Excellent choice I saw it at the drive in on a very windy evening really cool. Also a really great outdoor film.

J

Oh yeah, watching it outside will make the hairs on your neck stand when the drive in scene comes... :eek:

Twister is a great one for the outdoor stuff!

We just did Alvin and the Chipmunks for the kids on Saturday.

I bet the Bee Movie would be a good one for kids to...

Keeping fingers crossed for this weekend!!! :eek:

Oh yeah, watching it outside will make the hairs on your neck stand when the drive in scene comes... :eek:

I remember when I was a kid Raging Waters did out door movies you could watch while floating in their big lagoon pool. I went and watched Jaws. Terrifying.

I am loving this outdoor theater thing. We have a large roof top deck with a big white wall on one side. My wife says "wouldn't it be cool if we could project movies on that wall" 3 weeks later we are in business. I'll post some Pictures soon.

Yes, 720p is better for SD content than 1080p because of the lower resolution. Resolutions go something like this:

480p = 720x480 pixels
720p = 1280x720 pixels
1080p = 1920x1080 pixels

If you've ever zoomed in on a picture in Photoshop, you'll know what "upscaling" does to an image - it makes it look blocky and pixelated. Depending on the quality of the upscaler, you can get better results than just "zooming" in. However, the more you blow up the picture, the worse it gets no matter what. A 480p DVD movie will look better on a 720p display than a 1080p display because it doesn't have to "zoom" in as much. On my 720p projector, DVDs look "soft" but not bad. On the outdoor screen, they look perfect because you're sitting so far away (vs. inside your house where you notice that the image looks softened).

I have an Xbox1, not an Xbox 360. My Xbox1 has a chip inside that lets me play DVDs and upscale digital media files. It looks surprisingly good with Component cables. Since you have an Xbox 360 and an HD-DVD add-on, just stick with that. HD-DVD titles will look great. Again, if you are planning on watching DVDs and other "SD" content, I would recommend getting a 720p based on my own experience. Many HD titles are available in 720p, as are many Xbox 360 games. You can always down-convert 1080i/p material to 720p and it will look fine. I think 720p is the best way to go if you want to do an SD/HD mix.

I have used my Xbox r/b/g outputs and media capabilities on my projector as well. I have a western digital passport HD that I plug in USB. I have about 100 movies ripped on it in MP4 format.

Enjoy.

I have the Gemmy and I love it (except I would like to try rear projection). Being a woman and sometimes putting it up alone, I have trouble getting the twisty-stakes (lol) down in my hard, compact yard. Today, I saw some bags you can fill with sand for use in holding down inflatable bouncees. Do you guys think this would work? It would be a little heavy, but much easier for me. They were on e-bay, but I am wondering if the local hardware business would carry something like this. Also, does anyone know someone who does custom screens (nothing expensive) who could possibly do a replacement (rear-projection) screen for the Gemmy? Thanks a bunch...ggl

I tried rear projection and it was OK, but you have to have a situation where you have a lot of room behind the screen if you're going to throw a real large picture. You also must be off axis of the projector or you will have a very bad hotspot. I tried it, but my setup wouldn't allow me to get the projector in a spot that was off axis enough to keep the bulb hot spot from. Here's two pics. One with the rear pj setup and another with my finished front screen mounted to the back of a lattice privacy panel installed for privacy and as a possible mount for the screen (that I ultimately decided to mount there...lol)

My test of rear PJ was with nothing more than a large piece of heavy gauge plastic tarp. When I was using the rear pj setup I had the pj back at the lattice fence shooting towards my deck. The throw distance necessary behind the screen gobbled up half my yard. I was pretty serious about the effort. I actually fan a steel cable at an eight foot height entirely across the middle of my yard so I could attach the plastic tarp at the top with clips.

For these inflatables, I would guess that if you can get the projector low enough so that nobody is in line of sight with the lens, and you have no problems gobbling up 15-20 feet behind the unit (the inflatable support brackets consume some 12 feet if I read correctly) then it isn't a bad way to implement. Pic quality (with exception of hotspotting) was pretty good although the screen cap would make you believe otherwise.

Pic 1 - rear pj screencap
Pic 2 - front pj screen - note old tarp hanging behind lattice (this was a leftover from the rear PJ setup from pic 1. I forgot to mention that I had to block the light from my neighbors porchlight so it wouldn't throw shadows on the back of my screen!! I have since removed the tarps.
Pic 3 - front pj with screencap (note that even with 23 low voltage lights on that back set of lattice work that I can still leave them on without seriously affecting picture quality!!! I still turn them off most of the time when viewing video, but these pics were part of my original tests after getting the screen up.

has anyone tried to wash the white screen portion of this? We cleaned a couple of small spots by hand but it only smeared them. I didn't know how it would do in the washing machine. I was afraid the clips would damage the screen, even on gentle.

Any suggestions or experience with this?

We are planning our first outdoor movie night this year in 2 weeks. I am putting flyers in our neighbor's mailboxes this week letting them know they are invited. I just have to figure out which movie to show! Seriously, I am wanting the first to be a good PG for kids and then the second to be a little more tougher like Transformers. Any suggestions??? :)

We just finished Jumper. The neighborhood kids really enjoyed it....so did I!

We used (or I) a hose and sprayed it while it was inflated. The dirt ran but after spraying a few minutes was gone...

So what are people using to store this beast? I finally unpacked mine and blew it up. No sag, looks good. But when I tried to put it in the biggest plastic storage container that my local HD had ... it looked liked I tried to shove a marshmellow into a thimble. Although it was a pretty poor folding job, I imagine that under "real" conditions, i.e., after a whole bunch of beers while watching a movie, I won't do much better, so I consider this a realistic approximation. A new solution needed, por favor.

I use this box (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=91573-000000230-3725&lpage=none) from lowes. You just have to be careful - it has a lock mechanism that can tear the fabric if you are careless when packing it in.

This (http://www.b-air.com/accessories-sd.htm) has also helped ALOT! It sucks that screen down flat (with a little help) in 1/4 of the time. Gets it really tight and small.

We used (or I) a hose and sprayed it while it was inflated. The dirt ran but after spraying a few minutes was gone...

Great! Keep it simple I guess! That screen was a BEAR to get off. Squeezing those clips was a royal pain...literally. My fingers went numb after the third one, and there's probably 30!

Thanks for the info Joe.

If anyone has successfully washed this please post. I'm gonna go Joe's route probably tomorrow. I may go ahead and order a second screen just in case.

We used it twice this weekend. Firday night for Disney's Camp Rock and tonight for Jumper and Xbox 360/Madden.

A couple of weeks ago we did Raiders of the Lost Ark, and it seems like we have used it one other time - definately getting the $ worth. Football season is gonna be big too (can't wait!).

This weekend no matter what we are going for it!

I want to thank everyone here for posting such useful information.

I will most likely be ordering these for a church outreach outdoor theatre event we're doing in Queens NY.

I emailed blimpscreen and he quoted me $450 for the 20' screen and $550 for shipping (70kg at $8/kg).

Al, if you don't mind, I will use your information to try to lower the shipping.

Does anyone use the B-Air Deflator? I think I need to get the 1.5 panda in order to get a matching deflator. I don't see a deflator for the 1hp koala.

These would be perfect for a function of any kind.... :)

We are planning our first neighborhood movie part this weekend!

SPiderwick Chronicles Blu-ray on tap!

The vote is done. Spiderwick it is! :)

Another rain filled weekend! :mad:

Here is hoping to tomorrow night! :)

In another weekend or two I plan to kick off the Summer Outdoor Movies... :)

What kind of projector do you guys use for these blimp screens. I just got my gemmy 150" and i now am looking for a projector. I will eventually get a blimpy also.

Any suggestions on a projector? I am looking at a optoma hd71 ($1150.00 ) or a epson hc1080 ($1200 ). Not sure if the epson can handle a 150" screen.

What kind of projector do you guys use for these blimp screens. I just got my gemmy 150" and i now am looking for a projector. I will eventually get a blimpy also.

Any suggestions on a projector? I am looking at a optoma hd71 ($1150.00 ) or a epson hc1080 ($1200 ). Not sure if the epson can handle a 150" screen.

Panny Ax200. Awesome lens shifting for easy set up and extremely bright. I also think it is cheaper than your examples these days.

Sanyo Z5... :)

I was just emailing with C.B. on me a 16x9 screen that is seamless. He said $900 out the door. It seems that some of you paid less. Did you guys have the basic material screen or the more durable made of TARPAULIN material?

I will have to check to see what I paid...

I will have to check to see what I paid...

i think you paid around $650.

I think you may be about right. We are planning to start movies in June... :)

Did you blimpscreen owners order the 18oz vinyl blimpscreen or the more expensive Tarpaulin material.

I'm thinking of returning my Gemmy and getting a Blimp. Is the 18oz vinyl the same materialas the Gemmy ? I want it to be durable and not rip easy

I'm thinking of returning my Gemmy and getting a Blimp. Is the 18oz vinyl the same materialas the Gemmy ? I want it to be durable and not rip easy

I've had both (and still have a blimp). The blimp is far more durable than the Gemmy. The material feels like heavy denim or something. Not sure what it actually is though

Oh, already had two movies this year w/it! I LOVE this thing!! Come on football!

I've had both (and still have a blimp). The blimp is far more durable than the Gemmy. The material feels like heavy denim or something. Not sure what it actually is though

Can you clarify if you're referring to the 18oz or tarpaulin material? I've emailed the seller a couple of times but his english isn't very good.

18oz (I believe). When I bought from him, I think there was only a choice of screen size. What are his prices these days?

I agree. We only had the one choice. :)

For the 16' wide 18oz I was quoted $400 for the screen and $320 for shipping.

price has gone up about $70. some members only paid $650 for theirs.

I have to say, it is a bargain. We have gotten so much enjoyment out of that thing, I've considered buying a backup. Football games and movies for get togethers, my kids' friend like to come over and watch. My friends like to come over and watch. I'd hate to think it malfunctioned somehow and he went out of business in the meantime!

To be honest though, this will last a long time. I have one tear whereit was about to rain and I forced it into a box and it tore on the sharp metal hinge.

Highly recommended.

I ordered the 16x9 18oz material. Already have a tracking #. Should be here by the week. The blower that was recommended by the seller was a B-Air Panda 1.5hp :eek:.

any blower from any company will work as long is its got the HP to run it. check these out.

http://www.toolkingusa.com/App/products.asp?cid=1

My screen arrived from China. Haven't set it up yet. We're having some people over Friday night for a movie and video games.

How are the blowers that come with the Gemmy units? Are they sufficient to inflate without sags or should an upgrade be considered?

you can't upgrade the blowers in a gemmy. there built in there for if the blowers break the gemmy is junk.

you can't upgrade the blowers in a gemmy. there built in there for if the blowers break the gemmy is junk.

Guess it fits the old adage "you get what you pay for". For the amount of times I'll be able to set a screen up here on Mosquito-achusetts, I'm sure the Gemmy will be fine! Between bugs and weather I'll be lucky to see two movies this year!

I am selling my 20 foot blimpscreen. I am going to construct a permanent screen next summer. Check in the classifieds under This and That. :)

I am selling my 20 foot blimpscreen. I am going to construct a permanent screen next summer. Check in the classifieds under This and That. :)

What made you decide to sell it?

I would like to go next level and make a permanent screen. I love the Blimpscreen but I have plans for "drive In" theater next summer. :D

I have to admit, I have been insanely happy with the 16, and bought a 20' also.

However, I've run into one issue I'm not solving.. the screen that it ships with stains pretty easy, and for the life of me, I cannot get the damn thing clean worth sin. Grass stains, etc. stay in it almost no matter what I try. I feel like a detergent commercial. Anyone got recommendations or a way to replace the screen alone if need be?

I assume no one has answered this. Ok... do you guys just order extra screens ? (I don't mean the whole blow up, just the cloth) I'm wondering how I can get a cloth fit tight with the elastic clips like the one that fits from China to replace the first one now...

have you tried putting the screen in the washer with bleach or something

Tried all sorts of bleach. Pretty much no matter what I do I'm not getting the grass stains out :(

hmmm this may be over the top but maybe use a rug doctor (http://buy.rugdoctor.com/?source=gg-branded&gclid=COu-75r0u54CFRPxDAod5UZqlA) or something.you can rent them at most stores.

I haven't had any grass stains but I've had to wash it. It IS very difficult. You can't throw it in the washer because of the clips. I think stains would be the LEAST of your worries if you tried that.

I used a large/wide bucket and hand washed it like Granny Clampett. Then I hung it out to dry.

I've thought about ordering a new one but it is quite expensive for what it is. It really needs to be a little heavier material IMO. Also, is the clips/rings were reversed so that the rings were on the screen side, it would be much safer just to throw it in the washer.

Finally got it cleaned up.

I started talking to him yesterday about my new summer project.. going from the 16' screen to a 20-30'. I'd really like the 30', and his price is very, very good. I'll have to think on it.

I ended up ordering the 20', I'm interested in what projectors others have used with success. I'm feeling my HD20 isn't going to cut it.

We're going to try and do 2 shows in April. One next Friday, the weather is supposed to be good. I think right now we have "A Bug's Life" planned.

Then the 22nd, where of course, we're going to do Avatar :)

We'll see how it goes. I took it out and inflated.. damn! His measurements were close to right, it comes out 22', slightly bigger. Which is OK by me!

Still fiddling with the right projector for the job. Anyway, that's a different story. I will say this: they come in this nice cylinder, and I'll be damned if I've ever figured out how the hell they do it, because no matter how tightly I try to fold the damn thing, it's always at least 3-4 times that size!!

you could take a shop vac and suck all the air out also.