Another NOOB Question - Surround Sound & Amplifiers

Mesch, I've done that for years and it's worked very well. I've always wanted to see what I could accomplish as far as surround sound outside though. It's been an challenge because I'm very much a novice. I think the missing piece of the puzzle for me is a preamplifier/processor with HDMI inputs, 1 HDMI output for video and then the pre-outs for 5.1 sound.

Yeah, I hear you on that. To an extent I'm able to account for being outside because part of the viewing area is bordered by trees, a house and a large screen. Of course, that won't be enough to get sound as good as in a more enclosed environment. Thanks!

I rum movies on my pole barn via a projector. I use 2-channel audio for it. Works well.  

Outdoor sound is a totally different animal from in room sound. Because: no walls! No walls equals no bass reinforcement equals no bass. Infinite outdoor volume simply swallows up whatever sound you try and pump into it.

The first approach to mitigating this problem is use as many large flat surfaces as you can as wall/room substitutes. Put the screen and L/R speakers along a wall, or even better in a corner. 

Then use four or more subs, and the more the better. Place the first two in the corner or near the wall where they'll get maximum reinforcement. Try locating the rest in a sort of ring around the seating area. 

Surrounds are a gimmick. But full range surrounds, if you can get good full range speakers and feed them a truly full range signal, will go a long way to helping get that sense of envelopment that is so easy to achieve indoors. If you do, then remember the ground is your only reinforcement surface and you will get more locating them low than high.