I am looking for a company that can do a media server for a client of mine here in San Diego. I am an installtion company, but don't yet feel comfortable doing the media server. I want to make sure that my client gets someone who really knows what they are doing for the media server integration, and I'll admit that it's not me. There is nothing like experience, and I don't feel it's fair to the client pay for my learning experience or mistakes. If interested, please reply.

Many kudos for admitting when you don't know something, a charachter trait more people in this industry need. You will serve your customer better, and that's the important thing.

I'm in Illinois; I'm not sure you want to fly me out to do this, but maybe so. If so, [email protected].

Theaterworks:
Thanks once again for your reply. While I'm sure you would do an excellent job, It is probably better for someone more local to do the work. I am thinking that a media server probably is a lot like a computer, where quirks constantly have to be "unquirked" and where updating is an ongoing issue. If I can't find a local firm, I might be interested in paying you as a consultant to nurse me through the setup. Some of my employees are Microsoft certified, for whatever that's worth.

Other than the travel time, a round trip from Chicago is pretty reasonable-- I just flew round trip to Chicago a couple of weeks ago on American Airlines for only $218.00. I may consider it. You would probably enjoy a trip to San Diego, as the weather is beautiful most of the time. Living here is another story-- a modest home is $750,000 yet labor rates are amoung the lowest in the US. No wonder it's so hard to find someone qualified to do anything besides structured wiring and out-of-the-box solutions-- it costs a lot to run a business here and it's almost impossible to pay a tech enough to live comfortably. The really advanced guys seem in short supply and very busy.

Keep watching for posts in this thread to see if anyone local replys.

What do you mean by media server?

Are you referring to a Music Server?(Escient/Audiorequest)

Are you referring to a DVD Server?(Kaleidescape/VideoRequest)


How do you plan on controlling the server?(IR/RS232)(Crestron/AMX/Pronto/ETC....)

Will it be for a stand alone system or for distibution throughout the house?


Why didn't Theaterwerks ask you any of these questions before applauding your ignorance and offering his/hers for a price?

Theaterwerks couldn't consult his way out of a paper bag.

Stew,

I'd also like to commend you on your business attitude.

Guess we know why your "looking for Employment"... Hmmm Chicago eh???

Rod?

(Owen gets it..............)

I guess if I was hired to consult I would not do it in a public forum.

You know who I am. Do I know you?

Owen does get it, and thanks you for the first laugh of the morning. No, it's not who you guess; he's not in that arena to the best of my knowledge.

How can you offer to consult when you have no idea what you are consulting on?

Are you an adroit technician with explicit knowledge on every media server ever made?

When someone comes here for help should we pounce on him immediately to make a quick buck?

How can you commend an aspiring custom electronic professional on not doing the research himself or at least offer some guidance besides "kudos on your ignorance"?

Does the screen name Impaqt refer to your business?

Do you run Impaqt Incorporated? Or, are you just some grunt that loves to pretend that he’s on the fast track?

How many Questions can I ask in a row?

Hmmmm. I say, you say. Who were you again? Have I mailed you a W-2 in the last few years?


Yes, I am an adroit technician. No, my explicit knowledge only extends to the products I support, not everything out there.


Read his post. He asked for help.


Read my response. I did not congratulate him on his ignorance; in point of fact he did the most non-ignorant thing I can think of, asking for help on a help forum for a system he recognized as complex and outside of his range of expertise. I lauded him for recognizing that bringing in some seasoned help might be a good idea.


Why the personal attacks?


I'm off on vacation for two weeks starting today. I'll check when I'm back to see if this thread still lives. Arrivederci!

I think I struck a cord....

No, I dont run Impaqt Inc. If you care to see my experience, you can look at my profile and folow the links.

I've learned there's another major [custom]player in CHicagoland closing its retail floor/showroom... Probobly some disgruntled employee from there.....

Back to needing help...
I am in Long Beach, CA. I custom build Media Servers and Home Theater PCs. What is it that your client is exactly looking for? Do you have a MS aleady and need it setup or are you looking to have one made to their specs and installed and configured?

Thanks

the whole theaterworks vs. the unemployed dude thing is way out of hand... I think Owen was just offering to consult with this less experienced company, and if needed, fly out to assist to help with the execution of the project. That's not uncommon, and I would make the same offer of the job were the right size.

Stew, you should call your local Escient and/or audiorequest rep and get started with them. If you want to add this to you repertiore, there is no time like the present to get your feet wet.
If you are hesitant about doing any more of these in the future and just want to satisfy this client, they may recommend that you partner up with an existing company from his area, and could give you leads of who the most experienced companies are. This type of thing is common in other fields (ie: automation, lighting control) and there should be a high end guy around LA that will take on something like this as a subcontract job.