C'mon man, I do that kind of stuff on my way to a real install....

Just kidding. Fantastic....

Well today I ordered a new bulb for my personal Optoma HD2200. Was firing it up to watch breaking bad in the theater and it blew up. I mean not 20 seconds after hitting the power button, I hear the unmistakable sound of shattering glass. This is the original factory bulb and it is less than 1500 hours. Maybe less than 1000.

Heart breaking sound. I know it all too well. Be happy you have the money to replace it. Now order one the next time you have a wind fall so when today's order breaks you can swap it out.

Very nice drawings Paul. I'm going to take your advice and actually start using our copy of Visio.

If you look at the two examples I posted, most of the drawings are just rectangles and squares with a few jpeg images for speakers, tvs, etc.

Once you drag the rectangle shape on for a wall or window (or whatever) you can just type in the measurements and it sets the dimensions for you.

Any of my examples can be done in 15-20mins once you get the hang of it.

Here's a couple more from the same job with the fireplace.  This shows two different sizes of TVs for the Kitchen so the designer & client could decide.  They picked the 32" and then I handed the same drawing to the builder so they could frame out the proper size for the recessed nich.

32" TV:



 


40" TV:



Just takes a few minutes to do these simple drawings and they can be really useful.

Approached by GC/Builder (Chic) while I was on a retrofit project next to her newly build home, an expensive one.

She asked: "What do you do at this residence?"

I replied: "I am a low voltage guy, I am responsible for Audio/Video system, including Lighting Control and Networking when this house is done with remodeling."

"Oh, great.  I like to work with someone can be competitve with the guy we're currently use."

Let's make the story short, I went in the newly constructed home....Lord and behold, the first thing I saw was a single RG6Q/Cat5e are shoved back to single gang solid back box top of fireplace mantle, there no sight of power at all.  I looked down into the space assumed cabinet will be there, no wires at all.  Wallked to other rooms, single RG6Q/Cat5e drop about 5' high. Best of all, a 14" struture wiring pannel is mounted near top of wall of 9' ceiling.

I was very speechless, but manage to say "I'd like to show you when I am done next door."

You better hope they address some of those issues or you wont want anything to do with that house lol

Nice work posted above, Paul. Loved the incremental/stage photos of the stone fireplace. I wish everyone (myself included) would take the time to photograph the stages of our projects. It seems im always in a mad dash from one room to the next and my camera is in my bag back at the control room.

Challenge Accepted...Who else is with me/us?

Im with you, at least ill try. Have a small project but some custom stuff going in tomorrow.

My problem is i just dont want to take the time out of the project once i get into a groove its hard for me to even quite for lunch or any type of break. i just go until its finished.

some of my most impressive projects i cant even photograph or show people because ive signed a non disclosure picture form... :(

All the photos I post are from my iPhone with the exception of the "portfolio" type pictures like the finished theater that I take using my Nikon setup with lighting.

It really doesn't add more than 2-5mins a day to document your work with the phone camera.  I usually just step back as I complete each significant task and snap a quick picture as I'm contemplating the next step.

I just checked and the fireplace job photos spanned 15 months from framing to installation, so some of the stonework pictures were taken when I stopped by the jobsite to check on other issues or phases.

I'm good about taking pictures, but have been trying to improve by taking photos from the same vantage point to better demonstrate the process.  The pictures of previous jobs can be handy to show clients, builders & designers to help them better understand what might be involved with specific installations.


I'm also guilty of not taking breaks, skipping lunch and working late, but it really only takes a few minutes to snap some photos.  The pictures taken during construction phase are always useful later on when you need to find out where the framing is in a wall to relocate something, pull a new wire or bolt up a TV mount.  I can't thing of a single job that I haven't referred back to the framing photos at least once.

You can also be a hero to the other trades that also might need to make a change once the walls are up.  Flip through a few photos on your laptop and save them hours of cutting up and patching the walls.

Some of the stuff I'm most proud of is also covered under NDAs, but there's still plenty of work that most of us can share. 

Just got back from the hospital. Tonight we finally were albe to meet our new son, 7 lbs 14 oz. It was a long delivery that ended up with a last minute c section. All is well, baby is healthy, mom is doing well. I just got back and put my 4 year old daughter to bed. Long day, now just enjoying the quiet, a bourbon on the rocks, and still trying to decide on the little guys name.

Congrats Dave. Dave is a hell of a name;)

Just found out two of my best friends (different couples) have babies on the way.

I have a 2 year and that is enough for me.

Wicked awesome! All the best!

Congrad Dave!

Are you prepared for weeks of sleepless night? :)

Congrats!