Sunbrite 46 1080p Full HD All-Weather Outdoor LCD TVHaving spent a fair amount of time online searching for the perfect outdoor television to put on my back porch, I finally settled on the Sunbrite 46 inch 1080p All Weather Outdoor LCD TB. It put me back quite a bit in the financial department, so I was really hoping that it was all that the internet, and other people, said it was. It arrived at my home only a few days after I ordered it and I didn’t really wait to set it up. We were throwing a party that weekend for our daughter’s birthday, so I wanted to have it up and ready ahead of time. There was also some rain scheduled for that afternoon, so as soon as it was delivered I set it up.
I don’t consider myself a tech junkie, so I was hoping that this product wouldn’t be difficult to set up or operate. Thankfully, it really was. Despite my own difficulty getting it out of the packaging on my own, the rest of the setup went off without a hitch. I have since been quite pleased with my purchase, having nothing really negative to say overall. Hopefully, my review of this product, from the standpoint of someone who is not fully immersed in the modern technological world, will help other consumers to see the benefits (and the few drawbacks) of this television.
Cost: While the upfront pricing on these all weather television sets is pretty high, at least for now, the product seems to be well worth the price if you spend more of your time outside than you might inside. Those who like to entertain on their deck, porch, or other outside structure will love this product more than most, however. Plan to spend at least four thousand dollars on one of these televisions, with extra accessories and additions separate with their own associated costs.
Setup: Must like any other HD LCD television on the market, the Sunbrite 46 inch 1080p TV touts a number of features that allow you to hook up cable, gaming systems, playback devices, sound systems, and other peripherals. The inputs are fairly standard and look just like any you would see on other modern televisions, making setup a real breeze. The hardest and most time consuming part of setup is finding a place to safely mount the television if that is what you plan on doing. The product also comes with a stand, however, so you can set it on a flat surface. For areas where wind may be a common occurrence, however, I would recommend securely mounting it to the wall or other solid part of your deck or porch.
Features: At only 42 pounds, this television is about the same weight as other, traditional 46 inch LCD televisions. The delicate electrical insides are protected by an aluminum case that is well sealed to prevent moisture and dirt from getting inside. The seal does not look cheap or worrisome either, and after leaving the product in the rain for two nights, I can safely say that it works as advertised.
The television is designed to work outdoors where the sun can be a problem, but the super bright screen looks good in nearly all situations. The only problem we had was when the sun hit the screen directly from behind; there was a marked, and expected, glare that was difficult to watch anything through. In other situations, especially at night, this product performed superbly.
Like many other televisions these days, this one allows users to connect a variety of devices via different input connectors. There are two HDMI inputs, as well as one S-Video connector and one composite connector. The speaker module is detachable, which allows you to place the speakers separate from the television, or with it depending on what you are trying to achieve. These detachable speakers are also water resistant and sealed with the same aluminum as the television.
Inside the television, there is a thermal control system with fans and a heater that help keep the internal temperature stable despite the heat or cold of the environment around it. We heard the fan spin up a couple of times, but it wasn’t loud and it didn’t interfere with watching whatever we were watching. While we weren’t able to test it to the extremes, which the company states are around 122 degrees to -24 degrees Fahrenheit, I can confirm that it continues to operate in near 100 degree temperatures.
Finally, the company also offers a variety of accessories that allow you to add on to your backyard theatre, some of which are quite interesting. Not only can you get a waterproof remote control, but you can purchase a special transmitter that allows you to pipe the sound from the television to any FM stereo in the house. While these do cost quite a bit extra, I find it nice to know that I can add on and upgrade when I am ready to do so.
Cons: As mentioned before, the television does show quite a glare when the sun shines directly on it, but this is usually fairly easily remedied by changing the angle of the television or the viewer. General sunlight did not interfere with our viewing of the images on the screen.
Anyone who purchases one of these should keep some kind of cleaning cloths on hand to wipe the screen down with on days after it has rained. While the television had no problems running after the rainstorms, we did have to clean the water streaks and spots from the screen to enjoy our viewing experience.
If you want to mount this television, you have to purchase a special mount from the company itself. The Sunbrite mounts are great though, and because they are made specifically for these televisions, they require little adjustment to be put to use. There is also a traditional stand included with the tv though, but it seemed a bit less sturdy than I would have liked.
My Lasting Impression: In the end, I am quite happy with the purchase I’ve made. We have adjusted to the different issues that have come up along the way, such as the water spots, and we have really enjoyed the ability to entertain in our backyard without having to run inside to watch the news, a movie, or the game. It also has allowed the woman and the men to each watch their own things when we have get togethers, which has only made things more fun for everyone involved.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Sunbrite brand, as well as this particular television. The 46 inches means, to me, that it isn’t too small, but it’s not so big that it overpowers the backyard. If you are a person who loves to be outside and who likes to entertain, you’ve gotta get one of these.