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This year plenty of folks are opting to stay close to home for their summer vacations, and who can blame ‘em? With such amazing outdoor entertainment/home theater gear on the market, you can have a backyard home theater oasis that will be the center of your family’s universe, for this summer and beyond.
The TV
SunBriteTV
Outdoor TVs have come a long way over the last several years and SunBriteTV® is a leader in the outdoor television technology field. The company has just introduced a new lower priced 32” all-weather outdoor LCD TV for the retail market. With an MSRP of $2095, model 3230HD is available now!
The Model 3230HD is engineered with an outdoor-rated ASA plastic resin exterior that protects the internal TV components from rain, dirt, insects and other outdoor elements. Built into the exterior is an anti-reflective, impact- and scratch-resistant window that protects the 32” 1366 x 768 pixel LCD screen with 1500:1 contrast ratio. The integrated speakers and user-friendly operating controls are sealed against rain and moisture. Model 3230HD addresses extreme climate conditions with a filtered dual-fan airflow system that quietly keeps the unit cool in temperatures up to 122º F.
In cold climates, the internal thermostatically-controlled heater activates automatically when the TV’s internal temperature dips to 32º F. The heater provides a 20º F. temperature rise, allowing the TV to safely remain outdoors in temperatures as low as -24º F. For optimum viewing, SunBriteTV offers a ceiling mount, tilt wall mount and an articulating wall mount that allows for horizontal extension, lateral rotation, tilt and swivel functions.
There is also a deck/planter pole mount available that can be set in concrete, or bolted directly to a flat surface such as a patio or pool deck. The pole and supporting flange are made from heavy-gauge aluminum and are powder-coated to eliminate corrosion. You can watch it virtually with unlimited viewing options. And let’s face it, how cool is it that you are going to be watching TV outside under the stars? www.sunbritetv.com
The Speakers
SpeakerCraft
Rock speakers have been around for decades, but good rock speakers haven’t. SpeakerCraft, a company that is known far and wide for good quality at a great price, has just debuted their latest outdoor rock speaker line–the Ruckus. Ruckus is a line of ten models with major upgrades in both sonic capability and appearance. It features new driver compliments and a much more durable housing that will withstand the extreme weather and other abuse that these speakers face in exterior installations.
The Ruckus loudspeakers have an incredibly durable UV and weather-resistant lacquer coating on top of a reinforced, color-matched polyresin enclosure. This means that even if the outer coating is chipped or marred, the material underneath is the same color and, just like an actual rock, will maintain its rock-like appearance. Available in five models, each in either granite or sandstone finishes; the Ruckus series speakers will blend into any landscape.
Along with the standard coaxial driver compliments in five, six or eight-inch versions, there is also a dual tweeter model that plays both stereo channels from a single enclosure. In addition there is a subwoofer with a dedicated amplifier to provide bass frequency support to the rest of the line. The models vary in price from $225-$999 each and those prices guarantee to keep your yard looking cool and sounding great. www.speakercraft.com
Bring The Fun Outside
Universal Remote Control
You can combine Universal Remote Control’s KP-900 Wireless Keypad and PSX-2 Personal Server to offer a great outdoor music experience. Almost every home entertainment system now has an A/V iPod dock. The most popular docks provide a TV on-screen GUI (Graphical User Interface) that mimics precisely the iPod screens. But because the iPod is based on a limited number of buttons and a small screen, one must constantly navigate up and down through a series of nested menus, and must remember a “mental map” of where special features are accessed.
This can be tedious and frustrating. Welcome the PSX-2, an AV iPod dock with built in automation for the iPod that provides high-end music server functionality via any programmable control system and a TV. It enables functions like ‘play more from this artist’, ‘shuffle my jazz’, ‘alphabetically search’ and the intuitive ability to ‘create a play list’ for a party from any keypad or remote control on a TV set!
When you combine the PSX-2 personal server with the KP-900 Keypad Remote, you can really get the party started. The KP-900 keypad is completely wireless. Powered by four easy-to-replace ‘AAA’ batteries, it can be easily removed from the wall bracket for convenient handheld use as an IR and RF remote control. The keypad can be mounted on metal surfaces via its built-in magnets or any surface—brick, sheetrock or plaster—using the included four small screws. It features backlit, laser etched buttons and a bright backlit LCD for easy text-based control. Homeowners can dock an iPod inside on the PSX-2 and use the KP-900 to control the tunes while lying by the pool, enjoying drinks or grilling for the family. www.universalremote.com
THE UPSHOT
SunBriteTV® 3230HD: $2,095
Universal Remote Control
PSX-2 Personal Server
and KP-900 Keypad approx: $699
SpeakerCraft Ruckus Speakers: $450
(beginning price for a pair)
Total: $3,244
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