OT: Outdoor Theater

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A couple weeks ago we rented an inflatable outdoor theater screen and projector to keep the kids occupied during a party. The movie was such a big hit that I decided to get my own equipment and prepare for the 2008 movie season.

So, for less than the cost of a skimmer I built an 8ft by 14ft screen, got a projector, and had a movie night this weekend.

It was a lot of fun - but we had to bundle up to escape the cold.

Between this and the constant aquarium glow coming from the basement, I'm sure the neighbors think I'm crazy.

Maybe we'll have a SLASH movie/pizza night next year.

Anyone interested in setting one up can visit www.backyardtheater.com


-Mike

 

[Nanook]

Very cool!! Put on some wings and cold beer and I am there:beer:

 

[frenchie]

looks like fun, have a buddy who has pool parties in summer and made his own for movies by the pool.

 

[Reeferhead]

The salt bucket speaker stands are a nice touch!

 

[Im Lon 2]

That is sweet!!!

 

[breutus]

Freaking sweet I own a projector, I need to do this some time!!!

Just a thought though if this is going to be a big thing for you. A flat board with flat white paint is a much better reflector.

totally sweet though dude

 

[latazyo]

how do you wait late enough for it to get dark enough, but not be too late for the neighbors to complain about noise?

 

[rams]

thats a nice size lot, now I see the need for the garden tractor.

what movie??

 

[mpcart]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11083584#post11083584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by breutus
Just a thought though if this is going to be a big thing for you. A flat board with flat white paint is a much better reflector.

I'll have to check my neighborhood rules, but I'm pretty sure having a billboard in the backyard is frowned upon - so I'll have to pass on the flat board.

The canvas was just what I happened to have available. I'll be upgrading to Dazian Trapeze fabric or standard blackout cloth by next spring. Either of those will be portable have have the correct gain levels.

-Mike

 

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11083610#post11083610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by latazyo
how do you wait late enough for it to get dark enough, but not be too late for the neighbors to complain about noise?

I don't have much in the way of neighbors since the subdivision is only a year or so old. However, the most important thing is to invite the neighbors - most of mine have kids and they think its great.

If it ever becomes a problem then I can move the speakers closer to the audience and lower the levels.

Sunday night my boy and I (he's 5) watched Star Wars and I'm sure you could hear it a mile away.

-Mike

 

[latazyo]

awesome job MIke

 

[levon15]

What kind of projector are you using?

whats everyone else using?

 

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I have an Optoma EP721 portable business projector with 2200 lumens and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. It has a DVI input so I can take advantage of the upconverting capabilities of my Oppo DVD player. I'm using an old Sony receiver and I used the two surrounds from my basement HT.

It seems like a lot of people on BYT use old, cheap business projectors. Image quality isn't as important as it is for an indoor HT.

-Mike

 

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