Projector mounting, stupid question?

[newzguy53]

I'm considering a projector, but my biggest problem is mounting it.
The wall it must go on has a couch close to it, and large windows behind the couch.
My ceiling is swirl texture, so I don't want to drill into it. The wall space between the top of the window frame and ceiling is only four inches.

Is there a way to mount a projector, maybe using a tripod that would sit behind the couch?

thanks for helping me sort this out

mike

 

[Davidt1]

Can you post a picture of the wall? It would help a lot. I am almost sure there is a way to mount a projector.

 

[newzguy53]

Projector mounting, stupid question

I'll take some photos tomorrow and post them.

Thanks for offering to help sort this out...

mike

 

[majorloser]

What you need is one of these mounted above the window:

http://www.mountsandmore.com/Projector-Wall-Mounts-C13811.html

I use one of these for my ceiling. The projector mounting base will swivel to 90 degrees to allow wall mounting. You'll notice the mounting base plate is pretty small:

http://www.mountsandmore.com/Premier-Mounts-PBL-Series-PM1272.html#ProdDetails

 

[majorloser]

You can see from these images that I've angled it to one side since replacing my projector to the Optoma. My earlier projector had a center mounted lens. The Optoma is on one side. It would easily extend and tilt to allow wall mounting.

 

[mtrycrafts]

What you need is one of these mounted above the window:
I use one of these for my ceiling. The projector mounting base will swivel to 90 degrees to allow wall mounting. You'll notice the mounting base plate is pretty small:

Those are nice mounts and versatile but he is space limited above the window at 4"

 

[majorloser]

Those are nice mounts and versatile but he is space limited above the window at 4"

The base plate on mine is about 6" wide with multiple bolt hole that will fit well inside a 4" width. He may have to install a 1" x 6" wood plate on the wall then install the mount to the wood. A curtain rod or blind can cover up the mount. The only thing that will will be seen is the arm extending over the curtain or blind.

Got to get constructive. Improvise, adapt and overcome! Semper Fi
(now drop and give me twenty)

 

[BMXTRIX]

You will want to install a wooden shelf on your rear wall. Then use a standard projector mount. Instead of setting the projector on the wooden shelf, mount it under the wooden shelf upside down as a standard projector would be mounted from the ceiling.

Just make sure to mount the L-Brackets for the shelf into wooden studs and have the shelf deep enough to accomodate the projector with cabling.

Shouldn't be any issue at all and will be very solid.

 

[Rob Babcock]

A permanent mount will definately make your life easier. A tripod mount means the projector can get bumped out of alignment with the screen very easily, or even tipped over.

 

[newzguy53]

My problem room

The best idea you guys have offered for me is to attach something like a two by four stud to the four inches of wall space above my window, then try to attach a wall mount plate to that.

It's going to take some work, but it sounds like it might be the solution. The only other problem is there is a fan/light hanging in the middle of the ceiling, and If the project is too close to the ceiling I'm sure the fan blades will interfere with the image.
I wish I could post a photo of my room but for some reason I'm not allowed to post attachments.

mike in mass

 

[BMXTRIX]

Like the shelf idea above, you can span the distance of two joists above the window with a 2x6 cut down to fit, then run a horizontal pole mount solution using the following items...

First - you mount a plate to the 2x6 on the wall...

1. http://www.peerlessindustries.com/dyn/Products/BrowseProduct.aspx/productID/166083/categoryID/395/u/T

Now extend a pole out from it about 1 or 2 feet...

2. http://www.peerlessindustries.com/dyn/Products/BrowseProduct.aspx/productID/149197/categoryID/395/u/T

Now add a pole mount adapter...

3. http://www.peerlessindustries.com/dyn/Products/BrowseProduct.aspx/productID/166115/categoryID/395/u/T

Now use your projector mount...

4. http://www.peerlessindustries.com/dyn/Products/BrowseProduct.aspx/productID/165644/categoryID/193/u/T

Or - as I said earlier, simply put a wooden shelf on your wall and use a standard projector mount.

Like these brackets...
http://www.hardwareworld.com/White-Shelf-Bracket-p7OAJ0V.aspx

Mounted upside down (to studs) with an shelf (piece of wood) spanning the brackets and then you just throw in this mount...
http://www.peerlessindustries.com/dyn/Products/BrowseProduct.aspx/productID/165644/categoryID/193/u/T

and you are done.

The second method is easier, and more cost effective and will look nicer than the first method described. It likely will also be a bit stronger since the shelf will be held up over a wider distance and you are pulling down across the shelf instead of in a more localized point.

 

[Davidt1]

I take my projector down when it's not in use. I know we don't the same problem, but hopefully this will you some ideas.

Projector after use

Projector taken down

Mounting rails showing on wall

Mounting rails covered up

 

[newzguy53]

Remember the couch and the window

As I said earlier, there is a couch against the wall, and a large window that stretches from 30 inches off the floor to within four inches of the ceiling. There is no possible way to do a wall mount, as there is no wall to mount it. The solution at this times seems to be a two by four on the wall above the window, and then a two by six and then a mounting plate with extensions to get the projector below the ceiling fan in the middle of the room.

Or I could just get a 52 inch lcd and be done with it.

ml

 

[newzguy53]

My fifth post, which qualifies me to contact members?

Interesting system....

ml

 

[BMXTRIX]

As I said earlier, there is a couch against the wall, and a large window that stretches from 30 inches off the floor to within four inches of the ceiling. There is no possible way to do a wall mount, as there is no wall to mount it. The solution at this times seems to be a two by four on the wall above the window, and then a two by six and then a mounting plate with extensions to get the projector below the ceiling fan in the middle of the room.

You have 4" - that's plenty for either of the ways I listed above. As long as you are tying into studs in the wall, you are fine.

See what DavidT is doing? Now, just use shorter (4" or so) industrial wall pieces, like he has, hit the studs - and take his projector/board, and flip it upside down, so it HANGS instead of is raised from the shelf.

Or I could just get a 52 inch lcd and be done with it.

...or you can do both!

It's what I did.

 

[Rickster71]

I would think you have a solid header above the window.
Not just studs.

 

[newzguy53]

Plans changed

I'm giving up with the ceiling/wall mounting idea, as the cost of the mounting plates and extensions is getting out of reach.

New plan is to build a one foot deep by three foot wide 40 inch high table, and set it behind the couch, which will place the projector about a foot above the head of anyone sitting in the center of the couch, which happens rarely in our household. We mostly sit on either end of the couch or on a love seat to one side.

One question before I buy my projector.
How on earth do I hook it up to my comcast coaxial cable? Apparently, projectors don't usually have coax inputs.

And I don't plan on getting a 5.1 receiver.

thanks

 

[BMXTRIX]

They typically don't have speakers either... so audio may be an issue.

On the cheap, cheap, cheap...

You can hook up cable through a VCR with an integrated tuner.

Better is to get a HD cable box with integrated DVR so you can record, rewind, and really enjoy shows a lot more, as well as HDTV.

For audio, if you are strictly watching TV, you can get a couple of computer speakers and hook them to the audio output of the cable box or vcr.

 

[Bluesmoke]

I take my projector down when it's not in use. I know we don't the same problem, but hopefully this will you some ideas.

Projector after use

Projector taken down

Mounting rails showing on wall

Mounting rails covered up

Hi, could you post some shots of your silver mounting thing-y-ma-jig? I'm considering something similar as my ceilings are 12 feet high.

You didn't drill into the projector did you?

 

[newzguy53]

I guess I have to get a receiver

I was planning to use my Onkyo 9555 two channel integrated amp but then my audio system will be out of use. I suppose I'll need a 5.1 surround sound receiver.

Those kinds of devices do have coaxial inputs don't they? So then I'd simply run a hdmi cable from the amp to the projector?

mike