Key Measurements
It’s vital to take accurate measurements so that the projector and screen fit your room well. The most important measurements are:
- Projector to screen
- Screen Height
- Top of screen to ceiling
- Bottom of screen to floor
Preparing the BenQ Universal Ceiling Mount
There are many types of projector mounts, some specific to certain models, and others claiming to be universal. However, you need to make sure the mount you’re using can support the weight of your intended projector. Also, there are ceiling mounts and wall mounts, and those are not interchangeable. In this article we’re discussing ceiling mounting the X3100i. A wall mount kit for a lighter projector will not work, so it’s important to get this right.
Without boasting too much, we’ve designed the BenQ universal ceiling mount kit to be really, well, universal. It’ll work with a wide range of models and save you the guesswork if you want ceiling mounting. We’ve put the kit through extensive testing, as we do with all our products, and it’s verified reliable and safe. It is not intended for wall mounting, however. You can purchase the BenQ universal ceiling mount right here.
The user manual for the kit is also available online if you want to have more info on it.
Preparing the X3100i Gaming Projector: Throw Distance and Offset
The design of a projector’s lens and overall optical capabilities determines the ideal throw distance, or projection distance. It also determines the offset height, or how much higher than the top of the screen the lens needs to be if at all.
Throw ratio: determines the distance (A) from the screen to the front edge of the projector. Note that this means the very front of the lens, not the ceiling mount axis.
Throw ratio = Projection distance (A) / Screen width
The X3100i has a typical throw ratio of 1.15-1.50.
Projector offset: indicates the distance (H) from the projector’s lens assuming a direct line to the top edge of the screen. In other words, the percentage of the screen height that will be projected above the projection lens optical axis.
Lens offset = (Screen height + Offset height ) / Screen height
The BenQ X3100i has an offset of 110%.
Note that ceiling mount height (C1) plus height from projector’s underside to center of lens (C2) plus distance from ceiling to center of the lens or offset height (H) may equal ceiling to top of screen clearance.
Prepare Your Room
Before installing the X3100i, take accurate measurements of your room. That includes height to ceiling, width, and length. Consider any object that may get in the way, like bookshelves, cabinets, AC units and so on. Be careful not to drill the ceiling mount into any existing utility cables or wires. Also consider whether the location of the screen has any constraints, and whether you should move any furniture to make room for the screen. Based on your intended room’s dimensions, you can proceed to choose the size of your screen.
