Projectors

When it comes to installing audiovisual equipment, where and how it gets mounted is an important aspect. The wrong installment can be detrimental to its intended application, but there’s a mount for every need. Here’s a rundown on types of mounts for audiovisual equipment.

TV Mounts

Mounting the television to the wall or ceiling frees up more space in smaller rooms. Not all mounts are the same, however. Some wall mounts have more mobility, which can be beneficial when viewers change locations in the room.

Low Profile Mounts

The low-profile wall mount sits close to the wall, and is the easiest to install. However, after the television is mounted, it cannot be adjusted without re-hanging the mount. This can be an issue if the viewing angle needs to change or the room is rearranged.

Tilting Mounts

A tilting wall mount gives users the option to tilt it vertically, but not horizontally. This allows the television to be installed higher on the wall if necessary, while still providing optimal viewing by adusting the tilted of the screen.

Full-Motion Mounts

In large rooms where the viewing angle needs to be changed, a full-motion wall mount is the best choice. These have an arm that allows the user to adjust the horizontal viewing angle by moving it away from the wall. It is the most expensive and difficult set up of the wall mounts, but the viewing flexibility makes it worth it.

Ceiling Mounts

Sometimes the wall or it’s material is not capable of supporting a wall mount, such as a brick wall. A ceiling mount is the solution in this case. Ceiling mounts can also rotate and tilt in all directions for the perfect viewing angle.

Projector Mounts

Mounting a projector can be a tricky task when dealing with screen sizes and throwing ratios. Thankfully, there are a lot of options when it comes to projector mounts.

Ceiling Mounts

When considering ceiling mounts, users must decide if they want a dedicated or universal style of mount. Dedicated mounts have a specific pattern of screw holes that align with the array of screw holes on a specific projector make. Universal mounts have moveable screw holes to accommodate many different projectors of varying sizes, which can be beneficial in the long run.

Short Throw Mounts

Short throw projectors need a specific type of mount due to their throw ratio. They need to be installed inches from the screen. Most of these are wall mounts that have a telescoping arm to accommodate the distance requirements. There are also some ceiling mounts available when a wall mount won’t work.

Stacking Mounts

In many applications, stacking projectors is necessary to increase lumens in certain lighting. To accommodate this, there are stackable mounts allowing for one projector to sit atop another. These are generally mounted from the ceiling, but can also sit atop a table.

Projector Lifts

While also installed on the ceiling, these mounts hide the projector when it isn’t in use. They are motorized and can be raised and lowered with the push of a button.

Speaker Mounts

If speakers are not in the correct position, the audio could be distorted. Finding the right spot for speakers can be challenging, but finding the mount to make it possible is not. Here are some speaker mount options:

Tilt and Swivel Mounts

Used to secure speakers to the wall or ceiling, these have arms that can be swiveled. This allows for adjustment of the audio if necessary. Tilt and swivel mounts are often used in surround sound applications.

Fixed Wall and Ceiling Mounts

To keep speakers in one set position, fixed wall and ceiling mounts are available. Many houses of worship or auditoriums have fixed ceiling and wall speakers to keep audio going in a set direction or pattern.

TV Speaker Mounts

If the speakers need to accompany a television or interactive screen, they can be center channel mounted or side mounted. Both of these styles attach to the mount behind the screen and can move with the television to point at the viewer.

Speaker Stands

In areas where excess floor space is available, speaker stands are an option. They are generally made of poles with a flat base. Easy adjustability for position and height make them popular.

Camera Mounts

Cameras are used in all kinds of commercial applications from recording or live streaming lectures and speeches to video conferencing for collaboration efforts.

Ceiling Mounts

Many spaces use ceiling mounts for their video needs. Ceiling mounts can be mounted directly on the surface of the ceiling and remain completely visible. This is called a surface mount. A flush mount is when the camera is mounted inside the ceiling with only a portion of the camera and housing visible. A pendant mount hangs down from the ceiling like a pendant, which can be beneficial in situations where the camera needs to sit more at eye level like video conferencing or when more viewing angles are necessary.

Wall Mounts

With some wall mounts, the camera’s housing is connected to an arm so it sits out from the wall a few inches. Some of these mounts have an inside cable gland to protect the cable. For video conferencing needs, look at low-profile wall mounts. They are ideal for mounting the camera above a monitor that is also on a low-profile mount. Many are universal and work with all kinds of cameras, large or small.

AV Superstore has all kinds of mounts for your audiovisual equipment. Talk with our AV specialists to find out which one is right for your application.

One of the factors buyers must consider when choosing a new projector is the throw capabilities. This refers to the distance between the projector and the screen needed to get the right size image. A simple equation to find this is screen width x throw ratio = throw distance.

Here’s an example: If the projector screen is 10 feet wide and the throw ratio of the projector is 1.8:1, then the projector needs to be placed 18 feet away. 10 x 1.8 = 18. However, when deciding on a throw ratio for the projector, buyers must look at the screen size and how far away the projector is likely to be placed. In this instance they would take the throw distance and divide by the screen size to determine the throw ratio needed in a projector.

Room sizes vary considerably, and not every projector can be placed 18 feet away from the screen. This is why there are short throw and long throw projectors. The primary difference between these projectors is the type of lens included. Short throw projectors generally have a non-zoom, curved lens, while most long throw projectors have standard zoom lenses.

Short Throw Projectors

A projector with a ratio less than 1:1 is considered short throw. There are also ultra-short throw projectors which have a throw ratio of less than 0.4. Ultra-short throw projectors have a mirror that the image is projected onto first before it is reflected onto the screen.

Short throw projectors need to be placed less than three feet from the screen. Their ideal distance is 18 in.-2 ft. Ultra-short throw projectors can be placed just 15 inches away from the screen to get a 100 inch image. However, if they are placed back too far, the image will become distorted.

It is recommended to use short throw and ultra-short throw projectors with interactive whiteboards or fixed-frame screens. The shorter throw technologies can amplify any imperfections and waviness of a surface that isn’t completely flat, such as a motorized or pull-down screen.

For the best results short throw projectors should be mounted on a wall. This short distance prevents shadows and keeps the projector light from shining in the presenter’s face while they speak. Short throw projectors allow for presentations and multimedia sharing in classrooms or conference rooms with limited space.

Both short throw and ultra-short throw projectors are more expensive and are used mostly in commercial applications because of their cost.

Long Throw Projectors

Long throw projectors can require six or more feet of distance from the screen to project a 100 inch image. If this type of projector is installed closer than that to the screen, the image will shrink and not reach the edges of the screen.

In larger lecture halls, auditoriums, or conference centers, long distance projectors can project onto a large screen for maximum visibility for everyone in the room. They can also be used with all types of projector screens without amplifying screen ripples.

The main advantage of long throw projectors is that they are more cost-effective than short throw alternatives, but they do have some disadvantages as well. It is easy for the presenter to walk in front of the projected image, disrupting the audience’s view. They’re also subject to a glare on the screen.

AV Superstore has both short throw and long throw projectors available to customers. Visit our website to learn more and chat with the online support for assistance in finding the perfect projector for any size space.

AV Equipment Mounts

Short Throw and Long Throw Projectors