Is an Outdoor Home Cinema Worth It? How Experts Design the Ultimate Outdoor AV System

Why Outdoor AV Is More Popular Than Ever

With more of us seeing our outdoor living space as an extension of our home, outdoor AV technology has grown in popularity.

Ever since the pandemic, more homeowners have embraced home entertainment. While outdoor home theatres were initially a novelty when cinemas closed their doors, they’ve now become a staple. Why go back to watching films how we did before?

An increase in entertaining at home has also led to a boom in outdoor AV set-ups. Many people have discovered that they can entertain their friends and family for less than going elsewhere. Plus, they’ve realised how much they enjoy it. Garden cinema nights and outdoor screens are talking points on social media for a reason – people love them, and more of us want them in our lives.

When you combine the social trends with the wider availability of better technology, it’s unsurprising that outdoor AV systems are in demand. The latest tech has made it easier than ever to make our gardens a key entertainment destination.

Common Use Cases for Outdoor Home Cinemas and AV Setups

How you use your outdoor home cinema is up to you, but some things you can use an outdoor AV system for include:

• Family movie nights under the stars – Get tucked in under blankets and enjoy cosy watchathons around the firepit.
• Garden parties with background music – Enjoy good quality sound and create a festival atmosphere at home.
• Outdoor fitness with synced audio – Elevate your workouts with audible instructions or complementary music. Is there anything more relaxing than yoga surrounded by nature and a tranquil soundtrack?
• Alfresco dining with ambient sound and lighting – Host the dinner parties of your dreams with the right tech for entertaining.
• Kids’ parties – Make a movie-watching birthday party into a fun adventure with a get-together in your garden.
• Sports viewing – Enjoy the match while firing up the BBQ.

What Makes Up an Outdoor AV System?

As AV is an acronym for audio-visual, an AV system includes various components that create sounds and visuals (including lighting). An AV set-up also includes the technology that brings everything together.

Typical components of an outdoor AV system include:

• Weatherproof TVs and projectors
• Outdoor-rated speakers
• Wi-Fi boosters and media servers
• Smart lighting
• Connection to other smart devices or home automation hubs for control

While you can buy individual components off the shelf, you’ll likely need a professional to create a unified AV system. As an outdoor home cinema will be exposed to all weather, it’s extra important to ensure it’s durable, safe and reliable – all things that are easier to achieve with a professional set-up than a DIY system.

Benefits of a Professionally Installed Outdoor Cinema

There are many benefits of using a professional installer to configure your outdoor home cinema, including:

Aesthetics and Integration

Professionals can design systems that blend into landscaping or architecture.

Hidden cabling and speakers will keep your AV system free from visual clutter.

Audio That Actually Works Outdoors

• Smart Home Professionals understand the importance of zoning, direction and speaker choice.
• Professionals will use expert tuning to avoid sound spill to neighbours.

Long-Term Performance and Weatherproofing

• Professional-grade equipment is more likely to last longer.
• An installer can advise solutions that ensure durability and safety in different weather conditions, such as proper enclosures, drainage planning and temperature-resistant tech.

Ease of Use with Smart Home Integration

• An integrated system will make it simpler to set the scene for parties, movies and relaxing evenings.
• You can unify controls with smart lighting, shading and even water features – bringing all your outdoor smart tech together.

The Value of Working with a Certified Professional for Your Outdoor Home Theatre

A CEDIA-certified integrator will help you get the most out of your outdoor AV system.

With a professional installation, you’ll be able to customise your outdoor home cinema to perfectly match your wants. You’ll also benefit from a professional’s knowledge of audio calibration, networking planning, cabling and power management. Using a professional for ongoing support and maintenance will give you extra peace of mind, too.

While a professional installation will usually be more expensive than a DIY solution, it’s worth considering the investment. With off-the-shelf AV set-ups, you risk poor sound, screen glare, improperly weatherproofed equipment (leading to damage) and device incompatibility. A CEDIA-certified Smart Home Professional will know how to work around these issues, which can save you money in the long run. It’s better to pay once for an expert installation than repeatedly pay out to replace poor-quality retail products.

How Much Does an Outdoor AV System Cost?

How much an outdoor AV system costs depends on the features included.

A smart outdoor AV system could cost anywhere from £5,000 to £50,000+, depending on scope. 

When you’re budgeting, think about long-term value. It may be worth spending more on your initial investment to better meet your needs and increase durability. Think about the long-term enjoyment an outdoor cinema will bring you, as well as how much you’re increasing your property’s appeal (and value).

You can also get more out of your outdoor AV system by bundling it with smart lighting or irrigation (i.e. garden sprinklers). If you install all your outdoor smart technology in one go, you can unify control and potentially save on your installation costs.

Planning Your Outdoor AV Space

A Smart Home Professional can help you plan your outdoor AV space. Some of the things you and your installer will need to consider include:

• Sun positioning – Is it possible to see the screen during all daylight hours?
• Wiring access – If you need a wired connection, is it possible to wire the devices in your desired locations?
• Wi-Fi range – How far away can outdoor smart devices be from your Wi-Fi router while still maintaining a reliable signal?
• Privacy – How can you entertain outdoors without your neighbours seeing you (and can you entertain without disturbing your neighbours)?
• Weather exposure – Is all your outdoor cinema equipment protected from the elements?

The earlier you consider questions like the above, the better. If you’re thinking about adding smart elements to a garden renovation or a home extension, consider bringing in a smart technology expert into the design phase. If you factor smart tech in from day one, you can avoid potential practical problems at a later date.

Is An Outdoor Home Cinema Worth It?

Are you looking to enhance your home life, extend your living space outdoors and create a wow-factor when entertaining guests? If so, it’s worth considering investing in a professionally installed outdoor home cinema. How much you budget for your outdoor AV system is up to you, but a professional will help you get the most out of your smart set-up – big or small.