About LCD's installation

[kattymiddle]

I am going to purchase new LCD in coming days, but I am very confused regarding its installation process. If any know then please tell me.

[tedanderson]

What is it exactly that you need help with and where exactly do you want to install it?

If you are going to install it on a wall using a mounting bracket, just find two studs in the wall and bolt it on. If you have metal studs, use a set of large 1/2 inch toggle bolts and put those through the stud.

If you want to hang the TV from the ceiling, it's best left to a professional who knows how to custom build a bracket that attaches to the ceiling joists. Its a relatively a simple process that involves assembling a few pieces of pipe in a "T" formation, and securing it to the ceiling structure but it's best left to those who are mechanically inclined to ensure that everything is secured and tightened properly.

[Brad Weber]

I agree that it really would help to know a bit more about what you are trying to do and if you have any more specific questions. If possible you might want to hold off on purchasing anything until you can get answers to any related questions you might have.

[daver2]

First of all, welcome to CMN!

I 'third' what Ted and Brad have already said. Only buy the equipment when you know exactly what you want and what you will do with it.

Our projectors are mounted from poles through the ceiling and we had to consider such things as:

How are we going to get power to the projectors that meet the Regulations.

What types of video signal(s) do we need (VGA, composite, s-video etc.) and how long are the cable runs. Do the cable runs break any of the associated specifications for the video signals? Do we need any video splitters or buffer amplifiers? If so, how are we going to run the power for them? Do any of the cable runs pass near electrically noisy environments or by any sources of heat?

Next is where we are going to mount the screen(s). How big do the screens need to be? What aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9 etc.)? What screen material? Some screens are fairly directional (which means that they are brighter but have to be viewed from a narrower angle than 'standard' screens). Fixed screens or not? Electric or manual if not fixed?

How far does the projector have to be away from the screen? What is the throw distance of the projector? Can we use the standard lens or do we have to purchase a long throw unit?

How bright does the projector have to be (Lumens)? What track does the sun take around the proposed area for the screens? Do we need blinds (or similar)?

We can then work out how to physically mount the projector and screens.

We started off by working out where we wanted the screens and then ruling out long throw lenses on a cost basis. This forced us into suspending the projectors from ceiling poles. We then looked at what projectors were on the market and discounted the 'cheap' end of the market (i.e. we went for well-established manufacturers with a good reputation). We then looked at the brightest projectors we could afford within our budget (which at the time were 4,500 ANSI Lumens). We then invited a number of companies in to provide written quotations and to bring a demo of their proposed projectors. The demo took place during the afternoon in bright conditions. We had a pre-set list of technical questions that we asked each company and we asked to keep the technical literature of their proposed projectors so we could do some homework.

The homework consisted of looking through the technical specifications and searching the internet for other people saying good or bad things about the specific projectors. We double checked things like the projector throw distance to ensure that the image could be optically adjusted to fit the desired screen size from where we were planning to mount the projector.

The next thing was to get a 'monkey' (alias my building inspector friend) to go and investigate the ceiling and work out mechanically how to suspend the projectors safely and within the building regulations. We worked out the cable runs necessary and bought the best cable we could within the budget. We needed a splitter/buffer amplifier as our VGA run exceeded the maximum recommended distance - so we made provision for that during the planning.

Mechanical alignment of the lens with the centre of the screen is vital. It is not just a matter of 'throwing up a projector mount'. There is some trigonometry involved to avoid a rather strange looking picture. Most projectors can correct for some installation issues - but if it is a new install there shouldn't be any issues to start with!

The above is a 'short' list off the top of my head for your consideration.

Dave

[Esoteric]

I thought by LCD he meant displays not projectors.

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by Esoteric

I thought by LCD he meant displays not projectors.

And an example of why more information is needed in order for anyone to provide a practical response.

[tedanderson]

...and also, tell us how you would rate yourself in terms of how industrious you are. I mean do you consider yourself to be the kind of person who says, "I might not be able to do it perfectly..but I know that I am not going to burn the building down." or is your ability more along the lines of not wanting to touch it with a 10-foot pole if it is beyond your comfort level?

[Paris MkVI]

Last but not least - if you are talking about LCD screens, and you are planning to install consumer units in your church - most manufacturers will consider that to be commercial use and void the warranty.