How to Have the Best Backyard Movie Night This Summer!

The Ultimate Outdoor Movie Night and Campout with Intel - Emily Henderson |  Outdoor movie nights, Outdoor movie party, Backyard movie party

With things starting to heat up and regulations finally lifting, friends and family all over are finally able to see each other once again, and what better way to have a gathering than with a backyard movie night!

There are things that make the best backyard movie night a success; a good projector, a big screen, speakers, and seating.

Here are some of the best products we think would be great to make the best backyard movie night.

 

AAXA P6X Pico Projector

Buy on Amazon: AAXA P6X 1000 Lumen Battery Projector, 4 Hour Battery, Portable Mini Projector

The AAXA P6X Pico Projector is the perfect projector for your backyard movie night! It boasts a high lumen rating of 1100 Lumens and HD resolution! Wireless play, the 240-minute battery life on eco mode, and portability make it possible to project a movie outside the range of a power outlet.

VIVOHOME Inflatable Blow up Mega Movie Projector Screen

Buy on Amazon: VIVOHOME 14 Feet Indoor and Outdoor Inflatable Blow up Mega Movie Projector Screen with Carry Bag for Front and Rear Projection

The VIVOHOME Inflatable Movie Projector Screen is a must-have if you want something really big! With a 14 foot screen, this is the perfect movie screen for your backyard movie night! What’s even better is that it can float as well! So if you have a pool and want to have a movie night in the pool then you’re in luck!

JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof  Speakers

Buy on Amazon: JBL FLIP 5, Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black

Adding additional speakers to your equipment is always a plus! The JBL Flip 5 will enhance your outdoor movie experience. With its 12 hour playtime and premium JBL sound quality, expect nothing but quality work! For such a low cost you wouldn’t think these were great speakers!.

Amazon Basics Zero Gravity Chair with Side Table

Buy on Amazon: Amazon Basics Zero Gravity Chair with Side Table

You can’t have a movie night without proper seating, and you definitely can’t sit outside without some great lawn chairs! These Amazon Basics Zero Gravity lawn chairs are perfect for grass and sand terrain. As an added bonus it comes with a side table, the perfect accessory for all your snacks, drinks, and even a convenient spot to place your projector on!

Share a photo of what your setup looks like in the comments below!

Connect Amazon Fire Stick to Your Projectors

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There are many ways to stream movies and shows through a projector. From your phone to an Amazon Fire TV Stick, watching your favorite shows and movies has gotten easier and better over the years. Amazon Fire TV Stick is simple and straightforward to set up and use. The vast majority of the Fire Stick models are compatible with projector use via HDMI port. Projectors without an HDMI port will require a converter, such as an A/V or VGA to HDMI converter. Adapters aren’t as good as converters in making sure that your Fire TV Stick can be recognized and read by vintage projectors.

To connect an Amazon Fire TV Stick to a projector:


1- Plug the Fire TV Stick into the projector’s HDMI port, and connect the USB cable to an USB power source.

2- Turn the system on and select the HDMI/Digital Input option.

3- Connect to Wifi and set up your Amazon account for Home Customization.

4- Connect the  projector to an external speaker source like Bluetooth Speakers (if the projector supports Bluetooth), a Receiver, or another audio solution (an HDMI Audio extractor or wireless HDMI Kit).

Video Instructions on setting up Fire TV Stick with AAXA P6X Pico Projector: 4K – I Made My Projector “Smart” With Amazon Fire Stick

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Some Issues to keep note of when setting up your Fire TV Stick

1-Audio issues connecting with multiple speakers or wireless speakers. Using HDMI Audio Extractor will help with audio sync. 

2-Projectors without HDMI ports should be wary of third party accessories that are incompatible when trying to go from VGA->HDMI or USB-C to HDMI. 

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You Can Do THIS With Your Projector!? 4 things you can use a projector for that you didn’t know about!

See the source image

Projectors are well known to be used for many different tasks. The main tasks being; presentations in an office, lectures in classrooms, and projecting movies on the big screen. Did you know that you can also use a projector in many different ways? Here are 4 things you can use a projector for that you didn’t know about!

DIY Murals

Bet you never thought about using your projector as a mural! Recently people have been using their projectors to create murals on their walls at home. By projecting your favorite pictures on the walls of your homes, you can trace and paint the image you are projecting to create beautiful and fun murals! And no you don’t need to be a seasoned artist or paint to do this!

@1realmash

DIY BLACK LIGHT CUSTOM CARTOON WALL ##DIY ##PAINT ##BLACKLIGHT ##BestSeatInTheHouse ##foryoupage

♬ original sound – 1realmash

Window Challenge

@nam__p

Guys remember me as the CEO of this trend 😁🤌🏻 ##fakewindow ##fakewindowchallenge ##window ##projector ##chill ##asmr ##relax ##sleep ##street ##city ##rain

♬ Cloud 9 – Beach Bunny

I’m sure you all already know about the infamous fake window challenge. For those of you who aren’t too familiar with it, then let’s go ahead and explain! As it first started trending on the very popular TikTok App, people began projecting fake windows on the side of their beds. This gave off the impression that they were living in a very unique place! We recommend trying this with a projector that at least has a resolution of 720p.

Photoshoot Backdrop

@rominachiodi1

BP1 speaker projector 📽 by @aaxatech ##photoshootideas ##photoshootathome ##projectorphotoshoot ##photoshootwithprojector ##sunsetlamp ##projectorpictures

♬ Space Girl – Frances Forever

If you’re like me and you love taking pictures of yourself, then this one might be what you’re looking for when you want to have an at-home photoshoot! Similar to the fake window challenge, using a projector to project a moving picture on a plain wall provides you with the most amazing backdrops for your own photoshoot at home!

Cookie Designing

Source: AMAZON
Projector: AAXA LED Pico Projector

During 2020, we noticed that there were a lot of self-made businesses popping up, one of these infamous businesses was cookies! Bakers all across the country were getting their hands on pico projectors to create the craziest designs on their homemade cookies! If you’re a cookie hobbyist then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

That’s all for today! Let us know what you try in the comments below!

Links:
Amazon- ARKON Cookie Decorators Mount
Amazon- AAXA BP1 Bluetooth Projector



Creative Photography using Projectors

There are many different ways to express creativity when dealing with photography. One popular style of photography is Projector Photograph. With the right equipment and setup, you can turn your normal photoshoot into an “Art of Projection”. The main thing to focus on for projector photography is your shooting environment, your camera, and the projector that you will use. 

It is important to find the right projector for you. For projector photography, you will need at least 1080p resolution with at least 1200 lumen brightness. It is also important to know your filming location since a more portable projector might be advantageous. One recommended projector would be the AAXA 4K1 Projector with 4K native support. Modern projectors are nice with different ways to connect and mirror directly from your phone, giving you the option to create unique backdrops and lighting that are unique to you. 

Some things to bear in mind is the colour temperature of the image you are projecting.  Select  an image that’s nice and bright, with large sections of white, and just project that as your background. It will take a couple of trials to get the best shots and exposure to the projector settings, so you should keep practicing and trying different camera settings. .

According to Projector Photography – How to Use a Projector for a Creative Shoot, some techniques you should try are Try Long Exposures for Creative Effects, Movie Magic, and Use Unique backdrops. 

Four of the Most Affordable 4K Projectors!

My NEW 4K Home Theater Setup! (2019) - YouTube
Image from: Here

Most homes nowadays have 4K TVs that can fulfill their basic entertainment needs. However, most people do not own a 4K Projector, mainly due to the cost of them being really expensive! Let’s dive into four of the most affordable 4K projectors we found that you can use to upgrade your entertainment system further!

Epson Home Cinema 3200

Buy now: Here

BenQ TK800M

Starting with the Epson Home Cinema 3200 4K Pro. This projector uses 4K UHD technology to enhance; resolution, color, and image processing. With an impressive 2,900 Lumens, this projector will definitely light up a room! The Epson Precision Lens has a multi-element precise glass construction for exceptional picture quality, edge-to-edge focus uniformity, and precision vertical and horizontal axis lens shift adjustment. At a price point of $1,400, this is perfect for your premium home theater on a budget!

Buy now: Here

ViewSonic PX701-4K

Next, we have the BenQ TK800M, sporting high contrast ratio to enhance the sharpness of image quality and black levels. Coming in with 3,000 Lumens, you will definitely have 4K quality. With BenQ’s Glass 4K-optimized Lens Array, the clarity and light penetration is unmatched. At a price point of $999, the buy is worth it!

Buy now: Here

AAXA 4K1

Here we have the ViewSonic PX701-4K. Being able to project onto a screen up to 300 inches, this projector will be great for those with a dedicated wall for projectors! With an input lag of 4.2ms and a 240Hz refresh rate, you can turn this home theater into a big-screen gaming room! Having 3,200 ANSI Lumens, you will not ever worry about the brightness of the projection. At a price point of $899, why wouldn’t you buy it!

Buy now: Here

Lastly, we have the AAXA 4K1 LED Home Theater Projector. Boasting a native $K UHD Resolution, you will definitely know the difference between 1080p HD and 3840p 4K. Using LED and DLP technology, you’ll get the best of both worlds when it comes to image clarity, sharpness, and colors. With the 2W speakers installed, you’ll be immersed in your viewing experience. At a price point of only $799.99, this has got to be the most affordable 4K projector you can find!

Let us know in the comments what you think! Till next time!

Living Room Setup with 4K Projectors

For a lot of people, finding the perfect spot for TV can be tough considering the many factors like the lighting and limited space. With the increase in popularity for 4K home entertainment projectors, many people are switching to 4K projectors instead of traditional 4K televisions. The benefits of a 4K projector setup is that you can go from 50 inch to 150 inch screen without taking up any space in your living area. It is also cheaper to buy a flat 100-150 inch screen than it is to buy 100 inch televisions. 

Projectors are increasing in all aspects including throw ratio, allowing users to display 100 inch screen size with the projectors only 3-4 inches away from the screen. It used to be much more expensive to get a projector with a high lumens brightness, but now it is much more affordable. The number of lumens needed for a room is determined by the amount of ambient light in the room. If there is a high amount of ambient light then the projector will need higher lumens to properly light the screen. With modern 4K projectors ranging from 2000-5000 lumens, there are many options out there that will work best with your home setup. 

When setting up your projector for your home setup, there are many options to mount or place your projector. Most will mount the projector, place it on a table, or mobile projector stand. Mounting the projector is the most common because of the fixed location and the option to hide cables into the ceiling. Mobile home theater entertainment is also becoming popular with new mini portable 4K projectors like AAXA 4K1 Projector, allowing the user to not be limited to just the living room with the size and portability of the projector. 

The built in sound quality of internal speakers in the 4K projectors are good, but not movie theater experience good. To add to the home theater experience, most people will include external speakers to the setup. There are many types of external speakers that you can use, like sound bars, bookshelves speakers, or Bluetooth speakers. Sound bars are popular aesthetically because of the form factor, allowing users to install under or near the screen without taking up much space. One good cheap sound bar is the Bose TV Speakerswith options to connect using HDMI or optical audio. For wireless Bluetooth connection, the Sonos Oneis a mid-priced smart speaker with the option to control audio from your phone, without the hassle of running long cables from your speakers to the projector.

5 Portable Projectors For A Viral Fake Window Challenge Video

People love the Fake Window Challenge! Why? The trend set by @nam__p on Tiktok opened brand new windows – literally and metaphorically – a window where you have total control over the weather, the content on your wall, and a window to creativity. To hop on the Fake Window Challenge, you need good lighting, some effort in setting up, and most importantly, a good projector. For extra fun and flexibility, portable projectors will be a good choice as you can project your fake window anywhere you want without the cable hassle. Here is the list of 5 battery-operated projectors that will create a beautiful fake window for you!

1.       Portable Projector, Anker Nebula Solar Portable 1080p ($499.99)

Where to buy: Anker Nebula Solar Portable 1080p

The newest portable projector from Anker Nebula is equipped with a 3-hour battery and it has native 1080p Full HD resolution. The brightness is set to 400 ANSI lumens, which should be decent for your fake window in a dark room. With Android TV 9.0, you can easily access YouTube and load your favorite Fake Window Challenge content. If you have some budget for a projector, the Anker Nebula Solar Portable Projector is the one for you.  

2.       AAXA Technologies P300 Neo LED Video Projector ($279)

AAXA Tech has been one of the best brands when it comes to portable projectors and mini projectors. In comparison with the Anker Nebula Solar Portable, the AAXA P300 NEO is significantly smaller: the AAXA P300 NEO weighs 0.84lbs while the Anker Nebular Solar Portable weighs 2.8lbs. It is slightly bigger than your iPhone 12 Pro Max – about twice as thick. However, with a smaller size, the P300 NEO also comes with a lower resolution. The AAXA P300 Mini Projector has a native resolution of 720p. For a Fake Window Challenge video which should not include too many details, 720p resolution is more than enough. This mini projector by AAXA has a 150-minute rechargeable battery and 420 Lumens brightness.

3.       ViewSonic M1+ Portable Smart Wi-Fi Projector ($299)

Advertised as an ultra-portable LED projector, the ViewSonic M1+ Projector has a 2.5-hour battery life and 300 LED Lumens brightness. The design of the ViewSonic M1+ Portable Projector is over the top with elegant details and nice silver color. This projector might be much bulkier and heavier than the AAXA P300 NEO as it weighs 1.65 lbs but it has Aptoide UI for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. Keep in mind that this mini projector has VGA resolution (640x480p), which is much lower than both the Anker Nebula Solar Portable and the AAXA P300 NEO LED Projector. If you want to invest in a nice, futuristic look, the ViewSonic M1+ Portable Smart Wi-fi Projector is for you.

4.       Anker Nebula Capsule ($299.99)

Where to buy: Anker Nebula Capsule

At the same price as the ViewSonic M1+ Portable Smart Wi-Fi Projector, the Anker Nebula Capsule is an alternative. This projector has a 360-degree speaker which should spice up any summer parties that you are planning on. This level of sound quality will upgrade your Fake Window experience with immersive music. The Anker Nebula Capsule is portable enough for a Fake Window Challenge video as it weighs just 1.04 lbs and it can achieve up to 4-hour playtime in battery mode. At a $299.99 price point, the Anker Nebula Capsule is quite expensive when it has only 100 ANSI lumen and 854×480 native resolution. This is indeed a multimedia device with good sound quality.

5.       JMGO Explorer Portable Projector ($409.99)

Just like the ViewSonic M1+ Projector, the JMGO Explorer Portable Projector has a minimal and futuristic design. The JMGO Explorer Portable Projector has 380 ANSI lumens of brightness for a very bright fake window for your viral video. At 1280×720 native resolution, the JMGO Explorer Portable Projector can deliver a clear image. With over $400, you are also paying for wireless features such as Android OS for Netflix, Smart YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and so on.

History of Projector Screen

The history of the projector and the projection screen began as early as the 17th century, with a slow progression until modern times. Today, technology has advanced at an unprecedented pace, leading to more development and innovation of all kind of projectors.

Opaque Projectors

The opaque projectors are the earliest form of projectors that allow users to project materials or small objects  by shining a bright lamp on the materials. The image is displayed by directing the reflected light through the projection lens and displayed. Opaque projectors have a maximum image size of approximately 20X magnification, a minimum distance of 18 ft.

Overhead Projectors

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The overhead projector was used since the 1960’s with many purposes. A transparency is needed and can be placed on the overhead projector to project into a wall or screen.The main benefit of the overhead projector is the option to annotate the projected image while presenting, very commonly used in the classroom. 

Computer Data Projectors

In the early 1990’s, computer data projectors became popular as they combined the overhead projector and the digital projection panel into one device, making it smaller and more portable compared to other models. The earlier models of the computer projectors were big, heavy, and expensive compared to later models that got lighter and better image quality. 

Home Theater Projectors

The rise of the home theater projector became very popular as it became possible to experience the home theater movie experience with very minimal cost. For anyone that wants to set up their own home entertainment, the home theater projector can achieve a 100+ inch image for a fraction of the cost of an 80-100+ inch 4K TV. These home theater systems now compete with Cinema to play high resolution videos. To remain competitive, many cinema companies are replacing their film projectors with high-end digital projectors, which are much higher in resolution and quality. 

The 4k Projectors

The first 4K home theater projector was released by Sony in 2012 a small and portable projector that fits into the palm of your hands. These 4k home theater projectors use clusters of LEDs as the light source and are powered by battery or wall outlet. The future of pocket projectors is very promising as new technology has allowed these projectors to project a smaller pixel size, allowing for a crispier picture than ever before.

The History Of The Projector

Reflective technology was well established during China’s Han Dynasty more than 2000 years ago. Intricate brass “light penetration mirrors,” also known as Chinese Magic Mirrors in the west, were created by skilled metalworkers. The complex designs and motifs on one hand contrasted with the smooth metal surface on the back, which was riddled with tiny flaws. The decorative design on the opposite side appears out of nowhere as light bounces off the slightly concave mirror side.

Shadow Play theater presentations were invented in Asia at the same period in the first millennium BCE. On a backlit cloth set, performers told stories by projecting shadows. Ethereal cloth and leather puppets appeared on set.

Over the course of many decades, the projector has changed in size and technology. Today we see the projector as a daily tool used in office settings, classrooms, and homes! Here’s a quick history lesson on how the projectors became what they are today!

The Creation of The Magic Lantern

Back in 1659, there was an inventor named Christiaan Huygens. Renowned for creating the wave light theory and the true shape of the rings of Saturn, Christiaan created the device known as the Magic Lantern. Similar to a projector, the Magic Lantern used a concave mirror to shine light from a lamp through a glass slide with an image to project onto a wall. The Magic Lantern was used for educational and entertainment purposes.

DUX Episcope made of Bakelite Origin Germany circa. 1940 - Catawiki

Following in the 1750s, the Swiss physicist Leonhard Euler developed the first projector, Opaque Projector, better known as the episcope. This device worked similar to the Magic Lantern in terms of technology, however instead of a concave mirror with direct light being shined from a lamp, prisms and mirrors were used to project an object inside the projector to reveal an image on a screen.

The Golden Age of Projectors

During the mid-1900s, computers were finally being developed and technology had advanced immensely. The first-ever slide projector was made using the same concept as the Magic Lamp. Using transparent photographic slides, light from an incandescent light would pass through each slight and focused through a lens to project a large image onto a screen. Typically used for family pictures and slide shows, the slide projector was made for the people at home and presentations.

Following the Slide Projector was the Overhead projector. This projector uses light and transparencies to shine through a reverse mirror overhead of the projector to emit an image on a screen. An easier example of this would be shadow puppets! The Overhead projector was seen throughout the 1950s all the way up until the early 2000s, as they were typically used at schools for educational purposes.

The Digital Age of Projectors

Fast forward now to the present time, there are now multiple variants of projectors! Some of these variants consist of DLP Projectors, LCD Projectors, LCoS Projectors, 4K Projectors, Pico Projectors, and Smart Projectors. It was fairly easy to decide on what type of projector you wanted to buy back then. With these different variants, you can focus on the aspects and features you are specifically looking for!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below on what we should talk about next!

Top 5 Gaming Projector For All Types of Users

Gaming has come a long way over the last few decades. From old school Nintendo 64 to the latest PlayStation 5, there are many ways to game with the right kind of equipment. Gaming has become more portable with more games coming out on iPhone and Android, allowing gamers to experience gaming anywhere they go. With the increase in Cloud Streaming services like Google Stadia, gamers are able to stream games online through a Cloud server. Big projector companies like Optima, Epson, BenQ, etc.. have improved the specifications of projectors, allowing for faster connection, smoother gameplay, and more importantly, the best overall experience. Here is a list of the Top 5 gaming projectors available for different types of needs and budget. 

1. Optoma UHD38 – Best Gaming Projector($1399)

The Optoma UHD38 is the best overall 4K gaming projector, capable of delivering lightning-fast input lag as low as 4.2ms and a high refresh rate of 240Hz. High refresh and low input lag is the best combination for gamers that are looking for competitive games while still enjoying the overall experience of a Home Entertainment System. For those with the newest consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, the projector is perfect for 1080p 120Hz or 4K UHD 60Hz game play with the blur-free visuals and outstanding smoothness. This 4K projector also has High Dynamic Range (HDR), HLG compatibility, and an 8-segment color wheel to produce vivid color depth, crystal clear detail, and brilliant contrast for TV and movie fans. 

2. BenQ HT2050A – Best Budget Gaming Projector ($749)

If you are looking for a budget gaming projector, The BenQ HT2050A is a good projector to look at. At the price of $750, the HT2050A can get as low as 16ms of input lag, which is impressive for any display that’s not also offering a high refresh rate. The projector also has 2200 Lumens brightness, offers excellent color accuracy, contrast, a solid black level, and three-dimensionality for 2D video. 

3. BenQ X1300i – Best Gaming Projector for PS5 and Xbox Series X ($1299)

The BenQ X1300i is 1080P and  4K HDR READY with 3000 ANSI lumen brightness. For the gamers, the BenQ X1300i presents Game Mode FPS, RPG, and SPG, which fine-tunes audio and images at the same time. Game mode allows for Low latency of 8.3ms@1080p/120Hz with huge, bright, sharp images and equalized audio. This powerful projector is compatible with major consoles like Sony PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X, Google stadia, and many more. The BenQ X1300i is a smart projector that comes with Google-certified Android TV and Google Play store, allowing users up to 5,000+ of the latest Android apps, movies, shows, live sports, games, and music.

4. Epson EF-100 – Best Smart Projector($899)

For gamers that like to play games from the App Store or Google Play Store, the Epson EF-100 is powered by Google’s Android TV, so  all your favorite streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, WatchESPN, and games are all available to play directly from your projector. You can connect your smartphone easily with the smart features that the Epson EF-100 offers. The Epson EF-100 projector also offers true, 3-Chip Projector Design, an advanced 3LCD technology  that displays 100 percent of the RGB color signal for every frame without any “rainbowing” or “color brightness” issues, according to Epson’s website. 

5. Anker Nebula Capsule II – Best Portable Gaming Projector($579)

This projector is ideal for use in low-light environments.using cutting-edge DLP technology that creates a stunning 720p 200-ANSI-lumen image. Powered by Android TV 9.0, the Anker Nebula easily connects with your smart devices to provide over 5,000 streaming apps and games. The Premium speakers produce pulse-pounding clarity for all to hear, perfect for casual and light gaming.