Choosing the Right Movie Projector For Outside
An outdoor movie projector and screen is a great way to enjoy family movies in the backyard. But choosing the right one can be tricky.
Look for a projector with a high contrast ratio so whites appear crisp and colours pop. Also consider brightness — you’ll want to start watching at around sunset and you may need a higher lumen count than an indoor model.
Brightness
When you’re watching movies in the backyard with ambient light from the neighbors porch lights or the moon you need a projector that can brighten your image enough to cut through that ambient lighting. Brightness is measured in ANSI lumens and the higher the number the brighter the projector.
Choosing the right screen for your projector can also affect its brightness. A high-quality outdoor projection screen is made of material that redistributes the reflection of light so it’s not stronger in the center than on the edges of the image. This makes for an even image and cuts down on ambient light from the side.
Another factor that influences brightness requirements is the size of your screen. A larger screen requires a projector with a higher lumen output to maintain the same level of brightness across its entire image.
When selecting a movie projector for outside you should also think about how the ambient lighting will change over the course of the day and evening. The more ambient light there is, the higher the lumen requirement and the less likely you’ll be able to get a clear picture without needing to pull the drapes closed or turn off the sunlight. This is why it’s a good idea to watch your movies in the later hours when solar illumination starts to soften and fade.
Picture quality
When you watch a movie in the cinema it’s in a dark room, which allows for the best image quality. When you’re watching movies outside, however, ambient light is often competing with the projector’s brightness. Light from the neighbors’ porch lights, the fire pit, the barbecue grill, even a clear night sky will all interfere with the video image and can make it difficult to see dark scenes or read text on the screen.
You’ll want to select a projector with the highest possible brightness (measured in ANSI lumens) so that it can cut through the interference of ambient light and wireless wifi projector make colors look vibrant on your screen. Also, you’ll want to select a model with a high resolution to ensure that the projected image is as crisp and clear as possible.
Lastly, you’ll want to choose a model that offers multiple connectivity options, such as USB, HDMI, or screen mirroring for Android or iPhone devices. These features will make it easy to stream videos and play games on the big screen without having to transfer content from your device to a laptop or tablet.
One of the top-rated models we’ve reviewed this year is the Anker Nebula Mars 3. This portable projector is able to wirelessly connect to your phone, and it comes with an app that lets you control the projector remotely. It’s a great option for those who frequently entertain outdoors.
Sound
If you’re using a projector outdoors, make sure it has loud enough speakers. Depending on where you’re watching the movie, there may be ambient noises such as wind or voices from excited children and you want a sound system that will cut through that. Many outdoor projectors have built-in speakers, but the quality of those speakers may not be up to par. Often you will need a separate speaker to get the audio right.
You’ll also need a screen for your movie projector. A simple white sheet will work, but you can also purchase a dedicated exterior cinema screen. The best exterior screens are smooth and have no texture, allowing the light to project on them without showing any design features or seams.
The brightness of your projector is another important factor to consider. It needs to be able to overcome ambient light such as headlights from cars passing by, your house lights, fire pits, and the moon on a clear night. A higher lumen count can help you achieve this.
The first movie projectors used a hand-crank that could change the frame rate between 18 and 24 frames per second. This was necessary because silent films did not run at a constant speed. The faster the film ran, the harder it was to keep the projector in sync with it. When the electric motor supplanted the hand crank in movie cameras and projectors, a more uniform frame rate was possible.
Size
For your outdoor movie experience you’ll need a screen and projector that are capable of handling a variety of lighting conditions. For example, if you’re watching movies before or after sunset your projector and screen will need to be bright enough to overcome the brightness of the sun. This is measured in system foot-lamberts and is a key consideration when choosing the right projector for your backyard.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a projector with as many lumens as possible for your desired screen size. This is because the more lumens your projector has, the higher resolution and image clarity it will have. However, if you have a smaller screen you can still get a great picture with a lower number of lumens.
You’ll also want to consider the throw ratio of your projector. This is the distance from the projector to your screen and affects how large of a display you can have. For instance, projector movie outdoor a short-throw projector can provide a larger display without having to be as close to the screen.
The final factor to consider is the overall quality of the projector. You want to make sure it’s durable enough to withstand the elements and resist damage from bumps or drops. Ideally, look for a model with IP ratings that measure weather resistance and a sturdy case to protect it from the elements.