Projector installation guide

A good projection system is essential for a hall, theatre, seminar room or for that matter any college or an educational institute. Projector installation is not a very complicated exercise. With few tips one can successfully select the right projector along with an understanding on proper installation. I have seen people getting flummoxed over various issues in selection of projectors and then projector installation. I have summed below FAQs for commoners like you and me to help ourselves in selection of right projectors and its installation.

1. What should be the optimum brightness?
Brightness is generally measured in ANSI lumens. For home theatres with no ambient light 700 lumens would be sufficient. Where ambient light is available then probably 2000 lumens would be required. In between the decision can be taken based on the ambient lighting present in the room. The decision is best left to the experts so that they can recommend the right projection system for you.

2. What shall be the consideration on Image quality?
The projection on the screen will depend upon what inputs you are receiving through your computer. If the image quality itself is not top class then the projection will also be the same. There are many projectors with top end screen resolution available in the market. HDTV is the supreme. But if you are trying to project a DVD output for a home theater then probably even WVGA would serve the purpose.

3. What is the Lamp life?
Projector installation rarely focuses on this aspect. Normally lamps work for 2000-4000 hours to their "half life". If proper filter and lamp cleaning is done then lamp life can be increased.

4. What is the aspect ratio?
This means that projection system is designed in 4:3 or 16:9 proportions. Most of the computer monitors are designed in 4:3 proportions while home theatre systems are normally 16:9 proportions.

5. Which should be best installation position?
Front positioning occupies lot of area in the front on table top and sometimes blocks the vision of people sitting in front just behind the projector. A ceiling mounted projector makes the front area clear and generally provides better viewing experience. However while a front top projection system is handy and can be moved to other locations, the ceiling projection system is fixed and can be used in that hall or location only. This is true of all fixed systems whether they are mounted on ceiling, side walls etc. A rear table top projection system offers the better of the two worlds.

All projectors are unique and have their own throw distances. So when you purchase a screen keep the specification in mind of one type of projector may not get synchronized with the other one and its projector installation. It is therefore always a better idea to buy the projector first. Get the projector installation done. See for yourself how it is working then only go for the purchase of screen.

Projector installation guide

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