The 4Low’s Top Picks
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Editors Choice  | FANGOR 8500L Outdoor Projector |
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Most Features | Optoma GT780 Short Throw Projector |
| Check Amazon Price |
Most Affordable | TMY Projector 7500 Lumens with Projector Screen |
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Watching movies as a group activity has long since been one of the most common forms of entertainment for people across the world. We have movie theatres, home theatres and watch parties all so we can watch a movie together. Doing so allows us to exchange opinions, experience the same emotions together and share a fun experience with someone you love.
There is one movie-watching trend that is growing increasingly popular with each passing day and that is the trend of watching movies outdoors. While the concept of watching movies outdoors has been around since the time of drive-in cinemas, it’s grown more popular recently because people have begun investing in high-quality projectors.
So, what’s all this hype around projectors? Let’s find out now with the help of this projector buyer’s guide!
Watching Movies On A Projector
Recently, many people have started upping the ante on their camping experience with outdoor movies. If you invest in a good-quality projector, you can easily watch movies outside with your family or friends while surrounded by natural beauty and the calming sounds of your campsite.
A good-quality projector ensures that you can watch movies the way you want them to. When you buy a projector, there are several things you need to keep in mind. However, most people don’t know what those things are, which is why they struggle with making a choice.
Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Projector
You can easily hop on the internet and order the first projector you see in an online store. However, it’s not quite that simple. You need a projector that will satisfy the requirements of your family or the people you wish to entertain with your outdoor projector.
Some of the things you need to take care of when choosing a projector for your next outdoor adventure are throw distance, brightness, aspect ratio, and portability. But what do all these things mean? Let’s find out.
Throw Distance
The throw distance is the distance that you’ll need to put between your projector and your screen to get an image that fits the screen. Sometimes, people don’t research how much throw distance they’ll be needing and end up having a projector that they need to place quite far away to get the image to fit the screen.
However, this can compromise the quality of the image because the farther the projector goes, the duller the image on the screen will be.
Audio Sources
Unless you’re watching a silent film from the 1920s, you’ll need an audio source to go along with your projector. You should invest in portable speakers that are compatible with your projector or laptop and also have Bluetooth capability. It’s a lot easier to adjust where to keep your speakers for maximum sound if your speakers are Bluetooth-operated.
Brightness
The brightness of any projector is the most important characteristic of the projector. You’ll need to make sure you know which conditions you’ll be using your projector in to decide what brightness you’ll need your projector to have.
Generally, most people buy projectors with a brightness that is in the range of 2,000-2,500 lumens. Lumens is, of course, the unit this brightness is measured in. That being said, this type of projector is good for most situations where it’s relatively dark outside at nighttime. If you’re going to use your projector in a place where there might be another light source, you’ll need to invest in a projector with more brightness.
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio is the width and height of the image on your screen presented in the form of a ratio. You need to make sure the aspect ratio you need is available in your projector’s settings. Make sure the screen you buy for your projector can also handle the aspect ratio you’re going to be using it for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Using projectors for watching movies in your backyard in the nighttime or while camping is still a relatively new concept. That is why a lot of people have questions about projectors and how you can operate them.
So, these are the internet’s burning questions about projectors. Let’s see what the answers are.
How do you watch movies outside?
If you want to watch a movie outside, you need a projector. Along with that, you’ll also need a projector screen and some good speakers. Some people also use outdoor TVs to watch their favorite movies on their verandah or their patio. However, those TVs are fixed and cannot be taken with you when you go camping.
That is why projectors are the best option for watching movies outdoors.
How many lumens do you need for a good outdoor projector?
Most good-quality outdoor projectors come in the range of 2,000-2,500 lumens. However, if your garden or front yard is near a street light or you’ve set up your screen in a place with artificial lights, you might need a projector with a brightness of up to 3,000 lumens.
Is there a projector that works outside in daylight?
Some projectors have very high brightness values in the range of 3,000-10,000 lumens that are great for daytime viewing. However, it’s hard to see the image on these projectors clearly if you’re using the projector in direct sunlight. Try to find a shaded spot and you’ll have much better luck with the image quality even during daytime with these brightness values.
Should I buy a projector screen or make one?
That depends on how much time you have and whether you have the skills to build one. If you have the knowledge, resources, and time to build a screen, you can. However, most people who have no knowledge of how screens work and impact image quality just purchase one from the store.
Conclusion
So, that was all about buying projectors for outdoor use. Whether you’re trying to convert your camping experience into a glamping experience or you just want to spend some quality time with your family in your backyard, projectors are a great investment. They’re easy to use, fun to watch movies on, and come in many different options. Watching movies as a family is a great activity but there are many more ways to keep entertained while camping.
So, what are you waiting for? Use this projector buyer’s guide and get yourself the projector you need.
