Due to WAF issues I am looking to set up a removable projector hanging system in a dual-use room (family room/home theater). I am thinking about a plain white mounting plate on the ceiling that accepts a threaded rod. When needed I would thread the rod in then mount the projector to the bottom end. My question is whether anyone makes a nice quick-release projector mount for the bottom end of the rod. I have seen some styles that claim they are easy to detach for service but it is hard to tell how quickly and easily this is done (a mechanism that involved sliding a piece mounted to the projector into an acceptor plate and tightening with some type of camming lever would be ideal).

I have a Peerless PRS-UNV mount for my projector. There is a single thumb screw on a spring that locks the projector into the mount. I have had to remove the projector several times and it is super easy. Every time I have had to re-aligning the image. It was not off by much (<2%) but it is not exact every time.

My only concern is that with all the variables that you are talking about with the pole and the mount you will not be able to have the image land in the exact same spot on the screen every time.

What are you going to do about all the signal cables and power? Those will also have to be disconnected and stored somehow every time too.

Laters,
Jeff

Thanks for the tip on the Peerless mount.

I am currently setting up the projector on a coffee table so I am used to tweaking position, zoom and focus every time I use the projector. I want to avoid the current solution since the HDMI cable and power cord are exposed and a tripping hazard.

I am thinking about having a plate permanently mounted on the ceiling (painted to match) - therefore minimal room impact. The drop pipe would be threaded in and the projector clamped to the mount at the bottom of the drop with each use. The projector has vertical and horizontal shift so fine-tuning so shouldn't take too long to set up each time. I will pull power and HDMI to a wall plate under the projector location. Two cables complete the install each time.

I have a Chief RPA series projector mount. It can screw on to a pipe. The mount angle is adjustable & the project fastens to the mount by 4 thumb screws. You can remove the project and never touch the adjustment.

http://www.chiefmfg.com/store/detail/?product_id=80749

I would not want to do what you suggest. I have had to remove my projector a couple of times and while it is not hard with a Chief mount (they have thumb-screws that are easy to loosen and tighten), the projector has to be realigned and refocused each time it is put back.

We have our projector ceiling mounted in our family room and while I always notice it, none of our guests have ever noticed it until we have pointed it out or turned it on. That still surprises me. You may want to try mounting it and then seeing if anyone actually notices it if you leave it up.