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Home Entertainment Products Are Moving Outdoors
By Matt Christensen, Planar
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An outdoor kitchen and television in the 2006 New American Home in Orlando. Photo by James F. Wilson | The demand for weatherproof home entertainment products is on the rise, in large part because home owners are turning their decks, patios, outdoor kitchens and other outdoor living spaces into full-bore entertainment areas complete with music and wide-screen TVs.
According to a 2006 study by the Portland, Ore.-based research firm, Quixel Research, sales of weatherproof outdoor display entertainment is expected to quadruple between 2007 and next year, with the market growing to as much as $150 million by the end of 2009.
This exploding demand is especially evident in the affluent segment of the home owning market, the study found.
Builders can leverage this trend and increase their profit opportunities by offering a wider array of outdoor entertainment products. But they also will have to overcome different challenges when installing all-weather outdoor televisions and entertainment technologies. To do that, they will have to gain a better understanding of the technologies involved.
What to Consider When Choosing Outdoor Technology Products
One of the biggest product development challenges with outdoor televisions is how to effectively package a functional, weatherproof display screen that is aesthetically pleasing. After all, consumers want their TVs in a weatherproof enclosure that suits their stylish sense of outdoor living space.
This poses a problem not only for the builder and installer, but for the product manufacturer, as well. Televisions made for indoor home use need open air to cool them or they overheat. No amount of engineering a waterproof outdoor display area can overcome this problem. Luckily, manufacturers have solved that problem.
When creating an outdoor entertainment area, choose only televisions and other electronic technologies that were made specifically for outdoor use. The manufacturers have already performed the necessary engineering to ensure that the products are properly cooled ― and water resistant — for use in an outdoor environment.
Other weather-related issues facing builders, electronic systems contractors (ESCs) and other early adopters of outdoor entertainment areas are cabling and wiring, how sunlight can affect viewing and how direct sunlight can cause excessive heat build-up on the TV panels.
Builders and ESCs can overcome these obstacles if they truly understand the needs of their consumers and how they intend to use the space. They must factor in this information when planning and designing the outdoor space so they can choose the right equipment to achieve peak performance.
Installers also must fully understand the limitations of the products they use outdoors. Many products are rated for outdoor use, but if they are installed incorrectly or in an inappropriate space ― for instance, in direct sunlight, near exhaust fans or under trees that lose their branches — the customer experience will diminish.
What to Look for in All-Weather TVs
From a consumer’s perspective, let’s quickly examine some differences in outdoor wide-screen TVs. There are several key differences between all-weather LCD TVs and typical high-definition flat panel TVs that builders and ESCs should be aware of.
One of the more obvious differences is how ambient light affects the display in an outdoor setting. Screen brightness is vital when watching TV outdoors. So is reducing glare.
Plasma TVs, because they use glass screens, often suffer from high glare. LCD TVs are not as susceptible to glare and, in addition, many LCD manufacturers have developed high-brightness LCDs specifically for outdoor use.
Builders and ESCs can look to industry standards as a guide when choosing outdoor technologies. Products that comply with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Ingress Protection IP56 weatherproof standards provide both the installer and customer with peace of mind that the display is safe from virtually all weather conditions. Under this standard, the enclosure must protect the unit from snow, sleet, ice and heat while maintaining a cool enough temperature to operate.
Outdoor technology is on the forefront of home and architectural design trends, particularly in the luxury segment of the market. Builders and installers who understand and thoroughly prepare for the challenges of creating entertainment centers in outdoor environments will create a successful experience for their home owners ― and stronger business opportunities for themselves.
Matt Christensen is the senior manager in product marketing with Planar, a global manufacturer of specialty display technology based in Beaverton, Ore. Planar manufactures such items as desktop monitors, medical displays, touchscreen monitors, home theater displays and 3-D/stereo displays. For more information, call Christensen 503-748-8940, or visit the Planar Web site at www.planar.com.
 Information About Home Technology Available From HTA
The Home Technology Alliance (HTA) is a partnership between NAHB and the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) that was formed to position the housing industry to effectively meet the growing home buyer demand for home technology and provide maximum return on investment in the new home building and remodeling process.
For more information, visit www.nahb.org/HTA.
 CEDIA: A Source for Experienced ESCs
The Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) is a founding sponsor in the Home Technology Alliance and an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home.
CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this field. CEDIA serves as a source for Electronic Systems Contractors (ESCs).
For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s Web site at www.cedia.org. To find an ESC, click here.
The Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) is a founding sponsor in the Home Technology Alliance and an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home.
CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this field. CEDIA serves as a source for Electronic Systems Contractors (ESCs).
For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s Web site at www.cedia.org. To find an ESC, click here.
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