I have started to see more of those video projector machines in different places (the ones that can project an image from a computer or DVD player) and they are often mounted on the ceiling.
I can bet, however, that it's a real pain in the rear to unbolt the projector every time the bulb burns out, not to mention pulling all the plugs out, only to have to re-attach it again after replacing the bulb.
I believe that the projector should sit on a little platform that is held up near the ceiling by ropes and a pulley system, which can be "wound down" with a crank on the wall. The platform would have outlets for power and video sources, sort of like a power strip, which connect via plugs that are mounted in such a way that they are pushed into outlets on the ceiling when the platform is all the way up. The power outlet would just be connected directly to power like a normal outlet, but the video/audio cable connecters would connect to in-wall jacks where you could connect your computer, DVD player or whatever. This way, the projector could still be mounted up and out of the way, but it wouldn't be such a pain to replace the bulb. I know they last quite a long time, but still, I'm sure this would be a nice thing to have.-- Dickcheney6, Nov 11 2008 (?) Projector hoists http://tv-lift.tv-m...ift-projector-lift/ [wagster, Nov 13 2008] (?) more projector hoists http://www.herma.com.au/C-Lift/ [wagster, Nov 13 2008] I have a projector and its supposed to burn out once every two years. Not that big a deal. Also, with most residential type projectors, it cost just as much too buy a replacement bulb as buy a new projector.-- leinypoo13, Nov 11 2008 Projectors-on-a-shelf are baked. Also, the ceiling-mounted projectors we use at work have their bulb doors on top (which ends up on the bottom when ceiling mounted). I've been with the company six years and never replaced a bulb.-- phoenix, Nov 11 2008 " I've been with the company six years and never replaced a bulb."
How often are your projectors used, though? :)-- Dickcheney6, Nov 11 2008 It's quite common to mount projectors on an electric winch. At the place I used to work at most we had a lighting truss with three projectors and a few lamps that you could drop down for maintainence. It's just a question of persuading someone to pay for it on the install. Very baked.-- wagster, Nov 11 2008 they have these for sale already. (cheif)
and //t cost just as much too buy a replacement bulb as buy a new projector.// what kind of crap projector are u talking about? this is false. most lamps are ~500 while a decent projector is 8K-- evilpenguin, Nov 12 2008 If you positioned the projector's cooling fan outlet near one of those old-fashioned ceiling-mounted clothes driers, you could boost drying efficiency.-- coprocephalous, Nov 12 2008 evilpenguin-mine was $789 and is pretty sweet. 2800 lumens, 1024X768 res...8K is for auditoriums.-- leinypoo13, Nov 13 2008 The idea here is where the projector normally sits up on a shelf on the ceiling BUT upon activation of a switch or cranking a handle, it comes down to a level where it is well within reach of the average person so that the bulb can be EASILY replaced, without having to dismantle the thing and unplug all of the connectors-all power to the actual projector is cut when the platform comes down so there's no shock risk when replacing the bulb-- Dickcheney6, Aug 13 2009 Or just reverse the direction of gravity so you can walk across the ceiling and replace the bulb - or acheive the same effect with velcro shoes and ceiling.-- hippo, Aug 13 2009 random, halfbakery