THE GREAT OUTDOORS

As technology advances go, enjoying a big screen is no longer just something for the home. Alan Rafi, Director of Sarason tells Stephen Penn how their waterproof LED TVs make ideal additions for any outdoor living space

When hosting a backyard barbecue, many elements need to be in place – a spacious deck, comfortable seating, a hot outdoor grill and plenty of delicious food.

Streaming the commentary of the ‘big game’ makes an event even more special, but the ultimate winner, is to be able to watch the action outside and appreciate the visuals. Lugging your entire entertainment system outside, however, is not always feasible, which is why Sarason TV has come up with the perfect solutions.

“How great would it be to invite all of your family and friends around to watch the game or a great film on your state-of-the-art outdoor TV,” asks Alan. “With our help, you can transform your back garden unto the ultimate entertainment space by installing an outdoor TV.”

Dealing with outdoor weather conditions, however, males it vital to select the right kind of TV, whether that be LED, LCD or Plasma. First, it’s important to look at what each of those terms actually means.

LCD - Comprising liquid crystals that are pressed between 2 glass plates, backed by a fluorescent lamp.

LED - An LCD TV that uses LED backlighting - instead of the more traditional cold cathode fluorescent backlighting.

Plasma - Thin and light; filled with a sheet of plasma cells that also contains electrically charged ionized gases.

Once this choice has been made, potential buyers need consider another series of factors, and Alan is on hand to advise:

CONTRAST RATIO

To decide on the best option for you, it’s important to look at the contrast ratios. These are used to determine your TV’s specific ability to display bright and dark images and create an overall picture. A higher contrast ratio means a better picture for your outdoor TV. Most LCD TVs have a contrast ratio of 600:1 resolution. If you can afford to, go for something higher; never go any lower than this.

FAST MOTION

Are you planning to watch a lot of sport, or if you like to watch high speed action movies, you need to think about how well your outdoor TV can handle fast motion. LCD is the best bet for fast motion (and is the preferred choice for most gamers).

 LONGEVITY

We all want our electronics to last, but if you are planning to upgrade your tech goods every few years, this point will matter less to you. That said, LCD TVs last longer than Plasmas and LED – they usually have a half-life that is between 60,000 to 100,000 hours.

PURPOSE

Think about the main reasons you will be watching your outdoor TV. A huge gamer? You need a big screen LCD wall mounted TV. Prefer to have folks over to watch the game or see a film? Any option will likely work for you. Planning to use your screen for both business and pleasure? A mirrored option will fit the bill.

To find out more about Sarason TV’s extensive range, visit sarasontv.co.uk