I just received a call from a new client. Remodel of master bedroom and bathroom already underway. They want a sound system and TV in master bathroom. I'll know more details tonight when I visit for the first time. However, what are the risks of using a conventional TV in a high humidity area such as the bathroom? Should conventional TVs be avoided? Going with a super expensive outdoor TV sounds like overkill to me. I've installed numerous speakers in bathrooms. This will be my first TV.

I have seen Seura at CEDIA and a few other brands. Very cool stuff, but have no experience installing them.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I don't want to sound like a complete idiot when the customer asks these questions tonight.

You can isolate a regular TV from the humidity or use a weather-resistant model. Assuming they're following code, the new bathroom will have an exhaust fan and that should remove enough moisture to make it last. If they don't bother to use the fan, it's their fault.

Build a custom enclosure or install an outdoor TV- your choice, they both cost a lot.

The Seura Hydra is great. You cut a backbox into the wall, run a pair of speakers to it (if you just want TV audio), run low-voltage power and AV cables and you're done until trim-out. Then you hook things up, slide the TV in, test, and when all is confirmed working you pull the tv out a bit and seal it to the wall.

Use a regular TV. Unless they are running a steam shower, the humidity won't be that bad. Even if they have to replace it every 2 to 3 years, it will take them over 10 years before catching up to what an outdoor unit would cost. And it is probably only going to have a 10 year life any way

+1 Yep. Agreed. Have not experienced any failures after years of slapping up bathroom TV's.

Use a standard, but basic, TV and explain to the customer that they can replace it 3x for the cost of a comparable outdoor rated TV. Since you aren't dealing with direct sun, direct contact with water or bug intrusion the upsides to an outdoor TV are pretty well mitigated.

You could always frame out an opening between the bathroom and a closet (if one backs up to the bath in a convenient spot).
Build a frame in the closet to hold the tv facing the bathroom and cover the opening with plexiglass.

I have pics of one that we did this way years ago around here somewhere.

Use a regular TV. Anything else is overkill.

One other note, be cautious of mounting small TV's up high, with the customer wanting to lie in the tub down low to watch. You'll need plenty of tilit as those screens have terrible vertical off-axis viewing. It doesnt take much of an angle. Mounted a 19" Samsung about 4 1/2' feet up but only a foot away from foot of the tub. When customer reclined the TV had to be tilted to the max for the screen to be viewable. Luckily the inset was deep than normal.

Put it behind a mirror. Ridiculously kewl

If they are wanting the tv to be above the tub, Be careful. Inspection will not allow an outlet that you can touch while standing in the tub. Trust me, People will mess with tv while standing in tub.

And don't get a model with a camera in the front............

Unless you're into that sort of thing...

Absolutely hillarious, Ernie! To everyone else, THANK YOU for all the input. It looks like I scored a great client here. Now the want Stealth Acoustics speakers in the bathroom. Sweet!

I love how everyone feels they can recommend either normal or mirror or outdoor over the others without knowing anything about the project, the clients wants, and the designers thoughts. We are solutions providers. How the heck can you know the solution without knowing the problem.

I could see suggesting this over that in a specific scenario but we dont have the scenario.

Mirror TVs are cool if budget and aesthetics call for it, regular TVs are cool if you have the space and approval. Im sure there are other options for other situations. Let us know more when you know more and we can help a little better. For know, sounds like you have enough knowledge to ask the right questions.