Projectors provide the ultimate home theater experience, allowing you to enjoy movies and TV shows in an environment similar to that offered by your neighborhood cineplex. Today's projectors are smaller and more portable Choosing the Perfect Home Theater LCD Projector Choosing the Perfect Home Theater Projector LCD home theater projectors deliver richly detailed images and are more energy efficient. There are some nuanced considerations you need to make before you dive in and spend money on features and skins you might not even need. Read More And since projectors can be connected to any device that can be played through an HDMI port, such as a laptop or tablet, their uses have increased considerably.
Here are some great ways to use a home projector.
Nothing puts one in a festive spirit more than seeing a house adorned with outdoor lights and beautiful wreaths. Add to the experience this holiday season by projecting digital snowflakes or sugar dips 8 Great Apps for Philips Hue Lights 8 Great Apps for Philips Hue Lights The Philips Hue system has its own app, but why settle for the default when there are so many great options? out there? These 8 apps give you fabulous options for some really cool effects. Read More
More on Halloween? Create a gory scene with your projector that doesn't require any real cleanup. Or on Independence Day, enjoy a spectacular digital fireworks display in places where real fireworks are prohibited.
Having a pool party is a great way for your friends and family to relax during the summer. But the party doesn't have to end when the sun goes down. Using a projector, you can transform your pool into the ocean by displaying images of tropical fish, coral reefs, and maybe a dolphin or two. Add a soothing soundtrack from your portable speaker and it's a great way to end a fantastic day.
You can also mount a projector over a hot tub and provide a similar experience, whether inside or outside. Just remember, the fish aren't real!
MusicBeam is open source software that allows you to use your home projector to create a laser show for your next party. Because sounds trigger MusicBeam, you can adjust almost every detail of your performance. Free software downloads for MusicBeam include Moonflower, Snowstorm, and more.
MusicBeam is Java based, which means it runs on all major operating systems. All you need is a laptop and your projector.
There are hundreds of storybooks How to choose the perfect book for children How to choose the perfect book for children There is no better gift for children of any age than a book. But once you've exhausted your childhood favorites, where do you turn for other options? Read More With a projector, you can take storytelling with your kids to a new level.
You can project the story on a bedroom wall while reading the action to your children. Teenagers may want to do the same with digital graphic novels.
Do you need help sleeping? Mount your projector on the bedroom ceiling and project ocean waves or a beautiful rain scene while lying down.
Do you feel like snuggling up before bed? Project a romantic movie to share with your better half..
The kitchen is where families gather to eat and talk. It's also a great place to use a projector.
In the morning, mount a projector facing the kitchen counter and play content for your family to see directly on the surface during breakfast. Think about the morning news or a cartoon.
On a lazy weekend day, mount a video projector on your kitchen ceiling pointed at the refrigerator door and watch some cooking shows. Don't want to miss out on your favorite sports team, even when you're in the kitchen for a bite to eat? Project an NFL or MLB game right on the fridge door.
Like a book club, quizzes and trivia 10 Cool Movie Trivia Games for Movie Fans 10 Cool Movie Trivia Games for Movie Fans Read More Clubs provide an opportunity for friends to meet and mingle. have fun Many of these games are now digital Heads Up Charades! The mobile game you have on your forehead Heads Up Charades! The mobile game on your forehead Most modern games involve a single person using a single phone, staring at their screen and blocking everyone around them, but not this one. Read more . However, instead of sitting around a laptop or iPad to play a game, use a projector. Better yet, create an outdoor tournament and invite more people to play.
Do you have a game console? Xbox One or PlayStation 4 games look even better on a big screen.
One of the great summer pastimes for children is drawing on sidewalks or pavement with chalk. With a projector, you can take this experience to a new level and even get the adults involved. Project a black and white image onto a removable surface, such as the side of a garage. Trace the lines of the image with the chalk to create an impressive piece of art.
Want something more permanent and an adults-only project? Project a mural design onto a wall in your home and trace it with a pen. Complete your masterpiece later with paint.
Not in the chalk drawing? Projectors are also a great way to experience a shadow puppet show.
Whether you're using your hands or real puppets, use a white background and project the experience onto a wall or table.
The best reason to buy a home projector, of course, is to watch your favorite movies in a big way. Indoors, the projectors work perfectly on a blank wall in the living room or home theater. Outside, you can use a wall in your house or, even better, hang a white sheet on a clothesline. Whatever you choose, a projector can turn any night of the week into something extra special.
Home projectors are available with different features and at various price points. Each is relatively easy. How to Choose the Perfect LCD Home Theater Projector How to Choose the Perfect LCD Home Theater Projector LCD projectors deliver richly detailed images and are more energy efficient. There are some nuanced considerations you need to make before you dive in and spend money on features and skins you might not even need. Read More Home projectors are no longer just for showing movies and TV shows. Whatever you decide, all you need is your projector, an HDMI-connected device, and a little imagination.
How do you use your home projector?
