Discussion
I have a large garden shelter and as part of some improvements I'm making to the garden I'm tempted to use it as an outdoor cinema. I live in France so temperature is a little better than the UK and it's rainproof so even if it's pouring down I could still use it. Ideally I could use the equipment in the winter in the family room indoors which is a little smaller. It's an experiment so I don't want to go crazy to start with so I'm looking for a projector and soundbar and maybe just a simple screen or even just a sheet to start with but hopefully something I could use some man maths to "improve" in future. The space is about 4m x 6m on the floor and a minimum height of 2.5m. There's a good point to position a projector on the back wall so it would need to be good at 6m but I could also have it closer. It's also reasonably dark already under the shelter, probably a couple of hours closer to night if that makes sense but obviously not as dark as I could make it indoors.
I'm an absolute beginner at this but have a pretty good general technical knowledge. Absolute max spend now would be about £1000 but like I said something I could grow would be nice so I have some decent speakers I could repurpose if that helps. All suggestions including "don't" welcome.
I'm an absolute beginner at this but have a pretty good general technical knowledge. Absolute max spend now would be about £1000 but like I said something I could grow would be nice so I have some decent speakers I could repurpose if that helps. All suggestions including "don't" welcome.
I’ve just done this for the lockdown!
The most crucial thing is when do you want to use it? If daytime then you’ll need to spend more on a better projector with a brighter bulb. I’m using an old projector I used to use indoors and the back of two huge white signs that my mate ‘borrowed’ from a well known UK racetrack. It’s about 10x12ft
The projector was around £400 new so perfectly fine but only works when it’s dark or very nearly dark. we play dvds through a Sony surround sound system with all the speakers connected but sat on the table with the projector. HDMI from dvd to projector and extension lead out the shed and it’s ready to go!
The most crucial thing is when do you want to use it? If daytime then you’ll need to spend more on a better projector with a brighter bulb. I’m using an old projector I used to use indoors and the back of two huge white signs that my mate ‘borrowed’ from a well known UK racetrack. It’s about 10x12ft
The projector was around £400 new so perfectly fine but only works when it’s dark or very nearly dark. we play dvds through a Sony surround sound system with all the speakers connected but sat on the table with the projector. HDMI from dvd to projector and extension lead out the shed and it’s ready to go!
aponting389 said:
I’ve just done this for the lockdown!
The most crucial thing is when do you want to use it? If daytime then you’ll need to spend more on a better projector with a brighter bulb. I’m using an old projector I used to use indoors and the back of two huge white signs that my mate ‘borrowed’ from a well known UK racetrack. It’s about 10x12ft
The projector was around £400 new so perfectly fine but only works when it’s dark or very nearly dark. we play dvds through a Sony surround sound system with all the speakers connected but sat on the table with the projector. HDMI from dvd to projector and extension lead out the shed and it’s ready to go!
Team America fThe most crucial thing is when do you want to use it? If daytime then you’ll need to spend more on a better projector with a brighter bulb. I’m using an old projector I used to use indoors and the back of two huge white signs that my mate ‘borrowed’ from a well known UK racetrack. It’s about 10x12ft
The projector was around £400 new so perfectly fine but only works when it’s dark or very nearly dark. we play dvds through a Sony surround sound system with all the speakers connected but sat on the table with the projector. HDMI from dvd to projector and extension lead out the shed and it’s ready to go!
k Yeah!Without going to the garage and checking.... I’m pretty sure i have the older version of this:
https://shop.optoma.co.uk/h184x
But I can see it now comes with built in speaker. The listing says works day or night but I’d be surprised if it was any good in the daytime without being indoor with the curtains drawn!
https://shop.optoma.co.uk/h184x
But I can see it now comes with built in speaker. The listing says works day or night but I’d be surprised if it was any good in the daytime without being indoor with the curtains drawn!
Murph7355 said:
Dan_The_Man said:
If you are local (Surrey) I have some used 5700 Lumen F32 Barco projectors that blow everything else into the water
I was going to ask how much, but looking at the original prices I suspect more than my similar idea to the OP will stand 
The Optomas are good for this as they have a good range with different video resolutions and built in speakers.
Just before lockdown I fitted one of the ultra short throw, 4K ones and both the audio level and video quality from something just 60cm from the screen was amazing.
Deals and shipping can be sorted if you know who to ask!
V.
Just before lockdown I fitted one of the ultra short throw, 4K ones and both the audio level and video quality from something just 60cm from the screen was amazing.
Deals and shipping can be sorted if you know who to ask!
V.
VEX said:
The Optomas are good for this as they have a good range with different video resolutions and built in speakers.
Just before lockdown I fitted one of the ultra short throw, 4K ones and both the audio level and video quality from something just 60cm from the screen was amazing.
Deals and shipping can be sorted if you know who to ask!
V.
How bright are they? And how much roughly?Just before lockdown I fitted one of the ultra short throw, 4K ones and both the audio level and video quality from something just 60cm from the screen was amazing.
Deals and shipping can be sorted if you know who to ask!
V.
aponting389 said:
Without going to the garage and checking.... I’m pretty sure i have the older version of this:
https://shop.optoma.co.uk/h184x
But I can see it now comes with built in speaker. The listing says works day or night but I’d be surprised if it was any good in the daytime without being indoor with the curtains drawn!
I bought this one in the end, found a deal under €400, should be here at the weekendhttps://shop.optoma.co.uk/h184x
But I can see it now comes with built in speaker. The listing says works day or night but I’d be surprised if it was any good in the daytime without being indoor with the curtains drawn!
Murph7355 said:
VEX said:
The Optomas are good for this as they have a good range with different video resolutions and built in speakers.
Just before lockdown I fitted one of the ultra short throw, 4K ones and both the audio level and video quality from something just 60cm from the screen was amazing.
Deals and shipping can be sorted if you know who to ask!
V.
How bright are they? And how much roughly?Just before lockdown I fitted one of the ultra short throw, 4K ones and both the audio level and video quality from something just 60cm from the screen was amazing.
Deals and shipping can be sorted if you know who to ask!
V.
The upper ranges are ok in daytime, especially the new laser versions.
Murph7355 said:
I was going to ask how much, but looking at the original prices I suspect more than my similar idea to the OP will stand
Sorry for the late reply, £800 each which is very fair, also I think they are more like 8000 Lumen but I can't find the orig spec sheet. Just stuck one on ebay and facebook marketplace with pictures and lamp life.Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff