The must-have gadgets to create your dream outdoor cinema
While the weather here in the UK can be a little temperamental, the chance to spend time outside watching a good film sounds almost heavenly when the weather is playing ball.
An outdoor cinema set-up is easier to put together than you may think too, tech is a lot more portable than it used to be which means even a humble garden can be expertly transformed in no time.
You may be asking yourself what’s the best 65-inch TV for your next blockbuster binge, but why not harness the outside world and instead build and outdoor cinema for enjoying a flick in the ambience of nature.
A projector
While there’s nothing wrong with choosing a waterproof outdoor TV for your outdoor cinema experience, the authenticity offered by a projector is hard to beat. Like modern TVs, projectors are capable of super-sharp picture quality with 4K options available for a pinch under £1000. If that sounds too much it’s entirely possible to get 1080p (HD) projectors for a fraction of the cost of a 4K offering that will still provide a quality picture clarity.
There’s also a portability bonus that means bad weather will allow you to move the outdoor cinema indoors, not so easy with an outdoor TV.
Make sure that any projector you purchase has a decent ANSI Lumen rating. Standing for American National Standards Institute, this is a standardised way of measurement of light. If you’re wanting a proper, outdoor cinema experience you’ll need a projector with a high ANSI Lumen rating (2000 and up) to be visible during daylight.
A screen
Now you have your projector you’ll need something to project it onto. One option is the faithful white bedspread, a quaint but rather compromised option. You’ll get a far better viewing experience with a proper projector screen. Space won’t be a concern either, most outdoor screens will either collapse down into a neat storage bag or are inflatable.
Audio
A weak point of many projectors is sound quality. Afterall, nothing would spoil a film quicker than a tinny soundtrack spilling out of a tiny under-developed speaker. What you’ll need is a decent set of outdoor speakers for the ultimate outdoor cinema experience.
A pair of outdoor speakers will offer the best sound depth and clarity for your viewing experience. A long, flat outdoor speaker will work similarly to a soundbar and allow for improved audio quality without the need for multiple speakers. Just make sure whatever you buy is waterproof.
If you’re concerned the movie’s soundtrack my upset the neighbours, then it might be an idea to invest in a pair of wireless headphones. If your projector connects to the audio system with Bluetooth, it’ll connect to some wireless headphones.
Something to stream the film
Projectors may be good, but you’ll need something to connect to it and stream something. A laptop is an obvious choice, but streaming sticks can be directly connected to a projector to stream content too and often come with a remote for easy app navigation.
