LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Is there a better way to use your back garden than hosting an outdoor film night on a balmy summer’s evening? Make sure you’re ready to press play with our tips…

CHECK THE TECH Always look at the resolution and lumens count when buying a projector. 4K resolution is the gold standard, but HD portable projectors are fine for home viewing.

The higher the lumens number, the brighter the image; anything over 3,000 will guarantee you can watch in lighter conditions. Try the Towond HD 1080P Video Projector, which offers 7,000 lumens and includes built-in speakers. £169.99, amazon.co.uk

PICK A SUITABLE SPACE Although pop-up projector screens are available, a plain, pale wall or a pinned white sheet work just as well. Make sure the space is dry, sheltered and away from external light pollution.

CONNECT IT UP Depending on your projector, you may need additional cables to hook your projector up to a phone, laptop, DVD player or streaming device.

GET THE RIGHT SPEAKERS Check if your chosen projector is Bluetoothenabled. If so, you can connect wirelessly to a Bluetooth speaker. Otherwise, you’ll need a 3.5mm jack cable and a compatible sound system.

THE LITTLE EXTRAS Throws, cushions and fairy lights add cosiness to a backyard viewing, while homemade popcorn and chocolate-dipped strawberries will fix mid-movie munchies. STUCK FOR CHOICE? Check out movie.arockhub.com, a useful web-based app that generates random film choices for indecisive viewers. Simply rate a few flicks and the nifty site will provide a suggestion based on your answers. >>