TNC 4030 - Audio Video

The BASIC Smart Technology System (STS) installation technician is proficient in the design of pre-wiring and wireless architectures in residential/light commercial for entertainment, internet of things, and telecommunications equipment interconnections.  This will include installation of network wiring for TV, satellite and antenna outlets, voice equipment outlets, audio and video, media streaming, and computer equipment in such a manner that all control and communication signals can be integrated at the home or business system controller and converged into one cogent local network bit stream, to either be used within the system or to be passed back and forth through the system gateway.  He/she will be proficient in the many protocols used over diverse media to communicate with and control an array of electronics systems, in addition to the skills required for low voltage wiring installation.  Prior CAT, DCI, DVE, FOI, FOT, FOT-OSP, TTT certification is highly recommended to be proficient in STS skills.  The Basic STS installation technician will work from telecommunications wireless and wiring plans, installing cable fittings and selecting the specified cabling for each technology and identifying wireless equipment requirements.  He/she will test, mark and document all cabling and will have the ability to troubleshoot and restore pre-existing cabling and wireless systems.  A Basic STS installation technician typically will also be qualified in one or more of three (3) endorsement specialty areas listed below.

Student Learning Outcomes:

ETA STS Audio-Video Endorsement (STS-A-V)

Skills and Knowledge Competencies

Refer to the BASIC STS Competencies as the foundation for these  A-V endorsement competencies. Some of the content may be familiar in the other STS endorsements also.

1.0Signals

Describe telephone system signal types

Identify wireless signal types

Identify landline (wired) signal types

POTS Plain Old Telephone services

VoIP (voice over internet protocol)

Identify how VOIP connections are made over networks

List audio signal sources and types

Differentiate between audio, video, and data signals

Identify signals associated with A-BUS audio

Explain signal sample rates

Identify the difference between NTSC and PAL

Compare video signals with radio frequencies and voice

Differentiate between HDBaseTä and IP-based video

Identify the difference between the digital HDTV transmission standards and ATSC 3.0 or NextGen TV broadcasting standards

Explain how different devices within a building can be paired and controlled by smart technology system hubs connected to the wireless network

Describe how smart technology system hubs can be extended throughout a building using hub repeaters or extender devices

Explain how entertainment systems can be connected to smart technology systems and how all room speaker systems can be set up wirelessly

2.0Amplifiers

Compare power amplifiers used in residential systems with other types of audio amplifier circuits used for larger commercial applications

Interpret an amplifier’s specifications sheet

Explain the Dolbyâ sound system, Dolby Digital Exä, DTC 9.8 and DTSâ

List the advantageous features of each

Explain the features and operation of Dolby Pro Logicâ (and DPL IIâ) and compare with basic audio amplifier sound processing

3.0Speakers

Compare various freestanding speakers commonly utilized in home and commercial theater systems

Differentiate between ordinary 2-channel audio, 5.1-channel, 7.1-channel, and 7.2-channel audio systems

Explain the purpose of subwoofers, their frequency range and styles

Explain the advantages of bookshelf speaker units

Describe the pre-wiring of In-Wall speakers, mounting and connections

Identify the different radio frequencies used for wireless speaker technology

Explain the various ways wireless speakers can be connected to sound systems

Define impedance and explain its importance in matching amplifiers to speakers

Identify the formula used to calculate total ohms for a series speaker connection

Identify the formula used to calculate total ohms for a parallel speaker connection

Explain speaker stiffness and its effect on audio balance

Explain speaker mass and its effect on audio frequencies

Explain damping factor in speakers

4.0Audio/Video Cabling

Explain ways that wrong wire gauge can adversely affect the sound system

Describe connector requirements for multi-room In-Wall speakers

4.3.    Compare speaker terminal connections including spring clips, optic fiber, binding posts, etc

Define the following speaker terms:

Transient Distortion

Wow

Flutter

Describe advantages of quality wired speakers including cost comparison

Explain the purpose and components used in cross-over networks

Explain the value and differences between audio/video cable systems including:

Oxygen-free copper wire

Optical digital audio cables

HDMI™ and HDMI™ 2.1 audio/video cables

Identify the IEEE 1394 high speed serial bus versions

IEEE 1394 FireWire™ 400, (i.LINKtm, Lynxtm) - 6 pin

IEEE 1394a - 4 pin

IEEE 1394b, FireWire™ 800 - 8 pin

Component audio/video cables (RCA jacks, RGB along with Red/White, YPbPr)

S-Video cables (Separate-Video)

Composite RCA cables (RCA jacks, yellow/red/white)

Describe wiring used on wall surfaces, hardware and esthetics

5.0Audio Systems Basics

Explain why audio systems require greater bandwidth than telephone or AM radio

Explain the frequency response of each type of speaker

Explain total harmonic distortion (THD) including causes and cures

Define audio equalization

Compare an equalizer to common tone controls in amplifiers

Explain digital audio sampling rates including various optimum sampling rates

Explain the advantages of compression technology

Explain how and where it is used in audio products

Compare quality of CDs (compact discs) and user functionality with streaming audio or other sources

Compare FM radio reception quality with CDs/internet/media streaming

Explain radio function of the stereo receiver

Describe satellite radio services

6.0Surround Sound

Explain surround sound basics

Describe how to plan the placement of surround sound speaker units

Describe how to rewire to allow room areas use of surround equipment

Explain digital theatre systems (DTS) and their advantages/disadvantages

Describe Dolby Digitalâ, Dolby 5.1-channelâ surround sound systems

Describe 7.1-channelâ  surround sound systems

Describe 7.2-channelâ  surround sound systems

6.4.3      Describe Dolby Atmosâ surround sound systems

7.0Acoustics

Define and present examples of good and bad acoustics

Explain acoustic resistance and resonance

Explain causes of detrimental sound reflection

Explain sound refraction and discuss causes

Explain sound diffraction aspects

Describe low frequency effects an area may exhibit

Explain the reasons for audio “holes and nodes” and how to mitigate them

8.0Video

Describe TV “Off-Air” broadcast signals including HDTV (High Definition TV) multicasting

Differentiate between video streaming using cable, satellite or Video Over Cellular (VOC) 4G/5G video programming

Compare DVD, cable, satellite, VOC and off-air High Definition sources and sampling rates

Describe Blu-rayä and 4K Blu-rayä technology and audio-video quality

Describe HDVD - DVR (High Definition video disc-digital video recorder) audio and video quality

Explain the purpose of MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Experts Group-4, .M4V, MP4)

Describe how PVRs (personal video recorders) operate and interconnect in the sound system

Describe S-Video (separate video or Y/C) and explain its advantages

Define HDMI™ (High Definition Multimedia Interface) and explain its advantages

Explain Aspect Ratios and how they affect the screen viewing size

Match viewing distance - aspect ratios with various size displays

Differentiate between HD 1080P, 4K Ultra HD and 10K including 8K-60Hz and 4K-120Hz

Explain various digital sampling rates with optimized video quality

Describe display maximization including color temperature/balance

Describe various types of wireless control of audio and video equipment using remote hand units, LED (light-emitting diode) and RF (radio frequency) sending/receiving devices

9.0Display Devices

Describe the operation and handling precautions for liquid-crystal displays (LCD)

Describe LED, LCD plasma, OLED (organic LED) and other projection TV technologies

Compare monitors with TV receivers and list advantages

Compare the following display technologies and list advantages of each:

Digital light processing (DLP)

Liquid crystal on silicon (LcoS)

Cells of electrically charged ionized gases (Plasma)

Quantum dot display (QLED)

Describe projectors/screens used in home theater applications

Describe actuators and remote control for motorized screens

Discuss Scanning and the features of both:

Progressive scanning

Interlaced scanning

Explain the purpose and technology of De-Interlacing and Line Doubling

10.0Home Theater Systems

Describe audio channel selection on a receiver/amplifier

List advantages of remote wireless control of whole-house electronics from the home theater primary viewing area

Summarize modern displays and speaker esthetics for residential function

Discuss home theater seating concepts

Explain importance of seeking customer choices for products and in-home positioning

Explain requirements of cabling, speakers and display units when retrofitting a residence

List the components for a motorized projection screen

Describe the inclusion of CDs (compact discs), DVD (digital video disc), internet streaming, Blu- rayä, 4K Blu-rayä, 8K and 10K in the audio-video system

11.0Off-Air Antennas

Explain off-air antenna installation basics

Identify types of large antenna-dish components and mounts

Discuss logical methods of troubleshooting dish and antenna problems

Compare 4K UltraHD, digital, and HDTV broadcast signals

Describe the required small dish system installation/programming procedures that must be followed and the configuration required prior to customer subscription access

12.0Cable TV

Describe cable TV (CATV) connections, ground blocks and wiring from street drop to home/entry interconnection

List minimum signal levels common for CATV systems and the use of line amplifiers where weak signals exist

Define and list major advantages of each:

DSL (digital subscriber line)

PPV (pay-per-view)

13.0Distribution Systems

Describe home run and daisy chain wired signal distribution systems

Explain how A-BUS systems work

Describe and compare wireless distribution systems with wired distribution systems

List common usages for cabling and the advantages of each:

13.3.1  RG-59

13.3.2  RG-62

RG6

CAT 5e/6/6A/8 etc (Twisted Pair)

Optical fiber

Identify causes of cabling crosstalk interference

Describe residential signal distribution equipment interconnection

Describe how a home computer network can be used to remotely control home electronics

Explain how individual areas can be controlled from multiple remote locations

Describe pre-wiring and retro wiring methods including:wall fish

Describe the need for drywall and other penetrations of walls and ceilings in retrofit applications

Describe restoration techniques and list materials used

attics:

crawl spaces

other spaces

Describe 70-volt sound distribution technology and indicate applications where it is desirable

Identify wireless sound systems and how they are configured

List online and cloud resources that may be included in home networks

Explain the use of distribution components including splitters, diplexers, taps, fittings and outlets

Explain how plastic optical fiber can be utilized in the home systems

14.0Troubleshooting

Describe common technical problems in home theater systems

Describe methods and equipment used to troubleshoot signal systems or to substitute or detect system signals

Explain the usage of signal generators including:

TDR (time domain reflectometer)

DMM (digital multimeter)

RF (Communication Service Monitor - CSM)

Microwave

List signal problems from external sources or those caused by the A-V system components

List tools and test equipment used for installation work in homes

Describe methods and equipment used to maximize A-V equipment capabilities

Describe procedures for accessing and resolving In-Wall equipment/cabling problems

Present an example of customer equipment faults leading to dissatisfaction of the electronics work and potential loss of income for the installing dealer

Explain the grounding process and its importance in reducing ground loops as well as customer lighting/surge concerns