Outdoor theatre for ~$2K

One of hundreds of possible setups...

Projector: Refurbished HT2150ST Full HD Home Theater Projector

Stand: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...3&pd_rd_w=wQYCM&pd_rd_wg=17r0H&ref_=pd_gw_unk

Screen: https://www.amazon.com/Elite-Screen...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HACBETYW3BQKBGVKR99D

Amp: Home

Speakers: Home

Blu-ray player: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-s...-blu-ray-player-black/4743301.p?skuId=4743301

An HDMI cable for video, a digital coax cable for audio, some speaker wire, and you have a nice portable setup for about $1,400.

pete5383 said:

Hello friends,

I'll level with you, I've spent the better part of the day reading dozens of threads and searching like a maniac, and I'm more confused than ever.

My wife and I own a small event rental company. We've had some clients ask about renting a setup to do outdoor movies. But, honestly, I don't know much about what I'm looking for in projectors or screens or speakers, other than what I've learned today after about 8 hours of intense lurking on this forum.

I was wondering if I could throw myself on the mercy of the forum and see if anyone had a good suggested setup that might be had for ~$2K? We might be able to push it up to $3K, but ultimately, this mostly a business decision, so we're trying to be careful (after COVID, we don't have a ton of excess cash sitting around).

I don't think we have many requirements...at least not that I can think of. I'd probably like the projector to be closer to the screen (short throw, I think I heard the term), and I guess the earlier we could start it in the day, the better (although I'm aware that most any setup will be garbage until dark). Oh, and I guess easy setup/takedown would be cool, too.

Thank you so so much!

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For rental situations, you want to keep it simple. Especially so if you do the set up and leave the equipment unattended with client operation of the equipment.

The other issue is that rental situations tend to be hard on the equipment so you want something robust. You're also going to want something with at least a 144" screen.

An equipment list with the idea of keeping it simple would include: Projector, Screen, a pair of powered speakers, speaker stands, and a source (Blu-ray player).

Keep in mind that any showing short of an at home family backyard type rental will require a license to show the movie.
Movie Licensing for Public Event | Licensing Discount | FunFlicks

I would suggest that you take a look at some pre-packaged systems. Outdoor Theater Systems has some packages that include equipment storage in your price range to consider or give you some idea.

QuickScreen Series | Backyard Movie System, Complete Outdoor Theater | Outdoor Theater Systems

Stay away from cheap inflatable screens. They are nothing more than a PITA and will get complaints from your customers. A good 144" inflatable will start at $1000 and go up. Look at companies like Open Air.

I use Epson HC1060 or the new HC1080 projectors for rentals. Yamaha, JBL, Electro Voice, powered speakers and a Denon DN-500BDMKII Blu-ray player in a 4 unit portable rack case.