The SRND Guide to Projector Mounts and Mirrors

This guide will aim to describe the purpose, range and considerations involved with selecting a projector mount and/or mirror.

Whether mid project, looking for advice or general improvement of knowledge on the subject by the end of this guide it will be possible to make informed decisions on what mount or mirror is required and how they can help with the cinema design and specification process.

Why Use a projector Mount or Mirror?

Projectors can be large, bulky, unsightly and produce unwanted heat and noise.
Using Mounts and Mirrors provides multiple solutions to move projectors away from cinema users, reduce the amount they intrude on the usable room space, hide them out of sight and aid as part of a larger system to remove heat and noise. 

Projector placement

It can be of benefit to have a pre-existing notion of where the projector will sit, be it on the ceiling, the rear wall, an adjoining room or elsewhere. However, this guide may open up additional possibilities and solutions that haven’t been previously considered.

Projector specification

For the purposes of this guide, it is beneficial but not essential to already have a projector model in mind, if that is the case take note of the following.

Lens options

Many manufacturers will offer a range of lenses for a projector; it is a good idea to understand what the maximum and minimum throw distances of the available lenses are. See the SRND guide to throw distances.

Weight

The weight of the projector can affect what brackets can be used as well as the surface they are being mounted to. Mounting surfaces may require additional mounting support to be added, such as joinery.

Size

Consider the overall dimensions of the projector, as well as the chosen lens. Combine with the size of the mount ensure there is adequate space in the chosen area of the room.

Ventilation

Projectors will specify how much ventilation space is required as a distance from each side where warm air is exhausted. It is imperative to also allow for this space and/or any space for air movement systems.

Attachment points

Many projectors and mounts can be coupled by utilising the attachment points of the projector feet. It is important to understand the layout, spacing and compatibility of the projector attachment points and chosen Mount.

Rotation

Can the projector be rotated and if so on what axis.

If unsure on any of these specifications and which Mount or Mirror can be specified alongside which projector, please contact SRND and we will be more than happy to help.

Mount and Mirror Options

Ceiling Mounts

There are a wide range of ceiling mounts available that provide different imaginings upon the same solution. Ceiling mounts do as exactly as they say, mount the projector on or via the ceiling. These mounts can be suspended shelves, boxes, poles and plates. They position the projector at or near ceiling height, above the main cinema room, often at least partially over seating.

Pros:

• Lots of options for a range of projectors, mounted in slightly varying methods.
• Easy to install.
• Often budget friendly.
• Fit almost every room.

Cons

• While technically safe some end clients may find them psychologically disconcerting.
  
• Loss of usable room height in that location, can become a problem when also installing staging for back rows of seats.
  
• The projector remains in the room and visible which can be unsightly to some clients
  
• Depending on ceiling mount model the projector needs to be able to be mounted upside down.

Display Technologies Ceiling Mount

The Display Technologies Ceiling Mount aims to minimise some of the limitations of preexisting ceiling mounts. The DT Ceiling Mount uses two interlocking plates; one attached to the ceiling the other to the projector. Combined these plates provide an ultra-low-profile solution, minimising the extent to which the projector protrudes into the room’s ceiling height while making installation even easier. The low-profile solution also makes the projector look significantly more secure than hanging solutions, assuring the end client that it is safe. The DT Ceiling Mount is available in standard and XL sizes covering a full range of projectors suitable for ceiling mounting.

Learn more about the Display Technologies Ceiling Mount in this video.

Projector Lifts

Projector Lifts house the projector in a box mounted in the ceiling cavity while not in use. When the projector is in use a platform that makes up the base of the box lowers revealing the projector. This platform lowering mechanism is generally constructed of motors, scissor arms and safety cables in case of failure.

Pros:

• The projector is hidden when not in use.
  
• Can be less intrusive than some ceiling mount solutions.

Cons

• Projector lifts have an industrial design that can be even more unsightly than a ceiling mount when in use.
  
• Cinema rooms are generally single purpose, meaning if the room is in use the projector will be on show and if the projector is hidden the room is likely to be vacant, making the hidden projector properties redundant.
  
• While technically safe some end clients may find them psychologically disconcerting. The safety cable ironically can enforce this notion.
  
• Requires adequate ceiling space.
  
• Limited to smaller sizes of projector that can be coupled with the projector lift.
  

At SRND Group we have made the bold decision to not manufacture or distribute a projector lift product. This is because we don’t believe they adequately resolve the issues they aim to address. At SRND Group we only deal with products we believe offer the best possible solutions.

Display Technologies Motorised Mirror Drop

The Motorised Mirror Drop mount represents Display Technologies solution to the problems that projector lifts attempted to address.

The Display Technologies Motorised Mirror Drop also houses the projector within the ceiling cavity, however unlike a projector lift it remains in the ceiling cavity at all times. This means the projector is only ever visible for installation, calibration and maintenance, even when in use. The DT-MMD achieves this by utilising twin mirrors, one mounted inside the unit and another on a motorised panel that rotates to an open position when in use.

The projector is mounted facing the rear of the room, the image is projected onto one mirror mounted at 45 degrees, down to the motorised panel mirror and onto the screen.

The design of the DT-MMD leaves just a rectangular base panel visible, which can be powder coated in a range of RAL colours to match the interior design palette. As part of this panel is an access hatch for ease of install maintenance and calibration.

The DT-MMD is available in Small, Standard, Large and Short Throw options for a range of projector sizes and mounting locations.

Pros:

• Projector always hidden.
  
• Sleek profile that can be colour matched using RAL colour to interior design.
  
• Less intrusive than some ceiling mounts.
  
• Available in a range of size and mounting position options.

Cons:

• Requires adequate ceiling cavity space.
  
• Requires ventilation.

Learn more about the Display Technologies Motorised Mirror Drop in this video.

Wall Mounted Shelves and Arms

A range of wall mounted shelves and adjustable arms are available to accommodate projectors. These mounts will be attached to the wall and position the projector flat, perpendicular to the wall. Wall mounted shelves and arms are ideally suited to smaller, lighter projectors, of the type often found in office meeting rooms or school classrooms.

The 90-degree angle between the projector and the wall bracket creates a large amount of strain on the wall fixings which increases exponentially as projectors increase in size and weight.

Pros:

• Easy to install.
  
• Minimal in size.

Cons:

• Size and weight of projector heavily limited.
  
• Projector remains visible by default.

SRND Group do not offer a wall mounted shelf or arm-based solution of this type. SRND is dedicated to delivering products designed for premium entertainment spaces and immersive environments. While these wall mounts serve a purpose they do not align with SRND’s other product offerings and solutions.

Display Technologies Vertical Mirror Mount

The Display Technologies Vertical Mirror Mount allows for projectors to be mounted vertical, with a 45-degree mirror reflecting the projected image to the screen.  The Vertical Mirror Mount is designed to be positioned at the rear of the room, mounting the projector vertically in this location significant space can be saved along the length of the room. The DT-VMM utilises two interlocking plates, one attached to the projector and one mounted to the wall that also accommodates the mirror. The mirror can be adjusted to align perfectly with the projector lens and can be flipped to achieve multiple mounting positions. The DT-VMM is an ideal solution for converting a small adjoining room into a projector booth or building a micro projector booth within the cinema room itself. Typically, a DT-VMM with a projector attached will occupy no more depth than already taken up by many subwoofer configurations, meaning it can intrude on the usable room space no more than audio specifications already occupy.

The DT-VMM is available in standard, XL and a truly impressive XXL model to accommodate a range of projector sizes.

Pros:

• Increases usable room space.
  
• Easy to install.
  
• Fits most room layouts.
  
• A range of models for projector sizes.

Cons:

• Projector still visible as standard.
  
• If in a dedicated room or cupboard will require ventilation.
  
• Projector model must be able to be mounted vertically. 

Learn more about the Display Technologies Vertical Mirror Mount in this video.

Projector Platforms

Mainly deployed within dedicated projector rooms or booths, a projector platform is a freestanding structure that elevates the projector up tot the required height. Projector platforms are designed to be strong enough to easily hold the weight of the specified projector securely and without excessive movement.

Projector platforms will be designed specifically based on the projector and room design in mind as opposed to be an off the shelf solution.

Pros:

• Safe, secure solution for the largest of projectors.
  
• Easy install.
  
• Ease of access for calibration and maintenance.

Cons:

• Designed for separate rooms or purpose-built booths.
  
• Large, bulky.

SRND Group do not provide a dedicated Projector Platform solution, however the Display Technologies Screen Walls system can be utilised to create bespoke solutions. Contact SRND to discuss your project.

Display Technologies Side Mirror

The Display Technologies Side Mirror is designed for scenarios where aligning the projector perpendicular to the screen is the optimum solution, this could be to work around awkward architectural features, to save space or other, non-typical scenarios.

The Display Technologies Side Mirror is designed to be mounted so the mirror is at 45 degrees to the projector and screen, small adjustments can then be made on the mounting bracket for perfect alignment. Mountable to ceilings, walls or flat surfaces the Display Technologies Side Mirror is versatile and usable alongside a wide range of mounts.

The Display Technology Side Mirror comes in standard and XL options for use with a range of projectors.

Pros:

• Expands the range of solutions to projector placement and alignment.
  
• Easy to install.
  
• Simple to adjust.

Cons:

• Unsightly if installed outside of a booth.
• Learn more about the Display Technologies Side Mirror in this Video.

Further Help

If still unsure about what mount and arrangement is suitable for your project, please contact SRND Group where we will be more than happy to talk through your options.
Exact specifications for Display Technologies Mounts and Mirrors can be found in the dedicated section on the SRND store here.