When I got my first “big” TV, I thought a 36″ screen was absurd.  The durn thing weighed near 700 pounds, needed its own specially built mount, and probably put out enough electromagnetic interference to cause pacemakers to mis-fire at 10 yards.  (At least I was smart enough to get one that was HD-ready.)  Now look…

Sunbrite is offering a new product, to be demoed at CES, which is not only 55″ and barely weighs more than my 11 year-old son, but is also weatherproof, for the love’a Pete!  Sure, it’s pricey, but we’re talking about a 55″ active matrix LCD TV that you can install on your patio and watch during a rainstorm.

So check them out at CES, if you’re in the market.  Full info follows:

SunBriteTV will be showcasing its all-new 55” all-weather 1080p LCD television (model 5510HD),  perfect for homeowners who are looking to enjoy the home theater/big-screen television in the comfort of their own backyards.

The 5510HD comes with its own  detachable speaker module that can be removed when the TV is hooked up to an external speaker system.  The system boasts four HDMI ports, and simplified control functions with RS232 and discrete IR for integration into a larger, multi-room system. The MSRP is $7,195.

For those wanting to enjoy the outdoor entertainment experience, but with a smaller, less expensive alternative, SunBriteTV will also be showing its more affordable, lighter-weight, 32-inch HD LCD TV, model 3230HD, with built-in speakers and engineered with an all-weather outdoor-rated ASA plastic resin exterior. The 3230HD retails for $2,095

Of course, all SunBriteTV LCD televisions engineered for permanent outdoor installation with the company’s signature all-weather,  time-tested, outdoor feature-set that protects the them from rain, dirt, insects  and extreme temperatures, and has made them the choice of homeowners (as well as  venues like Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park).