Purchasing Two Large TVS

[Woland]

 @bonemap 's thoughts:

Concerns using domestic TVs for public installations/productions:

• Many of them have text notifications or menu items that can not be suppressed or turned off.
  • The common example is when looping media files and having some kind of text or graphic displayed at the end of each loop. 
• Heat dissipation when installing the unit at non-standard angles
• A portrait orientation might not be possible with a domestic TV
• Operating as a non-vertical surface (for example under a transparent stage panel) might not be possible. 
• Beware of the safe operating limitations of domestic gear, otherwise it will not last for long.

Hello all,

I'm looking into purchasing two 50"-60" TVs, (with tall stands) to use as video surfaces for a production I'm working on. Budget is around $800-900 total. I know 4K would be nice, but we can't afford it for this production. 

Because I'm providing a bunch of my own, expensive equipment to the production for use, I'd normally ask for a rental fee. However, the budget is tight, so tomorrow we're discussing the possibility them giving me these two displays as my equipment rental fee once the production closes. Thus, I am very interested in figuring out what features you all might know from experience are good/bad to have in a TV used for theatrical purposes. I'd love to hear about people's thoughts and good/bad experiences using televisions in productions.

I know I want them to be

• 50" - 60"
• Mountable via a wall/pipe/and stand mount
• At least 1920x1080 in resolution
  • (Is there any reason why I wouldn't want to exceed this resolution?)
• Daisy-chainable would be nice, but I don't think we can afford professional-level displays for this production

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My current thought is this 50" from B&H for $400: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c...

Features:

Full HD 1920 x 1080 LED Panel

60 Hz Native Refresh Rate

Motion Rate 120 Enhances Fast Motion

Built-In Wi-Fi & Ethernet Connectivity

Access App Store and Streaming Apps

Full Web Browser

3 x HDMI / 2 x USB

• Input Ports
  • 3 x HDMI – Audio, Video
  • 1 x RF Antenna – Audio, Video
  • 1 x RCA Component/Composite Combo – Video
  • 1 x RCA Stereo (L/R) – Audio

• Output Ports
  •  1 x 1/8" (3.5 mm) Mini – Audio
  • 1 x TOSLINK Optical – Audio
• USB Ports 
  • 2 x USB 2.0 – Audio, Photo, Video
• Ethernet 
  • LAN 
• Control
  • RS-232C

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The other contender is this 55" for $450: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c...

Features:

• Full HD 1920 x 1080 LED Panel
• Motion Rate 120 Enhanced Refresh Rate
• Screen Mirroring Technology
• Built-In Wi-Fi & Ethernet Connectivity
• Access Multimedia Apps
• Full Web Browser
• 2x HDMI / 2x USB
• Wide Color Enhancer
• DTS Premium Sound
• Display Input Ports 
  • 1 x RCA Component – Video
  • 1 x RF Antenna – Audio, Video
  • 2 x HDMI – Audio, Video 
• Output Ports
  •  1 x 1/8" (3.5 mm) Mini – Audio
  • 1 x TOSLINK Optical – Audio
• USB Ports 
  • 2 x USB (Version Unspecified) – Audio, Photo, Video
• Ethernet 
  • LAN 
• Control
  • RS-232C

---

Stands:

Halter Rolling TV Trolley Cart Mount with Adjustable Shelf for 30 to 65" LED/LCD TV & Monitors, 40 to 60" Trolley Adjustable Height ($130)

• https://www.adorama.com/hahalf...

Kanto Mobile TV Mount with Adjustable Steel Tray for 32" to 55" TVs ($130)

• https://www.adorama.com/kmmtm5...

Kanto Mobile Mount with Adjustable Steel Tray for 37 to 65" TV, 100 lbs Capacity ($150)

•  https://www.adorama.com/kmmtm6...
• I'm leaning towards this one just for the sake of future-proofing (i.e. If I get bigger, heavier TVs in the future, I won't have to buy a new stand if I get this one.)

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Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Best wishes,

Woland (Lucas Wilson-Spiro)

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Edit: For the sake of others curious about this topic in the future, I'm going to summarize and compile the advice that people give in this thread here at the end of the original post.

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@bonemap 's thoughts:

Concerns using domestic TVs for public installations/productions:

• Many of them have text notifications or menu items that can not be suppressed or turned off.
  • The common example is when looping media files and having some kind of text or graphic displayed at the end of each loop. 
• Heat dissipation when installing the unit at non-standard angles
• A portrait orientation might not be possible with a domestic TV
• Operating as a non-vertical surface (for example under a transparent stage panel) might not be possible. 
• Beware of the safe operating limitations of domestic gear, otherwise it will not last for long.

---

[bonemap]

@woland said:

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 Hi,

My biggest bug bear with domestic TV's used for public installations is that many of them have text notifications or menu items that can not be suppressed or turned off. The common example is when looping media files and having some kind of text or graphic displayed at the end of each loop. The other thing to consider is about heat dissipation when installing the unit at non-standard angles, even a portrait orientation might not be possible with a domestic TV, let alone operating as a non-vertical surface (for example under a transparent stage panel). So be aware of the safe operating limitations of domestic gear, otherwise it will not last for long.

best wishes

bonemap

[Skulpture]

Are you using a media server (brightsign, or maybe Isadora?) to play back the media or using the TV's built in playback - generally USB stick?

I have done lots of installs using TV's for museums and art galleries. I can add some more comments later today.

[Woland]

@skulpture 

Using Isadora as part of an immersive theatre piece (in addition to using six projectors)

[Woland]

@skulpture

But I would definitely be interested to hear any thoughts you'd like to share on using TVs; either in installations or not. I'm always looking to learn as much as I can. Every bit of information is helpful at some point, even if it's for a future project. :)