I already had a project and a dvd player (playstation 3) so it seemed like it would be simple to convert our small backyard into a movie theater of sorts. I mean, I'm not looking to replicate a fully theater - but I just want to show so movies to the kids outside everyonce in a while. How hard could that be?

Video

It probably isn't hard perse but it hasn't been as straight forward as I had hoped either. First I bought a HDMI to DVI connector adapter so the PS3 could plug into the projector. It turns out there are various formats for DVI and I needed a different one. No biggie; monoprice to the rescue via Amazon prime shipping and 2 days later I had the correct adapter. Sadly, the projector can't handle the super awesome frequencies being shot out of the PS3 via the HDMI cable into it. I need to downgrade the signal a bit.

Thus I need to buy the following things:

1. Playstation 3 Analog AV Multi Out to Component Cable
2. Monoprice 6ft M1-A (P&D) to 3 RCA Component Video Cable (M1-A - 3-RCA)
3. Monoprice 103002 3-RCA RGB Coupler for Component Video Cable Extension

All of that will get here Thursday so I should have time to get it all setup and tested before I need it to work on Saturday.

Audio

Fortunately, I already have some outdoor speakers installed in the backyard. However, a few years ago our house was hit by lightning and I lost all of my receivers due to the massive spike. So I bought a newly refurbished Denon AVRS500BT-R Recertified 5.2 Channel A/V Receiver with 4K Capability and Bluetooth (Black). The bluetooth is cool because I've already been using it to stream music from my phone into the backyard.

Once the projector is working and the audio is kicking all that will leave is a screen. I bought some blackout cloth which I can hang from one end of our pergola and all should be good to go.

I am really anxious to see how our first movie night goes!