I want to replace a RP DLP set with a front projector (leaning toward the Epson 1080UB) and screen in my fairly well light controlled basement and I need some advise regarding the best position or method to place the projector. The room is 15 ft wide (the screen wall) and about 30 feet long and 7ft 4 inches high.

I'm looking to go at least 100 inch 16:9 screen...likely will be matte white due to the low cost.

Seating will be nothing special....just an old leather sectional sofa so viewing height (eye level) is average height.

My questions are....

What are the optical disadvantages of ceiling mounting the projector rather than placing it on a stand so that it is dead center of the screen?

and

From what I've read on this forum, a higher ceiling than mine is desirable? Why? I would think you'd want the projector mounted as low as possible to the center of the screen so that any extra room height would be wasted?

If this is the wrong forum for this question, please let me know where I should post. and thanks in advance for any wisdom and education you can offer.

u must be talking about keystone. with a dlp pj u would have to get it as center as possible, but with lcd u can get away with lens shift. lens shift have little no effect on the picture quality. The epson mention is a lcd one so mounting location is flexible.

The other advantage of ceiling mount is not have to move it or touch it. I don't know about u, but I just don't like to move thing especially pj.

What are the optical disadvantages of ceiling mounting the projector rather than placing it on a stand so that it is dead center of the screen?

Optically there's really no difference, but to fill the screen the projector might have to be 12' back from the screen, which might be right in the middle of your vewing position. If you have the projector positioned correctly you shouldn't have to use the keystone option.

Practically it gets the projector and the cabling out of the way...unless you're running right to a floor box, of course.

From what I've read on this forum, a higher ceiling than mine is desirable? Why? I would think you'd want the projector mounted as low as possible to the center of the screen so that any extra room height would be wasted?

When a projector is ceiling mounted it's mounted upside down with the top of the lense even with the top of the screen. A higher ceiling gets the screen up higher which allows for longer viewing distances.

Frank

Thanks Frank,

Sorry I'm so dense but what I'm having trouble with is that if ceiling mounted and the lens is at the top of the screen, wouldn't there be some "keystoning" effect since the projector would need to be pointed down and therfore not centered on the screen?

Thanks Frank,

Sorry I'm so dense but what I'm having trouble with is that if ceiling mounted and the lens is at the top of the screen, wouldn't there be some "keystoning" effect since the projector would need to be pointed down and therfore not centered on the screen?

You're not dense at all...it's not intuitive, but most projectors produce a beam that is horizontal on the bottom of the lense and angled at the top of the lense. Thus, when you ceiling mount you have to invert the projector...and you would only have to use the keystone feature if you were forced to mount it too high.

Frank

Thanks again Frank!