Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Ehizzle on February 01, 2006, 05:04:13 pm
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Does anyone own a tub with a T.V.? If so, how do you like it? Any issues?
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Go buy a $100 TV at Best Buy. When the TV is sitting outside in the weater and it breaks you don't need to replace an expensive TV that's attached to your spa.
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Go buy a $100 TV at Best Buy. When the TV is sitting outside in the weater and it breaks you don't need to replace an expensive TV that's attached to your spa.
Ya know...I don't think that's the answer Ehizzle was looking for. Seems to me he might be interested in real experiences of people with tv's, not the opinions of those who are obviously biased against them.
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That is true ssbraun. I was looking more for actual experiences. However, hot tub guru that would also be my opinion if I was asked. I'm kinda looking for substance to base my opinion on. Or change my opinion if someone has some good experience....you never know, it could happen.
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I had a couple come into the store looking for a spa with a TV in it. I sent them to the CalSpa dealer down the street. They came back and bought an Envoy.
The only other people who've asked about them were young guys in their early 20's who didn't have a pot to whizz in.
It just doesn't seem to be something most people want and seems to be a fad who's time has already passed.
Terminator
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we installed a spa for 1 guy. he wanted the tv/stereo/yadda yadda (which means he didnt buy from us) so he could soak and enjoy whatever during the late afternoo early evening hours. they way he positioned the spa made it impossible for him to watch the screen due to the setting sun. that glare puts a damper on your movie enjoyment!! ;)
just something to think about.
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I saw a tub with a tv in it, and I remember looking at how it was to lift up and down. It was on a pully system, and it was broken at the fair. I just remember thinking, just one added expense that would cost a fortune if it broke on me.
I myself dont have one, so please dont jump all over me. I just think that the tv would just be a hastle, not to mention all the heat would probably fog up the screen like crazy.
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As you can see we have a TV and a stereo in our spa room on those wall mount thingys.
There is a speaker in each corner of the room about 7 feet high.
We do watch TV while in the tub, but we rarely stay in it long enough to watch an entire show.
The stereo is much more useful. We put on music to match our mood and away we go.
And since it is right next to the family room and dining room we can listen to it in most of the house.
One thing to keep in mind is that the tub makes a certain amount of noise with
the pumps on. You will need enough amplifier to get above that.
Of course if you are outside it is a whole different problem.
The only other issue is keeping the remotes dry. We use ziploc bags.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3/VeroSnowbird/Remodelw-musicbubbly1-27-06003.jpg)
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Did some work for a company that sold spas with TV's, stereos etc... First three jobs were for problems with the TV/ stereo system. Problem was, it was the same spa! Spa was brand new! Stay away.
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Ya know...I don't think that's the answer Ehizzle was looking for. Seems to me he might be interested in real experiences of people with tv's, not the opinions of those who are obviously biased against them.
I thought this was a board where we could freely express our experiences as well as our opinions and preferences. :-/
-Sarge
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Did some work for a company that sold spas with TV's, stereos etc... First three jobs were for problems with the TV/ stereo system. Problem was, it was the same spa! Spa was brand new! Stay away.
I'm sure the dealers who sell TV spas set them up and run a movie in the showroom to get the "wow' factor when customers walk through but I wonder, do they normally demo them wet or dry?
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I thought this was a board where we could freely express our experiences as well as our opinions and preferences. :-/
-Sarge
Of course, you're right :)...The impression I got was that the question came from someone who was perhaps interested in purchasing a product with a tv. I wouldn't consider a tv a great idea for a hot tub accessory either, but for some it may be important, and I would not rush to discourage them on something so subjective. The reply seemed to be a little sarcastic. When things are typed out, sometimes things are "lost in translation". If I stepped out of line, my bad. Just want the forum to be a "friendly" place
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For the price, buy a laptop with a DVD player and a projector. On the bright side, you can take those to someone else's hottub.
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Disclaimer: I sell tubs which do not offer TV sets built in. I haven't owned a tub with a TV. Having said that, here is some feedback from different sources about people who HAVE owned them.
I have heard from our outside service guys that tubs with TV sets built in have problems with the lifting systems. Couple of different brands, and not all tubs HAVE lifting systems. So this may not be an issue for you.
I have heard many folks (shoppers) tell me that they are not in the tub long enough to enjoy a movie or show. Also - I sell to a lot of couples (not exclusively, but a lot) who are getting the tub to connect, not have one more place where they can sit together and ignore each other.
If the TV goes bad you are on the hook for the cost of removal and sending it to the TV manufacturer. The warranty on the TV is usually very short. I have not seen an actual written warranty on a spa with a TV, but have heard back from customers who have purchased them and found this info out the hard way.
Obvious fact: The TV may or may not last very long depending on how well it is protected from the moisture and vibration. If you are very well versed in this type of thing, you may be able to simply look at the tub and see if the TV is protected well or not.
Finally: if you buy a TV from a TV store, you have a much wider choice of size, shape (widescreen etc), type (HD etc) and brand. Get whatever you want. And you can mount it into a box, cover, cabinet, or under an eve or awning in such a way that people outside the tub may enjoy it with you, or you may enjoy it when you are not in the tub.
Many spas with sound systems have an auxilary input which can be used to provide the audio portion of the DVD, Cable or whatever signal you are tuning in to.
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Of course, you're right :)...The impression I got was that the question came from someone who was perhaps interested in purchasing a product with a tv. I wouldn't consider a tv a great idea for a hot tub accessory either, but for some it may be important, and I would not rush to discourage them on something so subjective. The reply seemed to be a little sarcastic. When things are typed out, sometimes things are "lost in translation". If I stepped out of line, my bad. Just want the forum to be a "friendly" place
Its ok, not out of line at all. I guess I interpreted the word "biased" as a little strong. You're right about the printed word losing something in the transition. I do understand now what your meaning was.
-Sarge
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All good points Chas. Thank you.
I certainly hope that my spa will outlast any TV or Stereo that would be built into it.
So the problem of repair/replacement is inevitable.
Exterior entertainment devices are much easier to upgrade as well.
K.I.S.S.
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I would no more buy a spa with a stereo or a tv built in than I would buy a tv/stereo with a spa built in......
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What I like about my hot tub, after I done using the jets to make back feel better, is shutting OFF the jets and sitting in warm QUIET water, looking up at the sky and enjoying peace and quiet. Thats the best!
john
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Wow almost 20 posts and we haven't had one person with a TV built in them. Maybe Term was right, it's just a fad. I have always had the impression that it was a better idea to just buy a really nice tv that you know the tub wont ruin. For the cost most of the manufacturers charge for the tubs with the TV you could get a very very fine exterior product elswhere...without all the wondering weather it will work for more than a year.
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Wow almost 20 posts and we haven't had one person with a TV built in them. Maybe Term was right, it's just a fad. I have always had the impression that it was a better idea to just buy a really nice tv that you know the tub wont ruin. For the cost most of the manufacturers charge for the tubs with the TV you could get a very very fine exterior product elswhere...without all the wondering weather it will work for more than a year.
I think it's mostly a showroom gimmick but certainly some people do buy them. I would speculate that the few people who buy maybe aren't typically the people who surf the internet to research this type of purchase in the first place (a generalization of course). I don't recall too many posts on this site realtaive to actual owners and just a scant few in my memory from Doc's site from the occasional owner gripping because the TV in the spa doesn't work right.
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I love the stereo in my tub and my next one in however many years or decades will have one as well. I don't see the value in a tv however, but I did hook up an old 19 inch tv under the corner of the covered part of the deck so I could watch the Irish and some hockey. Took it in before the snow flew. Wouldn't buy a built in though. paul
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I'm waiting for the microwave option.
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After setting up outdoor speakers to my receiver inside the house, my only remaining gripe was that I didn't have a way to change the channel on the TV or adjust the volume from the spa. I kept looking at possible options and eventually found what seems to be the perfect solution... The Balboa Dolphin waterproof remote control. It's made for spas, floats, looks great, has more features then I could have hoped for, and controls my whole entertainment center.
http://www.balboainstruments.com/
I had previously seen the dolphin or phazer model remote sold as a manufacturer option to control spa and/or audio features. The remotes even have the manufacturers name on them so some might think they're dedicated for those brands. What many people don't know is that anyone can buy the Balboa remote to control their whole entertainment center for a heck of a lot less money then what the dealer will normally charge. I contacted the sales department at Balboa by phone and they referred me to a regional distributor. Before calling them I was a little disheartened after getting 2 quotes from dealers for over $400 for the remotes they sell with their spas. >:(
When I went through Balboa's recommended distributor the cost was only about $120 and I received it within a week!!! Also, it was clean of another spa manufacturers brand name. No big deal but I got a similar feeling as getting a new car off a dealer's lot without their name being stuck to the fender 8)
Not only do these Balboa remotes float, the Dolphin has all the features of most universal remotes and more, including a convenient indoor/outdoor mount to hold it when not in use. You can teach it to use commands not recognized by the default control codes. Also, the Dolphin it has a radio as well as an IR transmitter. The Phazer remote is far more limited but it is good for spa and basic controls for built-in audio systems.
The radio transmitter means you don't have to be within 15 feet and have a clear line of sight to the entertainment center. To make use of the feature though you need the Balboa Command Center. This option is located inside your house near the entertainment center. When you use the remote, radio signals are received through walls/windows and at further distances where their are translated and transmitted as standard IR commands for your equipment. Since I watch TV from my spa through a window, I didn't need the command center to control my system.
There is a 3rd option Balboa has that allows the remote to control your spa's pumps, lights, and other features but I personally didn't see the need for it since my spa already has two control panels.
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From a previous post (description of my setup):
With my trusty dremel tool I cut a hole in the wall to run speaker wire outside to a pair of $220 Boston Acoustics outdoor speakers. Radio Shack sold me a cheap wall plate with banana plugs for the wires to give the installation a clean look. A little putty on the outside was pressed around the wires to keep air/moisture out. With a few clips I ran run the wires to the speakers such that they are hardly noticable.
The whole project only took a few hours and cost $300 including the wire and other accessories. What matters to me more then the cost savings is that this installation sounds great! With the receiver I can plug in my ipod and enjoy my favorite tunes. Also, I can watch TV/DVD through the window thanks to an articulating arm that allows the flat panel TV to swing towards either the hot tub or to the sauna inside the house.
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Not interested in a TV and at best plus/minus on stereo as I can link off the distributed audio in my house to put speakers under the deck where I hope to soon put a new spa.
But a cooler that could attach to the spa that I didn't have to get out of the tub to reach, now that would be something I would consider! Would have to look better than putting the igloo on a stand I would think.
Is there such a creature?