Finally got my wiring finished

[TexEdmond]

I've had the TV mount outside for a few months now, but I've finally gotten all the cabling pulled up thru the attic so the patio TV can either be run in "party mode" with the tuner inside pushing audio and video to both TVs (living room and patio), or it can be playing its own thing but still work through the outside speakers. TV speakers are too dinky for any real enjoyment, of course. I pulled HDMI, Cat5, Coax from the aerial, as well as a line for LR audio from the TV and an RCA for the secondary sub output on the tuner inside, if we ever want to add a little thumpiness to the outside speakers. GFCI with weatherproof cover for power, because "Safety First."

Now I need to shop for sun shades to help with the glare... any recommendations welcome. Or is there some kind of anti-glare screen film I can attach to the TV?

 

[Texas Splash]

 

[gingrbredman]

That looks real nice! How did you decide on the color for the wire moldings? Seems to blend right in, need to do this myself and contemplating how I get it to blend. Lots of different colors in those bricks.

Also curious if anyone has any ideas for the glare. My TV is almost useless during the day because of the glare, but night time it is excellent to swim and have something on.

 

[Orion7319]

Also curious if anyone has any ideas for the glare. My TV is almost useless during the day because of the glare, but night time it is excellent to swim and have something on.

It’s a shame that all they seem to be making these days are glossy screens. I have a few older TVs with matte screens and won’t get rid of them because you can’t find them anymore. If you want that feature today, you have to go though the expense and hassle of applying a film to the TV.

https://www.amazon.com/JCSKY-Protector-Frosted-Dustproof-Protect/dp/B08QYY4P71/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=125660159464&gclid=Cj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYuvOvaPBWBoY5h26N_z96qMpOakKsPr9rb-nVikuVxxn83z4spPVxB8aAh7gEALw_wcB&hvadid=503771060298&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9009981&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=777097732302824273&hvtargid=kwd-299253467969&hydadcr=19218_9665447&keywords=anti+glare+film+for+tv+screen&qid=1652892651&sr=8-3

 

[TexEdmond]

How did you decide on the color for the wire moldings?

I didn't want to use white. Black would have been okay, but there was some brown stuff on Amazon for a pretty decent price. I chose to go the molly route instead of the double sided tape, so I'll have some holes to fill if I ever want to remove it. This is a medium size channel, just big enough for power, co-ax, Cat5, HDMI, and audio.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MTDT776?th=1

 

[TexEdmond]

If you want that feature today, you have to go though the expense and hassle of applying a film to the TV.

Man I got so excited about the link you posted... "Heck yeah i'll put a film on the screen..." but then "BAHHHH A HUNDRED BUCKS?! NO DANG WAY!" while I am probably looking at $500 or more for a retractable sun shade to block the glare...

I never said I was particularly SMART...

 

[Orion7319]

Man I got so excited about the link you posted... "Heck yeah i'll put a film on the screen..." but then "BAHHHH A HUNDRED BUCKS?! NO DANG WAY!" while I am probably looking at $500 or more for a retractable sun shade to block the glare...

I never said I was particularly SMART...

Search for “matte tv screen protector” they have some for cheaper, just make sure in the product description the word “matte” is actually mentioned.

 

[Gladius Nova]

How are you going to protect the TV from the outside elements? Do you have a cover for it? I'm thinking even the humidity in Oklahoma will be too much for it.

 

[Newdude]

I never said I was particularly SMART...

I ever tell you about the time I refused to spend $15k on an above ground pool, deck and fence when basic ingrounds were going for $18k ? (At the time). So I upgraded the inground pool to be huge with great equipment and patted myself on the back. But then that pool needed it's own fence and patio. Which were even bigger thanks to the honking pool. I lost $60k cuz I was upset at $15k.

Yeah. I feel ya brother.

 

[gingrbredman]

BAHHHH A HUNDRED BUCKS?! NO DANG WAY!

Haha, that's the same thought I had when I saw the price. But then I spent another $50 for a quality outdoor cover for my TV, and then the fact I can't actually see it during the day time and the whole cost might not be that terrible in the long run. What does an outdoor rated TV cost in comparison to this? Haven't looked in a while but I suspect a whole lot more, so a couple hundred for the TV, a cover, and a matter screen cover doesn't seem out of line for the enjoyment we would get out of it all day.

 

[TexEdmond]

So I upgraded the inground pool to be huge with great equipment and patted myself on the back. But then that pool needed it's own fence and patio.

You're gonna need a kegerator and a rippin' sound system to go with that patio, my dude...

 

[TexEdmond]

How are you going to protect the TV from the outside elements? Do you have a cover for it?

The plan previously has been to just bring it inside. Thanks for the suggestion to look for a cover. It's mounted well up underneath the patio so no risk of water, then it's just keeping the dust off of it. We're out of the blowing dirt and sand season now that the trees have leaves and the grass is growing.

I'm thinking even the humidity in Oklahoma will be too much for it.

Not really concerned about it, honestly. It's a strange world we live in when a 55" Roku TV costs a THIRD of the amount of an iPhone... If either one of them lasts 4 years, call it a win. When it kicks the bucket, just buy another.

To quote a dear family friend, "It's not the heat, it's the HUMILITY."

 

[TexEdmond]

What does an outdoor rated TV cost in comparison to this? Haven't looked in a while but I suspect a whole lot more, so a couple hundred for the TV, a cover, and a matter screen cover doesn't seem out of line for the enjoyment we would get out of it all day.

Right you are. I've worked with professional rated outdoor TVs with all the weather protection and ventilation fans and filters and they're a certifiable nightmare, especially when something breaks. Even the consumer grade ones you're looking at $1200 for a ~48" and those are the cheapest models.

Even if I had to get full-width shades or drapes that'd be easier and cheaper than getting a slightly brighter TV that had some weather protection and maybe a better glare coating on the screen.

 

[Orion7319]

The plan previously has been to just bring it inside. Thanks for the suggestion to look for a cover. It's mounted well up underneath the patio so no risk of water, then it's just keeping the dust off of it. We're out of the blowing dirt and sand season now that the trees have leaves and the grass is growing.



Not really concerned about it, honestly. It's a strange world we live in when a 55" Roku TV costs a THIRD of the amount of an iPhone... If either one of them lasts 4 years, call it a win. When it kicks the bucket, just buy another.

To quote a dear family friend, "It's not the heat, it's the HUMILITY."

You guys are coming around! Lol! A tv made specifically for outdoor use will typically run you between $1800.00 up to around $5000.00. You could go that route or you could go and check your local Good will or Craigslist or whatever and pick up an old 55inch Visio or something with a matte finish for around $50.00. It’s not going to be 4K or a smart TV, but any TV under 55 inches or below doesn’t really benefit from 4K resolution when viewed at a normal viewing distance. Stick a Roku or Firestick on that puppy and call it a day. If you give enough of a Crud to protect it or if it’s going to be in a location where it’s going to get rained on, pick up one of these covers for when it’s not in use. I have one of these covers and it works great. Think of it another way, nobody uses expensive air conditioning units for beach homes. They know the salt air will destroy anything they put out there in a few years anyway so they install the cheapest compressor they can find. Same thing! Who cares about a $50.00 Good Will find and you can easily find them in matte to boot!

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Waterproof-Weatherproof-Outside-Screen/dp/B07H7P9N96/ref=asc_df_B07H7P9N96/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309770211034&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9450260675882104176&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009981&hvtargid=pla-585152278469&psc=1

 

[TexEdmond]

pick up one of these covers for when it’s not in use

I literally have that item open in a tab on Amazon right now. But then my anxiety was making me second guess myself and look at the fancy $37 one with the flap and then I remembered I have stuff to do today and don't need to spend an hour shopping for TV covers.

 

[Orion7319]

I literally have that item open in a tab on Amazon right now. But then my anxiety was making me second guess myself and look at the fancy $37 one with the flap and then I remembered I have stuff to do today and don't need to spend an hour shopping for TV covers.

It lasted me all of last season. I store the tv in my utility room during the winter. I have left the TV out on the pool deck in the pouring rain with the cover in it and it didn’t get a drop of water on the tv. It also has a pocket for remotes. Excellent quality for the price. My setup is literally just a 45 (or is it 47) inch smart TV on the following stand with that cover on it hooked up to an outdoor extension cord (plugged into a GFCI obviously) I routed though my gazebo. Because it’s on a stand with wheels, I can watch tv in the gazebo, or I can turn it completely around to watch it while in the pool. For anyone curious about it, the stand holds up to the elements as well. Mine still looks brand new and I leave it outside all summer.

https://www.amazon.com/VIVO-Display-Screens-Adjustable-STAND-TV07W/dp/B01CUT5ZZI

 

[gingrbredman]

I bought one of those covers last year. My TV is a 70", and spent 4 minutes shopping for it, and it was like $30. Searched by reviews, and picked the highest review for the best money. Delivered the next day. My TV also comes in during the winter, and when I brought it back out, re-used the same cover, still in great shape. Super easy to put on and off, never a bit of water in it, and the remote pocket is just a plus.

When it kicks the bucket, just buy another.

Thats right! While I do keep my TV covered, it will only last so long outdoors, and for the cost of them, its relatively inexpensive if you spread the costs out.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

This is the one I opted for.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L8Y8W22/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I had a full cover one, and it was a hassle having to get the stepladder out every time, to uncover, then it wouldn't get covered up for a few days, blah, blah... So I changed to the one with the front flap. That has been great! I don't worry about dust anymore. I leave the flap open 90% of the time, as it is pretty well tucked up under the patio, so not terribly worried about water, just dust mostly.

The only thing I will say is take it off maybe once a month and check for mud dauber/wasp nests. I did find a couple last year.

--Jeff

 

[jimim]

TVs hold up fairly well. We are in nepa. Very humid summers. As long as your under cover it’s pretty impressive how many years you can get out of a cheap tv. We just tell our customers to take them in for winter.

 

[Katodude]

Pffft. You think you have humidity. We have 14535% humidity all the time.

BTW. TV has been outside without a cover for 4 years and still going strong.