Audio, Video & IP Systems Contracting & Integration

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Surveillance camera's and Home Theatre systems. Wether it's a simple 4 Camera with DVR installation, or a 24 camera with PZT, Network video recorder, remote access over the web. From hanging a flat screen, to help design a home theatre room for acoustics before even installing the electronics.
Home automation hasn't really grabbed a hold in the east coast yet. If people realized the money one could save just by the power management aspect of it alone, I think it would make up a larger % of my work load. With the rise in energy prices I sure Home automation will start to pick up on the East coast.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Do your homework. get referrals. Check with the BBB, look for accreditation's, affiliations. Make sure they are licensed and insured. Talk to their clients about the services provided. Likeliness of the staff. How they enjoy the use of their system(s) What did they like, dislike about the experience. Word of mouth is the best way of generating more work. I believe in marketing, but the largest % of my work comes from referrals from clients I've worked with or I still work with. Always leave them smiling.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Do you homework. Identify your needs verses your wants. Have a budget. Budgets are much easier to work with in then some one say, This is what i want, how much does that cost. There are so many variables, it always comes down to well how much are you willing to pay. my rates don't change. it cost the same to wire a $200 A/V receiver as a $2,000 one. Same with a video system. a PZT camera can cost between $500 to 5000 dollars, it's up to the customer to decide on the quality they need vs want, and the price they are willing to pay. Then make compromises if needed.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I integrate art and technology. You don't have to have a PHD to operate a system I install. I break down the barriers between technology and ease of use for the client. They don't need five remote controls or a reference book to operate any system I install. It doesn't take 5 steps to get a Blu Ray player on the screen with full sound. They only have to push one button. Macros take care of the rest. Having access to the latest technology with an ease of use for all, is one of the greatest assets I can give to my clients. This also minimizes training and call backs. I provide a free 30 day after installation period for system tweaks. So if a client finds an operation difficult, A little reprograming and the problem is solved.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The end result. The costumers satisfaction. Doing what others aid could not be done. The installation part can become mundane. Pulling wirings, terminating cables etc. It's when the job is done, the system is fired up and everything works with no de-bugging. That's the joy I receive. Plus the wiring itself is a work of art, there is no rats nest of cables. My work is meticulously. Equal to or exceeding industry standards. Every Installation comes with a complete set of drawings and documentation. Any qualified technician could come in and fully understand & troubleshoot the system years down the road.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Most commonly asked question is How much? People venture into these things with no idea of cost, so they have no budget which I would highly recommend. My answer always is, "that depends on how much you want to spend. I will not use cheap wire or equipment. I never take short cuts. I have a standard to uphold because my name is on the job. There is always good better and best. I'll give those options. I would never compromise my work ethics, by doing an "OK" job. They can call one of my competitors if they want that kind of work. there are plenty of them out there. Just don't call me. You get what you pay for.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. When Installing The 'B' Room at stone Creek studios. It was the 1st "plug & play' Control Room that I know of.
Meaning you could disconnect the entire system, relocate it and have it up and running in 4 hours. Unheard of in the industry at the time. This meant doubler the connections, there were over 18,000 connections. only one pair of wires was reversed and that was found during installation. When we finished, Everyone came into the control room, including all the members of Boyz II Men. I turned the system on and it was dead quite. My head tech though we forgot to turn on the amps. Everyone was accustom to the hiss from the speakers. He ran behind the console, poked his head up and said "The amps are on!" Everyone just looked at each other, I a saw the biggest smiles. We had to run signal through the system to prove it was working.
The noise floor was so low, it was unbelievable.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. Most clients aren't aware of the design aspect involved. They may think "oh you just hook it up with wires and that's that. The is a lot of pre thought and design that gets done before a proposal is even generated. What is the most efficient and effective way to give the client want they want? What type of cables, signal paths, routing, equipment & programming is needed to met those demands? With all the options available to me, I have to sift through them to provide my clients with the best options to suite there needs. That can take longer then the installation depending on the system in question.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. This type of work came natural to me. In my earlier years I wanted to be a professional musician, I found I was a better technician. I knew how and why a transistor work when I was in 5th grade. My work ethic was engrained in me by my father from childhood. Do it right or don't do it at all. Do it right the 1st time. After High school, I missed my 1st semester of college due to an illness. During that down time, I took a job repairing computers (1982) I never had any formal training. I just did it, and did so successfully. I've never looked back. Since then I've installed just about anything that can be wired and now even wireless. I do what I do because I am very good at it, very knowledgeable in it. & mostly because I'm a natural for this type of work. It's my gift.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Yes. It is necessary to stay, in the "know" Technology grows exponentially . It can be difficult. I track current trends as well as new technologies under development. (Which may not be seen for 5 years. I also keep up to date with fabrication technics of the core components of every electronic systems. This allows me to forecast future trends and capabilities. It is Impossible for one person to know everything. to stay on top of every aspect of the technologies I am involved in. What I find important is to know about the changes and growth in technologies, then you know where to find the information when applying these. Instant comprehension also aids my learning processes.