How to properly install a projector on the ceiling: selecting and installing a bracket

The bracket is the holder to which the projector is attached. Ceiling models are most often used. They are more convenient because, even when placed in the center of the room, they do not interfere with movement. Another advantage is the high quality of the projected image, since the broadcast is carried out directly on the screen. The image is not blurred along a horizontal line, as when placed on a wall. But brackets for ceiling-type projectors are different. And beginners who purchased video equipment for the first time cannot always select and install this accessory correctly. Let's take a closer look at the existing types of brackets and figure out how to mount the projector to the ceiling.

Types of Ceiling Mounts for Projectors

Holders are made mainly of metal; products made of plastic and wood are much less common. The bracket consists of several parts: a holding part (mount for a video projector), a rod and a support that is installed on the ceiling. The design can be different, which allows you to choose the right model for any projector. Let's look at the existing options.

Crabs (spiders)

This is one of the most popular types of ceiling brackets. The design consists of the following parts:

• mounting foot - the upper part attached to the ceiling using anchors or dowels;
• housing grip unit (the so-called “crab” or “spider”) - consists of several strips that are screwed to the projector cover;
• swivel joint - a part that connects the heel to the “crab”, which makes it possible to rotate and tilt the video projector.

If the upper part of different manufacturers is almost the same, then the design of the “spiders” is different and comes in several types:

• X-shaped with fixed slats;
• with movable adjustable legs;
• with sliding parallel clamps.

“Spiders” are universal fasteners that provide many possible positions for connection to the device. The mobility of the legs or fasteners ensures correct balancing of the equipment and center of gravity.

Three bolts

Some projectors only have three mounting slots on the lid. For such models, special types of “spiders” are produced - with three bolts. But if such a bracket is not found, then take an ordinary “crab” with movable legs and remove one bar. In most cases, it is possible to set the desired position.

Retractable (telescopic)

These brackets are equipped with a retractable rod. The ceiling stand is a round or square pipe that connects the mounting foot to the “crab”. There is an adjustment mechanism on top that allows you to align the bar vertically.

Telescopic bracket models are usually chosen for rooms with a height of 3 m or more.

Elevators

These are motorized elevators that are installed in a suspended ceiling or in a special niche. When the equipment is not in use, it is raised, reducing the likelihood of damage to the equipment.

Elevator brackets are designed somewhat differently. They represent a platform on which the projector is placed and secured. Instead of the usual barbell, a scissor mechanism is used here.

An elevator bracket is one of the most convenient options for high office spaces and conference rooms. Such models are quite bulky, although compact products for apartments are also produced (30-40 cm in the folded position).

Elevators are the most expensive and difficult to install devices. The most difficult thing is to set up the mechanism for extending and lifting the platform, so specialists are involved in the work.

How to choose the right bracket

The holder must meet the following requirements:

1. The permissible load must correspond to the weight of the projector (indicated in the technical specifications and accompanying documents). Compliance with this requirement will not only ensure the safety of the equipment, but will also protect residents from injury.
2. The layout of holes and sockets for connection to the device must match. If the model is universal, it is chosen so that the platform is configured as accurately as possible. This is also a safety factor.
3. The size of the boom must match the projection distance. Even sliding parts have a limited length. Therefore, you first need to carry out all the calculations and find out at what height the screen will be suspended. We'll look at how to do this below.

In addition, they take into account whether additional functions are needed: the ability to rotate or tilt the optical axis, and if so, in what increments. They allow you not only to clearly adjust the picture, but also to change the location of the screen. It is also necessary to take into account the design of the ceiling. For example, in attics the roof is located at an angle, so you will need a bracket with the ability to adjust the slope. In this case, the degree of inclination is selected depending on the degree of bevel of the ceiling.

Do I take a roll?

I searched for a long time for a roll-up screen of this diagonal and finally found:

And I even ordered it! And then I thought with my head and decided to estimate the size and weight:

• Screen body size (cm): 282 x7.2×7.2
• Package size (cm): 290 x12x14
• Weight: 15 kg

Almost three-meter non-demountable box! Not only can I not lift one like this up the stairs, but I can’t even carry it into the entrance! (In fact, going down and measuring is not an option). Maybe through the window... Well, some stupid thoughts. Maybe we can also send you a package by helicopter, hmm?

I hastily cancel the order.

Installing the projector on the ceiling

Attaching projection equipment to the ceiling has its own characteristics. This is harder to do than with a TV or speakers. The image on the screen should be transmitted as clearly as possible. Only with proper installation will watching a movie bring pleasure and delight you with a bright picture.

Determining the height and installation location

Where to hang the projector is determined by the shape of the room, the size of the screen and the characteristics of the equipment itself. Also take into account obstacles in the path of the rays - chandeliers, air conditioners and other devices. They check whether pets or people can damage the equipment (this is likely if there is a high podium in the house).

Before installation, calculate the projection distance between the screen and the lens. To do this, you need to find the projection ratio in the instructions for the device. The value is represented by a numeric range or a single digit. To obtain the desired value, multiply the screen width by the projection ratio, expressed in inches or centimeters. So, for a screen with a diagonal of 100 cm with a projection ratio of 2:1 to 3:1, the distance should be 200-300 cm.

Using the same formula, they will find out what size screen is needed if the equipment must stand at a certain point. Then the distance to the planned location is divided by the projection ratio and the required width is obtained. For example, 10 m/2:1=5 m.

When choosing a location for the projector, you need to consider:

• seating arrangement - they are not placed at the bottom if the equipment is heavy, especially when the home theater is used to show cartoons to children;
• places of sockets - the cable length should be enough to connect to the power supply;
• image quality - the picture will be different depending on the distance even if the calculations are correct, so you need to try several positions.

Next, find the amount of vertical displacement of the projector (in percent) at which the image is displayed correctly. This parameter is also indicated in the instructions. With a positive value, the image is located above, with a minus value, below the lens. Positive numbers are more important because the equipment is mounted upside down.

At the next stage, the optimal height is calculated using the formula: the screen height is multiplied by the vertical displacement indicator. For example, if the screen height is 124 cm, and the vertical offset is +/-96.3%, or 0.963, the result is: 124 * 0.963 = 119.4 cm. This means that the equipment must be installed accordingly up to 119 cm above or 119 cm below the middle demo panel.

Another important value to figure out before mounting your projector to the ceiling is the horizontal lens offset. The lenses should be aimed at the center of the screen. The position is calculated using the previous formula, but takes the horizontal offset (%) multiplied by the screen width.

Complex calculations are more often used when installing demonstration equipment in large rooms. At home, it is often enough to calculate the height of the bar (X), which is determined as follows:

X=A-B-C , where:

• A is the height of the walls;
• B is the distance from the floor to the bottom edge of the demonstration screen;
• C is the vertical length of the canvas.

For example: 2.5-1-1= 0.5 m.

Most brackets make it possible to move equipment vertically. This allows you to find the most suitable point. If the rod has a fixed length, then the bracket is mounted at the height recommended by the manufacturer.

Mounting the bracket and securing the projector

When all the calculations have been made, select a mount that matches the brand of the projector and connect the cables. Then proceed to installation:

1. Screw the projector to the legs or lower platform of the bracket in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Check the reliability of the fastening.
2. Open the screen on which the broadcast will be carried out.
3. Adjust the height of the suspension.
4. Check the picture quality by first attaching the projector to the ceiling. The boundaries of the frame when zooming in the middle position should coincide with the edges of the screen, as well as the center of the image and the demonstration canvas.
5. From the middle of the screen, draw a perpendicular line along the ceiling, marking the place under which the center of the lens should be placed.
6. Holes are drilled in the concrete ceiling and plastic dowels are inserted. In wooden houses, beam ceilings are used for this.
7. Center the device so that the corners do not outweigh.
8. Screws are tightened securely.
9. Adjust the position of the projector along the X, Y, Z axes.

Wires can be hidden in the ceiling. To do this, a groove is cut into the ceiling. After laying the cables, the surface is leveled with putty. An easier way to hide wiring is to use a plastic cable duct.

Final projector settings

After installation is complete, turn on the projector and adjust focus, lens shift and other parameters: brightness, contrast, color. If you cannot install the equipment perpendicular to the screen or if it is above or below the acceptable zone, you will not get a rectangular frame. Then use digital keystone correction - this function is provided by the projector software. But if the deviations are significant, the picture quality will deteriorate.

Sometimes it turns out that the distance to the screen is not enough or it is too large. This may be dictated by the configuration of the room. Then a long-focus or short-focus lens will correct the situation. The accessory is sold separately from the multimedia system.

Incorrect installation of the projector will affect the image quality. If it is located too close, the picture will be small; if it is too far, it will go beyond the boundaries of the screen canvas.

Decide on screen height

This indicator depends on the layout of your room. If you plan to watch a movie on the sofa or you have several armchairs, then a suitable screen height will be from 61 to 91 centimeters from the floor. If your home theater really looks like a movie theater, that is, you have placed chairs or armchairs in several rows, then you need to take the screen higher. This is to ensure that people who will be sitting in the front row can see any images or films projected on the screen. You should also always remember parameters such as screen height and width. They will be needed in the process of calculating the installation location of the projector. The best option is a 100-inch diagonal.

Features of fastening to suspended and suspended ceilings

The method of mounting the holder depends on the finish of the floors. For suspended and frame structures, the process is slightly different.

Plasterboard ceiling

The total weight of the projector and bracket is taken into account when working with this type of finish. So, with a weight of up to 5 kg, equipment is hung on gypsum boards. For this purpose, you can use butterfly dowels, which open after screwing in the screw and hold the device.

For greater weight (up to 10 kg), the holder is attached to a metal frame, to which drywall is hemmed. The location of the profile is determined with a magnet.

If heavy equipment is used, a hole is drilled in the drywall and the holder is secured to the base ceiling. Then the slot can be hidden with decorative polyurethane overlays.

Armstrong cassette ceiling

This finish is the most convenient because it allows you to easily dismantle one slab. Install the bracket like this:

1. Remove the cassette.
2. Wiring is laid between the base and finished ceilings.
3. A hole is drilled in the panel for the stand and cable.
4. A holder with a rod is attached to the rough ceiling.
5. A drilled cassette ceiling tile is placed on the stand and the wires are passed through the hole.
6. Return the removed elements to their place. Then the “crab” is screwed on and the projector is attached.

Stretch ceiling

This is one of the most problematic options, so it is better to contact the company that installed the ceiling. A beginner will most likely ruin the film coating and the canvas will have to be changed.

There are two ways to install the projector on a suspended ceiling:

1. On the embedded part . At the point where the bracket is attached to the floor slab, a wooden beam or plastic platform is mounted flush with the suspended ceiling. After stretching the canvas, the holder for the projector is screwed to the embedded part located in the interceiling space.
2. On a concrete floor with outlet to the outside . If the length of the bracket rod allows, the rack is attached to the sub-ceiling. Then a hole is cut out in the tension fabric, after gluing a tread ring so that the hole does not come apart. This method is more complicated, since you need to accurately calculate the location of the cutout, otherwise folds will form after stretching. In addition, the integrity of the canvas is compromised.

Due to the high risks and large amount of work required, it is best to install the projector in the ceiling. If such a need arose after the repair, then the tension fabric is partially dismantled.

Read more: How to remove a suspended ceiling

It is also important to consider that most popular projection equipment models become very hot during operation. From high temperatures, the PVC film, which is used as a canvas for a stretch ceiling, can be deformed, therefore, the further away the projector is located, the better.

How to make a ceiling mount for a projector with your own hands

Manufacturers recommend hanging the projector on standard or factory universal brackets. But if the device is broken or there is no replacement, you can make the accessory yourself using this master class.

To make the bracket you will need:

• square aluminum tube;
• 4 galvanized corners;
• mounting plate to fit the projector;
• 4 bolts for mounting to the ceiling;
• bolts 4x32 and 4x16, nuts and self-tapping screws.

The structure is assembled in this order:

1. We make a bar: we cut the pipe in half and glue the parts with superglue.
2. We screw the corners in pairs to get an H-shaped structure. We screw two nuts onto each bolt. For reliability, you can “seal” the fasteners with superglue.
3. We cut the mounting plate to the size of the projector. Then we drill holes corresponding to the mounting points on the device body.
4. We screw the rod.
5. Drill 4 holes in the ceiling.
6. Attach the bracket.
7. We screw the projector.

In short, Sklifosovsky!

So what am I saying? “Why not,” I thought, “kill two birds with one stone: take a Chinese LED projector for testing as a temporary one (until it goes out) and, in fact, get at least some kind of projector at your disposal? Preferably - for free!”

So I did. True, it didn’t work out for free... And in the end I bought a small Chinese projector from a popular brand with the letter “X” for my own money. You will go to great lengths for the sake of science.

But now I finally had at least something on which I could watch the GSL SC2 championships and all sorts of videos on YouTube in the evenings, knowing that at the same time I was doing a good deed in the form of a regular “test of the strength of the LED projector” .