How do I install my projector?

Great question! Installation of hardware is probably the biggest hurdle of digital scenery you'll come across, but the good news is, YOU GOT THIS! We've helped first-year drama teachers and professional technicians (and more than 500 people in between) successfully install their projectors and we can get it going for you too!

Here's the "quick" version of an install:

  1. Unbox projector, mount, and cabling system: do a visual inspection to ensure everything is in working order and that they're ready to be connected together (read more here: What should my computer system setup look like?)
    1. Look at the HDMI port and the power connection; do the pins look to be in good condition?
    2. Look at all the components of the mount; can you see how they would connect to your projector? Do you see how they are going to connect to your pipes/battens/electric/ceiling?
    3. Check out the cabling: do you know what you're going to use to connect to your computer? 
  2. Place your projector on the ground and run power to it. Make sure your power supply is grounded, with at least 120V. We also want to make sure that your power supply isn't provided via a dimmer.
  3. Power up the projector and using the default, blue splash screen move your projector closer and further away from the cyc until you get the image size you're seeking.
  4. Turn all of your lights on. Turn all of your lights off. Notice the difference in the appearance of brightness. Imagine what your lighting cues will look like with your projector and if you think they'll jive, you're good to move on; if the image seems less bright than you were imagining, push it closer to your cyc (and also read these helpful hints).
  5. If projecting from the floor: 
    1. Select the correct orientation for your image (this is how the projector reads the signal from your computer - whether it should display the image upside down, right-side-up, and/or horizontally reversed). It can be found by navigating within the projector menu:
      1. Stage Projector Economy: When configuring the direction of the image, select Menu, then scroll over to System, then scroll down to Projector Position, and then choose the direction that fits your setup - Front Projection (Table Top), or Rear Projection (Table Top)
      2. Stage Projector Basic, Standard, Plus, or Premium: When configuring the direction of the image, select Menu, then scroll down to Extended, then scroll down to Projection, and then choose the direction that fits your setup - Front Projection or Rear Projection
    2. You'll notice there is a gap between the bottom of the projected image and the floor - this is called vertical shift and if you want to compensate for this (rather than build a ground row set piece: read more here) keep reading; if you're happy here, skip to Step #7.
    3. Build a shelf that positions the backside of the projector at a slight angle - this will get your projected image closer to the floor, but will create a trapezoid image output.
    4. We can correct the shape of the image but we will first need to reorient the size of the projection. Now that it's a trapezoid you will need to pull your projector far enough away from the cyc that the SMALL side of the trapezoid is the width you want. 
    5. Once here, navigate to the "Corner Adjust" option in the display menu. Selecting each individual corner and then the "45-degree option", use the up, down, left, and right arrows to pinch the large side of the output image to "square up" to the smaller side.
    6. You might not be able to get it square at this point and that's because there are limitations to the corner adjust feature. The good news, you and your projector get to have an intimate relationship/dance of the "small adjustment game". 
    7. The three things you'll need to make small adjustments to get your ideal output image and all affect each other:
      1. Distance from the cyc.
      2. The angle of the projector.
      3. Limitations of the corner adjust features.
  6. If rigging in the air:
    1. Using best practices and safety measures, your school or organization's AV or maintenance professionals, or an IATSE certified rigger:
      1. While still on the ground, and ideally on top of a soft, non-abrasive surface, attach the mount to the underside of the projector (if using a projector with a detachable lens, uninstall the lens and replace lens covers, attach the mount, and reinstall the lens when the projector has been hung).
      2. Locate a pipe/batten/electric or spot on the ceiling as close to the spot on the floor you determined ideal, and hang the projector. 
        1. It's important to hang your projector perfectly level and parallel to your surface (you might need to make adjustments later) so that your projected output will not be distorted.
        2. Select the correct orientation for your image (this is how the projector reads the signal from your computer - whether it should display the image upside down, right-side-up, and/or horizontally reversed):
          1. Stage Projector Economy: When configuring the direction of the image, select Menu, then scroll over to System, then scroll down to Projector Position, and then choose the direction that fits your setup - Front Projection (Mounted in Air), or Rear Projection (Mounted in Air)
          2. Stage Projector Basic, Standard, Plus, or Premium: When configuring the direction of the image, select Menu, then scroll down to Extended, then scroll down to Projection, and then choose the direction that fits your setup - Front/Ceiling or Rear/Ceiling
      3. Run the power cord to your projector from a grounded outlet, power strip or extension cord and power it on. Make sure your power supply has at least 120V, and is not provided via a dimmer.
      4. Depending on the distance off the floor, the distance from the cyc, and the projector model that you have, your projected output will look one of three ways:
        1. Perfect! Hooray, no further adjustments need to be made.
        2. Dead space between the bottom of the projected image and your floor.
          1. Solution: first try to hang your projector closer to the ground by dropping down the batten/pipe or lengthening the mounting pipe. If this is not an option, tilt your projector so that the front (the side of the projector closer to the cyc) is lower than the back. You will need to correct the shape of the image (follow instructions in 5.d. above).
        3. Part of the projected image is on the floor.
          1. Solution: first try to hang your projector closer to the ground by raising the batten/pipe up or shortening the length of the mounting pipe. If this is not an option, tilt your projector so that the back (the side of the projector closer to the audience) is lower than the front. You will need to correct the shape of the image (follow instructions in 5.c. above).
  7. Now that you're getting an ideal output image, you'll want to get your computer hooked up to your projector. 
    1. The most ideal setup is the one that includes the fewest pieces of equipment (again read: What should my computer system setup look like?). You should use a 50ft HDMI, or a 200ft extension kit (you can contact sales@broadwaymedia.com for more information) to tether your computer to the projector. It is critical that you go from an HDMI port on the projector to an HDMI port on your computer (an adapter may be necessary). 
    2. Power on your computer and launch StagePlayer (if you're using the Standard Package). 
    3. Configure your computer so that your computer display and your projector are separate spaces and functioning as two different display (having trouble? Read this: How do I navigate through the digital scenery once in fullscreen mode?) 
  8. You're all set! Break a leg! Can you believe it was as simple as 8 bullet points!?! (Okay...there might have been some sub-bullet points in there BUT NOW YOU'RE A PRO!)

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