Setting up a projector may seem like a simple project, but there is a fair amount of preparation involved before even starting in earnest. Factors such as where the screen will be placed and the distance between the screen and projector will all need to be taken into consideration. A set-up for a small meeting room will look very different from a reception hall. Projectors can come with different connection types and settings depending on the manufacturer, so it is important to make sure you select a unit that will match up with your other hardware and needs.

The first factor to consider is what the projector will connect to. Typically, a computer is used alongside the projector to display images. Check what kind of connections are on the computer you plan on using (VGA, HDMI, DVI, etc.) and then see if the projector accepts that format. If it does not, you can use an adapter or converter as necessary. If there is an age discrepancy between the devices, such as an older computer paired with a brand-new projector or vice versa, the odds of needing an adapter/converter will increase.

Hanging up a projector can sound easy but it does require some planning. From running cables through the ceiling to adjusting settings and getting the projector configured, installing a projector can quickly transition into an overwhelming project for a non-professional. But before diving into the installation itself, think about how big of a screen you will be using since that will determine the projectors positioning.

Screen Placement vs. Projector Placement

Start by deciding where the projector screen is going to be placed. The average projector today supports high-quality imaging for up to 100 inches (8.33 feet) and most screens are made with that sizing in mind. To keep a screen at a comfortable eye level, the bottom of the screen should hang from 24” – 36” above the ground. The exact placement will depend on the height of chairs or any other seating arrangements.

Next is determining the distance between the screen and projector, referred to as the throw distance. Not every projector has the same throw distance rating, so be sure to check the specs. This number is typically represented as a ratio, with the first number called the throw ratio and the second number being the screen width. For example, say the ratio is 2:1. That means the projector’s distance should equal double the width of the screen. If you had a 50-inch screen, the projector would need to be 100 inches away. These numbers are fairly easy to configure so long as you remember to check the projector specs.

Ideally, a projector should hang exactly where the throw distance says it should. But in real-world settings, other factors need to be taken into consideration. If there are already cables or outlets in the ceiling, their placement could determine where the projector can go. Like many electronics, projectors use fans to mitigate the heat they generate; if a projector is noisy, you may not want it directly over the seating arrangements. Projectors also have settings for vertical offset to tilt the projection up or down when the unit is not completely level with the screen. All of these factors and more are factored into the planning phase during professional installations.

Pre-Installation Tasks

Each installation is unique, but they all start with the same thing: a site survey. Measuring the scope of your project is critical in determining what tools and equipment will be needed. Setting up a single projector in an office meeting room will be a very different project from installing units in every classroom of a newly constructed school. For simple projects like working with existing hardware, a phone call can be all it takes to start the project planning. For more detailed projects, a technician may need to come out and examine the site.

After the survey is complete, our team will formulate a custom plan for your facility. Factors such as the type of mount being used, how high the projector will hang, and whether any cabling needs to be run through the walls will all be factored in here. Prior to the installation, our team can ship HDMI cables, VGA cables, mounts, and other necessary equipment directly to the job site. On the day of the installation, make sure there is a way for the installer to access the property. Ideally, this will involve having someone on-hand to let them in. This representative should also be able to point the installer to the work area as well.

Completing the Installation

With the materials already onsite, our technicians will unpackage everything and start prepping the walls by cutting holes for cables and hanging mounts as needed. Then the hardware will be mounted and connected, with cables being run through the walls, floors, and/or ceiling as needed. Once everything has been cleanly connected, the system will be tested to check functionality. After that, it is a simple matter of cleaning up the area and your new projector will be ready to go.

At INC, we perform projector installations for schools, universities, churches, business offices, convention centers, reception halls, and more. A properly installed projector not only looks crisp and clean but will also provide key functionality to day-to-day operations. Whether a projector is being installed from scratch or tacked onto existing equipment, INC is ready to get the job done right.

If you have additional questions on this process, please call us directly at 888-519-9525 or request a quote here. Our team will work with you to prepare your custom installation project.

Video conferencing has become increasingly popular in the last 15 years due to increased convenience from like Skype and Google Hangouts. Although the technology has been around in one form or another since the 1970s, the advent of free Internet services has made public interest skyrocket. With technology continually advancing, video conference systems see widespread use today in business offices, schools, churches, and more.

Although anyone with a cell phone can use video communications today, there is a bit more sophistication to a true video conference system. Basic video conference systems run through a computer, using software and a webcam to transform the computer into a video conferencing device. This type of system can be on the low end of audio/video quality but is a good option to consider when budgeting or using a temporary set-up.

A dedicated video conference system will have permanent equipment installed. This type of system is generally used in locations where the video conference system will be used on a regular basis, such as an office meeting room. Special cameras in these set-ups are mounted to a fixed point but rotate via remote to focus on different parts of the room as needed. The audience in the room will generally use a large television or projector to display the people on the other end of the video call.

Video Conference vs. Telepresence

There are a few other terms out there that interchange with “video conference”, the most prominent of which is “telepresence”. A telepresence system is the big brother of video conferencing, featuring newer technology. Telepresence features clearer video, crisper audio, and superior connectivity. Using cloud-based technology, telepresence lacks the connectivity issues that can cause audio or video to unsync, dropped connections, or other problems that can crop up with subpar video conference systems.

Recently, telepresence has also been combined with other new technologies such as robots. Telepresence robots can be remotely controlled, allowing presenters to “walk around” on a stage for audiences even when they are not physically present. This allows for more hands-on interaction that can provide increased benefits over video conference in areas such as education.

Pre-Installation Tasks

Each installation is unique but they all start with the same thing: a site survey. Measuring the scope of your project is critical in determining what tools and equipment will be needed. Setting up a temporary teleconference system for a one-night event will be very different from installing something high-end and permanent. For simple projects like working with existing hardware, a phone call can be all it takes to start the project planning. For more detailed projects, a technician may need to come out and examine the site.

After the survey is complete, our team will formulate a custom plan for your facility. Factors such as the lighting in the room, default camera settings, and how the system hardware will interconnect will all be factored in here. Prior to the installation, our team can ship HDMI cables, mounts, brackets, and other necessary equipment directly to the job site. On the day of the installation, make sure there is a way for the installer to access the property. Ideally, this will involve having someone on-hand to let them in. This representative should also be able to point the installer to the work area as well.

Completing the Installation

With the materials already onsite, our technicians will unpackage everything and start prepping the walls by cutting holes for cables and hanging brackets/mounts as needed. Then the hardware will be mounted and connected, with cables being run through the walls, floors, and/or ceiling as needed. Once everything has been cleanly connected, the system will be tested to check functionality. After that, it is a simple matter of cleaning up the area and your new video conference system will be ready to go.

At INC, we perform video conference installations for schools, universities, offices, churches, hotels, news stations, and more. A properly installed video conference system not only looks crisp and clean but will also provide key functionality to day-to-day operations. Whether a video conference system is being installed from scratch or tacked onto an existing network, INC is ready to get the job done right.

If you have additional questions on this process, please call us directly at 888-519-9525 or request a quote here. Our team will work with you to prepare your custom installation project.

Speaker installations are fairly straightforward, although there is a bit of planning to do before diving in. The first thing to ask yourself is: what kind of set-up am I looking for? A single speaker used for a classroom intercom is going to be a very different project than wiring up a new sound system in an auditorium. The first factor to consider is whether the speaker system should be mono or stereo.

A mono system will have one or more speakers in a single spot. That one area will be where all of the sounds from the system originate. In an environment like a meeting room, where audience attention will be focused on one spot, this is most people’s preference. Stereo systems use left and right channels to spread sounds around a room, allowing sound to come at the audience from all directions. This type of system is common in settings like movie theaters where audiences need to feel like they are at the center of the audio they are hearing.

Pre-Installation Tasks

Each installation is unique but they all start with the same thing: a site survey. Measuring the scope of your project is critical in determining what tools and equipment will be needed. A project installing speakers in one room of an office will be very different from installing an outdoor intercom system. For simple projects like working with a drop-ceiling or cutting into drywall, a phone call can be all it takes to start the project planning. For more detailed projects, a technician may need to come out and examine the site.

After the survey is complete, our team will formulate a custom plan for your facility. Factors such as how far apart the speakers should be, how much voltage is needed for each unit, and how high above the audience the speakers should be placed will all be factored in here. Prior to the installation, our team can ship speaker wire, mounts, brackets, and other necessary equipment directly to the job site. On the day of the installation, make sure there is a way for the installer to access the property. Ideally, this will involve having someone on-hand to let them in. This representative should also be able to point the installer to the work area as well.

Completing the Installation

With the materials already onsite, our technicians will unpackage everything and start prepping the walls by cutting holes and hanging brackets/mounts as needed. Then the speakers themselves will be mounted and wire will be run through the walls, floors, and/or ceiling, connecting the speakers to a media device or drop box. Once everything has been cleanly connected, the system will be tested to check functionality. After that, it is a simple matter of cleaning up the area and your new speaker system will be ready to go.

At INC, we perform speaker installations for schools, offices, restaurants, churches, hotels, retail stores, and more. A properly installed speaker system not only looks crisp and clean but will also provide key functionality to day-to-day operations. Whether a speaker system is being installed from scratch or tacked onto an existing network, INC is ready to get the job done right.

If you have additional questions on this process, please call us directly at 888-519-9525 or request a quote here. Our team will work with you to prepare your custom installation project.

“Structured cabling” is an industry term that gets thrown around a lot. Some people use it as just a buzzword, but it actually refers to how a cabling system is designed and installed within a building. Along with the cables themselves, this also includes any hardware being connected during installation plus anything else that may be added later on. Planning for the future is one of the major considerations when it comes to planning out structured cabling installation.

Network cables such as ethernet, telephone lines, coax cable, and fiber optics are all commonly found during these installations. Some general methodology does apply for all installations but it can change depending on what kind of facility is being prepared, such as standard practices for an office vs. a school. The individual, specific needs of each project allows for further customization from those guidelines on a case-by-case basis. In the United States, standards used for these projects are set by the Telecommunications Industry Association, specifically TIA/EIA-568.

Each blueprint for a structured cabling installation plan can be broken down into six sections: entrance facilities, equipment rooms, backbone cabling, telecommunications rooms, horizontal cabling, and work-area components.

Entrance Facilities

An entrance facility is the area where cables coming from utility providers stop and cabling classified as part of the building starts. This access point allows equipment inside the building to be connected to the Internet, telephone lines, and other local area infrastructure. It is commonly marked by a demarcation point. The entrance facility also includes entrance pathways, connecting hardware, transition hardware, and circuit protection devices.

Equipment Rooms

Equipment rooms are the central location for IT hardware used to run systems inside the buildings. They can be as the center of a network and are more expansive than telecommunications rooms. Equipment rooms feature heavy-duty hardware such as servers that are used to network the rest of the system together. This type of equipment is often stored on racks or cabinets for stability and security. An equipment room is generally off-limits to non-IT staff and temperature controlled to keep equipment running optimally.

Backbone Cabling

Backbone cabling refers to the wires used to connect the entrance facility, equipment room, and telecommunications rooms. Depending on the type of hardware being used in those locations, this can include ethernet cable, telephone cable, coax cable, and/or fiber optic cable. These cables handle the majority of traffic running through the network, hence the name “backbone”. Backbone cables can be divided into two sub-categories, intrabuilding and interbuilding. Intrabuilding cabling runs between different rooms in a single building. Interbuilding cabling is used to connect networks between two or more buildings. Along with the cables themselves, the term “backbone cabling” also refers to hardware used to install those cables such as conduit, firestops, and grounding equipment.

Telecommunications Rooms

A telecommunications room is an off-shoot from the main equipment room. Whereas the equipment room only connects to servers and other primary hardware, the telecommunications rooms will connect directly to user devices such as computers and printers. These smaller rooms will house the backbone and horizontal cabling, connecting them to hardware with smaller patch cables.

Horizontal Cabling

Horizontal cabling refers to cables that run between the telecommunications rooms and wall outlets. These cables are what allow individual computers, printers, and other devices to have network access. This term refers to cables used for Internet access and will consist of either ethernet or fiber optic lines depending on your network set-up. Since these cables commonly run through walls, ceilings, and floors, they often need to be plenum rated.

Work Area Components

Work area components are the cables used to connect end-user hardware to the horizontal cabling. Typically, this refers to ethernet patch cables running between the back of a computer and a wall outlet.

Benefit from Structured Cabling Today

Having a centralized hub for a network allows data to transfer faster. Imagine data needs to go from one computer to another. With structured cabling, it will go from Point A (Computer 1) to Point B (a telecommunications room) to Point C (Computer 2). It is possible to make direct connections between your hardware without structured cabling and crisscross everything together. But a network Frankensteined together will have fewer direct connections. Moving data might make it go from Point A all the way through Point M because all the equipment is connected haphazardly. Needless to say, going through a dozen connections takes a lot longer than going through three.

In the event of a problem, solutions are also easier to implement with a structured cabling system. With the more delicate parts of the system under the lock-and-key of trained IT professionals, human error is less likely to cause problems. If there is an issue, components can be fixed or replaced simply and rerouting network traffic to other parts of the system can reduce downtime as well.

At INC, we perform structured cabling installations for offices, educational facilities, residential buildings, industrial plants, and more. A simple site survey will allow us to start preparing a custom plan for optimizing hardware installation and network usage just for you. Whether a network uses fiber optic, ethernet, or even wireless systems, INC is ready to get the job done right.

If you have additional questions on this process, please call us directly at 888-519-9525 or request a quote here. Our team will work with you to prepare the site survey and customize your installation project.

So, you need a bit of cabling infrastructure work done. Maybe you are moving into a new office and need ethernet lines run. Or maybe some classrooms need projectors set up before the new school year starts. In any event, each project is going to be a bit unique. The existing infrastructure will determine which methodology is best for your particular set-up. Performing a site survey is crucial towards ensuring the rest of the project runs smoothly.

Prepping for a Survey

The goal of a site survey is for the surveyor to gain a full understanding of the project site layout. This knowledge is critical for formulating an installation plan. These professionals will need a few things from the client in order to conduct the survey successfully. Be prepared to work with them at the job site.

Someone will need to be at the project site to let the surveyor into the building. If the surveyor does not have a way in, the survey cannot be completed. The on-site representative should also be able to point the surveyor in the direction of the project site. For something like a demarc extension, this would be the MPOE (Main/Minimum Point of Entry), the spot where cables from the utility company enter the building. For something like a speaker installation, it will be whatever room the speakers are going into. Plan accordingly depending on what type of project is being surveyed.

If there is any documentation for the building, it can make the site survey quicker. Internally, this can include floor plans, roof plans, power plans, HVAC plans, and/or sprinkler plans. Externally, a site plan showing property lines, power lines, water pipes, gas pipes, trees, roads, and other obstacles can also be useful. Again, exactly what types of plans will help is going to depend on what kind of service the surveyor is examining the site for.

Brand-New vs. Upgrades

If a job site is new, site surveys and installations go very smoothly. The new cabling and other equipment can be run and set up fairly easily. Key considerations here include determining what kind of services will be needed (voice, data, video, etc.). The location of the equipment room is another critical factor, with that location acting as the hub of the network. What materials the building is made of is also a major factor, such as running cables behind a wooden wall vs. a concrete wall. The floor plans and other related documents will determine the best options when going through this step.

Available pathways are key when planning any infrastructure. Where are the pathways available? How much open space is there? Is there other equipment such as ventilation ducts that could get in the way? Where are outlet spaces available for connecting new lines? Any installation will be limited by the size and shape of the project site’s infrastructure.

When it comes to existing systems, there is a little more prep work involved. The site survey will determine where the new equipment will connect to the current infrastructure. This is typically determined by the location of an equipment room or telecom closet and what kind of space is available in the walls, floors, and ceilings between that point and the work site. For multi-building installations such as universities, this will include connecting to the main network.

The survey will also determine if additional equipment such as a rack or cabinet is needed. In areas holding heavy equipment, this involves checking the floor-loading capacity. If heavy equipment is needed, surveyors will also check if an elevator is needed and if the available elevators can also handle the size and weight of the equipment. It also includes making sure a ground is available for electrical connections.

Installation Safety

Getting equipment in place is one thing, but ensuring it will run safely is another matter. Electronic equipment is very sensitive and factors such as temperature control, humidity control, dust contamination, and other environmental conditions must be considered. Sources of EMI (electromagnetic interference) must also be located and marked to ensure any new equipment does not suffer performance issues.

In the event of an emergency, potential hazards also need to be identified. Are there fire extinguishers or a sprinkler system available? Are any fire barriers in place or are firestopping measures needed? Is emergency lighting available during a power outage? Is there any chance of the room being flooded? Precautions can ensure these and other factors have a minimum chance of causing equipment damage.

Along with safety, security must also be taken into account. Will any servers and related equipment be kept in a locked room? Where will the access point be and how will authorized users get in? Will there also be locked cabinets within the room? Keeping hardware secure is just as critical as keeping it safe and the two often go hand-in-hand.

Copper vs. Fiber

Fiber lines are becoming more popular but many installations still use copper to save on costs. Copper installations are still more common and take a few simple questions into consideration during a survey. What applications will be used (voice, data, POE)? What data speeds are needed? Modular or 110-type? T568-A or T568-B? Cross-connect or interconnect?

Fiber installations will have some of the same considerations, such as what applications are used and bandwidth requirements. Other factors unique to fiber such as single-mode vs. multimode will also need to be taken into consideration. Many of these unique factors are roughly equivalent to other factors that apply only to copper lines, so the site surveyor can help users compare and make recommendations.

Completing a Site Survey

Once a site survey has been completed, INC will start formulating a plan around the services needed to get the job site up and running. After that information is compiled, a quote will be prepared. The quote will point out any areas of potential concern noticed during the survey to ensure there are no surprises once the work starts. Different options may be available based on performance options and budgetary considerations. Increased performance is often worth a little additional investment, as is setting things up right the first time to avoid problems down the road.

At INC, we perform site surveys for offices, educational facilities, residential buildings, industrial plants, and more. A simple survey is the start of preparing your building for network installations, IT upgrades, cable management systems, and other services. Whether a network uses copper lines, fiber-optic cable, coax runs, or even wireless systems, INC is ready to get the job done right.

If you have additional questions on this process, please call us directly at 888-519-9525 or request a quote here. Our team will work with you to prepare the site survey and customize your installation project.