Home audio & video forum: Outdoor Patio Audio/Visual Help

How would you suggest that I get video outside to the TV if not HDMI transmitters? I guess that I should give up the surround option and just get sound out?

Running a wire through the wall is your best bet, although it sounds more difficult. What sort of distance from the AV receiver or cable/sat box are we talking in your case(?) It might be possible for you to simply hide the AV source inside a small basket, or behind a panel/shelving unit/inside a pantry closet that's relatively close to the location where you want to place the HDTV outside. I just don't know the specifics of your layout of course.

And just to be certain, when you use the term 'HDMI transmitter', I assume you are referring to some sort of wireless transmitter(?)

Yes, HDMI wireless transmitters. I was thinking of the Peerless HDS100 transmitters that use wireless-N technology. The main receiver is located in the room right next to the covered patio. I could drill a hole through the concrete into the room but I am exploring the wireless options to avoid that. The AV receiver inside the house would be about 20 ftaway from the TV if I drilled a hole. The patio is pretty huge and covers the length of my house about 35 feet long by 12 ft wide broken up into a sitting area and a grilling/eating area- ALL COVERED.

I was thinking of getting the HDMI in and then doing something to get audio from there to some speakers that I can mount towards the ceiling. I would like a nice subwoofer to kick up some bass but I don't think it is feasible on a flagstone patio. What type of AV source are you thinking of? A full new receiver or something less expensive?

Running a cable 20 feet and drilling a basic hole to get a nearly 100% reliable HD connection is well worth it IMO and E.

Is there going to be a cable or sat box in the system? If you want real surround sound, definitely get a new AV receiver if your current one isn't up to the task. You will be surprised at what you can get feature-wise for the money right now.

The only issue with the wired connection is the aesthetics of the wires to out doors. I have an Onkyo TX-SR607 some years old and it's been a pretty good receiver for me. I have definitely considered running the speaker wire since it can be easily concealed in the carpet and out the patio door but the HDMI is another story.

Thanks for all of the info. I'm working on it!

...as close as possible to the wall outside, maybe concealing the HDMI cable isn't so bad. Plenty of ways to conceal wires now compared to how it used to be.

They also come in colors now, so looking at an ugly solid black HDMI cable wouldn't be necessary any more.