I could really use some help. I am overwhelmed with information. I am a training officer for a fire department. I need to outfit our training room with AV equipment. We had some companies out to give us some quotes. When the $80,000 quote hit the table, my chances of having a professional company come in to do this work went right down the tubes. So I need to learn some things really fast! My biggest question is:

What kind/brand of remote can be programmed to control: vcr, dvd, projector, lighting, audio etc. I am looking for a touch panel that is easy to operate. (I have alot of old firefighters who are technically challenged) I have experience programming computers so hopefilly I can hammer my way, with help, through any controllers that run scripts.

If anyone has information on projectors and audio I would also appreciate some help on that.

Thanks

Sounds like you're leaving too much valuable information out of your question and that you may be jumping in way over your head. You stated that you want an easy to use touchpanel to control a few basic devices.

There are numerous controls that can be programmed to do what you want. The problem is you need the proper equipment to make a system work properly 100% of the time. Do you have a budget for this job? How many bids did you actually receive? What exactly did you ask for, and what were you promised this system could do? What type of equipment was spec'd in your proposal? Does this job need to be wired from start to finish? Since you say you got bids for $80,000 i have a feeling you may have made it seem like you wanted more than may actually be needed or you're leaving out a ton of valuable info.

The proper programming is key to making a system work correctly. Is this something you really think you can jump into so easily. Also, do you actually have all the free time necessary to do it.
Good luck, it sounds like you will need it.

Mike

This message was edited by MikeTech on 12/12/04 21:59 ET.

We would need a little more info to help you out. I'm always willing to give a brother some information. Email me and I'll be happy to help out.

[email protected]

feel free to email me as well. I'd love the opportunity to "give something back" to our first defenders.

If I may ask, CR, where are you geographically?

Yeah the programming is important but some gear is just no going to do waht you want it too. How did someone bid $80,000 for a firehouse?

I can't see automation and crestron controled lights sytems and temp in a firehouse.. but that is just me.