I have been looking for a good solution...and by good I mean inexpensive, portable, and a decent picture quality...for an outdoor theater. I live in a great neighborhood and we have been having community movie nights. We usally have to scrounge, borrow, or beg to find a projector to use for a night. I saw this web site and thought this might be a good solution for a community projector. After looking at a few of the projects posted here I am worried that the projector might not be bright enough for use outside. Fullmoons, and streetlights could drown out the picture. Has anybody use thier projector outside? This would be a portable install so the weather is not an issue. Another question is can this be projected as a rear projection style projector? My thought is to project the film from the inside of the garage onto a screen that would then be viewed from the outside. Would this stlye of projector work?

Thanks for the feedback, I have enjoyed many of the projects on this forum.

Little Italy

ArizonaVideo uses his outside but he uses a 1000W lamp unlike almost everyone else here.

SIMUL8R or pun15her shot some pics of a HUGE projection on their house wall. I'll see if I can find them if I have time.

Other members have done so. One from Australia comes to mind.

Short answer is yes one could use a projector outside but not in bright conditions. As for rear projection one would only need an appropriate screen.

Another plog also to look into is one from Wireman. He had built a projector that had a bright picture and good quality at a long throw with just a simple build. I think he was able to get it to project a 15' foot image after it was all completed which sounds like something that could work as a small neighborhood community projector. It only had a 400 watt bulb so I don't know how that would hold up to any saturating street lamps that would be near by. If surrounding street lights are really going to be a nuisance you might have to consider building a death ray like ArizonaVideo.

My very first postism WooT!

yes
http://backyardtheater.com/forums/index.php?topic=557.0

I love wiremans build. its not even 1080p but it was the BEST projector Ive seen on Lumenlab. I dont know how he did it, but he didnt even use the pricier parts from the store. he used a basic triplet a 250w MH bulb, and fresnals and created a masterpiece. but then he sold it to soemone else right right before I made him an offer. cool pj

Wireman used a 400W lamp, not 250W.

Just to save some search time...

Wireman's Completed Project thread: Completed Project With A 15 Foot Screen
Wireman's PLOG: Ed's Hass style box with CMV 522A, xbox 360 results with pics

I used mine outside up north , 400 watt metal hallide. the only problem is the moon can affect it and streetlights and any other light pollution, if it is in a dark area there is no problems and is a great night out.

I will be doing some outdoor testing this weekend. I will post up some pics when I get them. Due to rain (stupid HUGE storm), I have not been able to take the PJ outside. But it looks to bee nice and clear this Saturday so I should be able to get some nice screens. I though about taking to downtown and throwing some "digital graffiti" on a few buildings. Might, might not. Either way I will post pics of what I can get.

Laser tag. Sweet! Give it a try when your out there. Ive been wanting to see how it would look like with these pj's. I have been saving up some extra cash to build my own home brew pj. ( Darn gas prices )Throwing tags up onto some walls was going to be one of the first things I was going to try lol. Cant wait to see the pics man.

Just a quick update: Its raining here so it might be a few days before I can get the outdoor shots. Stupid storms.

I just finished my projector and it looks great! I was very impressed. one thing I would suggest is that you add a precondensor to your build, it really brightens the picture up. we had friends over last night and had a movie party everyone was amazed! we watched Star Trek First Contact and even the dark scenes looked good. I'll try to post some screenies tonight if I can find the charger to my camera.

here are som specs:
15in build
Gateway 1530 monitor with antiglare stripped from both sides.
Standard Lens kit
Precondensor from surplus shed
Pro reflector
400w Metal Halide lamp and Ballast
6" duct fan from Home Depot "this really keeps things cool"
Attic Thermostat
and finally a Kworld TV Box 1680ex as my controller.

Ed.

Just so you don't think I forgot. I will get he outdoor shots soon. I pulled it all apart and am redesigning the sled again. Just FYI.