Key Takeaways
- Brightness and resolution are crucial specs for outdoor projectors due to varying light sources.
- Consider keystone correction and throw ratio for projecting on irregular surfaces at varying distances.
- Evaluate built-in speaker wattage, connectivity options, portability, and durability ratings for outdoor projecting flexibility.
When the great outdoors calls, we must go. But no one says we can’t bring our movies with us. If you’re in the market for an outdoor projector, we’ve distilled the most important specifications to consider.
For Picture Quality: Brightness and Resolution
Resolution and brightness are always top considerations when buying a projector, but they’re even more key for outdoor streaming—because you can’t put blackout curtains on your neighbor’s porch light. To decide if a projector can overcome extraneous outdoor light sources, review its brightness first.
Brightness
Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens, LED lumens, or light source lumens. These days, most reputable projector brands define brightness in ANSI lumens, a spec designed specifically for projector light output. However, you might still find some brands listing brightness in LED or light source lumens for marketing reasons.
For instance, while 1,000 light source lumens and 1,000 ANSI lumens might look like the same spec at first glance, they’re actually referencing hugely different brightness capabilities.
There are some approximate equations you can use to convert lumen types, but generally, it’s a good idea to prioritize projectors that market their brightness in ANSI lumens from the get, as these will be the most accurate.
There’s not a universal minimum for outdoor brightness, but the higher, the better. If you’re projecting on a larger screen area or viewing in the daytime, your lumen requirements are going to be even higher. An outdoor projector with 500 ANSI lumens would perform well in a dark night watch, while a projector with 2,000-3,000 ANSI lumens would be equipped to handle daylight. A projector’s light source also affects its brightness, with laser projectors generally being the brightest of the bunch.
Resolution
Resolution likewise influences outdoor picture quality. Higher resolution projectors, such as 4K projectors, will essentially give you a crisper image, even in unpredictable light. If you can’t splurge for 4K, a native 1080p resolution is still a solid option. Lower than this, you risk an image that can’t stand up to the elements.
For Irregular Viewing Surfaces: Keystone Correction and Throw Ratio
Another variable in outdoor projection is what you’ll use as a screen. Whether you’re suspending a projector screen from trees, casting your image onto the side of a camper van, or simply lacking a flat stand for your projector, you’ll want a machine that can handle variable distances and uneven surfaces. For this, you should review keystone correction and throw ratio specs.
Keystone Correction
A projector’s keystone correction is its ability to maintain an undistorted image even at varied angles. Look for the horizontal and vertical degrees of keystone correction and whether this feature is automatic or manual. Of course, the greater the degree, the more flexibility you have in your setup.
While auto-keystone correction may be attractive if you’re going for a more hands-off setup, setting keystone correction manually is often preferred to have more control over the adjustments.
Most projector pros will recommend assembling your projector as perpendicular to your screen as possible, hence avoiding larger degrees of keystone correction, which can soften your image. As CNET reports in adept alliteration, “proper projector placement placates potential picture perils.” But in the art of outdoor projecting, adjusting for irregular elements is often a necessary evil.
Throw Ratio
Not to be confused with aspect ratio, the throw ratio specifies the distance required between your projector and your target surface. While an intimate fireside huddle may call for a short-throw projector, larger outdoor spaces, and screens require a longer throw.
For example, if you have a projector with a throw ratio of 1.5 and a 100-inch outdoor screen, you’ll want a distance of 150 inches between them.
For Sound On The Go: Built-In Speaker
Considering the exposure to the elements, adding a set of external speakers to your projector setup could be tricky unless you have a weather-proof outdoor speaker. Luckily, many projectors also offer built-in audio capabilities.
Projectors will advertise their audio specs in watts, which essentially measure the sound output from the speaker. While a 5-10W speaker might hold court in a smaller room (like the Nebula Mars Air 3), filling an outdoor space could require an external audio system. A more robust built-in speaker will have higher wattage, such as the full-fat Nebula Mars 3, with its 40W speaker and the inclusion of Dolby Digital Plus.
If you’re prioritizing other specs like resolution and brightness over audio wattage, compensate by connecting external hardware. Review a projector’s audio jacks and Bluetooth connectivity to ensure compatibility with your soundbar or portable speaker system.
For Low-Maintenance Setup: Connectivity
Checking how a projector connects to additional hardware is essential when shopping for an outdoor viewing setup. A brand should list its connectivity specs, which establish its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, as well as its hard-line inputs and outputs. This spec category will also let you know if the projector provides device mirroring through ApplePlay or Google Chromecast, as well as if the project offers native streaming apps. Smart projectors may also offer an option to connect your mobile device for use as a remote, minimizing the need for additional hardware.
In an outdoor viewing scenario, a short-range wireless connection to a mobile device may be preferable to an HDMI or USB connection, which would require the use of a laptop. But if you are intent on connecting to additional hardware, find exactly what ports are available under a projector’s I/O interface specs.
For Portability: Weight and Battery Life
For ultimate flexibility of outdoor projector placement, you might also consider its weight and battery life.
Weight
Outdoor projectors almost always advertise their weight in their top-level specs, but if you can’t immediately find it, look for the product’s dimension details. A lighter weight increases an outdoor projector’s portability and doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s any less durable. Defining a manageable weight will vary per person, but generally, machines from 4 to 6 pounds are considered easily portable. Some projectors will include handle features to improve the portability of a heavier machine.
Battery Life
Finding a projector’s battery specs can be ambiguous, as the amount of time a projector can perform without hard-line power depends on factors like media resolution and volume. Some projectors offer Eco or Low Power modes to extend battery life, but those settings often decrease brightness or require a lower volume. You might also get a general sense of how quickly a projector will run through its power by reviewing its light source. Based on how projectors harness light-generating technology, laser light sources tend to have slower power consumption than LED or bulb light sources.
There are workarounds for projectors with shorter or no battery life. If you plan on powering your projector through a hard line, be sure to check the power cord length in its accessories specifications to evaluate how much cable extension you will need to source. Machines with lower power consumption, like the lightweight Emotn N1, can also leverage portable power sources.
For Durability: IPX Rating
Any projector is going to get some wear and tear, but an outdoor projector needs a little more armor. Between unexpected weather or splashes from the pool, you might feel safer buying a projector with an IPX Rating, which will help you understand how water-resistant or waterproof your machine is. For example, an IPX2 denotes protection against a light drizzle, and an IPX3 rating offers protection from direct spray. Some projectors may also provide a drop rating, guaranteeing the machine’s survival from a drop from a specified height.
Only an IPX8 rating assures a machine’s safety when submerged in water.
Anyone who has braved a projector setup knows that the research process can be time-consuming. The fact of the matter is that there will never be a black-and-white list of exactly what you should buy because the right projector system for you depends on how and where you plan on using it. Hopefully, those of you interested in outdoor projection feel more equipped than ever to weed through the sea of projector specs to conduct your research efficiently.