With the summer season approaching, you’re probably looking forward to entertaining friends and family in the backyard. Whether you plan on enjoying a live game on the big screen or want to recreate the drive-in experience at home, you’ll need an outdoor theater. In today’s post, local interior remodeling company DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Central Texas shares a quick guide on how to set up your own outdoor theater.
Theater Essentials
TV vs. Projector
The first thing you have to consider is what you will use to project video. While the simplest solution would be to buy a large TV and hook it up with a receiver for a media player, a projector offers several advantages. It’s more practical in terms of cost-to-screen-size ratio — that is, you can get a bigger screen for a lower upfront cost. You’ll have more flexibility with where you can place your projection screen compared to a television. You probably won’t want to place a large TV under open sky or near a pool, where it can get rained or splashed on. A projector, on the other hand, can be placed in a small, sheltered enclosure. A few adjustments can help maintain a sharp projected image.
There are, of course, a few drawbacks to choosing a projection system over a TV. One is your viewing times are going to be limited to hours after sundown. Try to get a projector with at least 2,000 lumens in brightness and at least an HDMI connection, if not a wireless system.
Screen
To get the best image quality out of your projector, you need to hang a quality screen. You might be tempted to DIY this part by hanging up a sheet or focusing the projector on the side of the house. However, you’re not going to get a good quality image with sheets or siding. A good designer can help you find the right screen that will allow quick setups and teardowns, can stand up to high winds and will maintain a crisp and clear image.
Audio
If you’ve purchased a home theater kit, it would have come with a decent surround sound system. A classic set of 5.1 speakers (five standard speakers and one bass woofer) is usually enough, however, you have to consider a simpler setup with fewer wired connections. Also, surround sound is less important when you’re playing audio outdoors. Wireless surround systems like Apple HomePods are fairly simple to set up, and can be configured to provide optimal audio regardless of the surroundings.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Central Texas offers a wide range of professional remodeling and home renovation services. To get started with a no-obligation consultation, call us at (254) 277-2202 or contact us online. We serve homeowners in Waco, Gatesville, Whitney and Lorena, as well as the surrounding communities of China Spring, Woodway, Hillsboro, Hewitt, Groesbeck, Robinson, West, McGregor and Crawford.
