Question: Why watch TV outdoors?
Answer: Extend your enjoyment of watching your favorite TV shows, sports
and movies to your backyard, around the pool, on the patio, from the hot tub. Never miss the
big play again because you were outside getting a burger and
the TV was inside. Elevate backyard entertaining to a whole new level!
Question: Why do I need an "outdoor" TV?
Answer: Just like any product that stays
outside, an outdoor TV is weather-protected from the elements, has higher brightness to overcome the bright sun
and is specifically
designed for the rigors of outdoor weather and temperature extremes. An indoor TV is not
protected from rain & snow, nor extreme temperatures, or humidity.
And worse, placing an ordinary indoor TV outside immediately voids its warranty.
- Sunlight/Daylight will cause the picture on your indoor TV
to appear washed out so CINIOS uses very high brightness
screens resulting in high performance picture quality in all light conditions.
- Indoor TVs have vents at the top to allow damaging heat to
dissipate. However those vents allow rain and dirt to enter the
inside of the TV. Water and moisture will damage
the electrical components inside causing it to
malfunction. CINIOS TVs have an IP rating of 55....which means
they are well protected against spraying water and blowing rain from all
directions and dust/dirt particles.
- Corrosion is another enemy of an indoor TV. Protection is
required for the circuitry (inside) and any part of the TV
that is exposed to water (rust) and sunlight (UV rays). CINIOS uses a silicone
conformal coating on internal
circuitry to provide moisture protection. And the metal chassis
is galvanized to be rust-proof.
- Outdoor temperatures on a
sunny day can reach very high levels which can
damage to an indoor TV if not properly ventilated. CINIOS
employs an automatic temperature sensor and a triple ultra-quiet fan ventilation system to keep things cool and
working properly day after day.
- Click Here for a
Comparison of Indoor TVs vs. CINIOS Backyard TV >>
Question: What is an IP rating?
Answer: An IP (Ingress Protection) rating indicates
the external conditions the unit can withstand from water and objects, and describes
its level of protection. The first number lists the ability to
protect against dust and objects that can enter. A "5" rating means the unit is highly
protected against dust particles. The second number lists the level of
protection against moisture. A "5" rating indicates that the
display is protected from jets of water from all directions - such as driving rain and spraying water.
Question: Will using a standard TV outside void my
warranty?
Answer: YES. Indoor TV warranties specifically state they are void if used outdoors.
In addition, most ordinary indoor televisions are specified for operation only up to 95° F.
Operating it outdoors - where temperatures are higher, can cause failure. A typical warranty does not
cover misuse or accidents from "water spillage" or rain.
Question: What is the warranty on CINIOS Backyard TVs?
Answer: CINIOS televisions come with a 1 year limited
parts and labor warranty from the date of original purchase from
an authorized retailer such as Amazon.
Question: Do I need a heater in my outdoor TV?
Answer: Not necessarily. A heater may be a good
idea if you plan to watch your television often in temperatures
below -5°F. However, those heaters have to
remain plugged in 24hrs a day - that's alot of electricity to
waste to watch TV in extremely cold temperatures.
Question: What is "sunlight readable"?
Answer: The picture of a standard indoor LCD
television tends to become "washed out" when viewed in full
daylight conditions. This is due to the much higher levels of
ambient light (sunlight) versus inside your home. Good picture
quality requires a higher brightness rating than an indoor TV
to produce a clear crisp picture regardless of light
conditions. All CINIOS TVs incorporate high brightness
screens that are up to 6 times brighter than an average indoor
TV. They feature an automatic brightness sensor to
adjust the display brightness for best performance no matter what
time of day or night you are watching.
Question: Do I need a super high brightness screen for
outdoor viewing?
Answer: It depends on what your requirements are.
Most of the super high brightness screens (2000cd/m or 'nits', and higher)
were designed for commercial installations like an airport or
hotel pool deck that need to be seen from very long distances. These
commercial grade screens typically generate more heat and
consume a significant amount of power. The brighter the
backlight, and therefore the brightness rating, the greater
the thermal issue. For home outside use, CINIOS has designed its
Backyard TVs to strike a balance between having plenty of
brightness for outdoor viewing in full sunlight, while keeping power consumption
(and energy costs) and the resulting excess heat to a minimum.
Question: How do I watch TV outdoors with a Streaming Media Stick like a
Chromecast, Fire stick or Roku stick?
Answer:The rear cable box area is alrge enough to accomodate most streaming media sticks.
Simply plug it into the HDMI port and route it's power cable if it has one thru the cable cover corners.
Replace the cable cover tightly to protect from the weather.
Note -- the cable cover is metal and will severely limit the WiFi signal strength and may not reach the media
stick for streaming reliably. Solutions are to locate your WiFi router closer to the TV location, use only high strength
streaming media sticks, or leave the cable cover off the TV (which is not recommended as this exposes
the cable area to the weather).
Question: Are CINIOS Hurricane TVs 'smart TVs'? Can they connect to a home network over WiFi?
Answer: CINIOS TVs are NOT a smart TV. They do not have a wireless connection of their own.
You can plug in a streaming media stick into the HDMI port for Internet connection.
Also, you can plug in a flash drive into the USB port that contains music, videos, and photos and
view them using the remote control by changing the TV source to the USB port.
Question: What is the Difference between a standard LCD
TV and one using LED backlight technology?
Answer: The primary difference between a standard
LCD TV and one using LED backlighting is that LEDs
consume up to 40% less energy.
Question: How will I know if an "outdoor" TV is really
protected from the elements?
Answer: The only true and accurate method for
determining if your outdoor TV is really designed to withstand
being outside is by knowing the IP (Ingress Protection) rating
given to the set. An IP rating tells you what level of water
and dust/dirt protection your TV has.
Click here for our
Comparison Chart >>
Corrosion protection is also required for the circuitry
(inside) and any part of the TV that is exposed to the
elements (outside). CINIOS uses a
silicone conformal coating on internal circuitry to provide moisture
protection.
A ventilation or fan system is necessary in order to
keep the TV cool when temps get hot, as well as to guard
against condensation build up.
Question: How do I program a remote control other than
the one that came with my Backyard TV?
Answer: We strongly recommend that you use the
supplied waterproof remote control as it is designed to be
protected from damage by water and other nasty outdoor
stuff… and keeps your "indoor" remote safe where it
belongs…inside! However, if you decide to use another
programmable remote control you should refer to the owners
manual for that remote or it's manufacturer's web site on how to enter the
hex codes of the Cinios remote. Our hex codes for each remote button are provided in the
product manual online at Cinios.com in the Support section.
Question: My TV is on but there is no picture. What
should I do?
Answer: Insure that all cables and connectors are
securely connected to the appropriate inputs. Make sure that
you have selected the proper source/input. On the TV's menu
screen, select "source" and choose from the options listed
that matches the actual connection of your television source. Check the AC power cord if the
GFI has been triggered for a ground fault - simply push the button again to reset the circuit.
Refer to the owner's manual for additional information.
Quick Start Guide >>
Question: What is the best location for my Backyard TV?
Answer: For best viewing results any residential
outdoor TV should be placed to minimize direct sunlight which will diminish the picture
quality due to the "washed out" effect created by very bright
sunlight competing with the backlight of the
television. Additionally, most LCD displays TVs can endure up to a
maximum temperature of 170° F at the panel itself. Direct
sunlight on a hot day can cause temperatures to approach that
level. CINIOS TVs
are designed to operate properly in all types of weather and
direct sunlight conditions. However, we recommend that the TV be placed
in an area that is not exposed to direct sunlight for long periods.
Question: Do I need a cover for my outdoor TV?
Answer: CINIOS Backyard TVs are designed to be
installed outside year-round and do not require additional protection.
However, if you want to keep your
CINIOS TV always looking great, using the included durable TV dust cover when it's
not in use will keep away dust and rain water spots.
Question: Do I need to have my outdoor TV professionally
installed?
Answer: Not necessarily, but it is recommended to
ensure that local codes are met, to ensure a sturdy mounting
solution is used, that proper and professional cable connections
are implemented, and to aid in minimizing direct sunlight for
maximum picture quality.
CINIOS TVs include a sturdy wall mounting bracket in the box and a GFI AC power code
so you can easily do-it-yourself.
If you decide that you want to use a professional you can find
one at www.cedia.org
Question: Can I use an antenna with my CINIOS TV?
Answer: Yes. For local stations, an antenna can be
a good choice. Be sure that you choose one that is made
for specifically for outdoor use.
Question: Can a CINIOS TV be used on a tabletop instead of wall mounted?
Answer: Our TVs are meant to be wall mounted. There is no stand
from CINIOS for this purpose. Due to their weight, it is not recommended to use
the TV on a tabletop. To do this properly requires
purchasing a separate universal stand that is rated to support the weight of our weather-protected TV
even in high wind.
Question: What do I do if I see blacked out splotches on
the screen?
Answer: This is likely due to very high external surface
temperature from prolonged direct sunlight on the LCD display. You should power off the TV and
remove it from direct sunlight. Such high temperatures for long
periods can permanently damage the TV. After it cools, you can
power on to check for permanent damage. Relocate the TV mounting
so that it avoids extended direct sunlight on the display.
CINIOS employs an automatic temperature sensing, ultra-quiet triple fan ventilation system
to keep the TV cool and operting properly.
Question: Why is there condensation or water droplets
inside the panel screen?
Answer: Outdoor weather can be very extreme even when
it seems a normal day. Rapid changes in humidity and
temperature can create short term effects that cannot be avoided
without very costly systems. Although random condensation can occur,
it is temporary and will dissipate, and not be harmful long term.
Question: Why do I need a waterproof remote control?
Answer: Yes. Many outdoor TV brands do not provide a waterproof remote. And indoor remotes
are not protected from water
damage from rain, condensation, or backyard sprinklers. Or when the kids drop them in
the pool or leave them out when it rains! CINIOS
remote controls are waterproof, and they float
too if you drop them in the pool!
