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Video Projector Ceiling Mounting

Techniques

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3Video Projector Ceiling Mounting Techniques

In this section we discuss some of the basic principlesinvolved when mounting front video projectors. Most ofthe advice we give comes from what we learned in the

installation of hundreds of home theaters. We hope youfind it useful.

Below we illustrate one of the most important principlesinvolved in the installation of a video projector; thephysical alignment of the projector and screen. Simply, thescreen and projector need to be aligned to each otherproperly. If they are not aligned so they are “square” toeach other, or the dimensions significantly deviate fromthe manufacturers recommendations, you may have adifficult time adjusting the projector and getting a goodpicture on the screen. As a rule of thumb, always preplanthe location of the screen and projector and double checkyour numbers before you start up the power tools. As ourdiagram below illustrates, you can verify proper alignmentof the projector/screen system with a tape measure.

Checking the X and Y dimensions will tell you if yourinstallation is square. The C dimension is equallyimportant and comes from the projector manufacturer’sinstallation manual. On the next page we illustrate theinstallation diagram for the Dwin HDP-700 CRT frontprojector.

Note: If you are installing a ceiling mount projector and arewondering how exact the X1 = X2 and Y1 = Y2relationships should be, don’t fret. Plus or minus 1” to 2” isfine. This works because the manufacturers generallybuild in flexibility in the ceiling mount bracket so that theprojector can be twisted a few degrees left and right. Inthe diagram above, we show the ceiling mount bracketsupplied by Dwin. Note that the mounting holes areoblong. This allows one to rotate the projector slightly sothe image projected is easily centered on the screen.

X1 = X2 Y1 = Y2

An old installer’ strick to locate thepoint on the ceiling

where the ceilingmount bracket

should be hung is to“layout” the

dimensions on thefloor and use a

plumb bob to findwhere the bracket

should be hung

Video ProjectorCeiling Mounting

Techniques

The Geometry of Front Projector Installation

When a projector and screen are installed “square” to each other the system can bealigned for the best video image. In this diagram, when the two are properly installed ,

X1 = X2 and Y1 = Y2


Below is the ceiling mounting dimensional chart fromSony for their VPH-D50Q projector. UnfortunatelySony only supplies the charts for installation on 4:3

aspect ratio screens. If you are installing a 16:9 screenyou can not use the 4:3 charts, you need to convert thecharts to 16:9 screens. This sounds difficult but is easierthan you think. Here is a procedure that we use:

1) Calculate the “Equivalent 4:3 Height” for the 16:9screen. For example, if you plan on using a 92” 16:9screen (H=45”, W=80”), multiply the width by .75 to obtainthe “Equivalent 4:3 Height”. In our example, the result is80 x .75 is 60”.

2) Find on the chart the column for a 4:3 screen withthe same height. In our example, this would be a 4:3screen with a height of 60”. The remainder of the chart willgive you the correct installation dimensions for a 92” 16:9screen.

Note: For 16:9 screens that have Equivalent 4:3 heightsthat are not on the chart you will have to interpolatebetween numbers that are on the chart. On the next pagewe have done these calculations for several popularscreen sizes.

Converting Factory 4:3 Installation Charts For Use With 16:9 Screens


This illustration shows the typical ceiling construction of a wood framed house. The 1”x 3” strapping isgenerally inferior stock and is not capable of load bearing (builders use it so that all four edges of theceiling sheet rock can be secured). Use the joists themselves as load bearing members.

NOTES:

• A ceiling mount bracket must be securely attached to the floor joists. We recommend SIX 3/8” lag screws. Itis best if you pre-drill the joists so that the beams do not split when you screw the lag screws into them.

• The height of your standard ceiling floor is 7’6”. but you may find heights of 7’ 8” and up in some houses.Older Victorian houses can be found with ceiling heights of 9’ and higher. If you are dealing with a ceiling thatis higher than standard, you may have to hang the ceiling mount from threaded rod or 2” pipe (See thediagrams that follow).

• In the South and Southwest strapping is not always used. The construction technique used in these areas isto lay the ceiling drywall directly on the floor joists and tape all seams.

TYPICAL CEILING CONSTRUCTION IN WOOD FRAME HOUSES


This method of installation is one of theeasiest in your typical woodframed house.All that is required is to open an explorationhole (see illustration) to find the placementof the ceiling joists. Once you know theirexact location you can fasten a 3/4”plywood support panel to the floor joistswith 6”-3/8” lag screws and hang theprojector from the panel.

Notes:• We recommend SIX 6”-3/8” lag screws. It is best if you predrill the joists so that the beams do not splitwhen you screw the lag screws into them• When finished, a plywood sheet can be “rough” looking. It can be made to look more finished via thefollowing methods:

a) Rout the edges of the plywood panel with a router and rounding bit.b) Paint the plywood panel with multiple coats of latex ceiling white paint.c) Texture the plywood panel to match the rest of the ceiling (if it has been painted with texture paint).

CEILING MOUNTINGUSING AN EXTERNAL

PLYWOOD PANEL

CEILING MOUNTINGUSING INTERNAL

A RECESSEDPLYWOOD PANEL

This method of installation is one of the best for formal rooms because the projector’s ceiling mountappears directly mounted to the ceiling without bolt heads or plywood visible. No exploration hole isnecessary because a large section of drywall must be removed to fit the plywood up against the floor joists.


CEILING MOUNTING THROUGH AN UPSTAIRS FLOOR(ATTIC) USING THREADED ROD

MOUNTING TO A CONCRETE

CEILING

Attaching a ceiling mountbracket to a concrete ceilingis easy using sleeve anchorbolts. (We do not recommendusing the “lead expansion”type of fasteners). Use SIX1/2” sleeve anchors and youcan rest assured that thebracket will never becomeloose.


A pipe drop is one of the best methods to usewhen a projector must be dropped a distancefrom the ceiling.

The Progressive Marketing APM-2446 is aslotted pipe that easily adjusts from 12” to 46”.Another popular method is to use PP-6 AdapterPlates with a custom cut section of 2” threadedplumbers pipe.

CEILING MOUNTING THROUGH ASUSPENDED

CEILING USING AN APM-2446

POLE MOUNT

USING 2” PLUMBERS PIPE

MOUNTING T OCATHEDRAL CEILINGS


CEILING MOUNTING THROUGH ASUSPENDED

CEILING USING THREADED

ROD

Hanging LCD P rojectorsFrom Suspended Ceilings

Progressive Marketing’s PP-FCSSmanufactures a mounting device designed to

fit into the metal T bar grid constructed forstandard 24”x24” ceiling tiles. For safety it isrecommended that the T bar grid be secured

with additional hanging wires around thewPP-FCSS adapter. Two electrical box

knockouts (see rear of photo) are provided toprovide clean power and signal outlet points

near the projector.


To suspend the Peerless PJR series of projectorbrackets from a ceiling can be accomplished withthe addition of a DCS 400 Ceiling Plate and anExtension Column.

The DCS 400 Structural Ceiling Plate is constructedwith heavy gauge sheet metal and includes anintegral decoupler to dampen building vibrationsfrom seismec activity and other sources. It has astub fitting for attachment to extension poles. Theattachment is secured via a 2.75” long hex head boltand nylock nut. The DC 400 is painted black and theretail is $73

The Adjustable Extension Columns consist of twopieces that can be adjusted via through bolts. Theyare supplied painted black.

ADD 0203 2’-3’ - Retail: $100ADD 0305 3’-5’ - Retail: $100

Lowering ProjectorsFrom Ceilings

Via Pipe Mounts

The PP-T adapter manufactured by Progressive Marketingand is adjustable from 0 degrees to 45 degrees. It matesdirectly with all the PBM series mounts, PP-5 and PP-6

adapter plates, and APM adjustable suspension mounts.

PP-T, Retail: $159.00

PP-T Angled Ceiling Adapter

Peerless:

Progressive Marketing:


The APM-2446 and APM-2446-WTare suspension adapters

manufactured by ProgressiveMarketing and are adjustable from 24”

to 46” in 1.25” intervals. They canboth be modified via cutting (hacksaw)to lower the drop from 12” to 24”. Bothmounts are designed to mate directly

with all Progressive Marketingprojector ceiling mount brackets.

APM-2446, Retail: $300.00

APM-2446-WT, Retail: $330.00

APM-2446 APM-2446-WT

The ASA-2446 is a suspension adapter manufactured by Progressive Marketing and isadjustable from 24” to 46” in 1.25” intervals. It can be modified via cutting (hacksaw) to lowerthe drop from 12” to 24”. The top plate of the ASA-2446 is coupled to the Top Pole via 1.5”NTP (National Tapered Pipe) threads. If additional length beyond 46” is needed, you only

need add the desired length of 1.5” NTP pipe. The bottom Plate is designed to mate directlywith all Progressive Marketing projector ceiling mount brackets. ASA-2446, Retail: $250.00


The PP series adapter platesallow one to use inexpensive 1.5”

or 2” NTP threaded pipe tosuspend a video projector. PP-5

and PP-6 adapter plates willmount directly to the PBM series

mounts

PP-5, Retail: $69.00

PP-6, Retail: $79.00

PP-12, Retail: $107.00

PP Series Adapter Plates

APM-2446/2 Dual Post AdjustableSuspension Adapter

The APM-2446/2 adapter is designed forlarge projectors and mates directly with all

the PBM series mounts.

APM-2446/2, Retail: $450.00


Know YourElectricalOutlets

Any power management device that isconnected to a wall outlet relies on a solidreliable connection to the house's hot, neutral

and ground power circuits in order to work properly.In many houses, particularly older ones, you may findswitched hot and neutral lines, switched ground andneutral lines, or the ground connection missingentirely. Obviously any kind miswiring seriouslycompromises the safety of your entire system andcan be a safety hazard. We recommend that allhome theater owners test your wall outlets for theseanomalies, as matter of fact, test all the outlets inyour house. The device to do this is cheap and easyto use. Radio Shack sells a good outlet tester, partnumber 22-101 for $6.95. It tells you if there anyproblems with the wiring of your outlets via threediagnostic LEDs (See chart below). If you do findanything odd, call an electrician. Usually problemslike this are simple to fix and won't end up costing aton of money.

Radio Shack 22-101Outlet Tester


There’s a lot of talk about using Isolated groundreceptacles in high-end home theater installationsthese days.Isolated ground outlets are common in

commercial installations where critical measuring ordiagnostic equipment are used. The main difference betweenthem and standard receptacles is that their groundconnections are not bonded to the metallic conduit that theyare installed in. As the diagram below illustrates, acompletely separate ground connection travels through theconduit back to the power system ground. The result of thisconstruction is that the power wires, hot, neutral and groundare shielded back all the way to the power companytransformer. If one has a lot of noise sources in the buildingor locally, using isolated receptacles is a good method tokeep interference to a minimum. For most home applications,though, isolated ground receptacles are overkill. There simplyaren’t the noise sources in a home to warrant their use. Thisdoesn’t stop some installers from putting them in. however.They are becoming more common in full construction high-end home theaters.

About IsolatedGround

Receptacles

Isolated ground receptacleshave grounds that ar e

separated from the body of thereceptacles


NOTES:

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