z-index: 9999; When it comes to visuals for movie watching outdoors you can have a huge backyard cinema screen but if its not paired with the right projector, youre going to have a subpar movie watching experience. So without further ado, here's how to make sure your outdoor home theater is everything you need it to be and more! vertical-align: middle; margin-left: auto !important; Taking the fun outside can actually be rather affordable and easy. @media screen and (min-width: 769px) { When pairing an outdoor projector and screen, its all about the System Foot-Lamberts. $(function() { One of the important aspects of an outside projector is its portability. height: auto; #cat-toc { } .cae-logo { For a complete in depth understanding you can read our extensive guide to projectors. font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; display: flex; For daytime viewing youll need to have even more luminance. (65x116) - HDTV [16:9] - Matt White XT1000E 1.0 Gain, Draper 138009 Nocturne/Series E 100 diag. Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date. While you can get a projector cage to protect it, you won't want to keep your projector outside, due to weather, excessive heat or cold, and other elements can affect the picture quality or evenbreak your projector. position: relative; font-size: 19px; } #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky { left: -160px; } (59x104.7) - HDTV [16:9] - CineWhite - 1.1 Gain, Da-Lite Fast Fold Deluxe 88609 - 159" diag. avoid as much sunlight as possible around sunset. The use of this website means that you accept the confidentiality regulations and the conditions of service. font-weight: bold; If you want to build your own backyard home theater with an outdoor movie screen and projector setup, now is the time to get your pre-summer project started because this is the guide for you! You can read our complete guide to projector screens here. For the time and material cost to build a DIY backyard projector, youll be better off getting a pre-assembled foldable projector screen like the Elite Screens YardMaster. border-bottom: 1px solid #125394 !important; Just set up the tripod and pull down the screen. margin-bottom: 20px; } display: none; What does that mean for you as the customer? Similarly to foldable cinema screens, outdoor tripod screens are a great low budget choice for the occasional family movie night. display: inline-block !important; If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. } Now you might be thinking, oh I can just use a bed sheet. Sure you can do that if you dont love your family and want them to have a terrible movie watching experience. Then youll need a screen thats up to the task, and this Sewinfla model is a great fit. padding: 5px 15px; .cat-footer-style ol { Watching movies outdoors creates meaningful memories that last a lifetime so get your outdoor projector screen and projector combo today! width: 25%; Each kind of screen is great for different types of outside situations. position: relative; Whitson Gordon is a former freelance technology writer with bylines in the New York Times, Popular Science Magazine, PC Magazine and more. A bright projector might work okay at dusk, for example, while a dimmer projector might not produce a visible image until its truly dark outside. If you have any additional questions about using a projector outside don't hesitate to give us a call at(888)392-4814. #cat-toc li a { font-size: 16px; padding: 5px !important; } body.BlogPost .BlogPostPage { padding-left: 0; } background: transparent !important; Movie theaters may be back in full force, but COVID or not, there's nothing like a family backyard movie night. margin: 0; #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky .cat-toc-heading { float: none; Measure your backyard and figure out what the maximum size screen you can fit would be. All rights reserved. padding-left: 5px; text-shadow: none !important; To help guide you to some of the best options for outdoor projectors, here are some of the best projectors out now at different price points. } It takes a bit more setup than some of our picks, but its also easy to roll up and store away when not in use. position: relative; } #cat-ust-footer h5, .cat-footer-style h5 { @media screen and (max-width: 1400px) and (min-width: 1201px) { border: 0 !important; (32x57) - HDTV [16:9] - Matt White XT1000E 1.0 Gain, Projector Screen Paint - Exterior S1 Screen Paint Silver-Gallon g005ex, Projection / Projector Screen Paint - Drive In - Projection Paint for Drive In Theaters - G00DIT - 1 Gallon, Projection / Projector Screen Paint - Drive In - Projection Paint for Drive In Theaters - 5G00DIT - 5 Gallons, Epson 3800 PowerLite Home Cinema 4K PRO-UHD LCD Projector with 3000 Lumens, Optoma UHD38 4K UHD HDR 240Hz Cinema Gaming Projector with 4000 Lumen, Optoma UHD55 4K UHD HDR 240Hz Cinema Gaming Projector with 3600 Lumen, Optoma UHZ50 4K UHD 3000 Lumen Home Cinema Laser Projector, BenQ-TK700STi 4K HDR Gaming Short Throw Projector with 3000 Lumens - Manufacturer Refurbished, AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Ultra Short Throw Projector 4K Triple Laser 3500 Lumens UST. Here are some common outdoor screen sizes and an approximation for how many audience members they can accommodate. Then simply screw in a hook at the base to attach the handle to when the screen is pulled down, and you are ready to go. display: inline-block; #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper, #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper > div { position: static !important; } In theory, with a long enough extension cord, any projector can be an outdoor projector. Foldable outdoor projector screens are the perfect option for smaller temporary backyard home theater setups. By doing this youll get the most use out of your investment. 200 Wanaque Ave Suite 200 } (49x87) - HDTV [16:9] - Matt White XT1000E 1.0 Gain, Elite Outdoor Movies 10' Front/Rear Outdoor Inflatable Projector Screen - Home10, Epic Patio 150" diag. .ust-expert { } direct #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky .cat-toc-heading i { left: -216px; You paid good money for your projector, you should have a screen to match it. display: inline-block; 16:9 is more likely the size youd want to go with because most streaming services use this as their standard aspect ratio. @media screen and (min-width: 769px) { As an authorized dealer for the product you are looking at, ProjectorScreen.com is bound by certain agreements with our manufacturer partners in how we display, price and sell certain products. background: #f6f6f6; .cae-logo { By having better black levels you can compensate for some of this loss. } } #cat-toc li a span { @media screen and (min-width: 1201px) { Pompton Lakes, New Jersey 07442. $("#cat-toc").toggleClass("cat-toc-mm-active"); This smaller, 100-inch screen is ideal for a more intimate setup or a smaller space like a deck. Last and certainly not least, is to use projector screen paint to make a permanent display surface. background: #fff; font-size: 28px !important; margin-top: 10px; The earlier you start your movie, the more sun light you'll need to contend with and the more lumens you'll need to overcome that light. The frame is fully tensioned, too, and uses snap-on buttons when set up, which is perfect for resisting breeze-related flapping and other issues. For a larger outdoor experience wed recommend getting a blowup screen with a continuous air source. padding: 8px 5px 6px 5px; } #cat-toc-footer .ask-the-expert a:hover { IE 11 is not supported. } } #cat-toc-footer .ask-the-expert a strong { } It comes in at only 420 lumens, which means youll need to wait until its pretty dark outside. And if your projector doesnt have built-in streaming options, you may need a laptop or separate streaming box to get Netflix up on the big screen. Elevate your next at-home movie night with these expert-approved outdoor movie projectors and screens. text-decoration: none !important; font-weight: bold; #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky #cat-toc ul, #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky #cat-toc ol { Youll need to deal with light coming from the moon, stars, streetlights, neighbors lights and general light pollution. color: #fff !important; } width: 100%; Outdoors, you could construct a frame for it, but it may be easier to find a safe awning or eave you can bolt or hook it onto. If you dont have enough foot lamberts, your projected image will look dull and washed out with poor contrast. #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky #cat-toc-footer { $("#cat-toc ol").slideUp(); All of these projectors have built-in speakers, but theyre rather small, so you may want to hook up a larger speaker for better sound. Not the way you want to watch a film in your backyard. padding-top: 60px; font-family: 'Oswald', sans-serif; These are the things to look for in an outdoor projector for backyard movies: When it comes to a backyard projector, its all about the lumens. $("#cat-toc ol").slideToggle(); Wind can quickly ruin an evening's events, which makes stability paramount. #cat-ust-footer h1, .cat-footer-style h1 { top: 65px !important; For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. .is-sticky .ust-expert { font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; One of the main ones is that you'll be projecting outsideon a white cinema screen which can take away some of the contrast of the image. } margin: 0; margin-left: 15px; If youre handy this can be a fun, cost effective project. }, 750); margin-bottom: 30px; In this guide well just cover the attributes that affect your outdoor viewing experience. display: none !important; #cat-ust-footer p, .cat-footer-style p { border-right: 1px solid #eeeeee; Don't simply assume that an outdoor projector capable of projecting high-lumen images is going to be too large and too heavy for comfort. } Tripod screens are limited in size compared to other exterior projector screens, so theyre best for smaller gatherings in the yard. Simply, unfold the frame; attach the surface material and legs, then project. Just make sure not to use one of these screens in anything more than a light breeze as they could sail through the air. color: #333; A standard throw projector willrequire you to place the projector much further away from the screen in order to project a large image. One thing to note is that because you wont be able to make a wall perfectly smooth, an outdoor wall painted with projector screen paint wont be able to render a true 4K resolution image. } Are you planning for a larger get-together, maybe a social function or park gathering to watch a movie? margin: 0 !important; Your image will be distorted because bed sheets by nature have wrinkles, creases and fold lines, even if you iron it beforehand. If you're working with a relatively small screen that measures 100 inch diagonally, you'll be fine sticking to video projectors that output at least 1600-2000 lumens for night time watching. left: -21px; ##SHAREDCONTENT[ProductPricingPromoArea]##, Leaves Warehouse within 5-10 Business Days, Leaves Warehouse within 1-2 Business Days, Ultimate Folding Screen Complete with Standard Legs, Carpeted Picture King with Keystone Eliminator, Leaves Warehouse within 3-5 Business Days. Folding frame projector screens are a great low budget if you dont plan to make backyard movie nights an everyday thing but you still want outstanding visuals for the film watching outside that you do plan. #cat-toc li a { position: absolute; } border: 0; top: 3px; display: block !important; #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky #cat-toc-footer { font-size: 18px; @media screen and (max-width: 768px) { Subscribe to receive updates, access to exclusive deals, and more. padding-left: 15px; } The Nebula by Anker Mars II Pro Projector delivers a 720p image at 500 lumens, and can project an image up to 150 inches in size. Projectors and screens are an excellent fit because they can provide that classic movie theater feeling, one thats far more difficult to come by indoors. 200 Wanaque Ave Suite 200 An inflatable projector screen is one that can be blown up to a significantly large size. These exterior retractable screens are tensioned with cable guides and weighted dowels to give you maximum stability even in breezy situations. The image colors are going to be off because even a white bedsheet is not truly white enough compared to a real projector screen. } font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; vertical-align: middle; You also get a bag to store everything in when its not in use. when you call! If you want something brighter and crisper, consider a more home theater-oriented projector like Epsons Home Cinema 2250. This allows for the type of viewing experience you'd expect in a theater environment; however, it's never perfectly dark outside, even after sunset. You want to choose an exterior projector that is bright enough to project a strong, clear. .pae-heading { It cranks the resolution up to 1080p and the brightness up to 2,700 lumens, so you can start your movie earlier (a godsend considering how late the summer sun can stay up). font-size: 16px; $("#cat-toc").removeClass("cat-toc-mm-active"); Add more items and build out your entire home theater to SAVE BIG! But that doesnt mean that any projector will be a good backyard projector. margin-bottom: 20px; #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky #cat-toc { font-weight: bold; The tripod will need level ground, and the roll-down design is not conducive to windy conditions, making this pick even more compatible with a comparatively sheltered deck or patio. However, you will need to find room to store the aluminum pieces when the screen isnt in use. margin-bottom: 20px; } Your out of the house projector will be competing with ambient light from passing headlights, house lights, street lamps, your fire pit, your barbecue grill, the moon, and even the stars on a clear night. The Mdbebbron screen offers an alternative, highly affordable approach: It comes with a number of plastic hooks that you space out and attach to a wall, like the side of a shed or barn, an unused section of fencing, etc. Silent Inflatable Screen Complete System. color: #125394; color: #fff; #cat-ust-footer h1 { font-size: 28px !important; } Once youve chosen a projector screen, you can then use the foot lamberts calculator to help you determine if the projector youre looking at is bright enough. The system foot-lamberts is the way to measure if your backyard projector and screen are working together as a projection system to provide enough brightness to give you an optimal viewing experience. Ideally you'd want to have the projection surface facing north so the sunlight will be even less direct because of the angle the sun sets. background: #f6f6f6 !important; Some people even paint their garage with outdoor projector screen paint. text-decoration: none; display: none; 0% APR financing available, Mention code @media screen and (max-width: 768px) { #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky #cat-toc li a { Why trust us? margin: 0; You can also grab it in 80- and 120-inch sizes to better fit your space. } } $("#cat-toc ol a").click(function() { A front projection setup may be more common but not necessarily more ideal as the audience must be configured around the projector and cannot block its path to the screen. color: #333; The 16:9 aspect ratio is a common choice for these screens because its well-fitted for the theater experience, and the CineWhite UHD-B screen material helps guarantee more accurate colors and less distortion (and you can clean it safely with soap and water). margin: 0; }. } Pompton Lakes, New Jersey 07442, ProjectorScreen.com 2022. Select is editorially independent. Well cover what to look for in a backyard projector and outdoor projector screento give you the best backyard movie watching experience possible. @media screen and (max-width: 992px) { This 120-inch screen comes at a great price for its large size. Home projector paints are formulated with titanium oxide and other compounds to produce very sharp, high-resolution pictures. max-width: 1170px; text-align: right; } vertical-align: top; A foldable projector screen for your yard is usually made using lightweight aluminum for portability and comes with either a carrying case or bag for easy storage when not in use. .cae-logo img { If you can spend a bit more, projection screens with built-in stands can be a lot easier to set up than the hanging variety. Simple as that. } } On top of that with a large outdoor theater set up youll have significantly more powerful speakers that can easily drown out the noise coming from the blowers. margin-top: 10px; The 210D Oxford fabric is highly durable, supports front or rear projection, and is easy to set up for its size. padding: 0 !important; console.log("OL HIT"); A well made blow up cinema screen is also better at handling windy conditions. margin: 0; The first half of a backyard projection system is the outdoor projector screen. (77.5x138.5) - [16:9] - HD Rental - 1.0, Draper 241013 Ultimate Folding Screen Complete with Standard Legs 105 diag. When you're buying a projector for outdoor use, you really want to pay attention to two features: Brightness is measured in lumens: The brighter your projector, the earlier you can start your movie night. border-top: 0 !important; font-size: 16px; #cat-ust-footer ul, .cat-footer-style ul, .cat-footer-style ol { While these blowers do make some noise, theyre specially designed to be significantly quieter than you expect. width: 100%; When it comes to watching movies outside its much more difficult to control the light levels. Save $40 on a LightRanger 2-Pack - Free Ground shipping to the lower 48. padding-right: 5px; Youll be moving the device back and forth when youre not using it so you want to look for one thats not too heavy or cumbersome. Whether inside or outside, the second part of any projection equation is the projector. If you decide to go with a rear projection set up, youll need to procure a rear projection cinema screen. }); Mention code While there are TVs made for the outdoors, there aren't any projectors designed just to be used outside in all weather. (49x87) - HDTV [16:9] - MaxWhite 1.1 Gain, Draper 200517 Nocturne/Series C 133 diag. font-family: Arial, sans-serif; Some people choose to make their own DIY outdoor projector screens. @media screen and (max-width: 992px) { left: 0; max-width: 100% !important; const mq = window.matchMedia( "(max-width: 768px)" ); border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; As the weather becomes warmer and its time to plan events for friends, family, or customers, its common to think about an outdoor movie night. } } The black levels are especially important for a backyard projector for a number of reasons. } #cat-toc li { width: 100%; } } Its designed to be freestanding if possible, but tethers and yard stakes are included in case you have to nail it down in windy conditions. If youre truly looking to make the most of your indoor or outdoor space, you may also like our guide on how to build a complete outdoor movie theater and our roundups of the best home theater projectors and best portable projectors. } Backyard tripod screens are also excellent for watching movies in the great outdoors as theyre very portable and easy to take with you camping. While you can find battery powered outdoor projectors, they wont have enough power to display an image larger than maybe 40 inches. The last thing you want to do is drop your new backyard projector. } } color: #666; } $(".cat-toc-heading").click(function() { } Mention code Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. transition: .15s all ease-in-out; #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky #cat-toc li { It also has streaming apps built-in, so you dont have to fiddle with inputs just plug it in, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and go. These air filled screens offer great picture quality and are made of a material that could withstand the outdoor elements. The larger the screen, the more surface area for the wind to catch, so the more likely it is to fall over. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. display: inline-block; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0; Also, I recommend wiring up your speaker with a 3.5mm cable, rather than using Bluetooth, which wont always sync perfectly with the image. Some people looking to create a stunning outdoor theater already have projectors and projection screens that work perfectly well indoors. These roll up display surfaces are made to stay outside in all types of weather, thanks to their weather and insect resistant housing. } Youll look cheap. It can be a bit tricky, but it makes for a great and clean setup when youre done. #cat-toc-footer .ask-the-expert a i { display: block; Make sure when you get your outdoor projector screen setup that it stays up. #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper { height: auto !important; } } when you call This Vivohome Inflatable Projector Screen is one such example. It is very likely that the manufacturer may not honor your products warranty, or that your product was never intended for the US market to begin with. } #cat-ust-footer ul li, .cat-footer-style ul li, .cat-footer-style ol li { Exterior cinema screens are made to be both large and lightweight. You will also need to determine which type of throw to use. } Like the P300, it delivers a 720p image at 500 lumens, but can project an image up to 150 inches in size. You will, however, have to be careful with the setup for a screen model like this. You can alsouse an awning or popup tentlike the ones you see people tailgating under at football games so you have a shaded area to watch a film outside. } With regards to color, youll want to go with a white surface for your exterior screen instead of a grey or black one. This means that they need to be placed in a fixed position in order to make a certain size image. display: inline-block; line-height: 1.3; } /* bottom: 0; */ Make sure you invest in your blow up screen as the last thing you want is a pinhole prick that makes the setup deflate during the movie. Consider adding extra weight and positioning the screen strategically away from the wind, if possible. height: auto !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #125393; vertical-align: middle; display: none; That said, don't let concerns about potential size or weight stop you from investing in a projector with a high enough lumen capacity for your needs. float: right; .cae-utility { line-height: 1.75; font-size: 18px; #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky { left: -190px; } The 24-foot size is extra-large for big groups (and can go up to 33 feet, albeit at a significant increase in cost). margin-right: 5px; Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites. } display: block !important; If you dont use a tensioned projection surface youll be projecting on a surface that isnt smooth, youll see every wrinkle and fold line. Today's outdoor projectors are not the same as the ones that were standard even ten years ago. With either an exterior manual or a motorized projection screen, you can roll it down to watch a film and roll it up when youre done. #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper { margin-bottom: 30px; } body.BlogPost .BlogPostPage { padding-left: 195px; } Though if you choose to go the do it yourself route, unless you build a tensioned screen using reflective fabric that can resolve a 4K, your projected image will be subpar for a high quality movie watching experience. The Yard Master 2 is an ideal combination of sturdy and lightweight that makes it great for a summer-long setup that can be dismantled at the end of the season and easily stored away. body.BlogPost #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky { border-bottom: 0; #cat-toc-footer { }); To do so, however, you need the right screen for the job. When you watch a projected movie indoors, it's generally (and ideally) in a room that's perfectly dark and controlled. } You can set one up anywhere in your backyard. } While a grey or black projector screen would give you deeper blacks in your image, white screens will reflect an overall brighter image which is more important when watching movies outside. This is because on a larger inflatable screen its easier for the air to escape so the screen may start to deflate before the movie is finished. Thats why we wrote this guide to backyard projectors and screens. It's important to understand that your viewing experience will only be as good as the equipment you select. #cat-toc ol { margin-right: 15px; text-align: center; AAXA Technologies P300 Neo Pico Projector, Skerell 100 Inch Projection Screen with Stand. @media screen and (max-width: 768px) { how to build a complete outdoor movie theater, The best thrillers on Netflix right now (August 2022), The best family movies on Netflix right now (August 2022), Perfect for any dorm, get this 50-inch 4K TV for $240 at Best Buy, The 50 best movies on Netflix right now (July 2022), The 75 best movies on Amazon Prime Video (August 2022), With Tesla bleeding money, Elon Musk initiates hardcore spending review, Best wireless keyboard deals for August 2022, Best Adobe Photoshop deals for August 2022, Best Verizon Fios new customer deals for August 2022, Best Verizon new customer deals for August 2022, Best wireless mouse deals for August 2022, Best external hard drive deals for August 2022, Snaps for the screen can come off and get lost, Once installed, setup and tear down are simple. margin-bottom: 25px; So if you want to get the best out of your UHD projector, youll need to pair it with a 4k projector screen. Much easier to maneuver and certainly more manageable for home or personal use! font-style: italic; }); background: #115393; position: relative !important; font-size: 0; } color: #115393 !important; Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of Lifehacker and How-To Geek. } The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) recommends 16 foot-lamberts for a darkened movie theater for a professional cinematic viewing experience. While the permanent setup is great, this type of model doesnt react as well to wind, so its best to find a more sheltered area for it. They simply assume that same equipment will perform just as well outdoors only to be sorely disappointed by an experience that's hardly drive-in quality. font-size: 23px !important; margin-bottom: 0; For a reasonable price, you can get a large blow up projector screen, ready to project on in only a few minutes. text-decoration: none !important; For smaller backyard inflatable screens you should get one that allows you to blow it up before the movie starts, so you dont have the blower running throughout the movie. margin: 0 !important; They come in a wide range of sizes allowing you to pick the perfect option for alfresco media entertainment on a patio, pool deck, or other outdoor venue. line-height: 1.6; #cat-toc-sticky-wrapper.is-sticky { if (mq.matches) { color: #115393; Inflatable projector screens are a popular option for outdoor screenings, namely because they are durable, easy to take down, and resistant to wind and rambunctious kids. @media screen and (max-width: 768px) {