Outdoor Movie Projectors and Screens

May 6, 2010 on 6:35 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments

Summer is right around the corner. It’s a great time for baseball, barbecues, and now, watching movies in your backyard! The equipment you will need varies depending on the size of your audience and on what you plan to show. Here is rundown of what you’re going to need to start enjoying movies in on your front lawn, by the pool, or even in the park. (Just make sure you have a permit!)

All-in-one Projector/DVD Player Combos

This is by far the easiest and least expensive projection option for outdoors. Projector and DVD combination systems also include speakers, making them by far the easiest to travel with and set up. Due to the relatively low lumen output and resolutions available, these are best suited for smaller projection screens. Assuming it’s completely dark outside, you will get a very satisfying image of up to 100″ diagonal, which is great for small gatherings of 10-15 people. Here are some Projector/DVD combos offered by Focused Technology.

Epson Moviemate 72 LCD Projector – $1,049.00

Epson MovieMate 60 Projector and DVD Player Combo – $699.99

Projection Screen Options for Projector/DVD Player Combos – Tripod Projection Screens pair up nicely with these types of projectors since they can be folded up for easy transport and storage. A “pop-up” screen like the Encore Portable Cyber Projection Screen is even easier to set up and carry than a tripod screen. Just be sure that you have a flat, stable surface to place the screen.

Sound Options – The on-board speakers can accommodate an audience of 10-15 people, however, there are outputs on the projector to allow for external speakers if you’ll need extra sound reinforcement. A small set of powered speakers like the JBL Control 2P Powered Monitor System are a great choice.

Other Accessories – No additional cables will be required if you use the on-board DVD player and sound. You may want to consider a mobile projection cart, but anything with a flat top and solid base can be used to set the projector on to.

All-in-one projector combo packages – Focused Technology has combined the Projector/DVD combo unit, tripod screen, and powered speakers into one cash saving package:

Outdoor Movie Theater System – Portable Package – $899.00
Package Includes:

• Epson MovieMate 60 Projector and DVD Player Combo – The Epson MovieMate 60 comes with a widescreen resolution, and a built-in, progessive scan DVD Player. Easy to set up, easy to use, and easy to travel, the Moviemate 60 is the ultimate portable theater projector
• Draper Consul Tripod Projection Screen – 70″ x 70″ – Matte White – Stable and firm, the Draper Consul Tripod is convenient for use in a wide variety of environments and break downs to an ultra-portable size.
• JBL Control 2P Powered Monitor System – The Control 2P Compact Powered Reference Monitor System combines JBL’s legendary loudspeaker design with powerful amplification to deliver rich, accurate performance for the most demanding audio applications.
  
  Stand Alone Projectors for Outdoor Use
  

  If you are looking to take your outdoor theater to the next level and entertain a large number of people, you’ll need to go with a standalone projector to get the brightness and high resolution you will need.

  Keep in mind that not all projectors that are great for home theater are necessarily great for outdoor movies. While many do have the resolution you’ll need to fill a large screen, most do not have the lumen output to fill a screen much larger than 100″ diagonal or combat the extra ambient light you’ll deal with outdoors (even at night). Focused Technology recommends a resolution of 1920×1080 (Full HD) and a brightness of 1500 lumens or more. The following models are great options for outdoor projection:

  Optoma EH1020 DLP Projector – $1,389.00

  Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8100 LCD Projector – $1,499.00

  Optoma TX1080 DLP Projector – $1,849.00

  Outdoor Projection Screen Options for Standalone Projectors – Being portable, durable, and relatively easy to setup, Inflatable Projection Screens are very popular for outdoor movies. High winds, one of the major problems with outdoor theaters, can sometimes cause the screen to fold in on itself. If you feel like this could be a consistent problem, a portable folding screen is a nice alternative. The solid frame will hold steady in the wind as long as you anchor the legs with something heavy like a sandbag.

  Open Air Home Screen – 10′ Inflatable Projection Screen – $499.00

  Open Air Home Screen – 14′ Inflatable Projection Screen – $699.00

  Open Air Home Screen – 18′ Inflatable Projection Screen – $1,149.00

  Draper Ultimate Folding Portable Screen – Starting at $419.00

  Sound Options – For larger audiences you can’t beat the portability and output of a portable PA system. Portable sound systems come with microphones to make announcements before or after your showing or host a karaoke night. Not to mention inputs for instruments like guitars if you want to put on mini-concert!

  Fender Passport 300 PRO Sound System – 069-4403-000 – $699.99

  Fender Passport 500 PRO Sound System – 069-4405-000 – $999.99
  

  

  Other Accessories – If you use a Blu-Ray player, which is highly recommended, you’ll need an HDMI Cable to get the best quality image.

  Outdoor Movie Theater Packages with Stand Alone Projectors: – Take a look at some of huge money saving outdoor theater packages:

  Outdoor Movie Theater System – Silver Package
  Package Includes
  • Optoma HD20 DLP Projector – The Optoma HD20 DLP Projector brings a new level of flexibility to your high-definition home theater/multi-media experience. With true 1080p resolution, the HD20 delivers excellent color saturation and subtle details for superior image quality.

  • Open Air Home Screen – 10′ Inflatable Projection Screen – A 10′ inflatable screen that sets up in minutes!
  • Fender Passport 150 PRO Sound System – A 150 watt, dual speaker sound system. Perfect for groups up 300 people in size.
  • Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-Ray Disc Player – Step into the surreal world of BD-Live (BD Profile 2.0), the epitome of the ultimate interactive movie experience. Now, with the BD-P1600 you have the ability to instantly stream movies and music from the Internet, via Netflix and Pandora. It raises the bar of excellence with WiFi compatibility, 1080p (ver. 1.3a) Full HD-resolution, BD-Video, multi-format DVD/CD playback, and HD audio decoding.
  • Velocity™ HDMI™ Cable – 3′ – 40314
  Outdoor Movie Theater System – Gold Package – Full HD System!
  Package Includes
  • Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8100 LCD Projector – The Epson Home Cinema 8100 provides full 1920 x 1080 progressive high definition resolution. The Home Cinema 8100 will bring your home movies to life!
  • Open Air Home Screen – 14′ Inflatable Projection Screen – A 14′ inflatable screen that sets up in minutes!
  • Fender Passport 150 PRO Sound System – A 150 watt, dual speaker sound system. Perfect for groups up 300 people in size.
  • Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-Ray Disc Player – Step into the surreal world of BD-Live (BD Profile 2.0), the epitome of the ultimate interactive movie experience. Now, with the BD-P1600 you have the ability to instantly stream movies and music from the Internet, via Netflix and Pandora. It raises the bar of excellence with WiFi compatibility, 1080p (ver. 1.3a) Full HD-resolution, BD-Video, multi-format DVD/CD playback, and HD audio decoding.
  • Velocity™ HDMI™ Cable – 3′ – 40314
  Outdoor Movie Theater System – Platinum Package – Full HD System on an 18′ Screen!
  Best Value!
  Package Includes
  • Optoma TX1080 DLP Projector – The Optoma TX1080 is the ultimate outdoor theater projector. With a full HD 1080p resolution, and a whopping 3600 lumens, the TX1080 produces an image with the perfect combination of beauty and raw fire power required for this large outdoor set up.
  • Open Air Home Screen – 18′ Inflatable Projection Screen – An 18′ inflatable screen that sets up in minutes!
  • Fender Passport 300 PRO Sound System – A 300 watt, dual speaker sound system. Ample power to handle audience sizes up 500.
  • Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-Ray Disc Player – Step into the surreal world of BD-Live (BD Profile 2.0), the epitome of the ultimate interactive movie experience. Now, with the BD-P1600 you have the ability to instantly stream movies and music from the Internet, via Netflix and Pandora. It raises the bar of excellence with WiFi compatibility, 1080p (ver. 1.3a) Full HD-resolution, BD-Video, multi-format DVD/CD playback, and HD audio decoding.
  • Velocity™ HDMI™ Cable – 3′ – 40314
  

Draper’s StageScreen: Taking the Rental AV World by Storm

May 4, 2010 on 6:46 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments

The A/V Rental Industry has received Draper’s new StageScreen Portable Projection Screen with open arms. Its revolutionary design completely changes the game for projection screen rental companies. The genius is in the modular design of the frame.

All StageScreens are constructed of a combination of 6′, 5′, 3.5′, 3′, and 2′ long sections.

This allows you to produce several different sizes with one “set” of sections. Instead of stocking a complete frame system for each size you offer, you can now purchase the viewing surface only for each size you offer and one set of frame pieces can produce virtually all sizes! Imagine, you can now offer MORE options to your customers and actually spend LESS money and inventory LESS equipment!

Another great feature for the rental market is the StageScreen’s durability. The StageScreen utilizes an 8” truss that is significantly stronger than traditional truss folding screens. Draper performed in-house testing of the strength of the StageScreen truss compared to a folding truss screen. The results were dramatic: StageScreen proved to be over 60% stronger, holding strong long after the folding truss failed.

Set up is a breeze. They’re are no hinges, snaps, or Handy Cranks. Frame sections are connected with permanently attached threaded links and guide pins. No lost handy cranks. Easy to follow color-coded assembly instructions are included with each StageScreen.

Using the attached DuraLoop™ bungee cord loops with handy nylon pull-tabs, simply hook the surface to the posts on the frame. DuraLoops are longer lasting than traditional snaps, and provide even self-centering tension for the viewing surface. You’ll never want to use snaps again.

The StageScreen was designed specifically to be flown, but leg options are available along with Dress kit options

Get a FREE 19″ LCD Monitor AND Cash Back with the Purchase of Select NEC Projectors!

May 4, 2010 on 4:11 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments

Are you a small business with 200 employees or less? If so, NEC is offering unheard of rewards for the purchase of a new projector. Here’s what you need to do:

• Register your company with the NEC Business Advantage Program

• Purchase one of the approved models for this program from Focused Technology. The qualifying models are the NEC NP310, NP410, NP410W, NP510, NP510WS, NP610S and the NP610.
• Register your new projector with NEC
• Receive a FREE 19″ Widescreen Desktop Monitor from NEC!
• Receive CASH from NEC!

This offer runs through June 30, 2010 OR while supplies last, so you’ll want to act quickly to take advantage of the program while it’s still around.

Unfortunately, this program is not available to schools, but NEC has several programs for educators. Click here for more information on these programs.