For those of you not in New York – or Cheesehead country – why not host your Super Bowl party outside on the deck or patio? You don’t have a TV there? SunBrite TV has the answer. I sat downwith Tom Dixon, SunBrite’s vice president of marketing at CES to talk about something all sports fans and any other entertainment enthusiasts should want – outdoor TVs.  

According to Dixon, SunBrite is the only company in the world that builds, designs and assembles TVs specifically designed for permanent outdoor use. “Others refabricate their indoor TVs by adding an outdoor shell,” he says.

The problem with that is they aren’t entirely resistant to the elements. SunBrite’s units are designed to stay outdoors, rain or shine, without any negative impact. In fact, Dixon claims SunBrite units have been kept outdoors in Florida conditions for five to six years, remaining in perfect working condition.

Most of what the market has seen in the way of outdoor TVs has come in commercial deployment scenarios – Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, installed SunBrite’s Signature Series in its common areas. But Dixon says there is a trend now where homeowners are looking to invest more in their homes, which often is reflected in upgrading their outdoor living spaces, such as installing outdoor kitchens. Outdoor TVs are a compelling and complementary product for enhancing the outdoor living experience.

The Signature Series currently boasts a respectable 46-inch diagonal model, but the company plans to introduce a full line ranging from 32- to 55-inch models, and eventually a plus-60-inch model that promises to be the world’s largest outdoor TV.

The units include an internal cooling system that protects them from overheating in warm climates, and the Signature line has been tested to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (as long as they remain plugged in to provide a minimal current to prevent damage). The Pro series includes a heating element and has been tested to -45 degrees. The cabling system is housed a rubber-sealed compartment that is UV and salt resistant, ensuring the wiring is also protected in all conditions.  In fact, Dixon says marine deployments are becoming increasingly popular.

While the picture quality is comparable to today’s indoor TV sets, naturally, you’re going to pay for the environmental protection that will allow the units to remain outdoors. The 46-inch sells for $2,995. So no, it’s not your standard Samsung or Toshiba TV that you’ll mount on your living room wall. But, for anyone who wants to exponentially add to their outdoor living environment, it’s a very reasonable price point.

So, fire up the grill, fill up your coolers, and have a Super Bowl tailgate right on your own deck without missing a single snap.

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