Tips for using a Projector Outdoors during the Summer Months

When it’s hot and sunny outside, the temptation for most people is to basically live their lives in their backyards, whether to avoid the suffocating heat indoors or just to enjoy the fresh air and rays. However if you’re also looking to watch sporting events or movies outside, it can be difficult to do both. Using a projector can be the perfect solution!
 
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Using a portable screen that you can place outside to give you a big picture will replicate that drive-in movie experience. It can be the perfect fit during the warm summer months. However, it can also be difficult to get right, because projectors are generally designed to be used in relatively dark indoor rooms, rather than back yards in the blazing sun.
 
So here are some great tips for using a projector outdoors during the summer months:
 

Get The Right Projector

 
If you’re going to use a projector outdoors in the summer time, you can’t just go out and buy any projector. You need one that has plenty of lumens’ worth of brightness to be able to cope with the ambient light outside, especially if it’s particularly bright. If you want to use it during the day time, the minimum you’ll need is 5500 lumens, which immediately rules out many standard models of projectors.


outdoor projector 4Optoma EH515 

 
You’ll also need one with a good built-in sound system, unless you want to have to hook up a separate speaker system, which can be a nuisance when it comes to setting up and taking down every time you want to use it outdoors.
 
And finally, you’ll need to check what connectivity options the projector has, in order to make sure they fit with what you’re planning on using to show the sporting event or movies. The same applies for indoor use too, but for convenience you may be wanting to connect to something different outdoors.
 

Get The Right Location

 
It should go without saying but if you place your screen in the full glare of the sun, even with bucket loads of lumens, your projector is going to struggle to deliver a decent picture. You need to think about where you should place things in the backyard to make sure you’re giving the projector a chance to show what it can do.
 
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You of course need to think about where people will sit, and the other logistics of whatever you’re going to want to use the projector for, but the most important thing is where the projector and the screen are placed. Everything else can work around them if the picture is good enough.
 
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Think About The Weather

 
It’s not just the screen that needs to be out of the direct sunlight, you also need to make sure your projector isn’t in the full glare to ensure that it doesn’t overheat. The last thing you need when the big game is on is to have your projector break down on you. If the weather goes the other way, remember that rain and electronics don’t go well together either! By the same token, keep your projector away from any pools or barbeques…
 
If you’re using a projector a lot outdoors during the summer months, you’ll want to make sure you don’t find yourself without a replacement lamp. MyProjectorLamps offers an unbeatable selection of high-quality replacement lamps at low, affordable prices. Shop with us today and save!

The Top 5 Most Affordable Projectors

The lure of the world of projectors is clear for anyone who loves watching movies on the big screen and wants to replicate that experience at home. There’s also a more practical use for organizations who need to project images or data in a clear display that can be seen by large audiences.
 
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However, the price tag of top of the range models can be incredibly off-putting for anyone looking to dip their toes into the water and purchase their first projector. Most individuals are looking for a projector that won’t cost a fortune yet will still deliver the kind of quality results that are needed.
 
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There’s plenty of cheap projectors out there, but if you’re bitterly disappointed when you first flick the switch and see what your money has bought, that could be the end of your projector journey. So it’s important to find an affordable model that has value for your money.
 
Here’s our list of the top 5 most affordable projectors on the market:
 

Epson VS240

 
This Epson projector is a very popular model and for good reason. As well as being generally affordable for most budgets, it also has an impressive set of attributes, including 3,000 lumens of brightness and a longer lamp life. It also works great as a first time projector because it’s relatively straightforward to set up and is small and light enough to transport if required. The slight drawback is the SVGA resolution, but the picture is impressive enough for most tastes and purposes.
 
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BenQ TH670

 
Slightly more expensive than the Epson model above, this one from BenQ is the one to get for anyone looking for slightly more visual appeal at an additional cost. It has the same 3,000 lumens and long lamp life but comes with a full 1080p resolution of 1920×1080 and also has decent built-in speakers, making it ideal for anyone without their own home speaker system who still wants to get good sound from their projector.
 
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Optoma HD28DS

 
Another step-up in price, but this Optoma model is worth every extra cent. It’s compact enough for being portable, it’s got 1080p resolution, 3,000 lumens, can play 3D video and is capable of displaying an image up to 214×290 inches in the right room and conditions. If you’re looking to supersize your experience without spending more than $1k, this could be the best option for you.
 
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InFocus ScreenPlay SP1080

 
A slightly cheaper option but still a projector that delivers great performance for its price. It also has 1080p resolution and an excellent image quality and contrast ratio, and while it’s perhaps a step down slightly from the BenQ model in terms of accuracy of image, it’s still an impressive model that is great value for your dollar.
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Philips Pocket Projector PPX4010

 
If you want to try something a little different and definitely save on the price, why not try this pocket projector from Philips? It won’t serve as your everyday movie watching projector but it’s a way to get things started at the very least. With only 100 lumens of brightness and WVGA resolution, you have to know what you’re getting but it’s an ideal first projector for someone looking to take it on business trips to deliver presentations.
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If you need a replacement lamp for your new projector, you know where to go! MyProjectorLamps offers an unbeatable selection of high-quality replacement lamps at low, affordable prices. Shop with us today and save!