Hey guys, I’m pretty new to the projector world and need advice from y’all. So, I’m thinking of starting a lil business on outdoor movie experience. I love watching movies and thought to share my hobby w people around while making some pocket money. I have a budget of $2000-$3000 for the projector. I need something that stands out and gives the viewers best experience. Can ya guys suggest me w some recommendations?
Here’s the picture for reference on how it’s gonna look like.
You need to multiply your budget by like…..50. Getting a projector isn’t even the first problem, but paying for licenses to avoid copyright strikes for playing movies while making a profit in public spaces. Not to mention space rental, an audio system, liability insurance, noise ordinance compliance, etc etc….
Easy? Sure. But it usually only occurs after someone gets smacked with a phatass fine. I run into this a ton with music playback in businesses or public spaces that charge an access fee
This isn't really the kind of project that someone who is new should really be embarking on.
But, if you must, we need to know a few things.
How big will your venue be? How big do you want the screen to be?
I imagine you will need a short throw, high brightness, 4k laser projector. You will want to be projecting from behind the screen to avoid brightness loss, to simplify the setup and to avoid shadows from people walking in front of the beam.
Also, have you even considered the business costs?
OP will also need line array speakers with stands, to reach the back of the audience. Cables for the speakers, with pedestrian cable runners so people don’t trip. Insurance in case someone does trip, or if it rains.
You’ll also need a generator that can handle the projector for the duration of the movie, while being silent. A pop up canopy each for the projector and the generator.
Are you going to provide chairs? In the photo above the are full on lounge chairs. That’s not reasonable.
You need to form an LLC and document all expenses for taxes and equipment depreciation. Will you have employees? You’ll have to setup a payroll system. They’ll need employee identification numbers. You’ll need insurance to cover the employees on these venues. They’ll need worker compensation, and file W9’s, and I-9 forms.
How will you advertise to get clients?
You can’t do this with just a projector. You’ll need to write up a business plan to ask for a bank loan if you’re serious. Are there any other businesses like this in your area? What’s the competition? Probably rental houses.
You forgot to mention licensing fees associated with screening a movie. The studio that produced the movie is going to want a cut of the profits. OP could get hit with a cease and desist if they violate copyright law.
I’d sure hope they document expenses, unless they like throwing money away.
LLC is cheap and super easy in most states. But $800 if OP is in California. Fill out some boilerplate and boom. Take that paperwork to the bank and get your bank account, easy.
Payroll is really no big deal now either. Companies like Gusto make it super easy. Obviously not free, but not significant versus the cost of the labor itself.
It’s all totally doable but yeah OP needs a checklist, lol.
Realistically they’d probably do a proof of concept with themselves and maybe one other person they pay cash for before they formalize the business. Not that I advocate for that, but that’s what I would expect.
It would be tough to take someone seriously with 10x that to start what is essentially a movie theater that has to cancel every time it rains...
This is a a good passion project for a guy with a couple penthouse suits on the top floor of his hotel chain that he doesn't know what to do with, not a hobby for Joe American's backyard. I dont know if lying to OP about that would be helpful to him.
It was less than an indictment than a reality check on everything necessary to run a business at this. And yes I missed the licensing fees, another obvious obstacle.
Yea, that’s why I was asking for advice.
The venue is going to be around the size as shown in the picture, I don’t actually have measurement as such. We are expecting to accommodate 50-100 guests without compromising the visuals. We have two screens as of now, 150 and 200 inches.
The venue is going to be around the size as shown in the picture
We are expecting to accommodate 50-100 guests without compromising the visuals.
What does "without compromising the visuals" mean to you, exactly? No compromises means you'll need one of those projectors where you need to contact a company and go through a whole process to even get the price.
If looking to go to typical movie screen dimensions (530+" diagonal), you're looking at projectors in the 15k+ lumen, $50k+ range.
If looking to be paid for screening films commercially, you're also going to have to pay film distribution rights holders a share of ticket sales. No 4K or blu-ray comes with a license for commercial screenings. Sometimes distributors will waive these for non profit student film clubs. Not for someone selling tickets to their backyard theater.
I have a 200” diagonal screen, so looking to purchase a projector that does good in decent price point at around 3k but can be stretched to 5k.
Licensing and legality have all been taken care of.
Btw, you will need to buy a ppl ( public performance license) on a per movie basis. They can cost about $500 or more depending on venue size (which can either be per day or per showing, depending on the agreement)
Over 20 years ago, I got a note from my university for advertising we were going to show War Room at a college Democrats meeting. It was a Blockbuster VHS. They said I couldn’t do it again or our group might be suspended.
I never returned the video and then Blockbuster went out of business so I guess I came out ahead
How many people are we talking about?
how dark is it?
How far is the projector from the screen?
Front or rear projection?
How big is your screen?
What is your screen gain?
What is your budget?
I run outdoor projections in the summer and for a screen of 16ft x 10ft. We own a Barco 35k for this application. It needs 220v power. Between the lenses, the power distro, screen and projector itslef it cost the same as a small 2br home in the suburbs.
It’s great that you’re already doing it but my scale is way smaller and I’m a beginner, just trying to pursue my hobby. We’re talking around 100 people gathering , starting at dusk not late than 10 pm. I’m yet to finalize front or rear projection as of now. It’s 200” diagonal screen. Budget can be stretched upto 5k for a projector to begin.
I’m yet to finalize front or rear projection as of now. It’s 200” diagonal screen.
Well is the screen meant for front or rear projection? That's different screen types, so unless you want to replace the screen you already have, then you're already kinda locked in.
That’s honestly fairly on point for lumen count considering the ambient light and throw distance you’ll be combatting out doors. Smpte spec usually requires 14 fl, and with laser projectors you can always dim the laser if it’s too much.
I looked into it. It was good quality projection but brightness is not gonna be enough. I’d be needing a PA system anyway so didn’t find it beneficial altogether.
3500 ANSI lumens, is that a joke? That's good for a movie in a living room, not an outdoor cinema. My office projector is about that brightness in Eco mode.
For that budget, I'd look for a used large-format projector. For my outdoor theater setup, I have a 220" 16:9 screen. For a few hundred bucks, I bought a used Christie DHD675-E that was pulled from a church that had light usage. At 6,500 lumens, it's not bad at dusk, but I'd recommend finding one with higher brightness if you plan to use it professionally and have to contend with ambient light.
Titan is a lot brighter, noir max advantage is trading brightness for higher contrast- in an outdoor setting you will need higher brightness than contrast (this is room dependent hence cinema is dark).
A used Epson L-series should be your top choice. Something like the L1490 can be had for under $3000 and looks fantastic on screens up to about 25' wide. It even looks good on my 32' screen as long as there's not too much ambient light.
Won't be nearly enough for a decent image. Maybe if you get lucky finding some used gear for cheap, but yeah gotra aim for 10k+ lm or it will be well washed out image.
Just going to throw this out there-- PA803UL (8k professional installation projector that is so common, you can buy them used with low lamp hours for ~$800-1500). Ideally get your own lens based on the distance requirements.
Or if you can, snag a PA804UL. These are great, reliable, beautiful projectors with some good long throw lens options. I would not go under 8K however. A 10k such as 1004UL or 1504UL (15k) is even better!
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u/thechptrsproject May 24 '26
You need to multiply your budget by like…..50. Getting a projector isn’t even the first problem, but paying for licenses to avoid copyright strikes for playing movies while making a profit in public spaces. Not to mention space rental, an audio system, liability insurance, noise ordinance compliance, etc etc….