All equipment has a life cycle. Planning for future replacement can be organized.

Build a master inventory of each system and its components.

This inventory should list purchase dates, an estimated life of each piece of gear and space for recording repairs.  For example:

Crown CTs 800 amplifier, Purchased 4/2012, Est. Life: 8 years, Repairs: _______

Shure SM57 microphone, Purchased 3/2009, Est. Life: 3 years*, Repairs: ________

* In the case of the very portable SM7, the life cycle includes a loss factor.

How does one determine what the life cycle is for each piece of equipment is?

Ask your Audiovisual Integrator! Or check manufacturer web sites.  Look at the   warranty for each piece of equipment.  The warranty is a good indication of how long the manufacturer believes the equipment will last (a rule of thumb is two years beyond the warranty).  Manufacturer’s estimates are usually based on average use. How the system is used will also play a part in how long a system will last.  If a system is used 24/7, or is used in a hostile environment (outdoors) or is loaded in and out of buildings on a regular basis, the life cycle may be significantly shorter than a system that is build into a conference room or a church.  Over time, the record keeping will be key to figuring life cycles for gear.

How can the life cycle of equipment be extended?

The most effective way to extend the life of an audiovisual system is to properly maintain all of the equipment.  Proper maintenance can reduce repair costs and extend the life of a system. A good maintenance partner can point out potential problems before the system shuts down.

Live Technologies offers service contracts that can be tailored to meet the needs of any facility. Live can assist in doing an initial inventory, provide life cycle estimates and assist in planning for the future. Call today to find out more!

Looking forward to Summer?

Does the hectic pace of the life of your organization slow down a bit when Summer arrives? While members of your organization and/ or students are basking in the sunshine, it’s a great time to catch up on maintenance for equipment that experiences heavy use during the rest of the year.

Projectors, amplifiers, dimmers, even cables and connectors need attention to stay in good operating order.

Is the control system functioning correctly?

When was the last time that filters were cleaned?

What is the status of the lamps?

When was the last time that the software in any of your systems was updated?  When was the last time that the speakers were tested?

How about wall jacks, cables and microphones tested?

Live Technologies to the rescue!
Live can be the Lifeguard for you AV systems.
Summer is a busy time for Live Technologies!
We want to make sure that Live can schedule maintenance for your facility.

Call now to insure that your summer can be stress free!

Department: Systems Integration

Reports to: Sales Manager

Class: Full-Time

Type: Salary

PRIMARY ROLE

The AV Design Engineer is responsible for AV System Design and creation of CAD drawing diagrams including detailed specifications and integration of electronics. Information will include Design-Build, Audio, Video, Theatrical Lighting, Video Conferencing and Integrated Control system information for proper operation.

The AV Design Engineer will partner with Sales and Project Managers to assemble materials and labor estimate for proposals and bids, determine equipment quantities, pricing and labor to complete installation according to customer expectations and maintain project management database to monitor project productivity and accuracy. With a knowledge of state-of-the-art integrated audio, video, lighting systems and digital signage this position will provide professional designs and systems engineering support required to take a project from inception to completion and client acceptance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform comprehensive, audiovisual equipment bids for customers, including low voltage wiring, trim-out, equipment rack setup-layout, system processing, flat panel displays, projectors and projection systems, media rooms, audio hardware, speakers and computer control systems.

• Participate in meetings as needed.

• Partner with Sales, Project Management, Purchasing, Service, Fabrication to interpret project specifications and drawings, determine system layout, programming requirements, system testing and developing bill of materials to include appropriate amount of job-related labor to perform the project, generate comprehensive project equipment lists and scope of work.

• Design building layouts, floor plans, rack elevations, consoles, etc. utilizing various formats to Sales Associates and Project Management.

• Conduct and document final drawing review processes.

• Coordinate Design & Engineering tasks with Architects and Engineers.

• Assist sales with client visits, presentations and in the preparation of proposals.

• Maintain high-level of personal expertise in current and future technology.

• Assist in training of new products, technologies, and Design & Engineering procedures.

• Comply with customer health and safety regulations and training.

Contribute and participate in D&E Department Objectives and Goals

• Effect and support change as needed to make for a pleasant working environment, assist in work-life balance for Associates to maintain a profitable business.

QUALIFICATIONS

The AV Design Engineer shall possess a four-year degree or equivalent combination of education and related work experience in Audio Visual System Design. This position requires at least five years of medium to upper level experience in the commercial system design of Audio, Video, Theatrical Lighting, Control systems and production environments.

Should possess a working knowledge of equipment connectivity, wiring, electronics, operation, installation of professional Audio, Video, Theatrical Lighting, Conferencing, and Control. Must have experience reviewing bid documents for purposes of evaluating and preparing comprehensive bill of materials and scope of work descriptions. Must possess superior interpersonal skills and be a team player with the ability to manage projects, multiple tasks simultaneously and adjust to shifting priorities. Must possess a strong sense of urgency. Strong experience with computerized design programs is expected. Experience in other computer programs such, as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project or other project software is an advantage. Experience in the design of networked computer controlled systems, video conferencing and digital signage is a plus. The ability to work closely as a member of a team while at the same time having a high level of personal initiative to work without close supervision. Will interact directly with the client and senior management personnel as demanded by the project requirements.

TRAVEL

It is expected that this position will require a moderate amount of travel. It will also be required that the Design Engineer Associate will travel to customer and vendor sites. Travel to industry events such as: LDI, NSCA, ESTA, PLASA, INFOCOMM, NAB and other industry related conventions and vendor training seminars is required.

LIVE! Technologies LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace (DFWP) participant. Post offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete a drug and alcohol screen.

APPLY TODAY

Submit your resume for consideration via email as a Word.DOC or .PDF file. to careers@reallivepros.com

For decades, VGA (Video Graphics Array) ports have been essential for connecting laptops to presentation systems. In the switch from analog to digital video signals, laptop computers are making the transition from VGA to HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). Soon, consumer devises will no longer come equip with a VGA port, but instead, will come only with the HDMI port.

Why HDMI? HDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. HDMI transmits a better quality video signal, offers High Definition audio, a more secure content protection, and enhanced communication between the video source and the display source than does VGA.

What does this mean for me? (A) Because the HDMI output is digital video and VGA is analog video, the switch will require a converter. Unfortunately, a VGA to HDMI adaptor cable does not exist, so a converter will become a necessity.  As you might imagine, most schools and conference rooms that are outfitted for analog video will need to be converted to digital video.  (B) If you have copyright material embedded in a PowerPoint presentation, the content will not play when the computer output is switched to HDMI.

What’s happening to VGA? By 2014, new models of consumer devices will no longer produce High Definition video with an analog video connection. (For Blu-ray players it was January 1, 2011.) New computers having the capability to play HD video will only get HDMI output connectors.

The switch is referred to as the Analog Sunset.

A Real Live Pro’s Perspective

Live Technologies! Service Technicians have the Certified Technical Specialist certification. A CTS certification means our technicians have met the industry standard, as required by Infocomm, for both knowledge and experience in the audiovisual field. To begin your switch from VGA to HDMI, contact the Live! Service Department at 614-278-7777.

Live Technologies recently partnered with Gerling Associates to bring the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Discovery Zone exhibit. The exhibit, a 40-foot long truck, has been touring the U.S. since its debut in and aims to educate people on food safety in a fun and interactive way.

In December 2011, the truck returned to Columbus for routine maintenance and upgrades. Although the truck rides on an air ride chassis, which helps protect the electronics from severe potholes and bumps in the pavement, U.S. highways can take their toll on sophisticated electronic displays, such as the Knife and Fork clock. Reworking the clock was, perhaps, the greatest challenge of the project. The Knife and Fork Clock is a combination of mechanical and computer control used to rotate the knife and fork (which look like the hands of a clock) to four different positions on the face of a clock that identifies food safety parameters. Finding the right combination of sensors and the correct weight of the knife and fork “hands” was critical to getting accurate performance from this display.

The majority of the upgrades were intended to make improvements on the ergonomics of working in the vehicle.  Live relocated positions of computers, printers, monitor and playback devices to allow the operators more freedom of movement and ease of operation while operating the exhibit. The original design called for all of the electronics to be installed in the storage area over the cab of the truck, which meant U.S.D.A. staff had to crawl into this space to make adjustments to trigger playback, retrieve data and to retrieve documents from their printer. Live! relocated media players, computers, keyboards and monitors to the galley kitchen and installed the printer in the bathroom (very convenient!). The display automation was upgraded with a new, larger Crestron touch panel and additional programming. All of upgrades were accomplished in a ten-day period, before the vehicle was delivered back to its home base in Beltsville, Maryland.

Check out this video to see the inter-workings of the USDA exhibit.

Here are a few tips on how to check the battery life in technologies you use everyday:

Wireless microphones

• Typically contain a four-segment indicator for the life of a battery. Segments can be found on the transmitter on most microphones and on some receivers.
• Rule of thumb for changing the battery: two segments or less = change the battery
• Check the battery life of each microphone before conferences and meetings. If the meeting will last all day, start with a fresh battery.

Wireless remotes

• Typically don’t have meters that show how much battery is remaining
• We recommend that you change the batteries in handheld remotes once a year to prevent failure.
• Frequent use of wireless remotes may require batteries to be changed more often.

Rechargeable batteries

• When buying rechargeable batteries, make sure the charger unit has an automatic shut off when the battery is charged. Over charging batteries will shorten the life of a battery, and even rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan.
• Crestron, the industry leader in system automation controls, recommends that rechargeable battery units be changed once a year.

It’s a new year; why not start with new batteries in all of your wireless units. Live Technologies can help!

The FCC has licensed a new low power TV station, broadcasting from downtown Columbus, which is affecting wireless units around the Columbus area. The broadcast frequency range is TV Channel 44 or 644 to 656 Mhz. If you have a frequency agile system, fixing that buzz is a matter of finding new open channels. Live Technologies Service Department can help you get your systems running like never before, and buzz free!

Call us at 614-278-7777 and ask for the service department.