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PORTABLE PERKS Portable projectors can be more affordable than their home theatre counterparts. Lightweight and compact for on-the-go use, portables can be easily stashed in a bag or backpack.

Portable projectors make it possible to enjoy the luxury of a big screen experience anywhere, and there’s one to suit all budgets and projection needs. Words Scott Hocking BIG SCREEN ENTERTAINMENT TO GO PORTABLE PROJECTORS

Fun and unique pop-up cinema experiences can be created anywhere – from the bedroom, backyard, or balcony, to the beach and the bush. Most portables have built-in speakers, which are convenient for outdoor projection – there’s no need to lug a soundbar outside for movie nights. Pivoting stands and cradles provide flexible projection – point a portable at the ceiling for a big screen in the bedroom.

What to look for in a portable projector

Check if it has a built-in battery or is AC-powered only. A battery-powered projector gives you more freedom than a tethered connection – making the projector truly portable – especially for camping trips, by the beach, and use in remote locations. Battery life can average around 2.5 hours, which is plenty of time for most movies. Always ensure it’s fully charged before taking the projector out and about. A battery-powered projector also saves you from running an extension cord to the backyard. Even better, some portables support both battery and AC power, plus compatibility with an external battery or base. Look for a portable that

Portables can elevate business and classroom presentations, and create colourful art installations.

A nyone who loves the drive in or an outdoor cinema experience will agree that there’s something magical about a movie night under the stars. And with a portable projector, your backyard can be easily transformed into a moonlight cinema. Portables are also perfect for indoor home theatre use, with the added convenience of variable screen sizes and easy set up in any room you choose. The essential features to look for in a projector (see pages 10-12) apply to portables, however there are a few additional things to consider when choosing a model.

USB port for playback from a flash drive. Brightness is, again, a prime consideration. Portables tend to have a lower ANSI lumen count than dedicated home theatre models, but will still beam a good picture in a variety of lighting conditions. Look for a model with 300 ANSI lumens or more.

has an inbuilt OS like Android or Google TV, so you’ll have easy access to streaming content without having to connect an external device. And if there’s no Wi-Fi connection available, you can still cast content from a phone, tablet, or laptop. Most portables also have a

Check the picture resolution. While some entry-level models only support HD 720p, Full HD 1080p is generally the standard resolution for portables. There are also 4K UHD models available if you intend to install one in a home theatre setup and want the best possible picture quality.

16 JUNE 2024

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