Trends in Technology: Outdoor Living
by Matt Christensen

The demand for weatherproof tech products has risen dramatically in the last five years, due in large part to a growing desire among consumers to spread entertainment spaces throughout the home, including the outdoors. This exploding demand, especially evident in the affluent market, has led to the development of all-weather outdoor technology products such as speakers and distributed audio systems and, most recently, weatherproof displays.

Builders can leverage this trend, explore product offerings in the outdoor living category and increase profit opportunities. Customers today increasingly demand the same level of high performance in outdoor displays that they get from their indoor displays.

A 2006 study performed by Quixel Research¹, profiling the viability of the outdoor display landscape in the U.S., provided compelling analysis that the outdoor display segment is on track to quadruple between 2007 and 2009.  The estimated size of the market was said to be as large as $150 million between 2008 and 2009. Quixel’s most recent study found that significant outdoor living spaces, as well as complementing amenities, have become commonplace in the planning processes of luxury custom home builders, designers, architects and CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) professionals, electronic systems contractors.

Builders and integrators face unique challenges in installing outdoor TVs, and their growing popularity in the custom installation market demonstrates the need for greater understanding of the technology.

Characteristics of an All-Weather LCD

There are key differences that set an all-weather LCD apart from a typical high-definition flat panel. One of the more obvious is the ambient light factor, how the display adapts to the outdoor setting. Screen brightness is vital here, as well as glare; in both cases, LCD technology easily trumps plasma technology.

Many manufacturers find that developing high-brightness LCDs is much more cost-efficient than doing so with a plasma screen, which also suffers a high glare factor due to its glass screen, as well as various cooling elements that must be addressed. LCD is much more suited to battle the elements—especially extreme heat and bright sunshine—than plasma is.

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. The enclosure must protect the unit from snow, sleet, ice and heat, all while maintaining a cool-enough temperature to operate. 

Things to Consider for Outdoor Technology Products

Televisions made for indoor environments need open air to cool the inside of their units and avoid overheating. Due to their need to be water-resistant, outdoor displays do not have this luxury, so this engineering challenge must always be solved by the manufacturer.

One of the biggest product development challenges with outdoor displays is to effectively package a functional, weatherproof display to also be aesthetically pleasing. Consumers want to see an enclosure that suits a stylish outdoor living space.

Some repeated issues being faced by integrators and early adopters are cabling and wiring in an outdoor environment, as well as direct sunlight on the panel that can lead to excessive heat. These obstacles can be overcome by truly understanding the needs and usage of the space itself. If the integrator has not considered how, when and why the outdoor space is used, the wrong equipment is more likely to be chosen and installed.

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 (in direct sunlight, near exhaust fans, under trees that lose branches, etc.), the customer experience is diminished. 

Outdoor technology is on the forefront of home and architectural design trends, particularly in the affluent/luxury segment. Preparing for the inevitable differences between indoor and outdoor environments leads to a successful experience for both the installer and consumer. If properly cared for and maintained once installed, outdoor displays can last for five years or more of use.

Matt Christensen is the Senior Manager in Product Marketing for Planar System’s Home Theater Business Unit.  As Senior Manager, he owns the flat panel strategy and road map for all brands in the HTBU, including Runco.  Matt may be reached at (503) 748-8940.

¹  2006 Quixel Research, LLC. Custom Research Study for Planar Systems, Inc; Consumer Outdoor TV Investigation (USA).