In schools and offices, projectors are typically placed upside down on the ceiling. Considered by many as the most optimal way to install projectors, it enables comfortable viewing because it saves space and reduces wire clutter.
Naturally, though, if you mount the unit on the ceiling and turn it on without updating the settings, the projection image will be upside down. This is because your projector is initially set for tabletop front projection.
This dilemma may sound like a simple nuisance, but it is a common problem many new projector owners encounter.
In this article, we will teach you simple ways to flip images on an Optoma projector. So if you are having a hard time setting your unit’s image orientation, read on.
Fixing inverted images on an Optoma projector is easy. Optoma projectors have a simple setup menu page where you can easily find the settings. Once you locate the projection submenu, you just need to select the icon that responds to the projection orientation you want to switch to.
Below are the steps to turn your Optoma projector’s image upside down for ceiling installation.
Menu Style 1
Go to Menu using your remote control.
Scroll right to the screwdriver and wrench icon to go to the Setup submenu.
Select Projection.
Under the Projection menu, you will see four selections, namely, Front, Rear, Front-Ceiling, and Rear-Ceiling. Choose Front-Ceiling.
If the options show only icons, choose the eyeball facing the same direction as the projector hanging from the ceiling.
Finally, choose Yes to apply the changes.
The projected image will then turn upside down.
Menu Style 2
For Menu style 2, pull up the menu and scroll down to Settings, the third icon from the top.
Go to the right to Projection, which is located on top of the selections.
Select Front-Ceiling projection, the icon on the upper left where the person is facing the same direction as the mounted projector.
Finally, hit Yes to apply the changes.
Now, if, unfortunately, you have mounted your projector without changing the projection settings first, follow these steps:
Menu Style 1
Push the right arrow key on your remote twice to go to Setup.
Then, push the down arrow twice to go to Projection, and hit the Enter button.
Then, push the right arrow key to get to the eyeball image facing the same direction as the projector mounted on the ceiling.
Hit Enter, and choose Yes to apply the changes.
Menu Style 2
For Menu style 2, push the down arrow twice to get to the Setup submenu.
Then, press the right arrow key twice.
Then, push the up arrow, and hit Enter.
Finally, select Yes to apply the changes.
For a quick video tutorial on flipping the image on an Optoma projector for ceiling mounting, watch this:
Projection Mode Setup
How to fix backward projection on an Optoma projector
There are also instances when you turn on your projector on a tabletop, and the projected image is backward or flipped horizontally. Chances are it was used for rear projection, and nobody put the setting back to front projection.
To fix a backward projection on an Optoma projector, follow the steps laid out above.
When you get to the Projection selections, change it back from Rear to Front. Select the icon where the eyeball and the unmounted projector are facing the same direction.
Use cases for flipping images on your projector
Front Ceiling Projection
Front ceiling projection is often the preferred setup for any projector. Whether the unit is mounted or not, front projection reflects light off the screen, offering better visuals.
Front ceiling projection clears up valuable floor space, allowing for higher audience capacity. This type of setup is an excellent option for large venues.
With a simple tabletop or front projection, anything between the projector and the screen can disrupt the display or projection image.
The off chance of people standing in front of the projector is less likely with a front ceiling projection setup. However, be mindful of other objects hanging from the ceiling, such as chandeliers.
Rear Projection
Click image for more info
In some cases, you may prefer to place the projector behind the screen instead of behind or among the audience. It is called a rear-projection setup.
It requires a dedicated space for the projector, so it is better suited for larger venues. However, it allows for a tidier and more professional-looking space as the projector is hidden from the audience.
It also eliminates the chances of people’s shadows walking in front of the projector.
It allows ambient light such as sunlight or moonlight to reach the back of the screen, improving the projected image on the front. A rear-projection setup places the projector closer to the screen, requiring fewer lumens, or the amount of brightness of a lightbulb, resulting in energy savings.
Rear projection is often preferred by event planners and organizers because it reduces noise levels. Projector fans can create a sound that can be quite distracting.
To set up your Optoma projector for rear projection, follow the steps laid out above, and under Projection, choose the icon with the eyeball and the mounted projector facing each other.
In Menu style 1, the Rear is the lower-left icon. In Menu style 2, it is the lower-right icon.
Conclusion
Out of the box, an Optoma projector’s orientation setting is front-projection. If you plan to use it this way, you won’t need to update or change any settings.
However, if you’re planning to mount your projector on the ceiling or position it someplace that doesn’t get in the way of viewers, the tips in this article will help you correctly set up your projector.
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.
