Projector

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marmel

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#84530 1-Jun-2011 22:25

Anyone here installed a projector using either a manual or motorised mount which retracts into the ceiling?

I would like to install a projector in our house build but there is no way the BOSS will agree to have it hanging down from the roof like a set of dogs bo***cks.

I know the motorised units cost a small fortune though?

CYaBro

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#476888 1-Jun-2011 23:33

No way to hide it on a bookshelf, or similar, on the wall opposite the screen instead?

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Talkiet

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#476894 2-Jun-2011 00:21

marmel: Anyone here installed a projector using either a manual or motorised mount which retracts into the ceiling?

I would like to install a projector in our house build but there is no way the BOSS will agree to have it hanging down from the roof like a set of dogs bo***cks.

I know the motorised units cost a small fortune though?

2 Choices...

1) Install it using the normal hanging mount for next to nothing and let She Who Must Be Obeyed enjoy a movie... I say 50/50 chance that after seeing it going properly setup she'll look past the dangly bit. My ex was not keen on a projector and thought it would be a waste of money and pointless given we had a good decent sized plasma... After one movie she was converted.

2) Browse here - http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-diy/ ... You'll find many people with different methods of mounting projectors including lifts, false walls, boxes, bookshelves etc... Unfortunately though, any form of lift is going to be expensive.

One thing to keep in mind is that whatever system you use, if you go for a moving projector mount, it needs to be crazy accurate... I have a ceiling mounted projector and even after a 3.0 (here in Chch) it requires a gentle push to get it aligned again... TINY TINY movements in the mount will translate to annoying offsets on the picture.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Jaxson

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#476958 2-Jun-2011 10:12

As above can it be mounted further back against a wall?
Or in a GIB box so it can be painted white?

Agree it can look ugly, but as said it's a trade off for that 100"+ screen you've now got and the real 'movies' feel that creates.

marmel

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#476959 2-Jun-2011 10:16

Probably not an option to have it on a bookshelf. The other side of the room is 6.5 metres away and is mostly taken up by a large window.

A box mounted to the ceiling is definately not an option.

I wonder if I can rig up some sought of dummy light shade to hide it when not in use?

Jaxson

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#476974 2-Jun-2011 10:49

Check out the throw specs, you might be able to work it on a shelf from that distance?
Do you own the projector already?

Reluctantly I had to sell our projector when we moved to a smaller house as we have hanging light fittings right in line where the projector would need to project. Have a 50" plasma but it just doesn't cut it movie wise.

marmel

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#476976 2-Jun-2011 10:53

Haven't got a projector yet.

Either looking at a Panasonic 4000E or an Epson 8500UB.

andrew027

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#476983 2-Jun-2011 11:18

marmel: I would like to install a projector in our house build but there is no way the BOSS will agree to have it hanging down from the roof like a set of dogs bo***cks.

Hmm, interesting mental imagery...

But check out what projectors are available. A friend of mine has an old one hanging about a foot below the ceiling on a metal pole and it does look pretty, erm, obtrusive, but many can now be mounted directly on the ceiling and are quite low profile, so they're not so "in your face" and don't look bad at all - no worse than many light fittings, IMHO.

lchiu7

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#477065 2-Jun-2011 13:42

I had a projector mounted on a shelf against the side well of a bay window. This was the first one I had purchased (Sanyo 800x600) and had a great throw so being some 5m from the 100"screen wasn't an issue.

I then upgraded to a Optima 1080P projector which while giving a fabulous picture doesn't have such a good range for throw adjustment. So putting in the same location requires a screen of about 130"! That I can't get past the wife.

So in the interim I just have it sitting on a small coffee table which I could stow away when not in use but since we rarely use the living room, I can leave it there all the time. The cables are well hidden so they are not an issue.

I would love to ceiling mount the PJ and the look of that isn't the problem - it's the cost of getting all the internal wiring in the ceiling (lower floor of a two storey house) from the receiver and power to the PJ.

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Jaxson

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#477068 2-Jun-2011 13:48

4000E looks like it can throw 6.4m, but this may restrict you to dark viewing only.
Definitely a tricky one, but worth the effort one way or the other.
Have you got clearance above the ceiling for a drop down box to be stored up there?
Hydralic platform that normally sits flush with the ceiling, now that would be cool....

marmel

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#477174 2-Jun-2011 18:23

Jaxson: 4000E looks like it can throw 6.4m, but this may restrict you to dark viewing only.
Definitely a tricky one, but worth the effort one way or the other.
Have you got clearance above the ceiling for a drop down box to be stored up there?
Hydralic platform that normally sits flush with the ceiling, now that would be cool....

I think this is the option to go with.

I am doing a bit of research now into diy options.

nickb800

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#477177 2-Jun-2011 18:50

Working with your light fitting idea:
If you can get a cylindrical light shade made up of fabric on a wire frame large enough then that might work. Im not sure how you would hang it so it can move up and down, worst case you could just unhook it and take it down when you need to use the projector.

Edit: Something like this, except suspended from the ceiling
http://www.tonysubal.com/en/lighting/6518

Keep us posted if you go the diy route!

70mm

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#477181 2-Jun-2011 19:09

Projectors dont have to look ugly if you use a low profile mount like the Vogels 6000 series, this holds the projector close to the ceiling and using lens shift will move the image to the correct screen location. The PT-AE4000 is one of the smallest HT projectors and simple in design, it is far less intrusive than a 50" plasma in a lounge room!

sen8or

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#477389 3-Jun-2011 12:57

They can be done - as in hereh http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/product/1282/Projector-Mounts/Projector-Lifts/ but, not a cheap option by any stretch.

And the PTAE4000 may absolutely put the mrs off if asthetics are important, its like a big black shoe box with an eye in the middle.

Does it have to be 1080p? The pt-ax200e is white and quite a bit smaller than the AE4000, although is "only" 720p, asthetically, this may be more acceptable to have on the ceiling as it will blend in (especially if you do it properly and have all cables etc through the ceiling).

If 1080p is a must, then sanyo, optoma and epson all have units that may fit the asthetic requirement.

Outside of a long throw lens and the back wall, there may have to be compromises made

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