Many people want to make the most of hot sunny days by spending as much time outdoors as possible. That said, bringing the entertainment outside is a fun idea, as you can also use your projector to watch movies in the fresh air in the comfort of your backyard, balcony, or patio.
Now, you may wonder how to make a projector work in daylight and whether that is possible. In such a case, I suggest reading this article to find out.
How to Make a Projector Work in Daylight
It is important to note that watching movies on a projector outside during the day is possible. However, you will need a projector with high brightness and lumens to use your projector during daylight.
Moreover, you will also need a reflective screen to prevent natural light from making the images invisible.
Using a Projector During the Day
Using a projector during day time is possible but under suitable conditions. That said, If you have been wondering how to make a projector work in daylight, let’s look at what you can do to make that possible.
Use a high-lumen projector
Whether you are planning on watching movies or preparing for a presentation, using your projector outside might give you a pleasant viewing experience. To make that possible, you will need a bright projector with a high number of lumens.
Luckily, most modern projectors come with more lumens than older ones, so a standard high-quality projector may also work outside. What I suggest is getting a projector that emits at least 3,000+ lumens to be able to watch movies outside without issues.
Find the right location
While using your projector outside is possible, watching content outside on the projector is still impossible under direct sunlight. Hence, you will also need to find the ideal location for the projector to be able to watch successfully.
What is advised is to be aware of the ambient light and find a shadier location to prevent bad image quality. If you find an ideal location for your projector, you can get an excellent open cinema to watch your all-time favorite movies and TV shows, watch streaming services and even play video games outside.
Get the right projector type
Speaking from experience, using the projector outside can be very pleasant and entertaining. However, the type of projector you will get plays a huge role in whether that will be possible.
Hence, looking for a high-quality projector with a high amount of lumens that can display properly at any time of the day is essential.
Get the right size screen
Aside from the number of lumens, the screen size is also very important. This means that the smaller the screen you are projecting, the fewer lumens it needs to be bright enough for projecting outside.
Additionally, cleaning the screen before installing it outside is also significant, as when the screen is dirty, it is difficult to watch any content, especially outside. A white screen is a good choice for better image quality because of its good reflective quality.
Pick the right time and be aware of weather conditions
To watch movies using your projector outside without problems during summertime, picking the right time of the day is vital. The best time for outdoor cinema is during sunrise or sunset. If you plan on using the projector in the afternoon, you will need a shaded area.
Weather conditions can either improve your viewing experience or make it impossible. Hence, I suggest preventing using the screen during rainy or windy weather. Also, weather conditions can damage the projector, which you would want to avoid.
The ideal weather conditions for using a projector outside are slightly cloudy with low chances of rain or weather with a light wind after or before the sun’s peak.
Related: How to Watch Projector in Daylight
What Else Do You Need for Using a Projector Outside?
To be able to project content on the screen outside without any issues, it is also necessary to be mindful of the following factors:
- Resolution – As outdoor light can hide details on the screen, you will need a projector with a resolution of at least 1080p. That said, it is known that projectors with a higher resolution are typically on the more expensive side.
- Contrast – The contrast between dark and light areas on the projector screen is also very important when receiving a clear image quality on a sunny day.
- Settings – Another thing to do is look at the projector’s settings. This is because most projectors have default settings set for a dark room, so you must adjust the brightness and determine whether the settings are suitable for outdoor projector usage.
What else you can do to use your projector outside:
- Equally important is to set the projector and the screen as close as possible to get detailed images rich in color.
- If your projector is not loud enough for outdoor usage, what you can do is connect a sound system or a portable speaker.
- For an even better projector viewing experience, you can make additional shade by using a canopy or a sunshade.
- When watching a movie or other content on the screen, it is necessary to pick a screen that offers a 160° viewing angle.
Conclusion
Now that we have established how to make a projector work in daylight, you can proceed and purchase the best projector based on your needs, find a suitable projector screen and pick the right time and weather conditions for the best cinematic outdoor experience.
As you find a high-end projector with a suitable number of lumens and brightness, you can set a movie date outside, gather your friends and family for a movie marathon or game, or even make a successful presentation outside.
Have fun and enjoy!