Mounting Concern: Miscellaneous Projector Mountings for Masterful Maintenance
The joy of home theater ownership is the wide spectrum of choices available for system components, room design, and presentation options. Although many home theater systems are mounted with telescopic arms or extended pipe to meet the needs of the viewer in larger viewing areas, some systems require a shorter mounting system. Rather than the need for adjustability in the length is the need for a very flush mount. When searching for the perfect mount in shorter mounting situations, there are flush options available.
For those home theater owners who need a combination projector mount, there exists a 4-in-1 projector mount. The product is so named because of the components that are included in the kit. There is a standard ceiling plate and there is a 9-to 12-inch extension arm. On the extension mount there is a base that has been cut at an angle in order to allow the product to be wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, or vaulted ceiling-mounted. For an added option, the 9-to 12-inch extension may be removed completely and transformed into a low profile mount. For most similar mounting kits, the adaptors or the housing may be removed and the mounts are converted from wall or ceiling mounts to flush mount products.
Naturally, one responsibility that comes with home theater ownership is repair and maintenance. For those who prefer a quick release option to easily service their theater components, there is a product referred to as a bayonet clip. The bayonet clip is designed in a bayonet mechanism, which basically makes it easy for overhead maintenance and repair. What happens typically is people put a projector up in an installation and they forget that eventually it has to come down. The problem often experienced is that with a lot of the products that are on the market, any type of service or maintenance requires a pair of pliers, an Allen wrench, or a screwdriver of some type so in order to remove the projector from its overhead mount. What the quick release clip allows is easy access and removal of the projector. The clip uses two round screw knobs for tightening and protection of the mount once the projector is installed and in place. All that is needed for removal is to loosen the two nuts and then activate the quick release clip and the product just slides off. When the projector is ready to put be returned to the mount after maintenance or repair, it simply slides back on and the two nuts are tightened. The quick release mount does not require any tools for overhead maintenance. Specifically, the quick release makes projector access much easier for the Pro AV crowd because a Pro AV Installer is typically working in environments in which they are installing large numbers of projectors in classrooms or office settings. Maintenance of the large numbers of projectors is much easier for the installers when overhead access is not part of the servicing process.
One final note regarding projection mounts is of particular interest to those individuals who are working on whole room media management systems where they have a receiver in close proximity to the projector itself. It is suggested that a bundled product be purchased that includes the receiver bay and also acts as the projection mount with an included adjustable bay. A slide bay locking mechanism is used, which is by itself a security projector mount. There are many options available; however, when you more costly projector mounts are being considered, the security projection mounts should take center stage in order to lock the product into the mount and protect it from avoidable damage.
Rocky Mounting High: Alternatives for High-Ceiling Mounting
Mounting a projector sometimes involves putting a home theater up in an attic or loft. The presence of a high vaulted ceiling requires some adjustments in the selection of products and accessories that are available for that particular type of installation.
There are no special requirements that for many mount products regardless of the height of the drop range that is involved. The amount of pipe used controls the drop range, and the possibilities are endless. All that has to be done is the measurement and arrangement of the length of pipe to be cut to the needs of the home theater owner. Anything else is in the range of possibility. For example, it is possible to mount a ceiling plate without actually having to go into a stud. However, it is recommended that vibration be considered when mounting the ceiling plate.
Vibration is a key concern. However, it does not require mounting into a stud. For instance, the suspended ceilings are quite prevalent, especially in office or school room applications. When a full ceiling presents itself, there is no stud available. A full ceiling kit suspends just above the false ceiling on the superstructure and then is supported by guide wires that go up to the studs in the ceiling itself. A lot of the projectors today are very lightweight and, depending on the pullout capabilities, it is possible that a simple drywall application may be used, but it is not recommended. The problem being that there is always the possibility of some sudden change as far as the projector is concerned, such as inadvertent hitting or grabbing. Typically, most home theater projectors weigh less than a potted plant. But, for best mounting results, it is always recommended to mount into existing studs.
If for some reason the height of the projector needs to be adjusted, telescoping pipe may be incorporated into the mounting system. Other than telescoping pipe, it is possible to purchase pipe in standard straight length and have the pipe cut to the desired drop height and thread both ends. For the financial conscious, it is possible to simply visit a local hardware store and purchase standard 1.5-inch plumber’s pipe have the length cut to specific lengths and threaded on both ends.
Although non-traditional projector mounting requires some adjustments to the basic ceiling mounting kits, there are not necessarily special requirements or difficult specifications that need be made. The home theater owner simply needs to determine height preferences and select those materials that will fulfill the desired projector mounting preferences.
