While most of the heavy lifting should be done by the projector’s lumen output, there’s a lot you can do to optimize the experience for the better. Locations with more shade to block direct sunlight are great. If you insist on setting up in the middle of a huge parking lot, your experience won’t be as good as the middle of a wooded section of parkland where trees help redirect much of the sunlight. Also, if you think 11am-2pm are great for movies you’ll need more illumination or settle for not getting the full picture. We recommend 3pm-6pm in most cases, when solar power begins to diminish. If you can’t do nighttime, better the hours just before sunset. Or early morning. It’s tempting to do a lunchtime projection session, but it’ll be more of a challenge for sure.
Importantly, choose your screen carefully. Slightly off-white screens that aren’t glossy offer the best experience, though an overly matte screen will diffuse light too much and compromise image clarity. Avoid dark-colored screens, as those “soak up” light. The most popular options for outdoor viewing are inflatable screens, which often feature just the right combination of screen color and texture.
So don’t give up on your dream of enjoying big screen entertainment outside during sunny days. It’s possible, for sure. And if not your thing, you can always set up a dark and musty home cinema room!