Will my spotlights get in the way of the picture from the projector?

[simonprr]

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a projector (never had one before) and I'm probably going to have to mount it on the ceiling. However, I have central spotlights and worried that they hang down too much and might get in the way of the picture from the projector. I've uploaded a sample picture of the spotlights I have (not exactly the same, but similar). I'm not sure exactly how far they hang down from the ceiling but maybe approx. 20cm and the projector will be approx. 1.5m from them.

I know I can alter the angle of the projection but don't want the screen too low on the wall and will probably also mount this on the ceiling.

Please could anyone help/advise?

Thanks in advance.

[Liam @ Prog AV]

You need a direct line-of=sight from the lens on the projector to the top of the image on the screen. Although in some cases (e.g. ThemeScene) the projector has such a large offset that the projector needs to be say 20cm from the ceiling, and the top of the image 60cm. Again same story though, as long as there is line-of-sight then you are safe. What is the projector you are going to use and what screen?

[simonprr]

I was thinking of going for a cheap projector, like the Optoma HD700X, however I really want to see it in action before I buy. I also have loads of questions in general about projectors, but thought I would start with this issue first. Most of the reviews/comments I've seen about the Optoma have been good, but some mixed. Plus no-one seems to be able to tell me what the wheel speed is inside. I emailed Optoma to ask, but never got a reply.

I live in Kent. I see that you are located in Tunbridge Wells, not too far. Do you have a good range of projectors that are in the same budget range of the Optoma HD700X? Are Progessive Audio Visual and AVToad the same or related company?

[simonprr]

Please see the attached picture. Sorry for the basic nature, but is this what you mean? Does the picture project like I have drawn?

Thanks for the help

[rocketron204]

I had the same problem as you, but mine was a ceiling fan and light.

Yes your picture is right and if you mount the projector on the wall you should be able to set the top of the projector just below the bottom of the lights without a longish pole from the ceiling.

You should also take into consideration the distance between the projector and the screen as this will determin how big an image you can project.

I have an infocus IN78 and a grandview 6ft wide screen projected onto from 9ft away, the maximum size image from 9ft.

The throw ratio for my projector is 1.53 to 1.94

The throw ratio for the projector your looking at is 1.55 to 1.7


You will also have a better image if you can darken the room as in normal light the picture will appear "washed out" (imagine shining a torch onto a wall during the day, it doesn't appear as bright).

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Sorry Simon, the projectors we have on demo at the moment are JVC HD350 and Sim2 HT380 which aren't quite the same budget as the Optoma LOL!

[JagoPlasma]

might be a good excuse to upgrade to recessed spotlights

[simonprr]

Originally Posted by rocketron204

I had the same problem as you, but mine was a ceiling fan and light.

Yes your picture is right and if you mount the projector on the wall you should be able to set the top of the projector just below the bottom of the lights without a longish pole from the ceiling.

You should also take into consideration the distance between the projector and the screen as this will determin how big an image you can project.

I have an infocus IN78 and a grandview 6ft wide screen projected onto from 9ft away, the maximum size image from 9ft.

The throw ratio for my projector is 1.53 to 1.94

The throw ratio for the projector your looking at is 1.55 to 1.7


You will also have a better image if you can darken the room as in normal light the picture will appear "washed out" (imagine shining a torch onto a wall during the day, it doesn't appear as bright).

Thats interesting. I think the problem I'd then have is getting the distances right ....I can't decide which way round to have things and where to put the screen.

Is it possible to get quite long (extendable) poles so I can still mount it on the ceiling?

Originally Posted by Liam @ Prog AV

Sorry Simon, the projectors we have on demo at the moment are JVC HD350 and Sim2 HT380 which aren't quite the same budget as the Optoma LOL!

How much are those projectors? I'd be really interested to see the difference between a £500 and a £1000/£2000 projector, is there really that much difference? Is it really that much better to make the extra money worth it?

Originally Posted by JagoPlasma

might be a good excuse to upgrade to recessed spotlights

Yeah I did think that, but it's lots of work and would require plastering etc, plus I may move at some point. If a light shines through the beam from a projector will it affect the image? I realise that if it is lighter in the room the image won't be as good, but I was just wondering if spotlights can affect it?

Thanks for the help/replies.

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Originally Posted by simonprr

How much are those projectors? I'd be really interested to see the difference between a £500 and a £1000/£2000 projector, is there really that much difference? Is it really that much better to make the extra money worth it?

The HD350 is £3,500 and the Sim2 is £7,500. Of course the image is better, but how much so and what you are willing to pay for would be down to your own judgement. You will be making gains in basically every aspect of your image, the DLP or LCOS chipset will be 1080p resolution rather than 720p, the lamp will be better quality going through much higher quality optics. Indeed the JVC and Sim2 both use high quality glass optics with well sealed light paths - this gives you better contrast and black levels, more shadow detail, and better colour accuracy. The high quality glass optics give you much better colour uniformity across the whole width and height of the image. Other gains will be made in the video processing department which does the work of deinterlacing and scaling the signal, also gaining features like 1080p24 input, HDMI 1.3, and better built more reliable construction. There's plenty to search on this site, especially for the JVC which is a popular bunny indeed at the moment! Don't want to drag this thread too far off-topic for the other posters

[Davy]

Originally Posted by JagoPlasma

might be a good excuse to upgrade to recessed spotlights

That would be my solution too. Much better than having the projector hanging on a drop pole imo.

[JagoPlasma]

Originally Posted by simonprr

Yeah I did think that, but it's lots of work and would require plastering etc, plus I may move at some point. If a light shines through the beam from a projector will it affect the image? I realise that if it is lighter in the room the image won't be as good, but I was just wondering if spotlights can affect it?

Thanks for the help/replies.

I dont think plastering will be a problem, aslong as you dont slip and your ceiling is plasterboard then your light fittings should fit in no problem. if you move then leave the lights, they aint exactly expensive.

and no, unless you are directing it towards the PJ, Screen or another reflective surface you shouldnt have a problem. infact they will reduce the amount of light getting to the screen if you plan it right and get the right type. (the lights you currently have prob illuminate alot of room, whearas the in ceiling ones can be directed better)

[DrugstoreCowboy]

Although not accurate by any means this could be seen as closer to how the beam on my projector (for example) behaves:

Taking that into consideration (model/distance) you may not have do any work to the lights...

[TrevorG]

Simon,

If you're not too far from the Medway Towns, I could possibly demo my spare HD700X (and ceiling bracket) for you.

Trevor

[simonprr]

Originally Posted by JagoPlasma

I dont think plastering will be a problem, aslong as you dont slip and your ceiling is plasterboard then your light fittings should fit in no problem. if you move then leave the lights, they aint exactly expensive.

and no, unless you are directing it towards the PJ, Screen or another reflective surface you shouldnt have a problem. infact they will reduce the amount of light getting to the screen if you plan it right and get the right type. (the lights you currently have prob illuminate alot of room, whearas the in ceiling ones can be directed better)

I agree spotlights probably would be the way forward. However I don't see how I could have them installed without chanelling out the ceiling (it is plasterboard) to run the cables or lifting the floor upstairs which would be even more work.

Originally Posted by DrugstoreCowboy

Although not accurate by any means this could be seen as closer to how the beam on my projector (for example) behaves:

Taking that into consideration (model/distance) you may not have do any work to the lights...

Cool, thanks for that. I might just have to choose my projector and see if I can work around the lights.

[JagoPlasma]

1. you dont channel through plasterboard!
2. you do lift the floor boards upstairs, its not hard and its definately worth it. you can wire off of your existing light just make sure you turn the power off at your main junction box as turning it off at the light switch will still leave a circuit!