Aaron Silverman
Senior HTF Member
Wow, it's been a while since I've ventured into the hardware forums.
I've come into possession of an Epson EX-7230 Pro WXGA projector, and I'm thinking about doing some backyard movie watching. I don't really want to build a frame myself, because I need something that can be easily set up and taken down (due to the frequently extreme wind conditions here). Something like the Elite Screens Yard Master, or one of the inflatable types, would probably be the best bet, I think. I realize, as with all A/V gear, that I *could* spend a large sum of money, but that's not going to fly. Getting spousal approval for anything over $200 or so will be difficult, if not impossible.
Note that my backyard is not flat -- there is a bit of a hill sloping down away from the house. It's not too steep, but it is definitely a consideration. I assume that the inflatables have some kind of anchor to prevent 'em tipping over, but I have no experience with them. In fact, my only outdoor home theater experience is with the Scootplex (and as I wrote, I'm not too interested in building something). I assume that I'll have to deal with whatever screen I use leaning backward, but the projector settings can handle any image distortion.
Any tips, recommendations, and/ or warnings from those who have used these kinds of screens would be much appreciated! Are the inflatables worth considering, or are they just a gimmick? Do you need to keep the air pump running the whole time, or can you blow 'em up and leave 'em?
Then again, if anyone has built a DIY outdoor screen that can be taken down easily and can talk about it. . .I'm not ruling anything out completely.
I've come into possession of an Epson EX-7230 Pro WXGA projector, and I'm thinking about doing some backyard movie watching. I don't really want to build a frame myself, because I need something that can be easily set up and taken down (due to the frequently extreme wind conditions here). Something like the Elite Screens Yard Master, or one of the inflatable types, would probably be the best bet, I think. I realize, as with all A/V gear, that I *could* spend a large sum of money, but that's not going to fly. Getting spousal approval for anything over $200 or so will be difficult, if not impossible.
Note that my backyard is not flat -- there is a bit of a hill sloping down away from the house. It's not too steep, but it is definitely a consideration. I assume that the inflatables have some kind of anchor to prevent 'em tipping over, but I have no experience with them. In fact, my only outdoor home theater experience is with the Scootplex (and as I wrote, I'm not too interested in building something). I assume that I'll have to deal with whatever screen I use leaning backward, but the projector settings can handle any image distortion.
Any tips, recommendations, and/ or warnings from those who have used these kinds of screens would be much appreciated! Are the inflatables worth considering, or are they just a gimmick? Do you need to keep the air pump running the whole time, or can you blow 'em up and leave 'em?
Then again, if anyone has built a DIY outdoor screen that can be taken down easily and can talk about it. . .I'm not ruling anything out completely.