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A Taste for Change

A Taste for Change

If last month’s rains taught us anything, it’s that our normally dry city can get real wet real fast. It doesn’t take much more than a couple of days of rainfall to cause disruptions in our lives. And much like our roadways that refuse to drain the floodwater, some things in Phoenix just weren’t built for inclement weather. One such example is found in backyards all over town: the patio television. As a part of Arizona’s love affair with outdoor living, mounting a television outside has become fairly common for homeowners. It’s a great way to watch sports (before they were canceled), movies or binge-worthy shows. Before you hang that 50-inch set, however, it’s important to know the difference between watching television outdoors and watching an outdoor television. An outdoor television is built to perform in adverse conditions, including bright sunlight and elevated ambient noise. In other words, an outdoor television needs to be like that overachieving seventh grader: loud and bright. Some manufacturers have gone a step further and created televisions that can withstand exposure to the elements, including rain, sunlight and heat. Simply bringing a regular television outdoors may get the job done but might frustrate you with a dull picture in the midday sun, or less-than-optimal sound quality. The great outdoors could also shorten the life of your television and possibly void the warranty. If you remain determined to bring an indoor television outdoors, have a qualified electrician assist with any necessary steps to protect your television from short circuiting (and yourself from electrocution). Yes, our climate is dry. But all it takes is a little rain or a few splashes from the pool to create a dangerous situation with electronics.

While some televisions might indeed be “weatherproof,” it doesn’t make them indestructible. Take advantage of shade or a patio cover when deciding where to hang your television. And it wouldn’t hurt to spend $40 on a waterproof cover to protect your set when you’re not watching. Lastly, make sure your Watching television outdoors takes special equipment By Shelley Sakala

TV is mounted securely enough to withstand the high winds of the annual monsoon or the occasional haboob.

Here are three televisions—and one soundbar—built for outdoor use: SunBriteTV Veranda Series Outdoor Television (55 inch)

With a price tag of about $2,000, this 4K television is capable of performing in extreme temperatures. The television, the remote control and the connectivity ports are all weatherproof. The only knock on this particular model is the speaker volume. You will probably want to add a set of outdoor speakers or weatherproofed sound bar to fully enjoy the experience. SunBriteTV Pro Series Outdoor Television (49 inch)

This top-of-the-line outdoor television features a commercial-grade, antiglare, heatresistant screen with tempered glass. It resists dust, insects and the elements. This is the kind of set you’ll find on restaurant patios, as it performs beautifully—even in direct sunlight. Priced at about $4,300, it includes a detachable weatherproof speaker bar. MirageVision Gold Series 55-inch Ultra HD/4K Outdoor Television

These are actually regular brand-name televisions that have been custom altered

for outdoor use. The company pops open the television and retrofits the insides with silicone sealants and special vent coverings to make the television patio ready. The company boasts performance in temperatures of -25 degrees F to 145 degrees F. If you’re outside watching TV when it’s 145 degrees, then your commitment to television should be applauded. Prices start at about $2,300. Furrion Outdoor Soundbar

To boost the audio quality of your outdoor TV, try a wireless outdoor soundbar. This Bluetooth-connected model is engineered for outdoor use and features two speakers and an integrated subwoofer, delivering clear and powerful TV sound across your patio. The weatherproof housing protects the internal components from dust, insects and humidity. Priced at about $170.

There are, of course, a number of other models, brands and sizes of outdoor televisions and components. Shop around, compare prices and features online and maybe ask a local restaurant owner what kind of TVs he/she has on the patio. If you like what you see there, chances are you’ll like how it looks on your own patio as you spend the next few weeks in quarantine—self-imposed or otherwise.

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