30]

Thanks BMX..I havent actually bought the projector yet so I dont have the owners manual to refer to. I didnt mention I do have about 4-5" on either side its just the 2" at the top that concerns me. Also it is an open back obviously with no front.

 

[Bryce_H]

Not sure what the minimum clearance required is, BUT I might recommend building a hush box with a dedicated exhaust fan into a different room. This will serve 3 purposes: 1) activly draw hot air out 2) actively draw cooler air in from the HT 3) decrease the fan noise of the projector.

I am finished with framing my dedicated HT in the basement and 1/2 way thru electrical. Last step before drywall will be to run all the conduit and install a dedicated exhaust fan for my projector hushbox and another from the component cabinet.

 

[BMXTRIX]

That's a great way to do it if you can ensure adequate airflow and clean air. Also putting a projector outside the room and shining it through a hole into the room is awesome. It's like a movie theater. But, most setups don't allow this.

A projector can usually be flush mounted against a ceiling mount bracket, typically upside down. I have not seen a projector that wasn't designed to sit on feet on a table, which means that no projector vents down, into the table, or when ceiling mounted, upside down, into a ceiling. Most vent front to back, front to front, or side to side.

Noise is only an issue with some projectors. Others run very quiet and only will be heard when there is total silence during a movie.