Backyard Movie Night: What you Need for Your Outdoor Theater

Projectors

Though you could take your TV outside for a movie night, it won't have the same "wooow" factor as a projector. So finding the perfect projector should be your first step in planning your backyard movie night. The important factor to remember is that there is no one-size-fits-all projector for every use.

Instead, consider where and how you'll be using your projector. Is this simply for your backyard, or do you want something to take camping with you? It'll be best to choose one that is small enough to take outside and set on a table, but not so little that it won't provide enough light to illuminate your screen. Some portable projectors also include a built-in battery, but a long garden extension cord could also do the job.

Media Player

Another thing to think about is the source material. What will you be watching? Or, more importantly, how will you watch it? The days of bringing a DVD or Blu-ray player out to the yard along with the projector are virtually gone. Sure, you could do it, but there are way more convenient solutions.

You can find projectors with built-in streaming apps or you can use streaming sticks or your laptop. Whatever you choose, make sure you have a good HDMI cable or reliable and strong WiFi, so you can view your movie with no lagging.

Speakers

Some video projectors have a built-in amplifier and speaker, but the output level is designed for small rooms, such as conference rooms and classrooms. However, if you have a large yard or any kind of background noise, it may be difficult to hear. But with outdoor speakers connected to your home projector, you can have incredible sound to match your huge screen!

Using the projector's analog audio output to connect any speaker with an analog input is the simplest approach to upgrading the sound. Many Bluetooth speakers and most soundbars and, practically any speaker system include an analog input. You can even make use of a built-in home audio system that you can control for your smart hub. Although a sound system optimized for outdoor use or built-in home audio are the way to go for superior garden movie audio, you can use whatever works best for your environment.

Seating

Unless you want to sit on the ground, you'll need comfy seating to really bring the movie experience outside. This is where you can decide to get creative or choose better-suited furniture like outdoor chairs, sofas, benches, stools, and even sectionals. Want to have the option to lay down and watch? Then, an outdoor rug with some pillows and blankets added is a good choice.

Lighting

When you build a movie-night paradise in your backyard, don't forget about lighting. While darkness will be necessary for seeing the films and adding a little ambiance. Plus, your guests will need a small amount of lighting to securely navigate the area. Tiki torches are easy lighting options, but you can also upgrade to landscape lighting like path, well, and even step lights that serve both your movie experience and general backyard lighting.

You're almost ready to go now that you've learned the essentials of creating your own backyard movie theater! Now it’s time to decide what you need. And at AV Design Consultants, we’ll help you design and set up the ultimate outdoor theater experience! Check out some of our products and if you have any questions, we are glad to help, just give us a call or visit us today!