How to Choose the Best Projector Mount?
Table of Contents
Top Best Projector Mount Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Good Projector Mount?
The projector mount is a simple and practical solution to ensure optimal placement of the projector towards the projection screen. It is ideal for use in a dedicated home-cinema room or in a conference room. It is also an interesting solution for a living room or bedroom for regular uses of the projector. No more endless minutes of waiting before each video projection session to adjust the zoom and sharpness!
However, because there are many types and designs, the purchase of mounting equipment must not be done haphazardly. It has to undergo some basic guidelines. Here, we tell you all the possible designs, features and criteria to watch out for before buying one.
Top 8 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Projector Mount
1. Wall, Ceiling or Tripod Mount?
Different types of projector mounts can help you get a much more personalized experience. The main ones are the ceiling, floor, and wall mounts.
Projector Wall Mounts
The wall mount is the most efficient and most commonly used model. This solution is the most flexible. It allows optimal distance positioning and a full axis relative to the screen. In general, they are the most comfortable and most adaptable to the inner decor of your home. They are made of sturdy materials (majorly aluminum and steel) which help you hold the projector without falling.
Generally, the wall mounts for projectors are intended for installation at the back of the room, in line with the screen. It is therefore ideal for modest-sized rooms or for video projectors with a low zoom. It can optionally be used for lateral placement of the video projector, provided that it offers a lens shift option as well as a keystone correction. Please note; many wall mounts are adjustable. However, this freedom of movement may be hampered by a large video projector, if it is too close to the wall.
Projector Floor Mount
It can also be known as a tripod. It remains standing on the ground. The good thing is that they can be easily installed and removed. This makes them ideal for those who travel around with their projector. Most of them have a base to place it. They have an approximate height of between 60 and 140 cm. Thanks to their kneecap, they can be rotated at different angles. As they are very comfortable to be carried about, they come with their carry bags. They are made of stainless steel and other foldable plastic parts.
Projector Ceiling Mount
The ceiling mounts have designs similar to those of the wall mounts. Its main advantage is that it can be very close to the projection point. So you can project a large image. Like the wall mounts, they also come with a safety catch, a (thicker) telescopic pole and a tilting piece.
2. The Room Configuration
Before buying your mount, it is necessary to think in advance of the installation constraints. So, you need to know beforehand:
- The ceiling height or the distance from the wall opposite the screen for a wall mount: This is in order to choose the mount that is of suitable length. Depending on the room, the projector should be positioned more or less near the ceiling.
- The type of ceiling: This can be plasterboard, suspended ceiling, false ceiling, etc. The type of ceiling helps to anticipate the type of hanging for the mount.
- Cable routing: Two cables are generally used: the power cable and the HDMI cable (video signal). You can, however, opt for wireless systems. With these, you’ll only have the power cable to connect.
3. Tilting, Swiveling or Adjustable Mount
First, know that a video projector is ideally placed when it is aligned with the top of the projection screen. Thus, some projector mounts allow you to adjust the height of the projector relative to the ceiling. This helps you achieve optimal placement. If your room has a high ceiling, it will be impossible to align the projector with the projection screen, even with a height-adjustable projector stand. In this case, the choice of a vertical tilting mount is the best solution. This helps to facilitate the installation of your video projector, provided that it has a lens shift mechanism to correct the image distortion.
In some cases, a beam, a piece of furniture or even a chandelier may prevent you from placing the projector perfectly in front of the screen. In this situation, the use of an adjustable projector mount is particularly recommended. For this situation, we highly recommend Vogel’s PPC-2585 ceiling mount. This can be rotated 360° and tilted 15 °.
Finally, you may have an inclined ceiling, such as an attic converted into a home cinema room. In this case, the use of a mount with a tilting fixing base is essential to place the projector correctly. An example is Vogel’s PPC-1540 or Vogel’s PPC-2540. The former allows you to fix a video projector on a slope.
4. The Weight Supported by the Projector Mount
The maximum weight supported by the projector mount is essential to take into account when purchasing. This helps to prevent it from breaking, falling and damaging the projector; or worse, injuring someone.
It may, therefore, be wise to acquire a mount’s capable of accommodating a heavier video projector than your current model. This is in anticipation of your next investment in a 3D or 4K model which may not be of the same weight. For your information, a 1080p 3D video projector like the BenQ W2000 + weighs 3.6 kg, while a 4K UHD video projector like the Sony VPL-VW270ES exceeds 10 kg.
In any case, it is advisable to buy universal mounts with a weight capacity of at least 22lbs (10kg). Some models can have a capacity as high as 22kg. In fact, Vogel’s PPC-2540 projector mount can accommodate a projector up to 25 kg.
5. The Distance Between the Fixings of the Video Projector
Before buying a mount for your projector, check the distance between the different fixing points on the bottom of the projector (the center distance). Most brackets have an adjustable center distance system. But it’s best to check the exact length needed, to be sure you don’t go wrong.
6. Fixed Projector Mounts or Motorized Projector Mounts
All the types of projector mounts listed previously (wall, floor and ceiling mounts) are fixed mounts. However, the integration of a video projector in a living room or in a public place can be installed to be very inconspicuous. This is thanks to the so-called electric lift mounts. They are also an extension of the ceiling mounts. Opting for a video projector lift system can be an ingenious solution for integrating the projector into the ceiling. This type of system allows the projector to be perfectly concealed in the ceiling when it is not in use.
Then, when you want to watch a movie, the elevator can be operated using a remote control. This then silently lowers the projector to the desired height. A good example is a Home and Garden Projector Scissor Lift. Very practical, this is a perfect solution for fully integrating the video projector into the ceiling.
7. The Ergonomics of the Mount
For even more comfort of use, some mounts adopt a fast fixing/removal system of the video projector. The Vogel’s EPW-6565 projector mount has a fastening system for the quick removal of the projector. Some models are also fitted with an anti-theft system. These are most often found in the Kensington models. For total integration, some video projector mounts also incorporate a cable management system in their central tube.
Note that the purchase of a video projector using a wireless HDMI connection system allows the installation of a video projector where only the power cable remains. This type of transmission also allows the video projector to be moved away, without being constrained by the length of the HDMI cable. Otherwise, a high-quality HDMI cable is essential to guarantee optimal signal transfer over long lengths. Above 10 meters, using an HDMI cable using an optical fiber such as the NorStone Jura HDMI Optic cable is preferable to avoid signal degradation.
8. Technical Specifications
The specifications of each mount allow knowing the installation possibilities. So remember to check the following:
- Compatibility of the mount with the projector: Some brands (notably Epson and Optoma) offer their own mounts. But it is also advisable to opt for a universal mount in case you change the projector.
- Maximum load: As earlier explained, this is the maximum weight that the projector can have. This is indicated for each mount.
- Minimum and maximum height adjustment: This can, for example, be how far from the ceiling can the video projector be.
- Vertical tilt: This is used to refer to an angle of which is generally between 10 and 50°. This feature allows you to tilt the projector vertically, especially if the screen is too low. Coupled with the keystone feature (to correct the trapezoid deformation of the image), this increases the placement possibilities.
- 360° rotation on the horizontal plane: This function is present on almost all media.
In addition, the mounts generally include a cable pass (to avoid having visible connection cables).
Wrapping Up
Depending on the needs, room style, and budget, the choice will be between the wall, ceiling, tripod or electric lift mount models. Remember to check the height of the ceiling or the distance between the wall and the screen.
In addition, pay attention to the mount’s ability to tilt and rotate. The type of ceiling; the mount’s attachment system; the length of the cables and the load capacity (maximum weight supported) are equally important factors to consider.
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