Outdoor Home Cinema Tips

We are currently enjoying one of the sunniest and driest spring on record in the UK so there is no better time to enjoy our gardens and outdoor spaces.

A great way to give the family some fresh air and entertain outdoors is to create an outdoor cinema.

To ensure you get the best experience, follow our quick tips and check out our recommendations below.

To create a cinema in your garden, you will need a projector, a screen, speakers and a video source.
How much you spend is up to you; you can have some great fun with a simple entry level system or if you want a more permanent solution, you can spend more for higher end options.

• For the projector, choose a portable model that you can easily store away when not in use. Projectors are electrical devices; they are not weatherproof and they cannot be used in wet weather or stay outdoors permanently (unless you have a specialist projector outdoor enclosure), so you need a light model you can carry in or out of the house without difficulty.
  
  Next you need to look at the brightness of the projector.
  Let's be clear, there isn't a projector, no matter how powerful it is, that can cope with full daylight outdoors. That being said, later in the afternoon when the sun gets low enough, you can enjoy a decent image with a 2000+ lumens projector even if it's not yet completely dark.
  Obviously, the best results will be at night so if you can, wait for darkness to enjoy a movie.
  
  When it comes to resolution, the higher the better, but even with WXGA or 720p, the image will be perfectly enjoyable.
  
  A quick note of caution: don't be tempted by ultra-low-cost projectors found on auction sites, Amazon or "deal of the day" type websites. While they are advertised at prices as low as £50, and despite the sellers' claims, they are extremely dim and very low resolution. You can learn more about these projectors on our quick guide here.
  You don't need to spend a fortune on a projector to get a good image but expect to spend at least £200 and stick to models from well-known and trusted manufacturers.

•  When it comes to a screen, it is tempting to think a white sheet will do, but you will get far better results with a screen, even a low cost one.
   A sheet is not reflective in the way a projection screen is so you would be losing a lot of the projector brightness and resolution, making the image look washed out and less sharp. Also, because a sheet is not a tensioned or heavy surface, you may have creases and waves on the surface which will affect the image.
  
  Tripod screens cost as little as £60 depending on the size and even a budget model will be a major improvement on home-made solutions.
  
  For outdoor use, you will need a screen that is either portable so you can store it away when you have finished watching, or use an outdoor screen which can stay outside.
  Portable screens include tripods, pull up floor standing screens or for larger images, use a fast fold screen. Note that these screens are normally designed for indoor use so they are not weatherproof and shouldn't be left out in strong sun either as the heat can affect the fabric and damage it.
  If you want to leave the screen outside, use an outdoor screen.
  A very popular solution is an outdoor inflatable projection screen such as the Celexon INF200 which comes with a front projection surface as standard and has a rear projection surface available as an option. When inflated (an electric pump is included), it provides an image size 310cm wide. This is ideal when you have family and friends around or any event with more people, with social distancing, as the image is large enough for all to see even when further away from the screen.

Alternatively, if you want a permanent solution, we supply outdoor electric or crank operated retractable screens such as the Draper Nocturne. The screen can be installed on a wall or pergola and the fabric is retracted inside the case when not in use.

• Many projectors have in-built speakers and some are ok for small audiences, but for more powerful sound, you can use external speakers.
  Portable speakers that are either wireless or can be connected to the projector's audio out connection (usually a 3.5mm mini jack connector) are a great solution that needn't cost a lot.
  If you want a more high-end solution and your budget allows it, we can supply outdoor speakers like the KEF Ventura range (contact us for pricing) which are IP65 rated and can be installed outdoors.
   
• Finally, for the source, you can connect to your indoor Bluray player or TV satellite box using a long HDMI cable (you may need an active optical cable if the length is over 15m), or a wireless HDMI extender if the conditions are suitable.
  Some projectors with in-built wireless connectivity will also allow you to project videos from a smart device such as your phone or tablet or you can use a streaming device connected to the HDMI input of the projector.
  You can also use a laptop computer or a spare DVD player if wireless or long cables are not an option. This will avoid having to disconnect and reconnect your indoor equipment every time you want to watch a film outdoors.

Sun light is the enemy of projection and there isn't a projector on the market that can compete with the brightness of the sun so direct sunlight on the screen is a definite no-no.

The best time to use a projector outdoors is always at night, in darkness.

That being said, if your projector is bright enough, you may be able to use it in a shaded area (e.g. indoors level of ambient light) during the day or in an uncovered area in the evening before dark.

Yes, you can.

The cost of a permanent outdoor installation is higher than a portable solution but a permanent installation is a lot more convenient. Once installed, it is ready to go at any time without any time-consuming setup required.

For a permanent outdoor installation, you would need the projector of your choice (the same models as for indoor use) and a projector outdoor enclosure to protect it. Outdoor enclosures not only protect projectors from the rain and ambient humidity, they also regulate the temperature inside, so the projector doesn't overheat or gets too cold. These are made to order so if you require an enclosure, please contact us for pricing.

You will also need an outdoor projection screen. We mentioned above the Celexon inflatable screen but this is still a portable option that would need to be stored away in winter or in windy weather.
A more permanent screen would be the Draper Nocturne which is available in various sizes and either electric or crank operated.

For audio, outdoor speakers are available from a number of manufacturers including KEF, Apart, Monitor Audio, Origin Acoustics etc. Contact us with your requirements and we'll be happy to advise on a suitable outdoor speaker.

If you want a simple and easy, yet rugged, solution to watch films outdoors without additional equipment, BenQ currently have two models designed just for this.

The BenQ GS1 and the BenQ GS2 projectors are designed for outdoor use.

They are both splash-proof and drop poof (up to 50cm) and they can run on battery power for up to 3 hours so they're ideal for use by the whole family (even children), in the garden or when camping.
 They have built-in speakers, wireless connectivity and Bluetooth so you can connect to and stream video from your portable devices such as phones and tablets.

Because they are LED projectors with brightness levels of 300 lumens and 500 lumens, they are suitable for night time projection or for use in a dark room, not when there is ambient light.

Safety is a primary concern when using electrical devices outdoors.
The following rules are by no means an exhaustive list, always use common sense and ensure your setup is safe and secure so everyone can enjoy it without risk.

1. Don't use electrical items outdoors when the weather is, or is about to be wet. Rain or even light drizzle will damage your equipment.
2. For the same reason as above, do not set your equipment up near water (pool, pond, water feature etc.) and keep all liquids away (e.g. no drinks near the equipment, turn the garden sprinklers off).
3. Don't set your equipment up near a heat source such as fire pits, outdoor heaters or barbecues. Also avoid setting up your outdoor cinema earlier in the day and leaving it in full sun as it will get very hot and may get damaged.
4. Ensure all devices are setup properly so there is no risk of any equipment falling down (projector and speakers on a stable solid surface) or flying away (anchor inflatable projection screens properly).
5. If using cables, reduce the risk of them becoming tripping hazards by keeping them out of the way as much as possible and/or using cable tidy mats.
6. Do not leave your equipment outside when not in use unless it is designed for that purpose.

Now you have the equipment and are ready to watch films and sports outdoors, here are a few quick tips to make sure you enjoy it fully.

• Get some comfy seating, bean bags, loungers, cushions and blankets
• Snacks and drinks (cold or warm depending on the time of year) are always a great addition
• When using audio outdoors, remember your neighbours and be considerate. Keep the sound at a reasonable level, or if you are having a special event and you expect to have loud sound, warn them in advance and/or invite them round.
   

If you have more questions about outdoor home cinema, let us know and we'll be pleased to help.