Projectors outdoors.
Many people are looking at projector enclosures as a solution to putting projectors outdoors, but let us look at the options available to us when deploying projector hardware outside.
Why put projectors outside?
With the dramatic fall in price of the hardware, it puts projectors in everyone’s reach, no matter if they are using the projector for outdoor advertising or for a home cinema. Now this high end electronic audio visual product, thought only for the rich is now accessible for everyone.
In 2015 outdoor advertising using projectors increased by 23% according to Hitachi, business owners have always been looking for ways in which to differentiate their business from their competitors and are always looking for an angle. These entrepreneurs are using their business as a backdrop to advertise on using projectors mounted on roofs or in their parking lot. The main challenge is keeping the hardware safe from theft and vandalism as well as Mother Nature, as we all know that rain, sleet, snow and sand can cause serious damage to any hardware that’s left outdoors unprotected.
Benq, one of the main projector manufacturers reported that through 2015, more than 16% of projectors purchased were being used for home entertainment, showing that most innovative home users are looking to invest in their own home cinema, even better if it’s outdoors.
Built in options – DIY
Most home owners and companies looking to use projectors outdoors, try to make something to protect their hardware as a DIY project, to save money. So let’s look at the options.
These range from plastic tubs with a window cut out for the lens of the projector to stick out of, however this solution has several issues;
• It cannot be left outside permanently, has to be removed when the show has finished and set up for the next show.
• No heating/cooling within the plastic tub, this will cause condensation build up within the tub, due to the heat of the projector and no means of ventilating it. Causing the circuit board inside the hardware to begin corroding, as well as potentially blowing a bulb due to overheating.
Moulded fibreglass boxes on Ebay! Issues with these are:
• No opening for the lens, this is the responsibility of the buyer. This is where it all goes wrong, how the buyer cuts the hole and seals it to make sure its waterproof. We all know a small pin prick can allow water to penetrate when the rain is driving.
• Cooling is provided, but really just 1 small fan?! No heating and the door is secured with quick release catches. Anyone can open the catch and steal the hardware when you are not at home!
• Also you are restricted to only small projectors, that have a low lumen anything above 2000 lumens and you will have issues with it fitting as their isn’t sufficient air flow around the internal components.
Professional options.
ProEnc’s directors have used their manufacturing experience, after trying the above 2 solutions for their own outdoor home cinemas and failing. Resulting in having to replace 2 projectors in the two solutions mentioned above.
They thought, a more professional solution was needed, they canvassed leading audio visual installers to find out what they’d like in the projector enclosures and came up with a design. The ProEnc will accommodate projectors up to 7500 lumens and comes as standard with thermostatic heating and cooling, virtually unbreakable viewing window and the door is secured with high security locks.
In 2015, they saw the market grow, with leading AV installers contacting ProEnc for specifications, now these units are deployed in locations such as museums, tourist attractions, underpasses, outside businesses and in discerning homes – used for protecting their projector as part of their outdoor home cinema.
Cost benefits for outdoor movie projectors.
You can use the plastic tub method costing around $30 that will result in you having to buy a replacement projector (around $1500). Then you have to correct the issue that has caused the projector to fail costing more money (unknown $)! With no warranty and the projector can fail anytime…
ProEnc offer the only solution that comes ready to go out the box, it’s the only solution that comes with high security locks to prevent anyone stealing your valuable hardware and all at a fraction of the price that you may think. To give any buyer peace of mind, ProEnc have a 3 year warranty on their product guaranteeing you will have a trouble free outdoor projector experience.