8mm Forum: outdoor showing advice

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Topic: outdoor showing advice

Chad Shumaker
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 110
From: Dover, Ohio USA
Registered: Jan 2011

posted August 12, 2013 07:33 PM

I'm having a drive in party this weekend. My original plan was to run the projector from inside the house through a window onto the screen outside. This works but may cause some logistical problems.

Is it safe to run a projector outdoors? Any advice on this?

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted August 12, 2013 07:47 PM

It is perfectly safe to run a projector outdoors provided it is not raining. The main concern is someone tripping over an extension cord lying on the ground and pulling the projector off the table. So I recommend:
1. Use a heavy outdoor equipment extension cord to bring the power to below the projector table, and cover it with rugs, or better bury it into the ground. Then,

2. Plug in the light electrical cord that came with the projector, and tie a knot in it so you can put a wooden stake through the knot hole, thus mechanically isolating the projector from anyone yanking on the big extension cord.

3. Avoid projecting through a window if at all possible. You will lose brightness and contrast.

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted August 12, 2013 10:11 PM

I tried this as an experiment last year. I learned two things:

1) It's good to start projecting just after sunset. Unfortunately this is also the best time for attracting mosquitoes!

2) You need a plan "B" for rain. The sun goes down, the air cools, the relative humididy rises and all of a sudden you are running for cover trying to stuff a hot projector under your shirt to keep it dry!

(This was the only time I ever removed a film mid-reel from any of my machines...)

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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