SET UP MADE EASY

When looking to purchase a waterproof television, it’s vital to consider how products will work in the given space. Alan Rafi, Director of Sarason shares his handy guide for safe and easy installation of an outdoor TV

One of the best ways to breathe new life into your outdoor space is to install a waterproof TV. Imagine spending spring and summer evenings by a fire pit, watching a TV favourite, or soaking in a hot tub with a classic film.

But first, you have to set it up, and while our team of experts are happy to install your outdoor TV wherever you’d like it to be, some may be considering self-installation.

If so, the following installation tips will help:

• Inquire about an IP rated enclosure – you can protect your outdoor TV from water damage (even though they are fully waterproofed), heat damage, dirt, dust, and theft, by asking about an IP enclosure. IP stands for ingress protection, which can protect your investment for many years to come.
• Choose a place in the shade. While you might like baking in the sun, your outdoor TV does not. Not only can direct sunlight cause damage over the years, when you view your screen, you will also see more clearly when the screen is in the shade. In direct sunlight, your LCD or LED screen can be difficult to view. Place your back garden TV under an awning, gazebo, overhang or eave.
• What to do if you have no shade? No problem – Sarason TV have solutions, such as the enclosures above and high brightness panels. Another smart tip, is to face your TV to the south, as this will help avoid the harsh afternoon sun and make viewing easier at any time of day.
• Use short HDMI cables – while you might want to run your HDMI cables into the house, remember that they were not designed to run long distances. If you do so, you might see a decrease in efficacy or frequently have to replace them. Instead, run CAT5/6 cables to your outdoor TV, and use a HDMI to CAT converter in order to switch the signal back to HDMI format.
• Ensure your power supply is also IP rated – you need to keep your TV and all power points safe. If your power point is going to be exposed to all kinds of weather, it’s a good idea to have a licensed electrician install an IP rated system with a cover over the cord/ socket connection.
• Your wall mount is important - to counteract heavy winds, you need to ensure that your wall mount is secure. It needs to be weather rated so that it will securely hold your outdoor TV and the mount itself to the wall.
• Consider a pivoting wall mount. This allows you to point the TV towards wherever you’re sitting, swivelling for ease and viewing comfort.
• External speakers can bring your viewing experience to life – finally, if you have decided to install an outdoor TV in your home, why not enhance the experience by hooking it up to external speakers? A surround sound option can bring films to life.

To find out more about Sarason TV by going to sarasontv.co.uk