Outdoor Home Theaters

Published by: Elizabeth Gormley
Published on: 2010-01-10 15:26:13

It’s summer, and for many of us that means spending more time in the great outdoors and less time in front of the boob tube. However, home theater projectors have made it possible to have the best of both worlds, and as long as you’ve got a couple of citronella candles, you can enjoy the latest blockbuster in the backyard without worrying about the bug bites. Think drive-in, but instead of getting in the car, you can saunter barefoot to the deck, lawn, garage, or campsite.
Most projectors today weigh less than twenty pounds; you can take them to different areas of the house, so why not outside?
Portable screens offer optimal viewing, but in lieu of a screen, you can use a sheet, the side of the house, a garage door, or a painter’s tarp. Keep in mind the “throw” ratio, which is the relationship between the projector’s distance from your screen and the width of the image. The further the projector is from the screen, the larger the image will be. Throw ratios vary from projector to projector.
    Think fun, but think safety: a complete outdoor home theater projection system calls for power cords and lots of electricity. Never, ever use the system in inclement weather or near a pool or a barbecue. Don’t forget to turn off the sprinkler system, and keep all liquids away from the projector itself.
    Summertime is a great time for entertaining outside—but what fun would it be to broadcast horror movies at an outdoor Halloween party? Or It’s a Wonderful Life around Christmas? Again, do not use electronics around the snow. Shovel the driveway and bundle up for a “blizzard barbecue.” Set up some miniature chairs for the kids in the garage, with a holiday cartoon extravaganza on the big, broad wall, away from the moisture.
    Remember, images should be brighter at dusk. It’s recommended to purchase an outdoor projector with at least 1,000 lumens, High-Definition resolution (720p or 1080p), HDMI or component video connectivity, and an audio out jack or built-in speakers. Many packages do not come with everything you’ll need to broadcast, so pay close attention and do your homework before making a purchase.
Because there are so many component factors, resolution capabilities, and construction qualities, outdoor home theater projectors cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Lamp life is between 2,000 and 4,000 hours, with replacement bulbs running $200-$400. Cleaning the filter of your projector and using it properly will significantly extend the lamp life.
    Whether you’re lying quietly in your hammock or hosting a wild party, an outdoor theater projection system will keep you and your guests rapt beneath the cosmos, and that’s five-star entertainment.

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