Covered patios and screened rooms
A full-shade outdoor series can provide the appropriate environmental protection and brightness when the screen never receives direct or substantial reflected sun.
Weather-rated video for patios, pools, and terraces
Control4 Outdoor Television Installation with SunBrite Displays
Outdoor entertainment should be designed for the actual exposure, not treated as an indoor television with a cover. Control4 recommends SunBrite outdoor televisions engineered for shaded, partially sunlit, or full-sun environments. Davis Audio & Video pairs the correct display class with weather-rated mounting, power, signal distribution, audio, networking, and one-button control.
Recommended brand SunBrite outdoor televisions
Exposure classes Full shade, partial/full sun, and demanding full-sun applications
Current examples Veranda, Solis, and Pro Series
System scope Display, mount, power, source, network, audio, and Control4 programming
Integrator guidance
Control4 Outdoor Televisions in a complete system designed by Davis Audio & Video.
Brightness is only one difference between indoor and outdoor televisions. Outdoor products use sealed or protected enclosures, weatherproof media compartments, materials selected for temperature swings and moisture, and screen treatments intended to manage glare. They are also evaluated for outdoor electrical safety in ways a standard living-room television is not.
SunBrite’s Veranda Series is intended for full-shade locations. Solis targets full- and partial-sun viewing with a high-brightness RGB-W display, IP55 enclosure, and integrated speakers. The Pro Series is built for direct sunlight and active environments, adding an impact-resistant tempered-glass display and dual-layer anti-glare technology. Exact sizes and specifications change by model year, so Davis Audio & Video verifies the current series before ordering.
The screen is only the visible part of the system. The design must address the sun path, viewing distance, wind load, masonry or framing, drainage, insects, source equipment, cable distance, network coverage, speaker dispersion, neighborhood sound, winter conditions, and a service strategy. Control4 then simplifies the result so the outdoor room starts like any other room in the home.
Choosing an outdoor television by location
Pergolas and partially exposed terraces
A higher-brightness display such as the Solis class is considered where sun reaches the screen or viewing area during part of the day.
Pool decks and direct-sun locations
The Pro class is intended for demanding brightness and durability, but placement, reflection, heat, splash, impact, and viewing angle still require site review.
Hospitality and high-traffic spaces
Weather rating, impact resistance, serviceability, source control, lockout, scheduling, and commercial operating patterns become part of the design.
What a complete outdoor video system includes
Exposure-matched picture
The display series is chosen for the brightest expected condition, screen orientation, reflections, and viewing position rather than the appearance of the patio at one moment.
Weather-rated mounting and power
The mount, fasteners, backing, electrical connection, surge protection, and cable entries are selected for the exterior environment and structure.
Distributed or local sources
Streaming players, cable or satellite receivers, AV-over-IP, and centralized video can be used when the required control, bandwidth, resolution, and copy-protection path are verified.
Outdoor audio
Weather-resistant speakers and subwoofers distribute sound more evenly than relying on television speakers at high volume. Coverage is designed to keep sound on the property.
Control4 operation
A Halo remote, touchscreen, app, or keypad can start the display, select the source, adjust volume, and coordinate lighting or landscape scenes.
Professional design
Outdoor installation considerations
Map sun and reflections
Davis Audio & Video reviews orientation, seasonal sun, reflected light from water or glass, overhead coverage, and seating. A full-sun display cannot correct a poor viewing angle or mirror-like reflection.
Engineer the mount
Exterior brick, stone veneer, stucco, siding, pergolas, and freestanding structures require different anchors and backing. Wind and display weight must be considered.
Protect every connection
Outdoor-rated receptacles, weatherproof enclosures, drip loops, seals, cable glands, corrosion resistance, and service access are coordinated with licensed trades.
Plan temperature and storage
The selected television’s operating and storage ranges must suit Chicago summers and winters. Seasonal practices, power state, covers, and manufacturer guidance are documented.
Design reliable connectivity
Outdoor Wi-Fi may be inadequate at the mounting location. Davis Audio & Video tests coverage and uses wired Ethernet, outdoor access points, fiber, or engineered extension where appropriate.
Outdoor television as part of the property
Landscape audio
Coastal Source, Sonance, Origin Acoustics, or other appropriately selected outdoor speakers can provide even coverage with less localized volume.
Outdoor lighting
An Entertainment scene can set task, pathway, landscape, and accent lighting without leaving the screen area overlit.
Network and video distribution
Managed networking and AVPro Edge or other professional distribution can extend sources while preserving bandwidth and serviceability.
Security and shutdown
Away, quiet-hour, weather, and property-close routines can shut down supported equipment and verify that the outdoor room is not left active.
Specifications
Control4 Outdoor Televisions specifications
Representative SunBrite series referenced by Control4
| Veranda Series | Full-shade outdoor television; 4K HDR Quantum Dot picture, local dimming, up to 1,000-nit class brightness, native 120 Hz panel, and Android TV features on current referenced models |
|---|---|
| Solis Series | Full- and partial-sun television; 1,500-nit class RGB-W display, IP55-rated enclosure, and integrated 2 Ă— 8 W speakers on the referenced series |
| Pro Series | Full-sun, high-traffic product with weatherproof construction, impact-resistant tempered glass, and TruVisionPro dual-layer anti-glare technology |
| Application note | Exact screen sizes, inputs, brightness, operating range, audio, warranty, and platform vary by current model |
System specifications Davis Audio & Video confirms
| Environmental rating | Manufacturer-approved exposure, temperature, rain, dust, humidity, and installation orientation |
|---|---|
| Mount | Outdoor-rated fixed, tilt, articulating, ceiling, or specialty mount with compatible weight and VESA pattern |
| Power | Code-compliant exterior power, GFCI/AFCI requirements as applicable, surge protection, and service disconnect |
| Video path | Resolution, HDR, HDCP, HDMI/AV-over-IP distance, source format, and network bandwidth |
| Audio | Built-in audio, soundbar, landscape speakers, architectural speakers, subwoofer, amplification, and volume limits |
| Control | IR, IP, serial, CEC, or driver-based integration validated for the selected display and sources |
Davis Audio & Video process
From product decision to a system that is simple to live with.
- 01
Discovery and project definition
Davis Audio & Video starts with the room, the household, and the result the client expects—not with a product list. We document existing equipment, construction conditions, wiring access, network health, aesthetic priorities, security requirements, and the controls people already understand.
- 02
Engineering and coordination
We select the correct Control4 or Lutron architecture, verify electrical and low-voltage requirements, coordinate with architects, designers, builders, electricians, HVAC professionals, and window-treatment workrooms, and produce a system plan that can be installed and serviced without guesswork.
- 03
Installation and programming
Devices are mounted, wired, labeled, updated, and programmed as one operating system. Scenes, schedules, room-off behavior, notifications, user permissions, and remote interfaces are tested from the controls the family will actually use.
- 04
Commissioning and client handoff
We verify normal operation, failure recovery, network communication, audio or video performance, and safety-related behavior. The homeowner receives a clear walkthrough focused on everyday actions. Davis Audio & Video considers the project unfinished if the system is powerful but difficult to operate.
- 05
Long-term support
The final configuration is documented so future service, additions, or renovations can be completed efficiently. Davis Audio & Video can support software updates, programming changes, seasonal adjustments, and expansion as the home evolves.
FAQs
Product questions
Can I install a regular indoor TV outside if it is under a roof?
Indoor televisions are not designed or certified for outdoor moisture, temperature, dust, insects, condensation, or electrical conditions. A cover does not turn an indoor TV into an outdoor-rated product.
What is the difference between full-shade and full-sun outdoor TVs?
Full-sun products use substantially greater brightness, glare management, thermal design, and ruggedization for direct exposure. Full-shade models are appropriate only where direct and strong reflected sun are absent.
How bright should an outdoor TV be?
Brightness must be evaluated with screen orientation, sun path, reflections, seating, and time of use. Published nit values are useful but not the only determinant of visibility.
Can Control4 operate a SunBrite TV?
Yes, when the selected model and source devices have supported control methods or drivers. Davis Audio & Video tests power, input selection, volume behavior, and feedback rather than assuming generic TV control.
Do I need separate outdoor speakers?
For casual viewing, integrated speakers may be sufficient. For entertaining, sports, larger spaces, or lower perceived TV volume, distributed outdoor speakers usually provide better coverage.
Can the source equipment stay indoors?
Often. Professional HDMI extension, AV-over-IP, fiber, network streaming, or centralized distribution can keep electronics protected, provided distance, format, HDCP, latency, and control are engineered.
Can an outdoor TV stay mounted through a Chicago winter?
Many outdoor televisions are designed for broad temperature ranges, but the exact model’s operating and storage specifications and manufacturer instructions control. Davis Audio & Video documents seasonal procedures for the installed model.
Where should an outdoor TV be mounted?
The location should balance shade, viewing height, reflections, seating, wind, structure, water exposure, sound, power, cable path, and service access—not simply the largest available wall.
Can I use Wi-Fi for streaming outside?
Possibly, after testing. Exterior walls, low-emissivity glass, masonry, distance, interference, and landscaping can weaken coverage. Wired networking or an outdoor access point is often more dependable.
How do you protect the system from surges?
Davis Audio & Video coordinates surge protection, grounding, code-compliant exterior power, protected low-voltage pathways, and network/rack protection. Lightning risk cannot be eliminated, but the system should not rely on a consumer power strip.
Related Davis Audio & Video resources
Plan the connected pieces around this product.
Next step
Bring the product decision into the full room and system plan.
Davis Audio & Video can help match products to wiring, control, acoustics, networking, mounting, calibration and long-term support.