So, you are going to buy the new projector. Or you have to buy a projector. And searching for how you can set up a projector for the home theatre. 

Then in detail, I will cover how you can set up your projector. It might be confusing for the beginner. Those who are going to set up the projector at their home.

The good placement of the projector. And the screen is very important if you want the most from your projector. And If you want the cinematic experience at home.

So let’s get started and learn how you can do the projector setup. Easily as a beginner.

How do you set up a projector step by step for home theater? 

Optimizing the place 

The most important thing for setup is the first make the place projection friendly. In which you will set up the projector. Make sure you have control over the ambient light.

For that, if you can colour the room in a dark colour that will be optimal. If this is not possible, then try to colour the dark colour wall near the screen. Which help you get the best image on the screen. Basically black colour of the wall will not le reflect the ambient light. And absorb the ambient light.

And you have the black curtains. All this helps you to control the ambient light. By doing this you won’t get the OLED image. But all these will enhance your projection.

So now you know how you have to prepare the place for the projection. 

Choose the projector place

Ok, it’s time to choose the right position for your place. It’s important because. The size of the image you will project. , Depend on how far you will place or close place the projector.

There are three positions where you can place the projector most of the time. You can just place the projector under the screen. Or you can place the projector at the top of the table.

And probably you can place the projector behind you. Or hang from the ceiling. 

If your room is small like the typical apartment room. Then you can place the projector just under the screen or tabletop.

There are four types of projection. You can do it in your home theatre. Rear projection and Front projection. In front projection, you can place a projector. In front of the projector.

And in the rear projection, you place the projector behind the screen. And also the front ceiling or rear ceiling.

So there are various options available to place the projector. It depends on your projector. And the room size you have. Where are you going to put the projector in your home theatre room? You can adjust the place of the projector, depending upon how big an image or screen do you want.

Concern about screen 

So you have placed the projector in the right place. According to the room and projector you have. So now it’s time to think about the size of the projector screen. 

My advice will be to not buy the professional projector screen first. Because if you can’t get the size of the screen. Do you want it in your room? Then it will be a waste of money.

Power up your projector. And project on the wall and find the best size of the image you want. If you are confused about which size of screen you want. Then read our article measure projector screen size complete guide. It will help you.

When you have chosen which size of the screen do you want. You will need to figure it out also. Which type of screen do you want? Mostly in the home theatres. 

Retractable or fixed frame projector screens are used. If you have a dedicated home theatre room go with the fixed frame screen. Otherwise, a retractable screen is also a good option.

If you don’t want to buy a professional projector screen. You can paint the wall. Which is also a good option. For that, you will just need good screen paint. For that, you can follow this article What type or kind of paint to use for the projector wall screen?.

You can read more articles from use on the projector screen:-

1. How to choose or select projector screen perfect buying guide?
2. Projector screen vs Wall: Which one is better for projection?
3. Grey vs white projector screen: Which is the best colour for you?
4. Which is better for projection black projector screen vs white?

Connecting with the projector (Wiring) 

Now it’s time to wire the projector with the video source. If you have the projector far away from the screen. Then you have to invest in a good HDMI cable like an optic fibre HDMI cable. 

And you have a plan to projector the 4k content make sure. Your HDMI cable supports 4k content. If you want future proof, then you can go with the 8k cable too.

Or you can use the cat cable. Which is also a great option. If you need a long HDMI cable then care about the bandwidth of the HDMI cable.

If you have multiple devices to connect with the projector. Like fire sticks, gaming consoles, and Blu-ray DVD players.

Then you will need the receiver. Or you can invest in a switcher. Which input is one? But the output is different.

Adjust the image 

Now it’s time to adjust the projected image on the screen. So for that, there are various features available on the projector. Keystone correction, lens shift.

Most of the time the keystone correction. Should be avoided because keystone correction will degrade the picture.

So when you place the projector and screen. Make sure you have placed the projector and the screen. 

At the ninety-degree angle. Both should face each other. If you can’t do this, there is no need to worry.

If you have an expensive projector. In that projector, a lens shift option will be available.

Lens shift will allow you to move the lens vertically and horizontally. Depend on your projector. Basically in the lens shift, you don’t distort the image pixel.

You will just move the projector lens.

Calibrate the image

To make the image look sharp you can adjust the contrast ratio. Or you can use the zoom in and out option on your projector. To do this properly. Project the geometry line on the screen or surface. As you can see in the image below.

After projecting the geometry lines. You will need two people. One will stand near the projector and adjust the focus. And another guy will be standing near the projector. 

To observe the line on the screen. So he can tell when the image looks sharp. And how much focus adjustment should be done.

If you want to do the more professional level projector calibration. Then you can follow this projector calibration article.

Concern about speakers 

Projector speakers are not that great. Which can give you the complete sound felt like in the movie theatre. 

Even projector speakers are good. You might not have put the projector in the position. From the speaker, it sounds good to you.

You have to invest in external speakers or soundbars.

For that, you do not need to spend a thousand dollars. You can buy the external speaker or soundbar at a good price. 

If you want to learn more about how you can connect the soundbar or speakers with the projector.

Then you can follow our detailed article. On how you can connect the soundbar or speakers with the projector. For that follow the link below.

1. How to connect speakers to projector and get audio [Wired and Wireless]
2. How to connect soundbar to projector [5 easy ways]

3D Projection 

If you want to watch the 3D movie on your projector at home. Then make sure you have a projector that supports 3D projection.

And you will need the 3D active shutter glasses. And don’t forget the 3D content source. You are ready to watch the 3D movies at home.

What if you have to set up the TV and Projector together? 

If you are in the situation. Where you are going to set up the projector in the living room or other. You already have the TV available. 

And still, you want to set up the projector and the screen. Then I will recommend it. You to buy the retractable projector screen (manual pull-down or motorized pull-downs).

So when you are watching TV. Then the projector screen will not interfere. And while watching movies on a projector. TV will not affect watching movies on the projector.

So that’s how you can use the projector and the TV in the same room. If you want to learn how you can hang up the projector screen from the ceiling then see this article How to hang or mount projector screen from ceiling in media room?.

Best projector for home theater. You can get it at present time.

If you haven’t bought the new projector. Then here I have some projector suggestions for your home theatre. You can consider buying. But before reading this projector buying guide.

1. Epson Home Cinema 2150
2. Optoma HD146X
3. Optoma UHD52ALV
4. VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser TV Home Theatre Projector
5. BenQ TH671ST
6. Epson Home Cinema 3800

Conclusion: How to set up a projector.

Setting up the projector is not that hard. You just need to know where you are going to place the projector.

How big an image I want to project onto the screen.

Also, you have to make sure you have done the wiring properly between the projector. And the video source.

After plugging the power cable with the projector. Don’t forget to remove the cap over the lens.

And also don’t forget to arrange the good speakers. Because you can trust the projector speakers.

And you are ready to experience the movie theatre experience at home.

See you next time…