rhm9

Very well said. As I have said before, the big guys will actually show how good the smaller guys actually are. There is certainly space for both.

The CT600 has a 12 channel amp, 9x6 audio preamp, 9x6 composite video switch, and a tuner, all for about the price of a Pvid. Killer product.

I would venture a guess that the number of folks here with some knowledge of a PVID's MSRP is equal to those who could identify my wide girth in a police line up.

The nuns would hand this back and tut clarity, clarity, clarity. For the uninitiated, Gary means about 6k.

Alan

And how is the price of a CT1600 so good at 6k? I could do a Crestron PAD8 with a 24x24 composite switcher for 6500. Remove the Crestron comosite video switcher and substitute a KDS 8x3 and I have a system with component video switching for 6k. A killer product or not it's certainly no bargain. DJNORM this is what happens when your skew is filled with audiophile approved lines as opposed to control systems. I take the control system anyday.

Alan

Hmmmm...

BB/Mag gives me six figures, a vehicle and some nice purty shirts (along with my personally arranged work schedule) and I too may join those selling out to the big box monster.......lol

Lord knows, our local BB definitely needs a new manager at the minimum.

2nd Rick - Thanks for the honest assesment! You did miss on a couple of the brands, but I'm not privey to future plans so I cannot confirm or deny what you wrote. I do have to be carefull :)
BTW, next time you see Mark Thoman tell him I said howdy! He used to be one of my favorite reps in Chicago - I tried to buy everything he could sell me because he was always so helpful.

Theaterworks - You're correct, but you didn't hear it from me. I'll be in Chicago for Taste of Lincoln Ave (planning to be that is) and for sure the last week of July. I'll be training sales people for two days (Thursday and Friday the 28th of July or so) near Downers Grove, so I should have evenings open on Wed - Fri. Send me an email and we'll discuss. I may come in for the Air and Water show (love those big planes).

rhm9 - thanks also for your honest assessment. I keep telling everyone on this site that they'll do fine if they just hone their skills and stick to what they know. We'll find tons of customers, but they don't have to be yours if you work hard.
BTW, our labor prices our set for all the usual reasons (stay in business, make money, etc.), but are affected by the world around us. Our labor prices are comparable to similar competition.

Everone else - I'm in Kansas City this week for Skills USA. It involves high school students from across the country in a number of competitions. We're sponsoring one on setting up home theaters (as well as car stereo and computer stuff, if I heard correctly). I get to talk to them on Friday on life as an installer and why they should consider our field after they graduate. If you could talk to these young adults, what would you say? I still think that this is one of the coolest careers you could have (and I've been doing it a long time), but I'd love some other views on why you think it is a good way to go. If you can, either post a reply here or send me an email and I'll try to use everything that is sent. Afterwards, if anyone is interested, I'll post a follow up and tell you all what I saw.

Jeff Wagner
Technical Training Manager
Magnolia Home Theater/ Best Buy

B&K will not be in Magnolia HT , and they also are not dealing with Tweeter any more.

At least thats what Ive heard

B&K CT600 (1 Am/Fm Tuner) = $2698 Retail
B&K CT610 (2 Am/Fm Tuners) = $2998 Retail

CK1.2 Keypad = $298 Retail

This is a niche Crestron is *currently* missing.

I think the 610 is going the way of the 310
[being discontinued]
so B&K will narrow it down to the CT300 & 600

although I really really did like the 310 which had 3 zones, 1 at 150w x 2; 2 at 55w x 2

I suspect used 310's will be worth some coin. ,

I was sure I typed "half" in there somewhere, half the price of a Pvid. But Alan never mistypes.

A B&K CT-600 is like $2800............ Not 6,000..........

B&K has some video coming soon as well.... COmponent switching, Cat-5 Video, DVD Player

Careful with that "coming soon" thing; it is B&K we're talking about here...

The CK 1.2 was late by a full year, and someone else was buiding that for them!

I think it's Home Theater Master that was late on that, and I don't think they have ever shipped a product on time.

"all for about the price of a Pvid. Killer product. "

If I am to be slandered at least complain about my spelling or absence of tact. Me, wrong? Nor must I always have the last word. I am the original square round peg. I am perfectly ro[t]und and entirely square.

Alan

You are an anomaly my friend.