If you want to host a backyard movie event there are a few basic elements that you need to have lined up. Projector, Media Source, Screen, and Sound (PMSS).
Projector:
There are a ton of projectors out there that will fill this bill and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Remember, the novelty of watching a movie outdoors is just plain fun, and you don’t have to get carried away with stats on resolution, rainbow effect, blackness of black, etc. Pick the projector that fits your budget and that gets you watching a movie. There are plenty of folks using old business projectors. You should consider what media source you are going to use though, to ensure it will be compatible with your projector, this can be the issue with some older projectors.
Media Source:
Technology has really expanded to variety of media sources that are available. Obviously the Blu-Ray/DVD players are standards. But many laptops and tablets are equipped with HDMI outputs, not to mention streaming sticks like the (Amazon Fire or Roku), all of which give you access to a broad range of digital content. Don’t forget video game consoles (XBOX One, Playstation, even the Wii), there are a lot of people having fun with video games on a 12 foot screen.
Screen:
This is probably the simplest requirement to meet, you can use a professional screen, white bedsheet, blackout cloth, or even just a light colored wall. I find that you shouldn’t really get wrapped around the axle on screen quality. Once the film gets going you will hardly notice and wrinkles, a few odd spots, etc.
Sound:
This is an easy one to forget and is probably the thing that if done poorly will upset your guests the most. Many projectors have a built in speaker, but it isn’t very good on most. If you are using an old business projector, it most likely does not have an internal speaker. You are going to want to make the volume loud enough that everyone can hear the dialogue, but not so loud that explosions and gun fights bother the neighbors. Solutions can include Bluetooth speakers that offer a lot of mobility, sound bars, outdoor speakers with an amp, or maybe just a simple old boom box with an “aux in” outlet. No matter what, you are going to want to experiment with this before the guests arrive and keep it in consideration when you design your layout.
The barriers to hosting a backyard movie are relatively low and with minimal investment you can create a lot of good times for friends and family. There is no reason to break the bank to introduce this capability to your outdoor entertaining arsenal.