My very own drive in movie.

[Moonliner]

OK, the correct term is "Backyard Theater" but you get the idea.

Is any one else doing this? As part of a separate project I now have some fun AV equipment. So I'm setting up a backyard theater to show movies for my kids and the neighbourhood.

So far I have the projectors (http://www.hitachidigitalmedia.com/product.do?actionName=showProductAction&pt=6&pg=72&proid=608), wii's, sound system (http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=port_spkr&item=53CW0365AA000#), dvd players and I just found the screen I've been looking for: A 24' x 12' white tarp (http://www.tarpaflex.com/acatalog/A-white_heavy_duty-tarps.htm) for $30 bucks. The size is almost a perfect widescreen format (~ 21x12) I'll make a "frame" using black duct tape on the tarp.

I think this calls for "Curse of the Black Pearl" as a debut feature.....

[Snowflake]

Tsk, tsk, not satisfied with the treadmill desk..... ;)

It's a great idea! Wish I could be there to enjoy it (and the summer thunderstorm that will likely interrupt it)

[Alex]

I've been to parties where it is done. Is is pleasant as a party experience but not a way I'd generally want to watch movies.

[Moonliner]

Tsk, tsk, not satisfied with the treadmill desk..... ;)

It's a great idea! Wish I could be there to enjoy it (and the summer thunderstorm that will likely interrupt it)

Humm, I could combine the two and show Chariots of Fire perhaps..... :D

[Moonliner]

I've been to parties where it is done. Is is pleasant as a party experience but not a way I'd generally want to watch movies.


Precisely. It's a party thing. Movies are always better indoors but playing Wii Mario Kart on a 21' screen is a kick. And "Jaws" at the pool is also cool.

[Gemini Cricket]

A few friends of mine watched the Lord of the Rings Trilogy in a backyard with this sort of setup in Monterey. It was wonderful. The neighbors weren't too happy with the sound system, but it was fun.

[katiesue]

Maddy's elementry school would do something like that for movie night. They'd show a movie on the playground and everyone would bring blankets and dinner. It was a lot of fun.

[Snowflake]

Maddy's elementry school would do something like that for movie night. They'd show a movie on the playground and everyone would bring blankets and dinner. It was a lot of fun.

A cemetary in LA does something like this, too, on the side of a masoleum wall, so I am told. ;)

[mousepod]

How does the HD projector look indoors? We've been looking at houses that were built in the early part of the 20th Century and don't necessarily have room for my 62" screen...

[Moonliner]

How does the HD projector look indoors? We've been looking at houses that were built in the early part of the 20th Century and don't necessarily have room for my 62" screen...

The projectors are fairly new, so far I've only used them for playing with the Wii's. I'll have to pull the Blu-Ray player out of the rack and test them with it.

HD projectors can look stunning indoors. Especially with the right screen. As I'm sure you know, most HD-TV's are not able to fully show all the high-def goodness do to size and viewing distance (http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html).

[Kevy Baby]

...sound system (http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=port_spkr&item=53CW0365AA000#)...Pshaw. Unless it requires a dedicated 220V line to give enough juice, it isn't a theater sound system. :p

I've been to parties where it is done. Is is pleasant as a party experience but not a way I'd generally want to watch movies.Many years ago, I helped a friend do a "dive-in" theatre. At the time, he lived in an apartment complex that was almost all young single people, many of whom worked in the entertainment biz.

We secured a very powerful projector and about a 20' screen (I don't remember the exact size). I brought a vast array of sound equipment and using his processor had a full 5.1 surround setup. I don't even remember the movies we watched - it wasn't important.

[Moonliner]

Pshaw. Unless it requires a dedicated 220V line to give enough juice, it isn't a theater sound system.

I suppose I could get around that by starting early and serving lots of hard booze. Errr, or perhaps with the kids that might not be my best bet...

[BDBopper]

Oh man that sounds so cool. Congrats to you for such an awesome idea!

:)

[Disneyphile]

I propose a swanking at Moonie's house! :snap:

[Snowflake]

I propose a swanking at Moonie's house! :snap:

Not if it's 90 degrees and 95% HUMIDITY! ;)

Otherwise, yes and I will bring popcorn and bacon!