[KalC]

Hey guys, just looking for a bit of information about AV installation.

Im 21 years old and have no experience in the AV field. But have always had a passion for AV equipment and excellent knowledge of computers, and im now trying to direct this passion into something that I could do every day.

Wanted to know from you custom installers, how to get into AV installation and what is the work like?

What kind of courses to take (I know of a few city and guilds) to get you started. How did some of you guys first start off?

Have seen a few jobs as a trainee AV technician but not sure if this requires you to have some sort of experience? I live in the London area so there are a few jobs going.

In the future though I would love to have my own company and do designs for clients.

Any information from already custom installers would be great

Thanks in advance

[Liam @ Prog AV]

The thing you will need the most is experience not training courses. You are going to have to be the tea boy for someone basically!! Unfortunately though there's not much hiring going on for apprenticeships at the moment. But the best bet is to find work with an accomplished custom installer and learn how to do things properly. Sounds obvious I know but you don't learn so called tricks of the trade in a classroom

[ash_s3]

I'd agree there, get in with a local installer and work your way up.

No amount of classroom training comes near to on-the-job experience.
Fortunately for me i was an electrician before i went into the AV business, so i had very good experience of site work, cable routing, and general rules of good practice.

Your computer knowledge will be very useful, with lots of automation systems needing computer programming, aswell as all the networking / streaming solutions out there.

Good luck mate, your in a strong position and having the will to learn is excellent.

[CdFdevil]

There's also a thread on this here:
Becoming an AV installer/Specialist

and...

I Want to become an installer - Info needed

If they help any.

[DJMALLZ]

Originally Posted by ash_s3

I'd agree there, get in with a local installer and work your way up.

I agree but been there, tried that, but how many installers actually reply.. not trying to discourage but it isn't as easy as i though, There I was thinking installers wouldn't mind free help.. oh boy i was wrong.. even with my java programming skills and networking skills..anyhow still looking and hope to get somewhere... i guess i am trying to say it's not gonna be easy as it sounds, but eventually someone will get bck to you..

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Java and networking doesn't matter for squat when you're trying not to damage a £50 per sq m carpet, or hanging a 60" screen onto a 500 year old fireplace, or handling a mother with kids on each arms trying to make the controller work!!!!

However if you want some free experience I'll send you out with one my installers. In September we're finishing a big multi-room lighting and Sonos audio system in Kent, we're second/final fixing a multi-room audio and HD video system in Kensington, and first fixing for a multi-room audio, video, lighting, heating etc system in East London. He might have some hang and bangs in between he can take you on.

Bear in mind it's mostly cable running and terminating, fitting brackets and making up custom fits on the day, arguing with electricians and being chased down the house by plasterers and painters. But that is 90% of our lives. I get to program maybe a couple days a month, I get to spend a few days doing up pretty designs and working with joiners and architects on furniture, the rest of my life is knee deep in wires, in meetings, on the phone, or training. The glamorous life of the AV installer just doesn't exist in the real world I'm afraid...

[DJMALLZ]

Originally Posted by Liam @ Prog AV

Java and networking doesn't matter for squat when you're trying not to damage a £50 per sq m carpet, or hanging a 60" screen onto a 500 year old fireplace, or handling a mother with kids on each arms trying to make the controller work!!!!

However if you want some free experience I'll send you out with one my installers. In September we're finishing a big multi-room lighting and Sonos audio system in Kent, we're second/final fixing a multi-room audio and HD video system in Kensington, and first fixing for a multi-room audio, video, lighting, heating etc system in East London. He might have some hang and bangs in between he can take you on.

Bear in mind it's mostly cable running and terminating, fitting brackets and making up custom fits on the day, arguing with electricians and being chased down the house by plasterers and painters. But that is 90% of our lives. I get to program maybe a couple days a month, I get to spend a few days doing up pretty designs and working with joiners and architects on furniture, the rest of my life is knee deep in wires, in meetings, on the phone, or training. The glamorous life of the AV installer just doesn't exist in the real world I'm afraid...

oh yeh I know java and networking doesn't help with the DIY. for the job in september i'd be more than happy. if during the week, kindly advise so i can take sime off work :D..

[mkleynhans]

Most the of the new Two Way drivers for control are written in Java Script, that may come in well handy - im considering learning a bit so you never know...

[crestron boy]

Originally Posted by Liam @ Prog AV

The glamorous life of the AV installer just doesn't exist in the real world I'm afraid...

hahaha tell me about it

programming on a jobsite and having to work around builders,painters,stone masons

and then there's the comment you get everytime they see a screen coming in. "your putting that in the wrong place mate that should go in my front room!"

[SLICK123]

Originally Posted by Liam @ Prog AV

Bear in mind it's mostly cable running and terminating, fitting brackets and making up custom fits on the day, arguing with electricians and being chased down the house by plasterers and painters. But that is 90% of our lives. I get to program maybe a couple days a month, I get to spend a few days doing up pretty designs and working with joiners and architects on furniture, the rest of my life is knee deep in wires, in meetings, on the phone, or training. The glamorous life of the AV installer just doesn't exist in the real world I'm afraid...

HAHAHA now there is a CI talking. You must have a webcam following my life Liam.

KalC if you want to have your own company doing this then you need time and experience that is the only way. It is a full time 24hr a day carreer.

[charris cy]

Anybody looking to do this on a nice Mediterranean island can send me a private message.

KalC, we are looking for a designer but in order to be able to properly design these systems you need a lot of experience.

I am with Liam and all the others pros about the glamour of our jobs. This is not easy and it takes a lot of effort. But if you really like this it can be rewarding and more interesting than a 8-5 job.

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by crestron boy

hahaha tell me about it

programming on a jobsite and having to work around builders,painters,stone masons

I read that as having to work around builders,painters,stoned masons
and thought you must have been on a site i was at not too long ago where the air so thick with smoke it was like working in a Cheech & Chong movie!

[hasselhoff]

What all the other guys have said is bang on. This is a lifestyle, not a job. I'm currently in the Philippines, supposedly on holiday, but instead of playing volleyball on the beach and drinking cocktails by the pool, I'm working away on drawings for a new project, answering emails to builders, suppliers, clients, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc... (and putting some feelers out for a new installer of course!). Day to day AV work involves hassles with electricians, plasterers, and god knows how else and long days are par for the course. Actually, every day is a long day! But...

It's the best job in the world if you ask me (or anyone in our company, I hope!), but you have to be prepared to put in the time and accept that you won't be doing anything 'glamourous' like desiging or programming until you've had a good few years experience. It's cutting in speakers and cable termination city to start with...

Having said all that, if you are IP literate, then that puts you in a good place to start with. Everything we install these days is a computer in disguise.

[avandmore]

Cedia has little or no interest in training the next generation of designers / installers, indeed it seems to have become totally focussed on staying in business merely to stay in business.

Infocomm is a much more grown up and far less pretentious organisation, their courses are far more reasonable in cost and a lot of them are on line.

This link will take you to their FREE intrduction to the AV industry course - hope this helps you out and a few others.

InfoComm International Audiovisual (AV) General Course Description (Fdn)