🛒 What Hardware Do I Need for Projection Mapping?
Here’s a simple shopping list of the gear you’ll need to set up a projection show on your house—whether you’re doing Halloween, Christmas, or just having fun year-round.
These are beginner-friendly recommendations, with links to Amazon using my affiliate links (thanks for the support!).
🎥 1. Projector
Your projector is the most important piece. You’ll want:
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4,000+ lumens
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1080p resolution or higher
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Short Throw
📘 Need help choosing the right one?
➡️ Check out my Projector Buying Guide
✅ Projector I’m currently using:
➡️ View on Amazon
💻 2. Media Player
This is what plays your videos and sends them to the projector.
✅ I use this one — simple, reliable, plays looping videos straight from a USB drive:
➡️ Digital Media Player on Amazon
Other options:
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A laptop
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Amazon Fire Stick
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Raspberry Pi (for the DIY crowd)
🔌 3. HDMI Cable
Use this to connect your media player or laptop to the projector.
Look for one 10–25 ft depending on your setup distance.
🔉 4. Speakers (Optional)
Add audio to your show for extra impact. A basic Bluetooth speaker works great for most setups.
📡 5. Drive-In Audio Options (For Car-Friendly Shows)
If your audience is watching from their vehicles, you can broadcast your show’s audio directly to their radios using an FM transmitter. You’ll also need an audio splitter if you’re sending audio to both a speaker and a transmitter.
✅ FM Transmitter – Broadcast audio to nearby car radios
➡️ Recommended FM Transmitter on Amazon
6. Audio Cables
✅ 3.5mm Audio Splitter – Send audio to multiple outputs (e.g. speaker and FM transmitter)
➡️ Audio Splitter on Amazon
✅ 3.5mm Audio Cables (get two if you're using speakers and FM transmitter)
👉 Got Your Gear? Here's What’s Next:
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🎓 Learn how to use it all: Take the Beginner Course
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🛠️ Grab visuals for your show: Get Media & Assets
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🎁 Want us to build your show for you? Buy a Custom Show