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Original poster

Outdoor cinema. Help-don't want to piss off neighbours.

62 replies

user1471530109 · 26/07/2021 10:41

I'm hoping someone can help or have done similar.

I'd like to set up a film on a projector for the kids and their friends in the back garden. It's a very big garden and very few neighbours to consider (rural) but even so, I don't want to disturb them.

In my head, I'd like them to use headphones to watch the film. Is that possible and how do I do it? I'm not useless when it comes to technology but I've noticed recently I'm not as hot on stuff like this as I used to be! I've been googling and I'm a bit stumped.

Has anyone done a set up like this?

Just to add before I get loads of 'you're being selfish' comments, the projector wouldn't disturb any of the few neighbours and I want to make sure the sound wouldn't too. We've all had a shit few years and I'm trying to treat my children this summer as we can't go away. I wouldn't do it if there is no chance of them wearing headphones.

OP posts:
Clymene · 26/07/2021 11:12

OP - What kind of headphones do I need to watch a film as a group outdoors without disturbing the neighbours?

MN - oh god please don't watch a film outside with sound blaring out! So selfish! It would be awful, I'd hate it yada yada

OP -Confused

Dentistlakes · 26/07/2021 11:13

If your neighbours can hear it then you will be disturbing them. Outdoor cinemas in a domestic setting are a ridiculous idea. If you must do it then get headphones.

OP posts:
lurkingfromhome · 26/07/2021 11:18

Does anyone ever bother reading the OP?

Nah, too busy looking for any reason to pile on and accuse her of deliberately pissing off the neighbours with her "ridiculous idea".

IheartJKR · 26/07/2021 11:18

We have an outside projector and use it regularly.
Our garage seems to act as a sound blocker / my neighbours have never complained. We have walked around our house in the street when it’s playing to check the noise level and we’ve been unable to hear it out the front.
We do keep the sound quite modest though.

ClaryFairchild · 26/07/2021 11:19

If it's not that late, why don't you invite the elderly neighbours over for a drink while it's on anyway? They might enjoy it!

perhapstomorrow · 26/07/2021 11:19

I would have thought the noise would be less than a party/bbq. As a one off, I would have thought this would be ok. Especially if you inform neighbours and are finished at a reasonable time.

Original poster
user1471530109 · 26/07/2021 11:40

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. It's obviously not as easy as I hoped.

I really don't feel comfortable doing it without headphones. I'm wondering if I should get the projector and speaker and see how loud it is as a dummy run ...then potentially get the set up I linked to above if it's too loud. I don't think the WiFi would allow me to do it too far from the house...but that's another option to look at. The elderly neighbours-one hadn't been well and I really don't want to disturb her. Maybe it's not such a nice idea after all Sad.

OP posts:
User5827372728 · 26/07/2021 11:42

If it’s a one off I really don’t see the harm in it playing out loud for 2 hours one eve!

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 26/07/2021 11:48

@Clymene

OP - What kind of headphones do I need to watch a film as a group outdoors without disturbing the neighbours?

MN - oh god please don't watch a film outside with sound blaring out! So selfish! It would be awful, I'd hate it yada yada

OP -Confused

Quite! The inability to read is so frustrating on MN.
Clymene · 26/07/2021 11:50

I would just try a speaker outside and see how loud it is from the boundary.

My elderly neighbours are pretty deaf and probably wouldn't hear a thing to be honest.

Also, every year my neighbour throws a party for her teenage daughter. She puts a note through the door in advance to warn us. There are kids in the garden whooping and music blaring but it all goes off at 11pm in the dot.

It gets dark before 9 now. I think it would be fine to do as a one off tbh with notice

Original poster
user1471530109 · 26/07/2021 11:56

I've just checked the WiFi and I can watch BBC iPlayer on my phone at bottom of garden (40 meters from nearest neighbour and closer to 50meters from elderly neighbours). If the signal allows, I don't think it will be a problem if speaker isn't on loud. I think I'll get it set up with a speaker later and see how loud it is.

I think I'm hyper aware of annoying anyone after reading threads on here and having a DC with extra needs.

OP posts:
Katefoster · 26/07/2021 12:46

I think if you just let them know it's happening it won't be a problem. I wouldn't have a problem with it

User5827372728 · 26/07/2021 16:33

Why won’t you answer if it’s a one off or a long term idea?

Abracadabra12345 · 26/07/2021 16:46


This

It’s the not knowing in advance, then being filled with dread that it’s going to be a regular thing. Outdoor speakers ARE intrusive so it depends how it’s handled. Sound travels a very long way especially as it gets late.

You sound like a lovely, thoughtful neighbour so I hope you find an affordable solution

Abracadabra12345 · 26/07/2021 16:51

@Ghosttile

I wouldn’t bother with headphones, they are very popular here and houses closes together, nobody bothers with headphones. As long as it’s finished by 11pm it’s fine.

That sounds hellish.

Just why have an outdoor cinema when you can sit in a darkened room with a massive TV and get a much better experience? I hate this growing trend of using gardens as outdoor rooms with no thought for neighbours

That isn’t directed at the OP who is planning a one off / treat but those who do this regularly. It’s not properly dark until 9.30 (not just sunset)

Geamhradh · 26/07/2021 16:54

@Ghosttile

I wouldn’t bother with headphones, they are very popular here and houses closes together, nobody bothers with headphones. As long as it’s finished by 11pm it’s fine.

That sounds hellish.

It's not fine. Truly.

OP- have you checked how many of the kids already have Bluetooth earbuds? A lot already do, so you might not need to hire at all

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 26/07/2021 17:04

A lot of devices won’t support more than one Bluetooth device connected. The headphones we hired came with signal boxes that were connected to the laptop and then the headphones as a middle man.

Original poster
user1471530109 · 26/07/2021 17:29

Yes, that's the issue. As far as I can see, it's connecting multiple Bluetooth headphones.

@User5827372728 I hadn't realised I had been asked that question? I know many had said it's 'fine as a one off'. I hadn't realised that was a question Confused. To answer, it certainly wouldn't be a regular thing. But maybe a 2-3 times a year? I don't have the space inside-its a tiny house. The garden if probably 6x as big as the footprint of the house.

I haven't ordered the projector yet. They seem v reasonably priced on Amazon. If I can get the WiFi to work down the bottom of the garden, I really think, as long as it's not loud, it wouldn't bother the neighbours. Like I said, we aren't in the suburbs, we are on the very edge of a village. It was the 'event' of doing it that I thought the kids would like. Maybe camping out afterwards (cue loads telling me that's also wrong! They've done it before and were quiet as mice)

Thanks everyone. I was hoping somebody would know of an app or a solution so they could use their own Bluetooth headphones, but it looks like that's unlikely from what's been said.

OP posts:
BeingATwatItsABingThing · 26/07/2021 17:49

I found this video online (I haven’t watched the whole thing) but it seems to only show you how to connect their specific headphones.

Looking at the price of their headphones, it would be cheaper to rent them.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 26/07/2021 17:51

This company said hire is from £66 for example:

www.silentdisco4u.co.uk/?aw=1&adset=headphones&gclid=CjwKCAjwuvmHBhAxEiwAWAYj-P7-3ybX6J5SVbCrlXSnlaBPqk8HnScgpYfwuirqJqau1vFsE80XBxoCfcgQAvD_BwE

HalzTangz · 26/07/2021 17:54

@Carrott21

Of a film blaring out?? No thanks. I would never even think of doing this, or have ever known it. I guess it's like I read in here with people congregating around bars in their gardens and outdoor tvs. Socialising is fine, but tv and films outside is bloody mental! There are lots of organised outdoor cinemas on this summer, I'd just go to one of those. It's the whole experience isn't it.

Anyway, I'm allowed my opinion.

How's it any different to people playing there music in the garden?
FreezerBird · 26/07/2021 17:58

@Clymene

OP - What kind of headphones do I need to watch a film as a group outdoors without disturbing the neighbours?

MN - oh god please don't watch a film outside with sound blaring out! So selfish! It would be awful, I'd hate it yada yada

OP -Confused

Two of the first three responses are people saying don't bother with headphones though. Some of the 'don't do it without headphones' posts are in response to these rather than the OP I think.
HalzTangz · 26/07/2021 17:58

@Dentistlakes

If your neighbours can hear it then you will be disturbing them. Outdoor cinemas in a domestic setting are a ridiculous idea. If you must do it then get headphones.
You didn't read the OP then where she clearly said if she can't do it with earphones then she wouldn't
Babyiskickingmyribs · 26/07/2021 18:13

OP, can you download the film in advance and then you don’t have to worry about the wifi?

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