Heighten your audio and video experience in the great outdoors.

Labor Day may signify the end of Summer, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of Summertime BBQs or evening auditory and visual outdoor bliss.

Continue to enjoy the benefits of fun in the sun all year round with the benefit of home theater acoustics and aesthetics…in your backyard. No longer do you need to dream about kicking back underneath the evening sky, turn your dreams into a reality with these possibilities.

Outdoor TVs Come A Long Way
TV viewing pleasure no longer has to take place in the family room. The 50-inch Marantz PD5010D widescreen plasma TV (Marantz.com) provides exclusive image-enhancement technologies, including built-in doubler for NTSC sources. With its slim-profile chassis design and 160-degree viewing angle, guests will enjoy the eye enhancing show.

 
Perhaps stepping into the hot tub after a long day sounds appealing. How about kicking back in the spa while watching a 32-inch LCD HDTV? Encased in aluminum enclosures, SunBriteTV’s Model 3220HD ($3295) 1366 x 768 protects in all-weather conditions from temperatures up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit down to -24 degrees.

It guards against the elements, rain, sleet, snow, as well as insects, dirt and scratches. Hook-up is simple and the watertight cable entry system with pass-through design keeps cables dry. Accessories include a water-resistant remote control with lithium battery. 

Another contender in the weatherproof TV arena is the Pantel-650 . Is it worth the $25,999 price tag? We’ll let your eyes be the judge. It’s the largest outdoor TV on the market, featuring a rust-resistant, powder-coated aluminum chassis to withstand all weather conditions.

A dipped, anti-reflective glass makes TV watching, even on the sunniest of days, glare-free. The Pantel-650’s operates in temperatures –40 to +140 degrees Fahrenheit. Also included is an 802.11a package that will transmit audio and video up to 150 feet. And, the remote is waterproof, too.

Speak Out: Outdoor Speakers
We’ve taken care of the visual needs, now let’s move onto the auditory enjoyment. Designed for flexible placement within all climates, the second generation of the AC.SUB, from Terra Speakers (TerraSpeakers.com) in its brand new rotationally molded enclosure employs two chambers.

The lower chamber houses an active 10-inch ACAD bass driver with a high-power two-inch voice coil and the company’s Magnetic Fluid Centering System. The upper chamber houses a passive 12-inch ACAD cone, placed at an angle to eliminate standing waves. Measuring 18 inches by 25 inches and weighing in at 26 pounds, it features the same key technologies found in the acclaimed AC Series all climate speakers. Bring deep and rich bass to the outdoor sound experience.

Don’t music and water go together like oil and water?Not anymore. Nothing boasts musical pleasure greater than the Clark Synthesis AQ339 Aquasonic underwater speaker (ClarkSynthesis.com). Enjoy swimming while hearing your favorite tunes. Using special sound transducers, one above and one below water, a cable binds the floating apparatus to your audio system. Bringing your listening pleasure underwater. What a great concept!

Speaking of great, why not blend great sound with a great conversation piece? The StereoStone Fountain Speaker does just that. Available in brown sandstone, black lava, gray granite and burnt rust, it comes with four-color lenses for each light. With a low-voltage transformer and 120-volt pump, it measures 23 inches by 36 inches.

Go Wireless
Looking to bring HD video and audio outdoors? The Belkin FlyWire AVR69003 ($999.99) provides the same custom-installed look without the complications, mess or labor of wiring.

Offering a simple setup, FlyWire connects devices such as Blu-ray players, receivers, video-game consoles, and set-top boxes to HDTVs and projectors, transmitting high-definition 1080p/24 or 1080p/30 picture resolution with whole-home range. It also manages its own connection, adjusting both frequency and power to avoid interference and overcome impedances.

‘Unleash Your Audio’ is Soundcast’s tagline for a reason. This wireless audio system consists of two pieces: the iCast transmitter and the OutCast weatherproof speaker.

The iCast is basically an iPod-docking cradle with a built-in wireless transmitter. With a 350-foot broadcast range, it delivers unmatched premium audio quality. At night, blue lighting illuminates for extra evening ambiance.

It allows connection of other audio devices, including iPods and MP3 players. With an internal AC power supply, it can recharge the NiMH battery pack and simultaneously operate the system. It can then send the audio to the OutCast, a wireless outdoor speaker that is weatherproof and has a rechargeable battery. Not bad for a $699 price tag.

Inflate Your Viewing Experience
Just in time for football season, kickoff the games with an outdoor inflatable projection screen. Create a drive-in, backyard or outdoor home theater experience with Sima’s Model XL-12 ($1699)  (simaproducts.com). Featuring full-sized, 144-inch inflatable screen and complete with pair of 120-watt amplified speakers with 8-inch subs, enliven the viewing senses…outdoors.

If a smaller screen better fits the budget, the 96-inch screen (Model XL-8) is available for $1,199, complete with 100-watt speakers. Both are compatible with all projectors (not included). Inflatable home theater experience is just minutes away.

Comfortably accommodate up to 30 of your closest buddies to enjoy the ultimate outdoor experience with the CineBox Pro inflatable movie screen, from Open Air Cinema (openaircinema.us). After inflating the 9- by 5- foot screen, place the speakers on the stand, plug in the power, press play and enjoy the show. Comes with a Sanyo Projector, DVD player with LDC screen and Pro audio mixer. Besides movies, the CineBox Pro can project video game systems, laptop computers and VHS players. Available for $7,995.

So, there you have it. As you fire up the barbie this weekend, don’t forget these outdoor must-haves to enhance your end of summer (and beyond) home theater experience. Enjoy!