Buying a LCD or Plasma for my patio

DSmith27 · 07-05-2009, 11:41 AM

I would like to buy a LCD or Plasma TV to place on my enclosed porch; the porch has no central HVAC. We have a portable A/C unit for the summer months, and a propane heater for the winter. The porch is insulated. I live in northern Maryland where the temps get no lower than 20 degrees on the porch in winter; and 90-98 degrees in summer. We do have a rarely used hot tub on the porch which we use mostly in winter. Will I have a problem with either type of TV? Sales reps from Sony suggest not to use their Bravia on the porch because of the extreme temperature difference. Of course, I do not know if he is an expert since he didn't give me the temperature ratings of Sony's sets. Any suggestions?
Thank you.
Deb

**PFC5** · 07-05-2009, 12:44 PM

Because of the extreme temp differences it is unlikely that either would be a good choice especially when you have the Hot Tub going and have all that extra moisture in the air in the winter and then likely cold as well with will cause condensation on the electronics that could short them out and kill the TV.

Have you thought about either spending a lot more for a model that IS designed for outdoor use? Or you should consider cutting a whole in the outside wall of the house and put a museum anti glare glass panel in that hole and having the backside of the TV facing inside the house where the temp is normalized all year round. This may not look good on the inside since you would either have to have it always opne or have a backside cover that is opened whenever you have it turned on.

Hope this helps & welcome to the forum!

DSmith27 · 07-05-2009, 12:55 PM

Thanks for the input. I know that the outdoor sets run about $1000 or > than the "regular" LCD/Plasma sets. I was hoping that since the set would be indoors on the porch, that those temperatures wouldn't hurt the sets. Our 15 yr. old analog TV is still holding up. I guess we'll continue to use it until it dies, then try to find a Non-HD LCD/Plasma. Seems unlikely though...Best Buy & other's do not offer many of the old type sets.

**PFC5** · 07-05-2009, 01:29 PM

The problem with LCD is the crystals will likely have trouble working/twisting at 20 degrees as a guess, and would need a lot of warm up time unless you always heat this porch all winter long. If your CRT has worked without issues in that environment, then plasma will likely work in that environment since it works similarly to CRT in that phosphors are used to light up the screen.

Maybe you could try this once the temps drop and buy then and see if it works without any issues. Here is the "operating" temp for this from the link here:

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...702#tabsection

"32°F - 104°F (0°C - 40°C)"

That is the operating temp so I would guess that storage temp would be a wider range and should work as long as you turn the heat on for a little while when the temp is below 32 degrees. Plasmas basically are only available in 42" and higher now and you never listed the size wanted or the viewing distance, so I linked to the smallest 1080p model.

Hope this helps!

DSmith27 · 07-05-2009, 02:15 PM

We planned on approx. size of 40-42 in. Seems like the 42 in. is the smallest size in plasma. We have had a TV on the porch and a home entertainment system there for a number of years. No problem with the difference in temperature between seasons. Seems like the 42 in. plasma might be the way to go. Or, possibly save enough $$$ for one of the "outdoor" HD TV's. I have seen them only on the internet, not in stores. Thanks for your help.

glennb1 · 07-06-2009, 10:07 AM

If the so called "porch" is enclosed and insulated I'd just add another vent out there from the house heating/AC unit instead of having a seperate AC unit and heater.

Is the so called "porch" connected to the house or is it a seperate structure not attached to the house ?

07-05-2009, 11:41 AM	#1
DSmith27 What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Buying a LCD or Plasma for my patio I would like to buy a LCD or Plasma TV to place on my enclosed porch; the porch has no central HVAC. We have a portable A/C unit for the summer months, and a propane heater for the winter. The porch is insulated. I live in northern Maryland where the temps get no lower than 20 degrees on the porch in winter; and 90-98 degrees in summer. We do have a rarely used hot tub on the porch which we use mostly in winter. Will I have a problem with either type of TV? Sales reps from Sony suggest not to use their Bravia on the porch because of the extreme temperature difference. Of course, I do not know if he is an expert since he didn't give me the temperature ratings of Sony's sets. Any suggestions? Thank you. Deb

07-05-2009, 12:44 PM	#2
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,319	Because of the extreme temp differences it is unlikely that either would be a good choice especially when you have the Hot Tub going and have all that extra moisture in the air in the winter and then likely cold as well with will cause condensation on the electronics that could short them out and kill the TV. Have you thought about either spending a lot more for a model that IS designed for outdoor use? Or you should consider cutting a whole in the outside wall of the house and put a museum anti glare glass panel in that hole and having the backside of the TV facing inside the house where the temp is normalized all year round. This may not look good on the inside since you would either have to have it always opne or have a backside cover that is opened whenever you have it turned on. Hope this helps & welcome to the forum! __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

07-05-2009, 01:29 PM	#4
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,319	The problem with LCD is the crystals will likely have trouble working/twisting at 20 degrees as a guess, and would need a lot of warm up time unless you always heat this porch all winter long. If your CRT has worked without issues in that environment, then plasma will likely work in that environment since it works similarly to CRT in that phosphors are used to light up the screen. Maybe you could try this once the temps drop and buy then and see if it works without any issues. Here is the "operating" temp for this from the link here: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...702#tabsection "32°F - 104°F (0°C - 40°C)" That is the operating temp so I would guess that storage temp would be a wider range and should work as long as you turn the heat on for a little while when the temp is below 32 degrees. Plasmas basically are only available in 42" and higher now and you never listed the size wanted or the viewing distance, so I linked to the smallest 1080p model. Hope this helps! __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

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07-05-2009, 12:55 PM	#3
DSmith27 What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Thanks for the input. I know that the outdoor sets run about $1000 or > than the "regular" LCD/Plasma sets. I was hoping that since the set would be indoors on the porch, that those temperatures wouldn't hurt the sets. Our 15 yr. old analog TV is still holding up. I guess we'll continue to use it until it dies, then try to find a Non-HD LCD/Plasma. Seems unlikely though...Best Buy & other's do not offer many of the old type sets.

07-05-2009, 02:15 PM	#5
DSmith27 What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	We planned on approx. size of 40-42 in. Seems like the 42 in. is the smallest size in plasma. We have had a TV on the porch and a home entertainment system there for a number of years. No problem with the difference in temperature between seasons. Seems like the 42 in. plasma might be the way to go. Or, possibly save enough $$$ for one of the "outdoor" HD TV's. I have seen them only on the internet, not in stores. Thanks for your help.

07-06-2009, 10:07 AM	#6
glennb1 chirshey's BFF Join Date: May 2008 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 3,213	If the so called "porch" is enclosed and insulated I'd just add another vent out there from the house heating/AC unit instead of having a seperate AC unit and heater. Is the so called "porch" connected to the house or is it a seperate structure not attached to the house ?