Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: Projector Location  (Read 3734 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

ark_ader

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5645
  • Last login:March 02, 2019, 07:35:34 pm
  • I glow in the dark.
Projector Location
« on: February 13, 2011, 08:11:16 am »
I didn't know if this should be posted in the Monitor/Video forum but here goes:

I have a small 10x8 room that I use as a lab/chill out room/Study that has just enough room for a slim arcade cabinet, next to my desk similar to turnarcades mini slim. 

I have retired my old cabinet and I just resort to the X-arcade, but the space it uses also serves as the space for the projector, and I'm tired of the swap and change.

In my design I want to position my projector on the top of a cabinet to give it better airflow and give a better viewing angle.

Unfortunately I fear that all the jarring and movement of the cabinet when in play will damage the projector, so I looked at a ceiling mount. 

The ceiling isn't such a good idea as the house is rather old and would crack the plaster, look unsightly, cost, and I would get grief etc.

What I did look at was the mounts you would use for a LCD TV and bracket the projector to the wall, similar to a TV mount.

Has anybody tried this, and would it give the projector adequate airflow?

Currently I have the projector on a table, and is put away when not in use, which I fear again will shorten its life somewhat.

The Projector kicks out quite a large amount of heat and is rather noisy, but is tolerated with headphones so location is restricted.

If you have any other ideas, I would like to hear them.

Thanks.
If I had only one wish, it would be for three more wishes.

AtomSmasher

  • I'm happy to fly below Saint's radar
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3884
  • Last login:September 02, 2022, 03:50:10 am
  • I'd rather be rich than stupid.
    • Atomic-Train
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2011, 03:32:38 pm »
Currently my projector is attached with a ceiling mount, which is the best way to go IMO.  However in the past I have had the projector mounted in different ways. 

When I had the projector in a small room, so I put a small shelf on the back wall and placed the projector on the shelf. 

When I moved it to a larger room, I originally had it sitting on a table, but then I decided to make a table where I could put the projector and all my AV equipment.  This worked quite well and I still use it to store all my AV equipment.  It was nothing fancy, but I attached a picture of it.

ark_ader

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5645
  • Last login:March 02, 2019, 07:35:34 pm
  • I glow in the dark.
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2011, 05:36:18 pm »
Thanks for the info.  I looked at your picture - and it reminded me of my "other" projector - as that one over heated and died. I had it in a similar location.

Did you have any venting issues when your projector was in that tiny cabinet?  I like your small shelf idea.  What did you do with the cables?

I would love a ceiling mount, but also like living a peaceful life.  ;D
If I had only one wish, it would be for three more wishes.

AtomSmasher

  • I'm happy to fly below Saint's radar
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3884
  • Last login:September 02, 2022, 03:50:10 am
  • I'd rather be rich than stupid.
    • Atomic-Train
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2011, 06:55:29 pm »
I never did have venting issues with the projector because the main vents on that projector are on the front and one side (the side towards the center of the box), so it had no problem with circulation.  However, if I was to make the cabinet again (which I probably will at some point) I would use some sort of wire mesh for the shelves instead of wood because when I upgraded my dvd player to a bluray player, I did start having overheating issues with it (at this point the projector was no longer in the box, the bluray player on its own was overheating).

For the shelf, I didn't do anything special with the cables.  It was an apartment so I couldn't open up the walls to run the cables inside, so the cables just went straight down to the floor, then ran under the carpet.

boykster

  • This thread makes my brain hurt worse than Vogon poetry....
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1581
  • Last login:February 04, 2025, 10:07:57 pm
  • The cake is a lie!
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2011, 01:21:01 am »
My PJ is ceiling mounted, and I highly recommend it if you can swing it.

VanillaGorilla

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 480
  • Last login:March 08, 2019, 10:23:51 pm
  • Coin detected in pocket
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2011, 11:13:06 pm »
bolt it to the ceiling. Only way to go, especially if you dont have a short throw lens. Seriously, just put it up there. Monoprice.com has great deals on the mounts too, like 35 buck, if its still the same as when I bought mine.

ark_ader

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5645
  • Last login:March 02, 2019, 07:35:34 pm
  • I glow in the dark.
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2011, 06:59:21 am »
Nope.  Cannot do a ceiling mount.  I have been told by the powers that be, that my life would not be worth living if I embarked on that direction.

So it looks like a shelf.

I just need a 240v clover plug cord that can be flat enough to be flush with the wall.  I have the VGA cable that is tiny.

Maybe it would be cheaper to get a 70" LCD instead...   ;D
If I had only one wish, it would be for three more wishes.

Howard_Casto

  • Idiot Police
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19427
  • Last login:July 13, 2025, 11:38:27 am
  • Your Post's Soul is MINE!!! .......Again??
    • The Dragon King
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2011, 08:10:47 am »
Nope.  Cannot do a ceiling mount.  I have been told by the powers that be, that my life would not be worth living if I embarked on that direction.

So it looks like a shelf.


Do it anyway... life is too short. 

What are you chicken McFly?

Although it is possible to put a projector on a shelf, it requires constant fiddeling as opposed to a ceiling mount, where the thing can't physically be touched or effected by foot stomps and therefore never needs adjusting.

ark_ader

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5645
  • Last login:March 02, 2019, 07:35:34 pm
  • I glow in the dark.
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2011, 01:38:00 pm »
Quote
What are you chicken McFly?

Nobody calls me chicken!....except maybe one person in this house...and I just hate confrontations.

If I had only one wish, it would be for three more wishes.

boykster

  • This thread makes my brain hurt worse than Vogon poetry....
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1581
  • Last login:February 04, 2025, 10:07:57 pm
  • The cake is a lie!
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2011, 01:46:01 pm »
Howard C hit the highlights - a properly done ceiling mount will be bulletproof.  No fiddling or adjusting.  You set it up once, and you're done.  Shelf mounts (or super cheap ceiling mounts) will be a constant headache of messing.

If you do go shelf mount, at least consider rigging it up so that it rigidly mounts the projector.  buy a cheap ceiling mount (or kit) and use the mounting plate / spider in some way that attaches the projector to the shelf.  That way you don't have to worry about it getting bumped or something. 

AtomSmasher

  • I'm happy to fly below Saint's radar
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3884
  • Last login:September 02, 2022, 03:50:10 am
  • I'd rather be rich than stupid.
    • Atomic-Train
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2011, 02:51:31 pm »
Howard C hit the highlights - a properly done ceiling mount will be bulletproof.  No fiddling or adjusting.  You set it up once, and you're done.  Shelf mounts (or super cheap ceiling mounts) will be a constant headache of messing.

If you do go shelf mount, at least consider rigging it up so that it rigidly mounts the projector.  buy a cheap ceiling mount (or kit) and use the mounting plate / spider in some way that attaches the projector to the shelf.  That way you don't have to worry about it getting bumped or something. 

I agree with the statement of attaching the projector to the shelf somehow.

When I did my shelf mount, I had to have the projector at an angle pointing down because of the height of the projector and how close the screen was.  In order to make it a solid mount, I bought a cheap wire stand thing.  I think it's supposed to be used as a way to separate a kitchen shelf into two small shelves.  I cut the ends off one side, and attached the rear legs to the wood shelf I was mounting the projector on.  I then attached the projector using screws and large washers (since the shelf was made of wire, it was easy to do).  It worked great and cost me less then $5 to do.

When I did my ceiling mount, I bought a ball joint, cut out some pieces of metal (I think they were originally made to mount adjustable shelving) and made the whole thing for less then $10.

Basically I would see the problem I had, then would wander around Home Depot until I found pieces I could use to solve the problem without spending $50-$100 on expensive mounts.

boykster

  • This thread makes my brain hurt worse than Vogon poetry....
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1581
  • Last login:February 04, 2025, 10:07:57 pm
  • The cake is a lie!
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2011, 01:31:30 pm »
I wander around ebay looking for expensive stuff for cheap  ;D

Howard_Casto

  • Idiot Police
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19427
  • Last login:July 13, 2025, 11:38:27 am
  • Your Post's Soul is MINE!!! .......Again??
    • The Dragon King
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2011, 10:45:02 pm »
I wander around ebay looking for expensive stuff for cheap  ;D

I choose to wander the earth, hoping to find the enlightenment I seek.  ;)


Ed_McCarron

  • Nothing worse than Picard issuing the self destruct order and the next thing you know it your apartment blows up.
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2404
  • Last login:June 20, 2022, 02:33:39 pm
  • Get your mind out of the gutter. THIS is a dongle.
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2011, 06:31:57 pm »
where the thing can't physically be touched or effected by foot stomps and therefore never needs adjusting.

Except for the fact that every time someone walks by upstairs it looks like a 6.8 on the Richter scale hits your movie.
But wasn't it fun to think you won the lottery, just for a second there???

ark_ader

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5645
  • Last login:March 02, 2019, 07:35:34 pm
  • I glow in the dark.
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2011, 07:25:59 pm »
where the thing can't physically be touched or effected by foot stomps and therefore never needs adjusting.

Except for the fact that every time someone walks by upstairs it looks like a 6.8 on the Richter scale hits your movie.

Not good, especially if you are watching Lord of the Rings.
If I had only one wish, it would be for three more wishes.

eds1275

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2165
  • Last login:July 13, 2025, 01:10:24 pm
  • Rock and Roll!
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #15 on: March 01, 2011, 08:08:18 pm »
What I have done in the past is attach a piece of MDF to the projector's mounting holes. Add a speaker pole mount on the MDF, and then stick the whole shebang on a tripod speaker stand. Looks clean, can be moved/taken down, and is sturdy enough to leave up.

Stand
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musician%27s-Gear-Standard-Speaker-Stand-?sku=451036

Mount
http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--ULTBMB200K

Alternative wall mount

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/On-Stage-Stands-Speaker-Wall-Mount-Bracket-Pair?sku=421709

javeryh

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7959
  • Last login:July 14, 2025, 01:50:49 pm
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #16 on: March 03, 2011, 06:34:57 pm »
What is the shortest throw for a projector to go about 100"?  My TV room is only 7'10" wide but I'd love to get a huge screen on the wall!

Dexter

  • Patriotism, the last refuge of the scoundrel. -- Irish, darnit!
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 975
  • Last login:February 01, 2024, 04:36:19 pm
  • "MAKE POVERTY HISTORY......."
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #17 on: March 04, 2011, 07:45:38 am »
It depends on the projectors throw ratio really.

Give this a whirl.....

http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm


ark_ader

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5645
  • Last login:March 02, 2019, 07:35:34 pm
  • I glow in the dark.
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #18 on: March 04, 2011, 12:11:26 pm »
Thanks for that mate, I can fiddle with settings to see if I can get the distance right. 

I only have 7' to play with in the lab, but nearly mini cinema size in the downstairs lounge about 120" on the blinds. 

Only the problem is the reverse image showing outside in the garden, so no 18+ films.

Sweet!  :applaud:
If I had only one wish, it would be for three more wishes.

Dexter

  • Patriotism, the last refuge of the scoundrel. -- Irish, darnit!
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 975
  • Last login:February 01, 2024, 04:36:19 pm
  • "MAKE POVERTY HISTORY......."
Re: Projector Location
« Reply #19 on: March 04, 2011, 12:56:20 pm »
Grab a white roller blind with blackout lining. Cheap as chips and works a treat at both masking incoming light and stopping your neighbours seeing the projected image.. I used one for about 6 years for my projector.