Spring has officially sprung, and summertime is right around the corner. With longer days and warmer nights ahead, it’s the perfect time to bring friends and family together for unforgettable outdoor movie nights – right in your own backyard! There’s nothing quite like enjoying your favorite films under the stars, a buttery bowl of popcorn at the ready, and all the conveniences of home just steps away.
However, it can take more than a bedsheet and a projector to create impressive backyard movie magic. Setting up an outdoor movie theater that truly entertains requires laying the right groundwork, from viewing area layout to essential lighting to audio distribution and more – there’s plenty to consider. With decades of experience in indoor and outdoor home theater design and installation, the experts at MIR Audio Video are here to guide you through all the steps and selections, helping transform your outdoor space into an immersive outdoor viewing paradise, giving you the outdoor backyard theater of your dreams.
What You Need to Set Up an Outdoor Theater
Before hitting play, laying the groundwork for your ultimate outdoor movie theater is essential, and it all begins with picking the perfect spot. What makes the ideal movie garden spot? There are a few essentials, including a flat area with enough room for seating and unobstructed screen placement, ensuring proper distance from street lights and neighbors’ windows, and plenty of access to power outlets. Other essentials to consider? How to safely run cables and extension cords, minimize screen glare, and create a layout that makes everyone feel like part of the action. Also, if you plan to stream, ensure the WiFi signal is strong in the yard (we can help with that too!).
Projector – How to Choose the Right One
The backbone of many outdoor movie theater setups, the backyard projector is critical to the movie-watching experience, so choose wisely. Important criteria to consider during selection include:
- Lumens: Since brightness is key to outdoor viewing, go for at least 2,000 lumens, but consider 3,000+ if watching before darkness sets in to ensure viewing clarity in near daylight or dusk.
- Resolution: At least 1080p offers a crisp image, but consider a 4K projector, like our best-selling Sony projector, for stunning big-screen clarity.
- Throw distance: This indicates how far the projector must be from the screen, and MIR Audio Video can help calculate the perfect placement based on the yard size.
- Budget: Plenty of options are available at various price points, and the folks at MIR can recommend a model that perfectly balances budget and performance.
Outdoor Movie Screen Options
Depending on whether your outdoor movie setup is permanent or temporary, there are plenty of movie screen options. For outdoor theater screens that need to move when not in “screening” mode, portable or hideaway screens offer great viewing quality. However, for those looking to create a more permanent movie garden, a full sun Outdoor QLED 4K Smart TV, like The Terrace by Samsung, is verified for outdoor visibility performance with an anti-glare TV screen and IP55 weather resistance rating. Added bonus? No projector required.
Outdoor Speakers and Audio Systems
Although the screen is the focus of attention during movie nights, the sound sets the mood and brings the action to life. However, a backyard movie theater does not have the benefit of soundproofing materials like indoor home theater rooms. Speaker setup should be thoughtful, ensuring every seat can clearly hear the sound despite outdoor interferences like wind, traffic, and other distracting noises. That’s where the experts at MIR Audio Video come in, helping you position and calibrate outdoor speakers to account for these variables.
As for speaker selection, there are plenty of options available, from wired to wireless. Bluetooth speakers are convenient and portable, yet a strong Wifi is essential for optimal performance. Wireless speakers may also struggle to fill a larger space with consistent sound. A wired speaker system, however, can manage perfectly, performing well no matter the size of your backyard movie theater design. To ensure quality, well-distributed sound, we recommend James Loudspeakers for outdoor audio systems. These innovative speaker systems offer premium sound quality that seamlessly blends with outdoor theater landscapes.
Outdoor Lighting, Seating, and Ambience
Once the tech is decided, it’s time to focus on the ambiance and aesthetics. Set the mood with seamless outdoor lighting, creating the perfect movie-watching experience outdoors. Imagine soft pathway lights to light the way without washing out the screen, or decorative string lights to give the area a festive flair. The best part? MIR Audio Video can help you install smart, centrally-controlled lighting systems that place the ambiance at the tips of your fingers.
When it comes to seating for your outdoor movie setup, the options are endless. Keep it simple with outdoor sectionals and lounge chairs, or mix it up with swing chairs, blankets for lounging, and plenty of pillows and poofs. And don’t forget to mix in small tables and containers to hold drinks, bug spray, and other amenities to make outdoor movie watching comfortable and stress-free!
Outdoor Movie Theater Installation
As you can see, an outdoor theater setup is within reach – all you need is the space and some inspiration to create a viewing oasis at home. And if you need professional help to get it just right, MIR Audio Video is here to help. We’ve helped countless Los Angeles residents design and install their outdoor entertainment spaces with professional-grade equipment, expert design, and seamless installation, bringing the area’s best outdoor theater spaces to life!
Whether you are starting from scratch or upgrading an existing setup, our team can handle it all – from precise projector placement and audio design/wiring to screen mounting and lighting integration – all professionally executed with white glove service, within budget, and on time.
Outdoor Cinema FAQ
Can I use a regular projector outside?
Yes, but for best results, choose one with high brightness and ensure it is protected from moisture and dust.
What can I use as a screen for my backyard movie theater?
DIY outdoor cinema screen options can include a white bedsheet or an inflatable or portable screen. However, for a more professional and permanent outdoor movie theater space, consider a tensioned screen or a smart TV rated for outdoor use.
Can I use my backyard movie theater during the day?
Outdoor screen watching during the day is possible, but not ideal, as bright daylight can wash out on-screen images.
What should I include in my backyard movie night checklist?
Projector, screen, speakers, media source, extension cords, seating, blankets, bug spray, snacks, drinks, lighting, and Wi-Fi access.
