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

[user1471530109]

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.

We do this, you need any cheap wireless headphones with fm signal and an fm transmitter which you plug in to the sound jack and then you set them on the same frequency - we use a mobile so have one like this

REALMAX®【 Upgraded Version 】3.5mm FM Transmitter Radio Adapter Hands-Free Calling Wireless Car Kit MP3 Music | Universally Compatible with All Brand Mobiles Phones other Device With 3.5mm Port www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0727KMXFH/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_7FP8FTJ1DMWCB2JNZREW?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Oh wow @brookby ! I will spend some time investigating later, thank you! I didn't even know headphones came with an FM signal. Is that as if you were going to listen to the radio on them (or am I completely barking up the wrong tree?).

Yep that's exactly it! But not all wireless headphones have fm so just make sure to check. We were in the same position as you and didn't want to disturb the neighbours so DH did lots of research and this was the cheapest way and it works!

Looks like my dd's headphones have an FM tuner so will definitely try this out. So far, the cheapest ones on Amazon seem to be around £20 each though. I'm hoping between the kids, they will have some with it already if I can get it to work! Thanks @brookby!

Oh, I've just thought, if their phones have FM tuner on them, could they not hook their headphones up to the phone/tablet and listen via that? I think most have FM don't they?

Christ, this is simple and cheap. Buy a Bluetooth splitter. Expressly designed to connect multiple pairs of Bluetooth headphones to one device.

Each device holds two pairs if remember correctly and you can daisy chain them.

www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Soundsync-Bluetooth-Connection-Headphones/dp/B07H5C2BQX/ref=asc_df_B07H5C2BQX/?hvlocphy=9045631&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=310732907163&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-570064469753&hvrand=254141513454664036

There's a cheap example for you.

That's a bluetooth receiver not a splitter, it enables non bluetooth items to receive a bluetooth signal so not the same thing.

@user1471530109 phones/tablets with fm tuners are receivers too so I don't think it'sas simple as that, you need something to transmit the sound out to multiple headphones if you see what I mean?

Actually maybe I'll wrong about the bluetooth thing, but in any case wouldn't work for us as we need more than 2 headphones

@brookby I meant with the transmitter you linked to too? I'm thinking if I can tune the phone into receive it, I can stick in an old pair of plug in headphones or use some even cheaper Bluetooth ones.

@Si1ver have you done this? If it works, that's fab!

I'm going to order the projector and FM transmitter as it's so cheap, and see if it works with my dd's headphones. My phone has an FM tuner too, so will see if I can get it to work via the phone and an even older pair of plug in headphones. I'd feel 1000x more comfortable with the whole idea if the kids could use headphones. I think they'd be less likely to talk all the way through the film too .

Thanks for all the ideas and input. I'm a single, working (full time) mum and I just want to treat the kids. Out of their friends, we are by far the least well off and although it is probably my issue, I'd just like to be able to put on a 'cool' evening for them and their friends but without upsetting anyone.

Your plan sounds really great. The kids will love it. Let us know if you get it all working with the headphones. I may even steal your idea for my kids!

Oh sorry I didn't read your other post properly, I see what you mean now and I guess it could work! Good luck with it

We did this Saturday night. Our garden is walled in and you can’t hear it outside of our walls. We had the speaker next to us and chose a film with no explosions etc. I think this can be done respectfully without headphones. We do a Halloween film when it’s dark early and we are finished by 9pm.