en
de en
Beamer an der Decke montieren

Mounting a beamer on the ceiling in just a few steps

Film fans, sports enthusiasts, and gamers know that the most enjoyable experience is an immersive one. When you have a large-enough picture, the enjoyment factor increases. There are now affordable solutions for this in your own home. It is not always necessary to buy expensive flatscreens, especially since they are usually not able to produce the image size that beamers and screens can. However, the mere thought of mounting a beamer gives many entertainment fans a headache. But no need to worry! We give you tips and explain how to mount a beamer on the ceiling, attach the screen, and thus make the dream of a home cinema a reality.

Step 1: Analyse the lighting conditions

Screens onto which the film, game, or sporting event is projected by the beamer unfortunately reflect not only its light but also light from other sources. One example of this is the natural light of the sun. Artificial light such as that from lamps is also reflected by screens. It is therefore important to install the screen and projector in a room where natural or artificial light either does not interfere with the image or can be blocked out by blinds and curtains. This is because, as in the cinema, the best possible picture quality is achieved when the room is as dark as possible.

Step 2: Selecting the right screen and beamer

Now it's time to select the projector and screen. The latter should ideally be made of PVC to ensure an even surface. Depending on the condition of the wall, however, you can consider whether a screen is necessary at all: if it’s a smooth, white wall it might be a great screen already! However, if you do decide to use a screen, it is important to consider its size. If it is too small, the desired home cinema effect will not be achieved; if, on the other hand, it is too large, the room will be disfigured by it and a white border will form around the projection.

To achieve the best picture possible in your own home cinema, the most important part of the home cinema is the right projector. If the projector is to be set up in the living room or in other rooms where people like to spend a lot of time, attention should be paid to the sound of the fan. The film experience should be completely immersive, without loud fan noises.

Step 3: Calculate the distance of the projector

The image width of the projection and the position of the projector mount will depend on the size of the room and the wall on which the screen is mounted. For a cinema-like effect, we recommend an image width of at least two metres. Here, it is usually necessary to find a compromise between the possible distance between the seat on which you are sitting during the entertainment and the projected wall. You know it from the cinema: the film experience is less pleasant from the front rows than from the back rows, because there you have a better view of the cinema screen. It is the same in your own home. If you have a floor plan of the room where you want to install your beamer and screen, it is a good idea to take it with you. A floor plan is a great help in calculating the optimal distance between the projector on the ceiling and the screen on the wall.

In order to be able to answer the question of the optimal position, the so-called projection ratio must be consulted, which can be found in the operating instructions of the respective projector. This can be used to calculate the optimal distance of the projector. Let us assume that a projector has a projection ratio of 1.3 - 2.0:1. If we use the previously mentioned image width of 2 metres, we calculate 2 x 1.3 = 2.6. This describes the minimum distance between the projector and the wall in order to achieve an image width of 2 metres. Then we calculate 2 x 2.0 = 4, so the maximum distance is 4 metres. Ultimately, this means that the beamer achieves an image width of 2 metres at a projection distance of approximately 2 to 4 metres.

Step 4: Mount the screen

Before attaching the beamer to the ceiling, it is a good idea to attach the screen first, as it takes up a lot of space in the room. You’ll probably need help when attaching the screen, as several helping hands will make the work much easier here. There are various models available in the shops that can be mounted either on the wall or on the ceiling. Roller and motorised screens are mounted on their brackets, which are usually located at the two outer ends. Normally, the delivery already includes suitable dowels that can be used for mounting. If you want to use your own dowels, you should first check whether they have sufficient load-bearing capacity to hang the screen. Do not forget: A spirit level is a must when mounting the screen to ensure horizontal alignment.

Step 5: Mount the beamer on the ceiling

Now it's the beamer's turn. So now it's time to grab a sturdy ladder and get up there! With the help of a ceiling bracket, the projector can be mounted unobtrusively on the ceiling in no time at all. The first step is to attach the ceiling plate. Place it on the ceiling and use a pencil to mark the holes to be drilled for the screws. The ceiling panel should then be firmly and securely screwed into place. Height-adjustable ceiling brackets are advisable for high ceilings. With these ceiling brackets, it is possible to flexibly adjust the vertical distance.

Then the mounting disc is prepared. To do this, the arms are attached to the mounting disc with screws, which are usually already included in the delivery. However, the screws must not be tightened at this stage. This is because you must now attach the beamer to the arms of the mounting disc that have just been mounted - now all the screws can be tightened. After that, the mounting disc, together with the beamer, can be mounted on the ceiling mount. To do this, simply turn the disc into the openings so that the projector is brought into the correct position. All you have to do is fix it with the enclosed screws and you're done! Your projector is now securely and firmly attached to the ceiling.

The last step is the fine adjustment. The projector can now be switched on to show a test picture. Depending on the position of the screen, the device can now be aligned until the image is ideally adjusted.

Once you’ve put these five steps into practice, it’s time to gather friends and family members with a large bag of popcorn. After your hard work, you deserve a relaxing movie night with your loved ones. Roll the film!

Our product recommendations

Subscribe now