OT: Outdoor TVs

[Sienfield]

Just finishing adding a screen porch onto my house and am looking to buy an outdoor TV to put in it. Those outdoor TVs are expensive compared to regular TVs. What should I look for in an outdoor TV?
Mostly watching ball games and steaming programs. The TV will be under roof and out of sunlit but exposed to moisture. Suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[aTotal360]

Buy a super cheap regular TV and replace it whenever it STBs.

 

[oxfordrebel22]

Yep, this is the right answer. True outdoor TVs are expensive as hell. I bought a 55” TCL with a built-in Roku for my outdoor patio. Mounted it on a brick wall, near a corner. Figured if I got 18 months out of it I’d be tickled since it was only like $250. I’m right at the 18 month mark and (knock on wood) it’s working every bit as good as the day I got it. I mean the patio is obviously covered, but it still probably gets a little mist on it from the rain and wind. I haven’t covered it during the winter or summer, either. I did it mostly as an experiment, and figured if it didn’t work I’d invest in an outdoor TV, and not be out a lot. And so far I’d give the experiment a 10 out of 10.

 

[pmack3641]

Both of my sons have regular TVs outside year round all they did was buy a good cover. They cover them after every use have had no problems for several years.

 

[Dawgbite]

Been down both routes and the cheap tv is the way to go. I usually get 3+ years out of the cheap TVs. You can also buy a slip on canvas cover on eBay to cover the tv when not in use but if your like me it falls into disuse pretty quickly. When Christmas rolls around and they really discount TVs, buy your next one whether you need it or not. I haven’t even bout my last two, put word out to friends and family that if they replace a working TV, you want it. People are moving up in size all the time or the remote quits or it’s scratched.

 

[The Peeper]

Same here. My porch is covered and screened but you still get dust blown in, spiders dropping black spots on everything, moisture on humid days, mist blowing around, etc. Buy a normal tv and a cover from Amazon and go with it.

 

[Palmettodog]

I bought a 55" Onn ROKU TV from Wal-Mart last year for $250. It is mounted on the outside wall of my house on our covered patio. I've had it for a year and it works great still. I did buy a cover for it through Amazon and I put it on earlier this year when the pollen was really bad but outside of that its never been covered. Don't waste the money on an outdoor TV unless you know it will get wet. Mine is obviously exposed to the humidity and moist air when it's raining but no issues thus far.

 

[mcdawg22]

I think as long as it’s covered you are good with the cheap ones like everyone said. The price point for outdoor TVs seems to stem from the brightness that they have in full sun, but I could be wrong.

 

[Sienfield]

Thanks guys. I was hoping for this type response with going with regular TV but wanted other opinions. I didn't know if there were any other factors I hadn't considered.

 

[Augustus McCrae]

Agree with what the others have said. Don't bother with an outdoor tv. I mounted a TCL Roku tv on my screened porch a couple of months ago and have been very pleased so far. I bought a cover from Amazon and I keep it covered when not in use.

 

[johnson86-1]

Same here. I didn't use a cover. It was well back under roof, but there was still occasionally thunderstorms where water was sprayed basically directly sideways and it was essentially misted on. Pollen, humidity, etc. Made it three years before I moved and left it for the buyer.

Another option I've is use a wall mount and just take the tv in and out. Can keep the base on it or if you have two wall mounts, move it from an inside wall mount to an outside wall mount. That was for an uncovered area; wasn't really hard but I wouldn't go through the hassle for something with any cover, unless you want an easy option to occasionally move an inside tv outside to have two screens during football season.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

My setup is still going on year 4 for the new owner. It was under $300. Dirt daubers clogged up about half the vents on the back and I just broke it free with a hammer.The cheapest tv you can find. Then get a cheap cover off Amazon for off-season or heavy storms coming in.

View attachment 20539

Should spend under $350.

 

[GreaterCowbell]

I bought a cheap TV and built a cabinet with wooden doors made out of cypress for mine. I have a bunch of left over silica packets in the box to help take moisture air when the doors are closed. It's been about a year and so far so good.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

We have an outdoor patio area with a tv setup and I have left an older Sony HD tv out there for 6 years uncovered and it still works. Even survived the below zero weather in February. Do like many have said and buy a regular TV and put a cover on it.

 

[Seinfeld]

Just adding another vote to what everybody has already said. There are tons of perfectly fine 55-70” TVs in the $250-400 range, and as long as you’ve got a decent WiFi signal on your back patio, it should be plug and play. Even if you get a Vizio like me which STILL doesn’t have the ESPN app, a $25 Roku stick solves that. Or just go the TCL with built in Roku like others have mentioned

Only 2 pieces of advice I have are

1) Be careful to find a spot that won’t get direct sun during the day because that can be an absolute killer

2) Get a cover be sure to use it. That $30 piece of fabric truly can extend the outdoor life by a matter of years

 

[SheltonChoked]

agree. I'll add Get the extended warranty, and when the heat, cold or being outside kills it, get a new one.

 

[The Fatboy]

Other possible option is a projector. I bought a cheap one and project onto a wall. Inalso put up a nice curtain and rod that can be washed as necessary. I can just unplug it and bring it inside when I want.

 

[ronpolk]

Do this.

I bought a $350 one from Sams about 3 or 4 years ago. It still works great. It’s covered by my patio roof and I also bought a cover to go over the tv.

 

[stateu1]

Other possible option is a projector. I bought a cheap one and project onto a wall. Inalso put up a nice curtain and rod that can be washed as necessary. I can just unplug it and bring it inside when I want.

I did this too, but it's useless in the daytime. Any suggestions?

 

[fishwater99]

I think as long as it’s covered you are good with the cheap ones like everyone said. The price point for outdoor TVs seems to stem from the brightness that they have in full sun, but I could be wrong.

It needs to be covered and pointed away from direct sunlight and you should be okay on the brightness.

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

I Have a cheep Samsung under my covered patio mounted on a swing out mount to a brick wall. Then I built a 1/2" plywood box with dual doors around it. Been going on 6 years next month with no problems.

 

[hatfieldms]

As everyone else has said just get a regular tv. No need to pay for an outdoor tv