Looking for a fun addition to your outdoor BBQs or just relaxing outside with the guys? The iLive Pop-Up Movie Theater Kit offers an excellent way to enhance your next guys' night out, combining a projector, inflatable screen, and Bluetooth speaker in one comprehensive package.
iLive: The iLive Pop-Up Movie Theater Kit (THE2504BDL) is available through major retailers and electronics stores nationwide at the MSRP of $299
Men looking to upgrade their outdoor entertainment options this summer will appreciate this all-in-one solution that transforms any backyard, patio, or camping area into an instant movie theater at a very appealing price point that makes it perfect for casual summer gatherings with friends and family. This product is the perfect enhancement for guys night in parties.
- Guys who host neighborhood BBQs and parties will instantly elevate their social status with this conversation-starting 120" outdoor theater that creates memorable experiences for friends and family alike.
- Sports enthusiasts frustrated by missing big games while enjoying outdoor activities will love the ability to bring game day outside with this easy-to-setup projection system that creates the perfect viewing environment.
- Men with vacation properties or camping enthusiasts will benefit from the portable, inflatable design that packs down for easy transport while still providing an impressive entertainment center wherever adventure takes them.
- Budget-conscious entertainment seekers who have priced custom outdoor theaters will immediately recognize the exceptional value of this $299 complete kit that includes everything needed for instant outdoor movie nights without professional installation.
With an MSRP of $299, this iLive outdoor theater kit hits an extremely attractive price point for anyone wanting to watch sports, movies, or even play retro games outside this summer. While it's clearly not designed for cinephiles, it delivers solid performance for casual outdoor viewing.
Setup and Design
Setup proved very easy in our testing, though there's one important detail to note: there are actually six grommets to attach the four short ropes for maximum stability. The instructions appear to indicate just four around the base, but there are two additional ones on the sides of the screen that make it more resistant to wind – a thoughtful design feature.
Another practical feature we appreciated is the removable white projector screen, which detaches from the inflatable black frame for safekeeping when not in use.
The included Bluetooth speaker adds a nice touch with color-changing LEDs that also work great for music, creating the perfect atmosphere for your outdoor gathering.
Perfect For Summer Evenings Watching Baseball and Playing Retro Games
It's important for guys to consider that this product isn't designed to replace the huge TV in your game room. While we all dream of having the biggest, brightest, and highest resolution screen outdoors just like we enjoy in our living rooms and man caves, this is a product designed for casual use at a very aggressive price point.
In practice, we found it actually performed better than expected because it does the absolute basics needed. That was good – but it was also somewhat frustrating because unlike some other projectors we've reviewed, this one doesn't have any sort of smart functions or WiFi capabilities. You'll need to bring your laptop, DVD player, or some other device outside with it.
However, the projector does support microSD and multiple HDMI inputs, so our recommendation would be one of these streaming sticks so you don't have to worry about more cables or where to place devices:
TV Streaming Sticks
A BADGOAL 2025 New Retro Game Console would also work well since the screen is perfect for a group of guys playing some classic Atari or arcade games while sharing beers on a guys' night in.
Technical Specifications
- Screen Size: 120" diagonal inflatable screen with anti-wrinkle fabric
- Resolution: 800 x 480 native resolution (supports 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p)
- Brightness: 65 ANSI Lumens
- Viewing Angle: 160° provides a wide viewing range
- Connectivity: 2 HDMI inputs, VGA PC video input, USB port, Micro SD card slot, 3.5mm audio/video input
- Features: Focus adjust, keystone angle correction, mountable
- Audio: Built-in speaker plus Bluetooth party speaker with LED light effects
- Additional: Includes microphone, supports front and rear projection
The screen is AC-powered with an air blower for inflation and includes poles and ropes for setup. The kit's foldable design makes storage convenient when not in use.
Outdoor Entertainment at an Unbeatable Value
Ultimately, this pop-up theater is a pretty cool product that we really enjoyed testing and think a lot of you guys will as well.
It's the perfect addition for any family planning a staycation or men looking for a fun backyard guys night out. Our only criticisms are with the projector, but that was expected given the price point. If you want more capabilities, you might want to use a different projector in the future since the inflatable screen was good. For most people though, this is just fine, and none of your guests will complain. They'll just think you're the top dog of the neighborhood being able to watch baseball while relaxing with a cooler full of beer and enjoying an incredible summer evening together.
