Projector Installation: Distance from Screen

[Skywalker]

I recently purchased a Sony Cineza VLP-HS51 and will be projecting it onto a 92" Da-Lite fixed Screen with a ceiling mount installation. According to Sony the unit should be installed somewhere between 9 - 13.5 ft. from the screen. When choosing a distance which falls into this range, is there any location which is best? I mean, should I split the difference, let's say 11ft or does it not matter?

Your input is appreciated. I'm hoping to install it tonight.

 

[majorloser]

If the room is already finished, try to use the closest truss/joist that falls into that range. Most throw distances given are from lens to screen. The screen usually is away from the wall a little and the lens is forward of the hanging point. It also helps if you center the lens with the screen side to side. Also, when you hang the screen take into account the offset of the projected image so you won't have to deal with large amounts of keystone correction.

You may have to install cripples (small lengths of 2x4's) between the trusses to help support the weight if they don't fall in the right position.

Just take your time on the installation and have somebody there to help. A little forethought and extra measuring can save you LOTS of hastles.

 

[BMXTRIX]

If you can hang it anywhere you want...

Hang it towards the back of the range that is allowed. As stated above, throw distance is supposed to be from the front of the lens always. So, you want to measure from the center of the mount to the front of the lens and add that distance to your calculation for where the mount goes.

Why the back of the range? Well, the further back the projector is, the more you have to zoom in to fill the screen. This decreases the angle that the light is coming out of the projector. Therefore, the light hitting the screen is doing so at less of an angle and will reflect off the screen to viewers at less of an angle.

This will help to create a more uniform image for all viewers.

You don't want to be all the way at the extreme end of the zoom (either way) as the possibility exists that there will be some distortion in the image caused by the lens and poor optics. There is never a guarantee that this will happen, but the chance exists, so I just avoid it on prinicple.

 

[Skywalker]

Thank you for the input. Your suggestions have put my mind at ease.

 

[RLA]

Why the back of the range? Well, the further back the projector is, the more you have to zoom in to fill the screen. This decreases the angle that the light is coming out of the projector. Therefore, the light hitting the screen is doing so at less of an angle and will reflect off the screen to viewers at less of an angle.

This is true however the farther back you put the lens from the screen the more filtering effect you will have shadowing is also an important consideration. If the projector has a large zoom range the characteristics of the room should dictate placement. Many factors may outweigh the benefit of shallow projected light angles.

 

[majorloser]

I read the manual for your projector. If I'm reading it right about ceiling mounting, the measurement is from the front mounting bolt on the projector not the lens.

I found your manual at:

www.projectorcentral.com

A good source for this kind of stuff.

 

[majorloser]

This is true however the farther back you put the lens from the screen the more filtering effect you will have shadowing is also an important consideration. If the projector has a large zoom range the characteristics of the room should dictate placement. Many factors may outweigh the benefit of shallow projected light angles.

No matter how you look at it, the projector needs to be hung from structural members, not drywall.

There's also one other small thing that's usually forgotten. A projector pumps a LOT of heat into the room. Make sure you have good (and quiet) ventilation.

 

[RLA]

No matter how you look at it, the projector needs to be hung from structural members, not drywall.

No argument here on that point.

In new constructions I try to get the contractor to add four nailers to either side of the ceiling truss joyce for the proposed projector installation
.
Retro is a little more difficult if you don’t have crawl space above the ceiling and don’t want to tear out your sheet rock a backer board or plate should be installed for heavy DLP’s like the Yamaha DPX 1200/1300.

The use of a capture cable should be used on every PJ mounted overhead. A/C ducts and ceiling fans and hanging light’s also need to be considered along with the 115v outlet that need’s to be installed in very close proximity to the projector.

 

[Skywalker]

Prior to drywalling, I think in placed extra ceiling support at about 12.5 ft. from the wall in which the screen will be mounted. I also place a ceiling outlet nearbye as well. From all of your input, it sounds as though this will be the most ideal location. Thanks

 

[majorloser]

Heck, if you haven't done the dry wall yet go ahead and run a 2" conduit up to the projector location so you can pull the video cables. Just make sure you use sweaps instead of 90deg turns. Makes pulling easy.

 

[westcott]

I agree

I recently purchased a Sony Cineza VLP-HS51 and will be projecting it onto a 92" Da-Lite fixed Screen with a ceiling mount installation. According to Sony the unit should be installed somewhere between 9 - 13.5 ft. from the screen. When choosing a distance which falls into this range, is there any location which is best? I mean, should I split the difference, let's say 11ft or does it not matter?

Your input is appreciated. I'm hoping to install it tonight.

I second that it should be placed about 3/4 of the maximum distance back to reduce the light cone for a brighter picture to the primary seating area.

It sounds like you are right on the money!