Recently Filed in Deck and Patio

The cold front that’s plagued much of the Midwest this summer has finally let up. It’s actually inched over the 70-degree mark at night—perfect weather for the drive-in theater. Few drive-in theaters still exist, so you’d think that I’d jump at the chance to catch a flick alfresco when there’s a screen just 30 minutes away. By the time it gets dark, though, I’d just rather nosh on Mike and Ikes at home. Plus, I figure I can create a very similar experience right here… View this story
Deck and Patio • Exterior • Home Theater • Info and Answers

Spending plenty of time outdoors this summer and looking for an entertainment fix out there? Options to get those favorite tunes of yours on the patio and poolside abound, and now there’s another trusted speaker manufacturer getting its feet wet with an outdoor product. Oregon-based Aperion Audio is now offering its Intimus Outdoor Speaker for your listening pleasure in the great outdoors. Don’t worry about leaving the Intimus out there, as it features a weather and UV-resistant cabinet, and is available in Alpine White or… View this story
Speakers • Outdoor Speakers • Deck and Patio • Product News

It’s not an upscale resort, but the way this outdoor space has been decked out the family members can feel like they’re on vacation every day. Dallas-based custom electronics pro Elliston Systems & Design outfitted the area with A/V akin to any indoor media room. A 50-inch Samsung LCD, mounted above the outdoor fireplace, provides high-definition pictures supplied by any of the family’s four sources of video distribution (Escient media server and three HD satellite receivers). “Whether relaxing around the fire, grilling at the barbeque,… View this story
Deck and Patio • Home of the Year Awards 2009 • Cool Homes

This 9,000-square-foot backyard boasts a custom swimming pool that spans one-third of the length of the yard, waterfalls, a walking bridge over the pool, an elevated hot tub with waterfalls, a putting green, basketball court, tether ball, and batting cage with pitching machine. From there you can make your way into the outdoor gazebo/kitchen, or sitting areas near the fire pit. And, oh by the way, there’s a ton of A/V back there, too. It’s all courtesy of the work by The Wiring Guy in… View this story
Deck and Patio • Exterior • Home of the Year Awards 2009 • Cool Homes

You’ve heard of bicycles built for two. How about an outdoor entertainment paradise built for two—two families, that is. This spacious New Orleans-style expanse incorporates the back porch lounging area of a large family home (see “1” in photo below); the upstairs veranda of the guest annex; a front porch dining and relaxing area for the mother’s conjoined smaller home (see “3” in photo); a pool/fountain/spa combo with sunning and play deck for the kids and dogs; an outdoor fireplace and seating area for intimate… View this story
Deck and Patio • Home of the Year Awards 2009 • Cool Homes

My husband and I are losing friends fast. It’s not that we’re horrible people. It’s just that they can’t stand to listen to our music system anymore. Whenever we get together with our friends—and typically happens at our place—the tunes get turned on. We’ve got a great music collection, nobody complains about that, but the playback is horrible. During the summer, most get-togethers happen outside, so we’ve tried everything to make the music sound better. We invested in a pair of wireless speakers a few… View this story
Outdoor Speakers • Deck and Patio • Exterior • Audio • Info and Answers

People like to entertain outdoors. This is according to the findings of research firm NPD Group. Shocking, right? To be fair, though, NDP’s study also touched on consumer spending and how people seem inclined to spend on outdoor entertainment even amid a sluggish economy. 45% of outdoor entertainers have purchased some type of related products in the past year.40% plan to purchase another item in the next year. For NPD, outdoor entertainment products include fire pits and fountains, but it got Electronic House thinking about… View this story
Deck and Patio

Pantel has launched a new line of weatherproof speakers that includes two models. The PAN-SPKW (white) and PAN-SPKB (black) are 8-ohm, 100-watt two-way speakers that can be mounted either vertically or horizontally. Here are some of the specs for both: A 6.5-inch poly graphite woofer A 1-inch Mylar tweeter A 55Hz-20kHz frequency response Sensitivity of 89dB Pantel, of course, is known for its outdoor weatherproof TVs that come in 20-, 32-, 42-, 52-, and 65-inch models. The company offers mirror TVs as well. “We wanted… View this story
Location • Deck and Patio • Speakers • Outdoor Speakers • Product News

SunBriteTV has lowered the prices of its three most popular outdoor weatherproof LCDs. The company reduced pricing on the 46- (Model 4610HD), 32- (Model 3220HD), and 23-inch (Model 2310HD) models because the “global price reduction of LCD technology has lowered our manufacturing costs,” SunBriteTV says. New pricing is as follows: 46-inch LCD — $4,995.99 (was $5,495) 32-inch LCD — $2,495.99 (was $3,295) 23-inch LCD — $1,895.99 (was $1,995) The 46-inch model came out a year ago and can handle temperature extremes from -24 to 122… View this story
Displays • LCD • Location • Deck and Patio • Product News

Ahh, the great outdoors. Fresh air, starry skies, crickets chirping, and a pretty funny Dan Aykroyd/John Candy movie to boot. But no longer are summer nights reserved for ghost stories around a crackling fire. Today, the ghost stories come in the form of movies, and the amber glow of the fire is replaced by the cool blue of a projector shining Candyman’s image onto an outdoor screen. Backyard theaters are a hit this summer. The winners for Electronic House Home of the Year - Best… View this story
Video Projectors • Video Screen • Deck and Patio • Exterior • How To • Home Theater • Info and Answers • Slideshows • Research

Q. I want to install a 32-in. LCD outdoors near my hot tub. Although I have a double awning to provide cover, should I be concerned about condensation? - Bob, Missouri A. You really need a completely weatherproof TV if it is going to remain outdoors all year around. Water and electricity do not mix and can kill you in an instant. There are a number of ways around this. First, you can buy a TV that is designed for this purpose. Take a look… View this story
Displays • Deck and Patio • Ask a Pro

Instead of piling the kids into the car and trunk to get a deal on the drive-in (assuming your town still has one), Open Air wants you to sit under the stars with its CineBox Home Outdoor Theater System. The system is basically a 10- or 12-foot inflatable (patent-pending), a digital projector, a DVD player, a sound mixer, a “Goose Neck” LED light (for dark setups), a blower fan, a muffler for the fan, and all of the cables needed. The company says it’s perfect… View this story
Video Projectors • Video Screen • DVD Players • Deck and Patio • Home Theater • Product News