Definitely gotta install a TV, great for watching the cricket....especially with the West Indies test coming up!! would be great to watch from outside:)

Yes, but respect the neighbours and keep the volume down.

I guess it depends on what you are retreating from.

My mob usually play board games when outside on Summer evenings until the house cools to a more comfy level. A TV wouldn't go astray, better than listening to one alcoholic neighbour who parties for the whole Summer.

@ Helenscolour..
.what do you mean by 'current calibre TV'? Pardon my techological ineficciency! Outdoor movie? Summer evening? In the city? In a hot climate? I don't think I'd fancy that even with the appropriate callibre TV! The thought of it takes me back to the 1940's on Nauru Island sitting on sand in rows and rows of canvas chairs all smelling of mould and perspiration with mozzies and sand flies.....not really a retreat.

Now if you ask me about paintings I'd be able to comment on how you've used yours to good effect...would not have thought of that on the patio! I can paint up a storm but am hopeless at interior design, stuck with an old wooden house that cannot be described in terms of 3 beds, Dining, 2 cars etc....

Suppose when I go they'll sell it as the mad old artist lady's studio!
Fun though. At least I can claim to have been influenced in how Ilive in my house by one of Australia's finest...my dear friend Margaret Olley...sadly missed! Just wish I had more wall space for paintings....mmmm...Sistine Chapel? Or maybe. a-la-Helenscolour... the outside walls of the house? You will have to tell me what paint you used!
HA ! TV in the tree!

@ Helenscolour...OOOOH...diddums here's a bit dumb today.
Did you seal the back of the masonite as well? Does is stand the weather?

Me again...the painting is not in direct weather you say...so did you use oil based or water based varnish? Am interested because used to make my own boards from masonite and found that it had to be wet all over front and back and dried before being used because it would...'bow'? SP (if you know what I mean) Was in Cairns at the time. Could only seal the backs with white acrylic after that treatment. The priming on the font had to be done contemporaneously. If you forgot what coat you were up to before re-priming the back again you'd often get a bendy board. The climate was humid and quite unkind to many endeavours. Canvasses would go mouldy. One old fellow thought he'd found the solution = glue canvass to the masonite with Aquadhere wood glue. Seemed to be the answer for getting a stable board but a good while later mould came through from underneath the glued canvas and the painting got ruined. I later switched to ply and to a type of fine chipboard they were making up there that did not react so much with the humidity...(one wonders what they put it together with and if, when transported to other climactic conditions would it have succumbed.)..Oh well. Just have to paint for this climate these days, thankfully its dryer and can rely on what the archivists say about surfaces in this climate.
Have you ever done a Fresco?

our vote goes for the projector and screen. Than it turns from the regular TV-watching to a special treat, movies under the stars. It's like going to the community organised events, but so much better, cause you choose the movie and create the atmosphere to suit. create the most romantic night ever - in your own backyard

and yes, a photo!

Backyard Home Theatre · More Info

nay..back yard is for enjoying company of friends or tranquility..no TVs..

Stay inside if you want to watch TV.

If you must use technology outside use a laptop but you are probably better to leave that inside too.

I love that this thread is still going. I am still puzzled by the question.

????? You asked it Luke.

I think he meant the idea still puzzles him. Why would someone have a tv outside. (oh, lawd, I sound like spin doctor.)...lol

Then again it might be 'doesn't everyone?".

Would love to be able to sit in a 'real, pool and watch tv on those hot Brisbane summer nights.....

LOL Bigreader - glad it is Nemo on the screen and not Jaws.

My favourite thing about backyard retreats is that you can take a break from the constant barrage of digital noise we are surrounded by everyday - a TV outside would detract from this. I think TV's definitely belong indoors!

Hehe, I just voted the opposite to chook ;). I guess I feel it should come with a lower volume than inside TVs, so as not to disturb neighbours.

thought more people would find it appealing! or maybe its just me with a sport-mad household and a small child :-)

Good for entertaining outside

Great idea.

Free time from the kids programmes while enjoying the outside

It's fantastic to have outdoor tv's for major Australian sporting events when you have people over. Usually there would be more room and it allows kids to play while the adults watch the event.

to Blueprint Images - can not agree more! Even better - if you have a really big screen - you can invite more firiends!