r/CommercialAV

So I am the only AV engineer for a museum in DC. Being the only AV staff on site, I cannot do everything myself so I occasionally need to reach out to contractors and integrators to help with larger installs. The company I am currently working with is quoting a very high price imo for some programming and install work I am planning for this Fall, so I wanted to explore my options with other companies. I've reached out to maybe 5-10 different integrators around the DMV area and its just crickets from all of them.

I'm pretty confused by this as it isn't a super hard job I am asking for. It's probably 5 days of work max. My method so far is to go to the company's website and fill in the "Contact Us" page. Or, email the sales POC if they have it advertised. So far, absolutely nothing. I feel like I have written out a clear, professional, and concise proposal of what I would like done. Am I going about this wrong? Should I call their office and make an inquiry that way? Do companies just not want my money? Is this just a thing with DMV AV companies?

I am pretty new to this side of AV with project management and things like that, usually I am on the receiving end. Anyone with experience in this kind of work please let me know if I am missing something! Thanks!

Hello,

Just recently we upgraded one room with new TSW-1070 TP added p300 for hybrid meeting room.

Room still has existing dmps cp3 processor with rest of Crestron equipment.

New touch panel didn’t last that long and died. We are waiting for replacement as it’s still under warranty. -I was hoping I can use xpanel from crestron config files as workaround.

I'm not an AV integrator, but I am an end user collaborating with AV contractors. When I inquired about the xpanel from the AV contractor, I found that I can load it, but it doesn't respond to the button presses. The TV properly switches and responds when I toggle between AirMedia, the in-room PC, or the wall plate HDMI.

Now, they are telling me that setting up the xpanel will incur an additional charge of $1000.

Using physical TP all button responds properly, but from xpanel only certain button works. -I am using same file which is on CP3 and connected to same network.

My question is:

- Do I need to create a new configuration file solely for the xpanel setup?

The files they provided me work with the xpanel, but not every button press functions correctly.

I have the IP address of the processor, the touch panel, the IPID, and the port is set to 41794—all devices are configured with static IPs.

I understand that you can default to loading the xpanel. I’m a bit puzzled by this extra charge they're asking me to pay.

I’ve been a Design Engineer for a little over 1.5 years now. Recently I earned my CTS-D certification. What other certifications should I get to help me in my career? General Design Engineer career growth also welcome.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to eventually start their own design consulting firm?

I've got a project where a TSW-1070 was specified and installed and they want to add a TS-1070 at the lectern as a secondary control point. Apparently the TS-1070 is backordered for a fair bit. I'd like to offer to 3D print something to make the TSW into a TS since Crestron doesn't offer a TTK option for the 1070. Before I model something myself, I thought I would check to see if anyone in the community has a model already that could save me some time.

We have tried a lot of the MTR options out there:

Logitech - Problematic years ago, so we stayed away from them. They seem better now? But still a lot of limitations surrounding BYOD, cameras, etc.

Poly - A recent firmware update bricked BYOD.

Crestron - Abandoned their previous faulty product. Who wants to be the guinea pig on the new one?

Yealink - Decently reliable, but some clients are averse because of the country of origin.

Neat - So limited.

Cisco - $$$$$ and a hard company to work with.

Where are you all going with MTRs these days? Has anyone found a solution they're fully comfortable recommending, or is it basically choosing the lesser of the evils?

Hi everyone,

I have a Crestron AV3 with a TSW-1060 and the system is currently working.
I only need to edit a few buttons on the touch panel, but I don’t have the original editable VT Pro-e project.

Can I retrieve the currently deployed project from the TSW-1060 or AV3 and open/convert it into an editable VT Pro-e project?
I don’t want to rebuild the whole project just to change a few buttons.

Thanks!

I work for a nationwide AV integrator. We have 4 offices, and only 3 of those actually have W2 technicians, and only 2 of those have field engineers. They travel a little for big jobs, but everywhere else is subbed out, usually to Snap, EKC or local subs.

I was surprised today when I saw on our “sub map” they’ve added Field Nation to a lot of the “remote” states we don’t have our usual subs. We install everything from hang and bangs to university auditoriums.

Do I have the right to be concerned for what’s lies ahead? I’ve heard you get what you pay for with Field Nation, and the company I work for is cheap as fuck lol.

Hello,
I work at a rural midsized hospital, and have ran into a issue replacing a system that was installed over a decade ago. In one of our departments rather than building 2 computers that were dedicated to just displaying a tracker board a former employee install a "Black Box" AV over Ethernet splitter, this device stopped working about 5 months ago. I found a new system to replace it from OREI (HD14-EX165-K) and one of the rooms it goes to works immaculately, the other is a nightmare. the system came with 4 receivers and NONE of them will work in this room, we tried each of them on different output ports on the transmitter. We have tested everything we can, but there is some sort of interference in that room that is causing the signal to degrade, flicker and even freeze.

This room is connected through a patch panel in the closet, port to port with no switch between. Our network guys and there Fluke devices can't find any faults with the connection.. because it's never the network.

Is there a better System for AV splitter that wouldn't be more expensive than just building a computer and sticking it on the wall in that room?

I have a BS in EE and a BS in CS. I have some experience doing embedded engineering.

The NYC job market is tough, and I’m not finding work. I want to get into AV because it seems the market has more opportunities and it looks genuinely interesting. I’m trying to find quick low paying jobs but set the foundation for eventual career growth.

I’m ok working entry level jobs, but I feel like there’s a smart way to try and leverage my degrees and experience, but most mid-level AV jobs require AV specific experience.

Any advice? I’m looking into certs too. Thanks.

I’m relatively new to AV, so I’m trying to understand whether my experience is typical for someone entering the industry.

My background is in web development, and I joined my current company about six months ago in an entry-level role with the AV Engineering team. During the interview, I was told I would be trained and eventually work toward becoming a Q-SYS programmer.

So far, however, my day-to-day work has been quite different. Most of my time is spent doing things like installing speakers and displays, handling deliveries, and general onsite installation work. Maybe around 10% of my time involves working on racks, switches, Q-SYS cores, or troubleshooting AV/networking issues.

I also handle a significant amount of IT support and tickets. I manage the asset register, and when a client issue comes in during a project, I’m sometimes expected to leave the current job, travel to the client site, resolve the issue, and then return to continue the original project.

I’ve only created one Q-SYS design so far. I submitted it for review but never received feedback, so I haven't really had an opportunity to develop those programming skills.

I’m also frequently working around 10-hour days.

For people working in AV, especially those who started in entry-level AV technician roles:

Is this a normal mix of responsibilities and workload for an AV tech, or does this sound unusually broad for an entry-level position?

I’m particularly interested in understanding how much installation, IT support, networking, troubleshooting, and programming work is typical at this stage of an AV career.

Edit: Thanks everyone for your response. It helped me a lot to set my mood. Seems like it's normal and I was over thinking it.

For the certs I already did Qsys, Dante, NetgearAV Armonia, Crestron. Just need someone to trust me a little to give me something to make. 😅

Hi everyone,

in the past months I was working intermittently on reverse engineering the file format used by Extron for their control systems drivers.

The idea would be that, since old IP Link devices are discontinued and available for cheap on eBay, normal users could pick them up and use for personal projects, just as I did.

But of course Extron will not support you in writing new drivers if you're not a customer.

After writing a tool to unpack and repack .pkn/.pke files, I was able to write my custom drivers for IP Link devices.

I decided to collect all my findings in a wiki, so that anyone can replicate what I did.

Please enjoy and feel free to ask any question and/or contribute on GitHub.

Hello everyone!

Is anyone here familiar with TAIDEN HCS-8600MA and the DCS software?
Until now, we have been handling the PTZ cam’s tracking through a TAIDEN Matrix Switcher using HDMI.
What we would like to know is whether the same kind of integration can be done over the network/internet instead of through HDMI.
Specifically, does the HCS-8600MA provide a TCP/IP protocol, API, or SDK that allows an external system to receive information about which microphone is currently active/open?
Our goal is to use that active microphone information to control a separate PTZ camera tracking system, so the camera can automatically recall the corresponding preset when a microphone becomes active.
Does anyone know if this information can be accessed through DCS or directly from the HCS-8600ME via TCP/IP?
Has anyone implemented something similar?

Hello there,

I was wandering if I was moving unD6IO-BT around, do I need to reprogram it within the QSYS designer, or once plugged in, the QSYS would push the info into the into and could communicate instentally?

Story short, I got 6 wallmount AxonC1 plugged and paired with unD6IO-BT. Tree of those unD6IO are out of buisiness. So I was wandering if I could switch some units around different areas, they would still work.

Thanks!

About a year ago we installed an Extron system for a client. DMP128 flex plus, IN1608XI and some NETPA amps. Controlled from a TLP Pro 1025M with LinkLicense.

System all good - Uses Shure's Microflex NeXt which has been solid.

Client brings in external SI supplier for translation. This wasn't on the brief, but we setup a program out from the flexplus (analogue audio out to an XLR at the rack), with "recorder" labelled on it. Just a little extra as we thought it would come up at some point.

Sure enough - the SI translation reared it's head and they were able to just plug in and get up & running. I was on site for that first test and all worked fine.

Since then, they have had x3 occasions when SI has plugged in, and the system has restarted. I've not seen it happen but sounds like it's a system restart that occurs.

My immediate thought was jack connection on SI box, or phantom from a desk. It seems like both have happened at some point, but the most recent setup in which it happened was:

Analogue out from 128 > SI Active DI box > SI QU16 desk.

It seems they are using the active DI box to reduce it to mic level, and using phantom from that desk to power the active DI.

Phantom should be no problem. They are using Klark Teknik or BSS DI's - so should be transformer isolated.

I can't confirm if earth lift was lifted during setup. In theory it \*shouldn't\* matter.

My thoughts are:

1. SI tech has forgotten to put the DI box inline. Sent phantom to the 128.

2. DI is inline, but earth is not lifted. System is plugged in, desk turned on, and some spurious current spike down earth which has caused the 128 to go into protect mode which has caused a system reset.

3. Earth was lifted during setup, which leaves me to think the only fix is to shutdown the 128 when patching. Not ideal.

Points 1 & 2 could be fixed by me installing a transformer isolated and having the earth permanently lifted on that feed. So i'm really hoping it's one of those!

I'm having a site visit next week and will take along a transformer isolator and a few cables to get that patched in without having to hack up the cabling too much.

So essentially looking for any other tips & tricks from installers that have had a similar issue before!

Ill start by saying Im in Canada. The cert in question is the BC Field Safety Representative, or FSR. The closest US equivalent would be the responsibilities of a US master electrician. It allows me to pull permits supervise regulated work, sign off on work, call for inspections, report incidents, and qualify for an electrical contractor licence.

So my company is nationwide, but our BC branch is pretty small, we only have a handful of techs between 3 cities. Our Project manager was the acting FSR, and he was let go for other reasons about a year ago. One of the lead techs in one of the other cities then became the acting FSR. He quit shortly after, he was offered a better job at a different company. So the company asked me to get my fsr since they need one to legally work. Did the class, passed the test, and am now certified, and they already used my number to renew their electrical contractor licence. Ive been with this company for 2 years now, with 8 years of experience in the field.

I asked them for a raise given my new cert and the responsibilities that come along with it, and the fact that ive been here 2 years and didnt receive a yearly raise last year (inflation based raises were part of my employment agreement). So I asked for a 14-19% raise. Inflation was around 4% over the last 2 years. And 10-15% for the fsr. I talked to some electricians I deal with and they've all said thats pretty standard for becoming the acting fsr. My manager came back with an offer of a 4% raise, which basically only covers inflation. Am I being unreasonable in pushing back and standing firm on my 14-19% ask?

The usb connector is damaged and i am wondering if i can just replace the cable or if we need to replace the entire retractor. I cant seem to be able to find any information about it online. If someone has experience with this, please let me know.

Looking for some used Atlas DPA-DAC4 cards. Anyone know where i can pick up a few?. Thanks!

I'm not especially happy at my current company and have been gently investigating the larger UK AV integrators. You never know until you try. I've subcontracted to Twisted previously, but I know nothing about them.

Does anyone here have any work experience with them, or have you contracted them for anything?

Thanks!