OT: Outdoor TVs

[Dawgg]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

 

[Bulldogbilly]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

Got a tv outside on covered patio by pool. Cheap tv with a Storm Shell hard cover. No issues at all. Actually like watching State sports outside on this tv more than inside.

 

[Jack Klompus.sixpack]

Go cheap. TCL or something similar.

 

[HailStout]

Go super cheap. Cheap as you can get. It will go out eventually. Then buy another cheap one

 

[MStateU]

I have had regular $180 Roku tv under my porch for years. Watched ball on it this weekend. It’s fine. No cover. No shell. Just hung it.

 

[SanfordRJones]

You can find decent used 42" LED TVs on Facebook Marketplace for $25-$50 unless you're in Noxapater. If you want something bigger, I'm sure you can find that for a decent price, too.

 

[Pars]

I’ve had a cheap tv under the covered patio for 4 years use to cover it now don’t even bother. They’ll hold up

 

[DerHntr]

I have a cheap Roku on the edge of a covered porch. I expected it to die years ago. It’s still kicking. It definitely gets wet in heavy storms.

I think the bigger issue for an outside TV is how loud it can get. When I buy another cheap one, I’ll make sure it gets really loud. Either that or hook up a cheap speaker to it.

 

[8dog]

I’ve had a cheap tv under the covered patio for 4 years use to cover it now don’t even bother. They’ll hold up

Same

 

[Dawgbite]

I’ve had a cheap tv under the covered patio for 4 years use to cover it now don’t even bother. They’ll hold up

Same with me. I generally buy a new tv for some room in the house and rotate the old one out on the patio. I probably average 4-5 years outside before they go bad.

 

[DawgsGoneWild]

I have a nice tv hung with a https://www.deertv.com/collections/...u7MGRgj0zXvLfGrQYeuidHlPIUCXHiTw9-V-FDs5pQU0Y protecting it. Works really well. Worth the money

 

[MSUDOG24]

Got a tv outside on covered patio by pool. Cheap tv with a Storm Shell hard cover. No issues at all. Actually like watching State sports outside on this tv more than inside.

Same set up but no TV cover. I've had 2 ~ $200/250 50in dumb Sceptre TV from Walmart over 8 years (started with DTV, now with a $50 Roku stick). Never covered, never moved off the wall year round from 5 degrees to 100 (fairly well protected but even gets a shot of water now and then from the Polaris when it gets a frisky tail). Bug/pollen/dirt funk gets going in the back but I take it down for a wipe off once or twice a year. Otherwise, never think about it. Only reason I replaced the first one is it developed a thin vertical line that bugged my wife. Great picture and all I need for outside.
At the risk of promoting a throwaway society, I wouldn't waste a dime or any time covering it if it's reasonably protected. Certainly wouldn't buy any "outdoor rated" TV.

 

[The Peeper]

I've had a cheap TV outside in a covered screen porch for about 3 years with a Firestick attached. I bought a cheap cover for it and keep the remotes in a zip lock in an outside drawer when not used but otherwise it's outside 365 days a year with no issues

 

[Dawgg]

I have a cheap Roku on the edge of a covered porch. I expected it to die years ago. It’s still kicking. It definitely gets wet in heavy storms.

I think the bigger issue for an outside TV is how loud it can get. When I buy another cheap one, I’ll make sure it gets really loud. Either that or hook up a cheap speaker to it.

Didn’t think about a speaker. Good call.

 

[eckie1]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

We have a 4K 58-inch Amazon Fire TV outside…. We have a roof over the patio, so it’s not even covered. Cost about $300 on Black Friday from Best Buy, and they go on sale every year. Would recommend.

 

[The Fatboy]

Buy cheap. Hang it if you want but I bought a rolling stand for mine and it's nice to be able to move it. Especially if the sun is out or you just need it out of the way. I've got a 55 inch hanging on this

https://a.co/d/0cUFpfE

 

[willi13]

Currently have one that has made it through two major hurricanes last season. It’s been up for three years. My advice is to get one on sale and don’t spend the extra money on an “outdoor” tv. Way too expensive and they don’t last much longer than a regular one.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I have a 55 inch TCL in our pool patio area. I have a cover for it that is on it when not in use. Still looks like the day I bought it 3 years ago.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

They make covers for them you can protect them with when not in use.

 

[bsquared24]

Another success story of buying a cheap TCL, been on my back porch for 3 years and no problems. I did add a $100 speaker bar as I need more audio outside than cheapy's normally provide.

If you live on the salt water this is not a great solution (I don't think there is one), we have a fishing camp and the salt air eats everything metal, replaced that one with a projector that I just bring out when I want to use it.

 

[DerHntr]

Forgot to add that I have mine hooked up to WiFi and to an outdoor antenna. The best TV picture of the 4 TVs at my house is on the crappy Roku outside with the antenna channels.

 

[MaxwellSmart]

We put a 70" Samsung from Wally World on the back patio last year. Picked it and a sound bar up on sale and have had zero issues. I got a cover from coverstore.com that keeps it completely dry but my bud down the road has one that's been out on the patio for 10 years and still going uncovered.

 

[blacklistedbully]

Have you considered a suitably bright projector and a screen? If the lumens are high enough you should be able to get a decent picture even outside during the day, especially with shade provided by your pergola roof. Portability is an added benefit, not just so you could position it in consideration of where the sun is, but to watch anywhere, including on a massively large screen if you want.

But, it woould have to be one with high lumens. If you are watching, say an hour before sunset you might get away with 5,000 lumens. But earlier, you'd need a lot more.

 

[Crazy Cotton]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

I put a cheap big tv on one of these things and hung it under my deck. I've got the drain system so it stays dry under there, so it functions as a covered patio. It's a perfect outdoor mancave, wife can't find me for hours, thinks I'm mowing the lawn or something. As long as it doesn't get wet and you aren't getting direct sun on it where you won't be able to see anything, you're good.

 

[Podgy]

Cheap is the way. My 10-year-old LG is fine on the screen porch with me doing absolutely nothing to maintain it other than bringing it inside for hurricanes. Picture is fine. When it breaks, I'll get another TV $200 and under.

 

[ronpolk]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

I bought a super cheap Sam’s club tv about 7 years ago and it’s still working. It’s covered under a roof. I definitely wouldn’t spend the money on an outdoor tv.

 

[LordMcBuckethead]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

I have two 85" TVs outside. They are protected from the rain by a roof. If a bad storm is rolling in, I will put the covers on them. They work fine.

 

[Dawgg]

I have two 85" TVs outside. They are protected from the rain by a roof. If a bad storm is rolling in, I will put the covers on them. They work fine.

Two 85” TV’s?!? Guys, I think we found Dawgstudent’s alt.

 

[RiverCityDawg]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

What did you do for the pergola roof? I'm about to close on a house with a free-standing pergola and I'd like to put some sort of roof on it for actual shade or if it starts to drizzle while I'm grilling.

Also, like everyone else has said, don't get an "outdoor TV" if it's not going to be out in direct rain uncovered. A regular TV will hold up just fine.

 

[HotMop]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

I have 3 tv's hung up outside in florida, didn't pay more than $100 for any of them, been out their for 5 years with no issues. I do put a cover on them put other than that no special care. Only problem I've had is with the older one with the roku card, the roku has goon out twice, looks like the USB on those gets rusted and fails.

 

[jxndawg]

We’re doing some work on our pergola/deck/patio area and one of the additions we’re looking at is a TV under the pergola. We just replaced the pergola roof, so I’m not super worried about rain (outside of major storms) or sun.

Just a quick look into outdoor rated TV’s shows them to be stupid expensive. My initial thought is to buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out.

Anybody put a TV outside? Any advice or things to look for?

Same as everybody else - go cheap. Whether you get 2 years or 10 years out of it, throw it away when it dies, and go to Walmart for a new one. Circle of life. And pick up a cheap soundbar to go with it while you're there.

Related - I've always used Fire sticks for setups like this just because they're so cheap. For my good, inside TVs I use Apple TVs and there's a big difference - the Fire sticks seem to be born slow, and get slower and glitchier after just a year or two, while the Apple TVs are so much faster and smoother. I've always chalked it up to the obvious better hardware that comes w/ a $150 Apple product, vs. a $25 Amazon product. I've never tried a Roku - are the Roku sticks a happy medium? Just curious.

 

[HRMSU]

Funny....was having brief trouble (sound but no pic) out of nowhere with my patio TCL that I've had outside for about 5 years when I read this thread. I agree with what everybody else says....go cheap and don't look back.

I like TCL because it's cheap and I like the Roku interface and it's usually built in. I don't like TCL because they are made in China and probably have an ied loaded just waiting to go off when Xi finally makes his move****

I unplugged the tv for a couple minutes plugged back in and works fine again.

 

[biodawg]

buy a cheapy Roku TV and save $1000-$1500, then see how it works out

This is what I do. In my experience, a really hard freeze is about the only thing that will tear one up. I buy a cheap one from Walmart or wherever and just drape a towel over it when I’m not using it.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

What did you do for the pergola roof? I'm about to close on a house with a free-standing pergola and I'd like to put some sort of roof on it for actual shade or if it starts to drizzle while I'm grilling.

Also, like everyone else has said, don't get an "outdoor TV" if it's not going to be out in direct rain uncovered. A regular TV will hold up just fine.

I put a tin roof on mine

 

[Jack Klompus.sixpack]

TCL Roku TV outside, only issue I’ve had is remote started being squirrelly. Ordered from Amazon 2 replacements for $10. Problem solved. Picture quality is pretty dang good…….especially for the price.

 

[Maroon13]

I put a tin roof on mine

Exactly What I did. Bought some tin from HD, mounted it so it's got a slight tilt for run off.

I have an old Ruko tv under it. It works fine. My only complaint is on bright sunny days, it's tough to see when in the pool (I have swivel mount). I believe outdoor TVs have a better picture in sun light.

other than that, the tv has survived the elements for 3 years.

 

[Dawgg]

What did you do for the pergola roof? I'm about to close on a house with a free-standing pergola and I'd like to put some sort of roof on it for actual shade or if it starts to drizzle while I'm grilling.

Also, like everyone else has said, don't get an "outdoor TV" if it's not going to be out in direct rain uncovered. A regular TV will hold up just fine.

It’s a smoky fiberglass (or similar). We got it replaced when the house roof got replaced. The roofer told me what he got, but I forgot. I’ll find out.

ETA: It’s this or something like it:

Suntuf 2.2 ft. x 12 ft. Corrugated Polycarbonate Roof Panel in Solar Gray 101931 - The Home Depot

Keep your cars or deck safe from the elements using this Suntuf Solar Gray Polycarbonate Corrugated Roof Panel. Convenient to install.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Dawgg]

Have you considered a suitably bright projector and a screen? If the lumens are high enough you should be able to get a decent picture even outside during the day, especially with shade provided by your pergola roof. Portability is an added benefit, not just so you could position it in consideration of where the sun is, but to watch anywhere, including on a massively large screen if you want.

But, it woould have to be one with high lumens. If you are watching, say an hour before sunset you might get away with 5,000 lumens. But earlier, you'd need a lot more.

That’s a really cool idea, but I would be concerned about brightness like you mention. We have a cheap one, but its primary use these days is to project Halloween images in the window during October.

 

[blacklistedbully]

That’s a really cool idea, but I would be concerned about brightness like you mention. We have a cheap one, but it’s primary use these days is to project Halloween images in the window during October.

You could do both, with the inexpensive TV for daytime, and a decent projector for watching really big screen at dusk/night. You can get a 120" projector screen for as little as $30, a pull-down type for less than $100, or could go theater-size if you have room for it.

You could have a movie-night at your house for as many people as you can fit in your yard. Maybe watch a night game, etc.

But yeah, if you're not gonna have good shade from the sun a projector would have to be extremely high lumens. $$$

 

[Perd Hapley]

I have two 85" TVs outside. They are protected from the rain by a roof. If a bad storm is rolling in, I will put the covers on them. They work fine.

Dayum. I feel like we need a pic of this set up.