149" Gemmy inflatable outdoor movie screen

VERY tempting at less than $200.

Pull the trigger. As Clarence said the build quality is surprisingly good.

I bout one on ebay for $184 shipped and I couldn't be happier. It fits perfect in our back yard. I had a group of 20 or so and everyone loved it.

Another high marks for the gemmy screen. It held it's own with gusts of up to 35 mph here in KC last Saturday night. This is one of the best investments for our HT....the WOW factor of the screen and just the outdoor setting is really such a great idea. We showed The Wild, which sucked...but ppl from 1 to 78 really loved the experience. The most common question was where we rented the screen.

This is my outdoor screen of choice!

I got one at a local Walmart for $199 and used just the screen material hung by hooks inside my theater until I got my permanent 165" installed. My installers came in when it was still hanging and commented positively on the quality of the screen material. When the mosquitos die down and it cools off some, I will inflate the support and try it outside. After hanging for weeks, mine still had fold lines in it. Did any of you do anything to smooth those out, or will the inflated support take care of that for me.

I've been looking through information available online about this screen, but I haven't found the answer to my primary question. Is this screen only for front projection, or can it be used for rear projection as well?? I am very interested in purchasing this type of screen, bt I would prefer to use it for rear projection rather than front projection. I'm not crazy about the idea of having my $1000.00 projector out where kids are running around. At least with the projector behind the screen, I can rope off the area for a little more protection.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks,

Yes it is only front projection. The screen amaterial is like a heavey blackout cloth.

I guess you could create a smaller screen using an PR surface and shoot though the center but the open area in the center is quite a bit smaller.

Hello. I'm new here. I just recently purchased a Gemmy, and tried it out yesterday. I was impressed with it, to say the least, especially with the quickness of setup.(It took me 15 minutes to setup by myself on a windy day. Not smart because my Gemmy went airborn before I could secure it. All worked out in the end.) I also have a Optoma DV 10 projector, which sets uo in about 30 seconds, a minute if I take my time. I like to set up quick and be ready to roll. I had a portable Dalite tripod screen which I used to show movies in the past to family and friends (70x70, about 15-25 people). With the Gemmy, I feel I could cover small audiences up to 50-60 comfortably. Great screen for the price. I love it.

i'd like to have that for CS:S outside lol

We've had two get togethers with groups of 45 and over 60...the screen is plenty big for large groups to have a good slight line. My goal is to cook and entertain a group of 100. I used to grill burgers etc and for my office of 90 plus on my trusty grill...so I know I can feed a group that size...and the screen is big enough for that number too.

I'm not even sure I know that many people, well, not well enough to invite over anyway.

The first group consisted of neighbors, friends and family....many have school age kids...so it adds up. We had as young as one and as old at 79. I held this event to work through the kinks before having a party for my son's class.

The second group was my son's 2nd grade class and their families (parents and sibs), plus some from his grade's football team and their families. We held that party because we are fairly new to that school. My son's Birthday is near Christmas, so he get cheated out of B-day parties. We figured this was a way for him to have a get together and for us to meet the parents and get to know more of the families from his school. The great thing about an outdoor event is you have a ton of ppl, you don't have to worry about accomodating a wrangling a large group in a house. We have an screened porch that runs along side the drive way..so we have the buffet line in there. We have a rear access to our back hall way, which is 6 ft from a bathroom...so it's a great set up.

Since then we have agreed to host a youth church event and a second class party in the spring. It is one of the best social/family investments we have made...besides our home theater room.

Ron

sorry to rob your thread, but how does rear projection work? your talking about using a projector behind the screen somehow?

Regarding rear projection...

Yes, the projector projects the picture onto the back of a screen which allows the picture to come through. The only thing I've used for rear projection is a bed sheet. It works, but it's far less than ideal.

Jim

is the picture reverse? what are the advantages anyways?

Generally RP allows for a brighter picture because you're are looking at transmitted lighted vs reflected light.

But the major advantage for an outdoor theater would be that the projector can be placed behind the screen and away from people. This helps protect the projector and don't worry about people walking between the beam and screen.

Is this the one that has a blower going all the time to keep it inflated? If so, the one I saw was so noisy I couldn't even hear the movie....My neighbor has one that you just inflate and it stands up with no blower...He got it at Best Buy or Costco...or one of those big chains - it cost more than $200, but it's great and QUIET.

yes this has the blower but I think the sound isn't that bad. I forgot all about it once the movie starts and our attendees said they didn't even notice.

Thegemmy does make some noise, but it blends into the background doing movietime.

I still love my gemmy. I try to use it mainly outside. I have used it inside once in a gym. It was a little loud, but the audience didn't seem to mind. They were too busy saying "Wow!" about the screen.

Yeah I think as long as you have something interesting on for them they won't hardly notice the fans...

I just got my screen last night ($200 from Wal-Mart online) couldn't wait to get it set up so I set it up in the living room (it barley fit) has anyone figured out how to get the wrinkles out of the screen? I left it set up for a few hours but they never got any better. I was thinking of using an iron or something. Any Ideas?

I was going to try to iron my Gemmy screen also. I might put a towel over it before I iron it, just to make sure I don't burn it. Then again, I may use my steamer on it , and see how that works.

please let me know if the steamer works. I am sure that i could just set it up during a Texas summer day and it would be wrinkle free but I cant wait until then.

I love this thing it's great, my kids think it's the coolest thing in the world! easy set up and break down too.

I know there is another thread on this screen namely: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=728473

This one has more posters so here it goes .......

Has anyone in Canada been able to get this screen? Here is what I tried today:

Called Gemmy up - right now they only distribute to WalMart (USA) even though if you google: **************.com show that they carry this but it is out of stock

Called up **************.com - website says they only ship in the USA. The person on the phone says they expect shipment of these screens in June / July and they may ship to Canada. Asked me to check back every few weeks.

Called up Walmart Canada and stated that this item is available on Walmart.com and in their stores but not available at Walmart.ca or in Canadian stores. She advised me that Walmart uses different distributors for Canada and the US and the only way I could get this was to go on Walmart.com, use a US address and a US based credit card (both of which I don't have). I maybe heading down to Orlando in late April for a conference so if the timing is right I may have to check out some Walmarts in the area. I would have the screen delivered to the hotel but I don't have a US Credit Card to order it.

Tried ebay as well. They have one seller that has it for $250 USD through a buy now. Might get desperate and try this route. BTW - do a search on "inflatable screens" on ebay - some really crazy and expensive stuff.

Do you folks have any suggestions?

Just got mine today from Walmart. Gonna be in the 80's during the day and mid 60's at night this weekend. Might be time to test it out !!!!!!

Suzook,

I'll be in Orlando in late April so I sent you a PM

Who said portable TV's had to be <14"?