Project the Best Image Possible with the Right Home Theater Projector Mount
The responsibilities of home theater ownership do not end with the purchase of home theater products. Although flat panel displays are one of the most popular choices for home systems, many systems implement a projector for the system’s means of image display. When electing to install a projector for the primary display source, home theater owners must take into account the different styles and types of projector mounts.
Projector mounts are varied and are dependent upon the product and owner preference. Projector mounts include standard ½-inch NBT-compatible pipe mounts, ceiling mounts with their own ceiling plates and channel, wall mounting, security mounting and whole-room bundled kits. What projector owners should take into consideration when selecting a projector mount is the ease of installation and the integrity of the product. Some features available in higher-quality projector mounts include bayonet quick-release disconnects and reconnects, no-gear micro-adjust minimal moving parts, and radial arms.
Features of particular importance for projector mounting are both stability and ease of adjustment. Projector mounts, due to the nature of the product, are typically ceiling mounted and can be susceptible to vibration. If the product is not of a robust design and can isolate and absorb the different dynamics that are in play when a projector mount is installed, there is the potential for the development of difficulties. Ease of adjustment is key and one of the reasons special mounts with no moving parts are developed.
Because there is no industry standard for projector mounts, the system owner is responsible for researching and selecting the appropriate mount for their projector. There are challenges the home theater owner faces when mounting a projector. Considerations such as projector positioning and throw distance adjustability affect the final decision regarding the manner in which the projector is mounted. Whether mounting the projector traditionally with a basic ceiling plate, full ceiling panels, or a suspended ceiling, the home theater owner must know what their personal preferences are along with the requirements of the system and take the appropriate steps to sufficiently securing the projector using a compatible projector mount.
No Studs Needed: Alternative Mounting Strategies for your Home Theater Display
Mounting options for home theater owners are numerous and each has its own advantages. Many times, the mounting option chosen is done so based on the needs of the owner as well as the primary use of the system and the configuration of the available space. Mounting options other than basic stud mounting include ceiling mounts, fireplace mounts, cabinet mounts, and in-wall boxes.
Many home theater owners prefer a mounting alternative other than coming off the wall and going into the wood studs. One choice is taking advantage of a ceiling mount application. For effective ceiling mounts, home theater owners are encouraged to use ceiling plates with either a standard or telescoping pipe, including a collar that goes around the pipe and fits above the ceiling plate. The collar holds the pipe in place and takes all the stress off of the threads. The ceiling plate is one solution when electing to bypass the use of studs and is not typically used in a residential environment.
Fireplace mounts allow home theater owners more flexibility in their mounting options when a fireplace is a primary component of their home theater environment.
Articulating and ceiling mounts can all be used over the fireplace. The primary consideration is the structural support load and the wall itself. Mounting alternatives are necessary when fireplace materials, such as marble, rock, or slate, require the dropping down of the display from the ceiling rather than from the fireplace itself.
Cabinet mounts and in-wall boxes are two more mounting solutions for home theater owners who have carefully considered their mounting requirements and wish to have their displays mounted in a more inconspicuous fashion. For either option, proper measurement and preparation are key, along with adequate support for the unit itself. Both cabinet mounts and in-wall boxes allow heavier sets to be mounted with the support of the cabinet or wall materials and specially designed plates.
The last mounting option that addresses owner preference is an articulating mount that allows the viewer more viewing position flexibility. Articulating mounts may be implemented using single-stud or dual-stud models, depending upon the demands of the set and the room design. The advantage of the articulating mounting product is the versatility it provides when mounting the display set in such areas as the corner of the designated home theater room. When the TV is diagonal to the corner of the room, anything that is holding the display behind it is hidden anyway.
Regardless of the mounting option selected, it is important for the theater owner to understand the limitations and requirements of their respective display sets and room design before making any mounting decisions. The problem to avoid is the costly one of an inadequate mount that results in the damage or destruction of the set from an improper mount.
