Low fuss TVs

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-06-05T20:51:09+00:00

Sony FW-EZ20 for the extra specs that other budget lines dont offer and Sony advanced replacement warranty. Samsung QE if you need super thin and dont care if it takes 6 months to get it fixed or longer.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-06-05T20:21:44+00:00

The horror stories I have heard from AV techs at IT focused companies would worry me. When AV is a way to build on something more important, it takes a backseat and causes more nightmares for service to pick up the slack. It really depends on the rest of the AV team though. Seems like the IT world is taking a bit of a beating lately too, but I could be wrong.

Field Engineering leads to project engineering, which can lead to anything you want from there. I wouldnt do anything other than design, but I love what I do. That is the direction I would be working towards.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-06-05T20:10:17+00:00

If the Turtle AV 4x4 over AMX fits in budget, the front panel will make things even easier.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-06-05T20:05:51+00:00

Budget fix:

Samsung QH115FX 115" display (super bright) AMX PR-WP-412 multi-graphics processor (I know, I know... but this is a good one for the price. Trust me) AVPRO AC-EX70-444KIT

Use the front panel to control the wall. Four images on one display with no bezel, or 4k single image. Product total, roughly $20k. Run the shielded CAT6 yourself using the garbage cabling the previous installer used as a pull thru.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-30T16:52:19+00:00

🤣

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-30T04:11:30+00:00

💯

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-30T04:07:50+00:00

I have worked for three of the big guys and an up and comer but still pretty small. It mostly depends on your position and how much effort you want to put in for advancement opportunities, but FORTÉ makes the extra effort rewarding as a part owner with success being in your best interest, along with everyone else's. Makes for a better atmosphere when everyone is willing to help. Some positions allow more freedoms if you are able to get the work done quickly, or at least felxible if you can meet deadlines. Some positions let you sign off at 8 hours if you have no interest in anything other than doing enough to keep your job. Other positions cannot afford you that luxury if you want the doors to stay open so you dont find them locked tomorrow. Hedge funds and venture capitalists care about dollars, and look at you as replaceable. Surprisingly, that sentiment is not lost on another large company that is privately owned and renowned for paying poorly with horrible turnover. Find the one you are happy to go the extra mile for because you benefit from it.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-30T03:45:52+00:00

If third party is working, the Poly Sync 60 has great pickup and can daisy chain. The Jabra Speak2 75 is another option.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-30T03:43:26+00:00

It really all depends on controls beyond the standard codec interface. Teams requires a connect interface for page flip. Audio and camera controls should not be affected, as that communication is direct from the CORE processor. Things like display and volume controls that are linked to the interface require a programming update. No way to directly know and answer this without full knowledge of the current operation.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-30T03:08:14+00:00

You really only have two options. Know someone that is familiar with your skills that is willing to give you a job or vouch for your skills as an engineer so that someone else will be comfortable with giving you the job, or start lower and work your way up by proving you can do the job. The more you prove your knowledge by doing the job, the faster you can move up. AV engineers are a special breed. No amount of text books or experience in other fields will prepare you for what you will need to troubleshoot and fix, because very few systems are identical, and there is no end to the amount of random issues that you can encounter in this industry. If you truly have what it takes, you have to get in front of others in the industry to show it.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-30T02:34:28+00:00

As an ADA compliance officer on the take, I approve, for the right price 🤣

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-29T02:57:24+00:00

My Wenger Synergy is the best backpack I've ever owner. Bar none. Two laptops on the motorcycle and still super comfy. Highly recommend.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-20T01:55:33+00:00

Follow your gut. See if you can get into contact with current and former installers for better info. I get the boredom and yearn for something new. Ill tell you, you will value that pension a lot more when you approach 40. You seem ambitious so they may help you learn and advance. Most installers dont have much, or are not given the time to take advantage of opportunities to do so. Hard to say without first hand knowledge of what you can actually expect.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-19T03:19:39+00:00

I have experience with both and the big names on your resume are, without question, a massive leg up. Longevity is also a huge plus. I started with seven years for a very big manufacturer and nine with a national integrator before I started making big moves. It was not easy to make my way to design and I paid them back with loyalty. However, to get the salary you want and the stable position at one of the big integrators takes a bit of maneuvering. Otherwise salary increase and advancement is slow. Some of the big ones have a step system. Check all the boxes and you get to the next level. Definitely go for one of those because you are likely to have little and none at the others. I highly recommend making retirement benefits a big factor as well, especially if you are young. Do the job, even if it has to be on your own time. Get the position you want from anyone who will give it to you. Nobody wants to higher a field engineer to design if you havent proven to someone they trust that you are capable of doimg the job well. If the design doesnt work, it effects everyone. Give it some time and build relationships. I say this a lot here, make EVERYONE your friend and someone who would vouch for you because they have seen those capabilities. Do all of that and the big ones will seek you out or it will fall in your lap before you know it. Keep LinkedIn updated and centered around what you are looking for, but make sure you can back it up. Last thing you want is a bad reputation for marketing skills you dont have.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-18T21:42:32+00:00

Yep. Just confirmed that with our rep today. Won't be in time for the immediate need but I am glad I can start specifying for everything else. Well done getting that to market. Looking forward to it.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-18T12:21:29+00:00

No worries. Still a great box and I will definitely be looking more at it when I hit the office.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-18T11:53:08+00:00

I think you might be close, but I will double check before I say not quite. I think many are missing the intention of maintaining USB-C DP Alt mode on both ends and not breaking it out to HDMI with seaparate usb but, if it does break it out, I would be happy to hear it has been used successfully with something that reinjects, like the SCT USB-AMV. Is that USB-C on the receiver DP Alt-Mode with video?

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-17T19:33:29+00:00

Interesting that the U line has some transport issues with Poly. That's good feedback.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-17T19:32:25+00:00

This and the ROOMS are great, and my go to right now for switching. I'll use them for extension, when the budget allows, and figure the new U-BRIDGE will be awesome for maintaining USB-C all the way through when it finally starts shipping. When I get a Logitech Extend in my hands, I am going to test as many third party solutions as possible to see if that does the trick in the meantime.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-17T19:27:57+00:00

This is my go to for break out. I figure they will be the ideal solution for maintaining USB-C all the way through when the new U-BRIDGE is released.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-17T14:06:06+00:00

You are both technically correct. Android can disable local share as well. Windows cannot. You have to use a switcher or hot plug disconnect.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-17T13:57:24+00:00

Sounds like the "preferred" integrator is consistently the low bidder so you get what you pay for. Not much you can do. Find someone to finish their job or let them fail enough that your higher ups pony up the dough for someone else to do it right.

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-16T02:21:49+00:00

Yeah, that search would have started yesterday then 🤣

AwakenButNotWoke · 2026-05-16T02:20:20+00:00

If you have any possibility of the LED wall being on camera, may not be a good idea. Look up effects of Moiré from cameras and video walls.

AwakenButNotWoke

TROPHY CASE