Rose Ranch Outdoor Theater debuts!

Barklc


Bubba


bubsdaddy (deck)


bubsdaddy (woods)


cafemom


CarlofET


cheftom


CherryHills


Cinema BBQ


Cleveland Wasp


comshark


Danoplex II


DigiMark


don


Emperor PalpaTim


evil-fraggle


gdmanry


hiredpower


Jack_Daniels


jenkins123


kelemvor


LivinInMichigan


morps


movtarget


Orthofunk


p_og


Paul16mm


Pass_The_Off


rfisk


ThatDJTroy


tlogan6797


victor-eyd


victor-eyd (garage)


ward95636

Advanced search

[RoseRanch]

I've been waiting to make this post for years! After following the forums here for ages, and being laid-off from work, then gainfully employed again, then agonizing over projector specs, I finally bought one this past weekend! The Epson Powerlite 77C.

Many thanks to our peaceful leader, rfisk, and the old-school BYTers, tlogan, victor'eyd, cherryhills, pass_the_off, and all!

It was tlogan's early post on his PVC screen frame that caught my attention and fired my imagination. Visualizing it over time, I came up with a design that would essentially clip/hang over our generic, suburban cinderblock wall. I found later on the forums that fasteddie had come up with the same design.

The five vertical pieces are glued together and the horizontal pieces (45") are inserted. Industrial Velcro is attached to the blackout cloth/drapery lining. I bought a solid piece of 9x16' BOC from Mark & Gretchen, noted in the classified section of this forum (general section).

Rose Ranch is the nickname I gave our house when we moved in and it carried over as the backyard theater name. I may stick with this, not sure yet...

I finally decided to buy the projector from our local Fry's electronics as I had a couple of close calls on the internet and didn't want to deal with possible returns/etc.  I'm pleased so far, and I haven't even tried good cables or speakers.  Just went with the RCA cables for now and the projector's onboard speaker.  The kids picked out THE INCREDIBLES and just loved the experience!  One backyard theater night under our belts, thousands to come!  Thanks again to all the great people here!











Next time I'm going to make the screen a little tighter with less sag.  And landscaping to follow!  Priorities...

[Sparge]

RR,

That looks great!  I like the innovative "cliphangers" on the screen frame.  That Epson's a good choice for your PJ.  I think you'll get a lot of reliable service from it.  Tell the kids they picked a good movie, too.  The Incredibles is one of my family's favorites.   

I realize the dust probably hasn't settled from your first showing yet, but I think your next priority (dare I say the "U" word?  ) should be to get the sound off the PJ's internal 1-watt mono speaker.  That will add a whole other dimension to the experience!

-Sparge-

[rfisk]

Hey RoseRanch, great to see you back in here!  Glad things have turned the corner on the employment side.  Looks like your family is going to have a blast this summer. 

Nice job on your screen!

Randy

[kelemvor]

I wish I had a wall or something like that I could just hang the screen from.  That'd work pretty well.

Might have to see if I can rig up some hooks or something on the side of the house to use.

[RoseRanch]

Thanks, gentlemen!

I appreciate the good words.

I realize the dust probably hasn't settled from your first showing yet, but I think your next priority (dare I say the "U" word?  ) should be to get the sound off the PJ's internal 1-watt mono speaker.

-Sparge-

Definitely.  I was glad to find that the internal speaker was serviceable with just the few of us, but I'm anxious to add some real speakers to the mix.  It's gonna be a blast!  I noticed that you use an Epson too, and one of the things that sold me on it was the low cost of replacement lamps.  Under $200 in some places I looked.  I can't wait for the next showing!

I wish I had a wall or something like that I could just hang the screen from.  That'd work pretty well.

Might have to see if I can rig up some hooks or something on the side of the house to use.

Looking at your current system, it looks like it wouldn't be too hard.  Some eye-hooks under the eaves or a board running horizontally under it with some hooks.  Good luck with it!

[fasteddie]

thanks for the props looks great what did you use for the screen ?   it looks like vinyl and also how is it attached any way looks great enjoy

[RoseRanch]

You bet, fasteddie!  Thanks!  Yeah, it's blackout cloth, attached by Velcro.  When I was taking it off, the Velcro pulled up a little of the rubberized backing of the cloth.  I might have to redo some of them.

[RoseRanch]

We showed Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night (Fri.).  My son's friend was going to come over.  That kid couldn't make it, but five others came instead!  Ten of us in all, with several hardcore Harry Potter fans in attendance.

I had my old Infinity speakers set up this time.  Sounded fine.  I kind of like the low tech drive-in feel.  I got to play some '50s sci-fi and horror trailers, too.

Tonight it was just my wife and I as the boys were at separate birthday parties, so I finally got to choose one and went with The Pit and the Pendulum with Vincent Price.  Yes!  She had to leave early to get the boy, so I ended up watching the last half by myself.  There could be worse things.  Earlier in the day I got out the drive-in speakers and pole I "liberated" from a closing d-i and connected those to the sound as well.  Good times!  More pics!

[tscoff]

I love your screen, that design is brilliant!  Great work.

Unlike almost everyone else, I have my outdoor theater set up permanently.  A very, very acceptable low end speaker that I'm using for my rear surround speakers is http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-5-25-inch-Indoor-Outdoor-Speakers/dp/B0006FK400/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209907833&sr=8-4  They sound great and they're permanent so I don't have to move them inside when I'm not watching a movie.

[KMac]

Nice job!  The drive-in pole/speakers takes me back...

KMac

[cafemom]

I agree with tscoff - brilliant screen design!! Nothing like making good use of PVC pipes!
I'm sure your boy is the talk of the neighborhood  - showing movies in his backyard...just get ready for a whole slew of kids this summer!
Very fun - Enjoy!!!!
Cafemom

[RoseRanch]

Thanks again!  I kind of wish the screen was a permanent fixture too, after putting it up and taking it down lately!  I want to get some outdoor speakers as well, and an extra, cheapo DVD player so I don't have to disconnect/reconnect mine each time.  Bit by bit I'll get the process streamlined.  Again, many thanks to all!

[RoseRanch]

One more little update with pics.

We've been using the projector most every Fri. and Sat. night since we got it, and have seen The Last Mimzy, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and others.  This last weekend we tried out the PS2 with Guitar Hero and a snowboarding game, and then watched Frankenstein.

[RoseRanch]

Please excuse the bump.  Just added a couple of more pictures.

[RoseRanch]

Wanted to update my post here with pictures of my summer visit to my parents house in Illinois.  I have wanted my dad to come out to visit us in California to see our backyard theater but his health has prevented that, so I decided to take the projector to him!  He was the drive-in fan that took us so often when we were young, so I had to show him the long-term effects of drive-in love. 

We bought a king-size sheet and borrowed a simple stereo receiver and were set.

Dad picked Radar Men from the Moon to check out and later we watched James & the Giant Peach and the following weekend, Be Kind, Rewind.  It was great, but the greatest moment came when Dad and I sat in the car in the driveway and shared that drive-in memories moment, travelling back in time a bit.






Dad's creation for the Magnolia Street Drive-In.