Solved: Cabinet For UST Projector and Center Channel

Issue Description:

 

UST projector is gaining popularity due to its capability to project larger screen and not being too expensive as compared to larger tv’s. With this trend, it has created issues to the home theater community who wanted to have UST projector in their setup. Usually in home theater, we have a center channel which acts as the heart of the sound system and its optimal position is exactly in the center at ear level. With arrival of UST projectors, it created dilemma in customers on where to place the UST projector when the center channel is occupying the center space.

Understanding UST Projector:

UST projectors when placed on ground project upwards which means there is certain distance ( 1 and half feet) from ground from where the screen projection starts.

So if you want to project in front of the screen or when ceiling mounted you will lose 1 and half feet screen space which means you will not be able to project larger screens especially if you have low ceiling and your UST projector is placed above ground on some cabinet.

It is also bit difficult to map the UST projector image to the existing screen due to the fact that the throw distance is less which means minute displacement of projector to get desired projection angle will results in large displacement of the projected image.

Ways to mount the UST projector:

There are 3 ways you can place the UST projector:

1. Ceiling mounted projecting downwards.
2. Behind the screen.
3. In front of screen projecting upwards.

Let’s try to see the advantages and disadvantages of each of the installations.

1. Ceiling mounted projecting downwards.

Cons:

1. It is extremely difficult to map your UST projector image to your pre-existing screen. So when this adjustment is done on the ceiling it will be much more difficult.
2. For low ceiling, You will not be able to project larger screen. The image is 1 and half feet lower which restricts the screen size for placing the center channel.
3. You will see the projector on the top because that is the only thing which will be hanging. Though it will not interrupt the viewing angle still it can be a distraction.
4. Explicit wiring required at that position.
5. Mounting braces can further push the screen down.

 

1.1 To reduce the projecting angle and to get bigger screen some people opted for placing the projector above the ceiling by making a hole in the ceiling. We need to understand that Projectors emit lot of heat and if the area above the ceiling is closed then the heat cannot escape (Heat always goes in up direction) and eventually damage the projector. So anyone who is planning to adopt this approach should have exhaust pathway to dissipate the heat generated by the projector.

 

Cons:

1. Heat dissipation issue.
2. Need to make hole in the ceiling.
3. It is extremely difficult to map your UST projector image to your screen.
4. Explicit wiring required at that position.
5. No base for you to mount from so you need to build everything above the ceiling.

 

2. Behind the screen:

CONS:

1. It will push the entire screen forward.
2. Or we need to dig hole in the wall to accommodate it. Usually if you want to have the screen on the wall you are looking like 3 feet backward which will literally go into another room. So this is not an option for most of the users.

 

3. In front of screen projecting upwards.

 

This is by far the most popular and most preferred one.

 

PROS:

1. As compared to ceiling mount, this is easier to map the image of the projector to the screen.
2. Easy to manage cables.
3. No need to dig holes anywhere.

 

CONS:

1. Center channel fights for the same spot as that of UST projector. And you cannot place the speaker behind the projector because projector will block the sound from center speaker and also speaker will block the image of the UST projector.

 

Now that we understood the issue, let’s get started with some design aspects which will give different options for us to solve this issue.

 

As far as UST Projector and Center Channel placements are concerned,there are 3 combinations which will work

1. Place the Center channel behind the screen(In wall) and replace the current screen with Acoustically Transparent screen.

Pros: You can take normal cabinet and place the ust projector as if there is no conflict with center channel.

Cons:

1. AT screens are expensive and I am not sure if ALR(Ambient Light Rejection) in combination with AT are currently available in market. Even if they are available they will be expensive.
2. Need to make holes on the wall for in wall speaker placement.(Sound from in-wall speakers is considered inferior to the floor standing speakers).

 

2. Projector on top of Speaker:

 

This is one of the easiest to build cabinets where the center channel is literally on ground and just above it is projector.

Cons:

1. The sound is firing literally from ground, which is not the ideal position for center channel. The recommended is that, the center channel is at near ear level for optimal performance and this setup is nowhere near it.

 

3. Speaker between screen and projector.

 

Pros:

1. This is optimal position for the center channel. Closest to your ear level.
2. No need to dig any holes in the walls.

Cons:

1. Size of the center channel (height) can be a limitation. That has fit between the lower projector angle and top of the projector. We need to make sure, there is enough spacing between the center channel and the screen for it to function properly (6 inches recommended from wall).Depth of the center channel will be an issue in this case. Small center channels are the only one, which can fit into this category.

 

4. Speaker in front of projector:

Cons:

1. Speakers are too far away from wall.
2. The Speaker can interfere with the projector remote.

 

5. Speaker on top of Projector:

 

This is sub optimal yet the closest and most favorable position for the center channel.

 

Pros:

1. No need to dig any holes in the walls.
2. Your center channel is at good height and provides good feel of the sound.

Cons:

1. Only suggested for rooms whose length is >8 feet.
2. These are off wall cabinets, which mean the cabinets designed will be away from wall. I have one in my home theater and I believe this is the ideal way to design a cabinet to accommodate UST with Center channel.

These cabinets are available at ustprojectorcabinets.com.

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