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AV Install Guidelines

 

What is Audio Visual?

Audio Visual is the technology that deals with visual viewing and hearing of many system elements. Therefore, this involves the distribution of both sound and visual elements. Every AV install will have one of these components, and the majority will combine both.

In a commercial environment, that can be visual displays and the sound coming from them and how the audiovisual elements are incorporated into the working aspects of the business and the aesthetics of the space

What are examples of Audio Visual?

There are almost limitless applications for audiovisual requirements. Accordingly, it depends on industry, space, budget, and application.

In the commercial environment, the primary examples of audiovisual are

  1. Televisions and Displays – i.e. SONY professional
  2. Distributed Music – i.e. SONOS
  3. Video Conferencing i.e. Crestron
  4. AV over IP – i.e. Extron
  5. PA Systems
  6. Room Booking Systems
  7. Intercom Systems
  8. Projectors and Screens
  9. Training and Learning Centres

Why Audio Visual is important

Audiovisual is essential in distributing single sources to many places or people. It also allows for collaboration with different parties within the same building across various locations or countries. It also improves presentations and impacts through powerful images, video, and sound clarity.

During a pandemic such as the Covid-19 lockdown, audiovisual systems allowed companies and countries to work from home and still communicate. Especially between their teams, clients and customers via traditional and cloud-based video conferencing systems

What are the advantages of Audio Visual Communication?

Audio Visual has many applications and possibilities. Indeed this depends on the number of staff, locations and budget. Consequently, the advantage of using a centrally designed system is that it offers many options.

Several advantages of audiovisual systems are

  • Reduction in travel and commuting by holding meetings via video conferencing
  • Ability to allow home working for employees and to reduce office size
  • Increased collaboration between teams via file sharing, meetings, central design studios
  • Constant communication and central message to staff and client base through display signage
  • Systemisation of training that can be replicated & remove the need for instructor-led training

 

Critical Considerations for AV Install Projects

AV equipment is now used in every conceivable setting, such as the home, our place of work, our schools, and our shopping centres. This technology is also becoming increasingly sophisticated and connected, enabling us to do things that would have been impossible a few years ago.

Offices

  • In our workplaces, TV screens are now commonplace, as are digital signage or news streams around the office. Technology allows us to collaborate in previously unimaginable ways. As a result, screens and conferencing facilities in meeting rooms make it easier to share ideas.

The office AV design must be considered before installing all the other elements of the office fit-out process. For this purpose, every element of Audiovisual will require many elements to support the equipment. Consequently, this is sometimes difficult or even impossible to install after the initial fit-out process.

The design will consider how the workplace requires audiovisual elements to work as standalone systems and how to link within and outside the office. It will also consider how the company will communicate to clients and suppliers and how it will manage office-based and home-working; the distribution and design of the system can then be based on those factors.

Schools

  • Technology plays a more significant role in modern education. As a result, interactive whiteboards have become the standard. Furthermore, projector systems are widely used to present information to large groups.

The consideration for this environment will start with an overall extensive outlook of what the school wishes to achieve. Typically, in education, a proposal of “needs” and “wants” will be created and then put through stringent budget reviews. It is in the education market where budgets can control the final design more than any other industry

The main focus here should be finding the correct system that is easy to use, maintain, and expand. It is better to start with a smaller allocation of the correct product and scale up rather than take a cheaper overall installation that doesn’t work correctly and causes never-ending problems

Retail outlets – 

  • Our shopping centres and other public spaces are similarly awash with technology. Advertising is shown on screens all around us, and public announcement systems make it easy to convey information to the masses.

Display signage can be a very effective way of marketing the retail locations’ products, offers and branded marketing.

The system should consider whether this is a single location or part of a larger retail chain. Thus, with the correct hardware and cloud-based technology, a single change of marketing or offer at the head office can automatically see thousands of retail screens change in an instant. Therefore, all stores are consistently marketing at the same time

Residential Homes – 

  • Home technology is becoming increasingly connected and intelligent. This includes everything from multi-room TV and audio experience to home cinema and security systems. It is being integrated with the latest developments in voice and gesture control.

Installing the audiovisual cabling infrastructure that connects the AV hardware in residential homes is typically the most challenging environment.

The primary consideration in residential projects is deciding on what system you wish to have before the building works take place. Generally, installing the required cabling now and adding the hardware later is better. Thus avoiding limiting your ability to expand your system due to a lack of cabling infrastructure. In this case, it is very difficult or impossible to install later without significant disruption to the home.

Also, consider having the correct data cabling installed during building works. This data cabling is important regardless of your choice of AV equipment at the moment, as you don’t want to have limited functionality from your Audiovisual equipment later on because of limited data cabling performance.

We recommended a minimum of Cat6a data cabling throughout for the best functionality of the majority of Audio Visual Systems.

AV Install Projects – The Right Way

If you’re making a significant investment in AV equipment, whether professionally or personally, consulting with professionals such as our team at NM Cabling Solutions is beneficial. They will be able to advise on several key issues that will help ensure your project is a success.

In addition to the hardware and typical Audio Visual software, the elements below will need to be considered and implemented to control and run the system.

Electrical Power and Cabling

As part of the AV installation, it is essential that you consider the best way to connect equipment to the existing power circuits and network infrastructure. Concealed cabling is an excellent way to create a sleek, modern look. Having data cabling sockets and power sockets concealed behind your AV equipment will create a streamlined look in your office, commercial space or home.

Certain parts of an IT or AV install can also be powered by PoE transmission.

PoE allows you to send power to devices from the central data cabinet and eliminate the need for power sockets at the device end, which reduces 

  1. The requirement for installing new power at the device end – essential if disruption is required
  2. Less electrical sockets to hide or have on display
  3. central control of your devices

Secure fitting

It goes without saying that surfaces need to be assessed and properly prepared to ensure that they can support the weight of the equipment. This is especially important in public or work environments where health and safety are key considerations.

In addition, many modern collaboration screens, such as the Microsoft Surafce Hub, weigh in excess of 80 kg, which is generally too heavy for standard plasterboard walls and will require additional support and fixings.

As with cabling and electrical sockets, planning to have this additional discreet is essential in commercial and residential settings.

 

Integration with other systems

To maximise your audiovisual investment, it is wise to understand how well your AV equipment can integrate with other systems or the ones you already own and operate. 

A structured cabling system will give you the most flexibility regarding your current AV installation and any future additions and changes.

A structured cabling system is where all data cabling originates from a central cabinet. All hardware and devices then communicate via this data cabling. Therefore, updating your AV install only involves changing a piece of hardware at the cabinet or user end rather than installing new cabling

 

Future-proofing

Technology is constantly changing, so it is essential to make sure that, where possible, you’re building your AV system so that it is possible to upgrade components over time. In the same way, this includes having the correct structured cabling to accommodate future systems.

 

AV Install Projects by NM Cabling Solutions

Wellesley Yacht – Click HERE 

Knightsbridge Residential- Click HERE

Wellesley Hotel – Click HERE

 

To this end, if you are interested in starting a new AV project and would like more information on best practices to ensure it goes smoothly, don’t hesitate to contact one of our technical experts.

NM Cabling is a technology and structured cabling integrator in the United Kingdom.

We have created a comprehensive Knowledge Centre for our industry which can be viewed at https://www.nmcabling.co.uk/knowledge-centre/

 

Call our Sales office on 01923 888588 or [email protected] for your free AV survey and quotation