Lights. Camera. Action. Outside!
With a star-sprinkled sky as a ceiling and infinite access to fresh air, outdoor living is the perfect antidote to endless days cramped inside. The latest trend of creating an outdoor sports or movie viewing experience is a reminder that not much happens inside a home that cannot be duplicated on the outside.
Dreamy outdoor viewing spaces require two key ingredients: technology and ambience.
Technology
“Indoor equipment is not designed to be outside, even if it’s under a covered patio,” Shawn Lemay, owner of Sound & Theater, a business specializing in home technology solutions, says.
Outdoor-rated televisions are constructed to be protected from outdoor stressors. Components are sealed for protection from weather elements or even bugs and spiders looking for tiny nesting sites. Mini heaters and air conditioners allow the television to maintain a proper temperature, protecting it from rapid temperature swings that would crack the glass or overheat the components of an indoor set.
Be prepared for a significant price differential. Outdoor TVs are substantially more expensive than their indoor counterparts. Rated full shade, partial shade, and full sun, these specialty TVs are brighter so they can compete with ambient light. Price points correspond to the set’s viewing capabilities.
Outdoor-rated projectors and screens offer a less expensive alternative; however, they don’t deliver the same brightness. Projector prices vary based on its bulb, power and throw distance. There’s another consideration.
“Projectors are something you can only use at night. Think of a drive-in starting the shows at twilight,” says Lemay. “During the day, even in full shade, the picture washes out.”
Ambience
Small details elevate the viewing space from functional to fantastic. Walls of foliage define a decidedly outdoor room. Comfy seating beckons guests transitioning from cocktail hour to an evening feature or prime time game.
Carefully directed lights can provide accents without affecting screen image. Outdoor televisions and projectors also integrate with outdoor sound systems and sound bars. Some systems use camouflaged speakers (e.g. they look like rocks) to seamlessly blend into the landscape.
“Of course, it’s all automated!” exclaims Lemay.
Outdoor living with indoor convenience makes these open-air home theaters this summer’s biggest blockbuster. Don’t miss out!