Essential Install Training Supplement 2018

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Essential Install | Contents

TURN TO P.4 FOR THE CEDIA INSIGHT

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2018

Training Supplement In this issue…

4 CEDIA: Train to Gain

12 Alltrade: Improve Skills, Improve Business

CEDIA is renowned for its industry-leading education programme, which features more than 200 courses for technology integrators, purpose-designed to support and elevate technical and business skills.

Alltrade’s training, planning and support trade strategy begins with free, first-class installer training at any one of its Trade Counter sites across the country. Get on board to see your business grow.

6 BEMCO: KNX Explained

10

Alltrade

12

Meridian

16

14 RGB Communications: Sharing the knowledge

Find out if KNX is right for your business and how BEMCO can support you on your way to becoming a successful KNX installer.

8 Habitech: Defusing the HDR Bandwidth Bombshell

CAI

RGB Explains the company ethos behind its support for dealers and installers in the form of first class training.

Just when you’d got the measure of 4K, along comes HDR to tip the full-fat payload beyond the limits of HDMI 2.0. So if a customer demands Dolby Vision, how do you respond? Habitech’s new HDR course will complete the picture, as Jay Brand explains.

16 Meridian: Get SMART

Meridian Audio highlights how both its bitesize, 30-minute SMART Education webinars and classroombased Meridian Practitioner courses are helping installers to create the most immersive inhome experience, whatever the application.

10 CAI: Traditionally Modern

Peter Sealey, recently appointed senior executive at the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI), lays out the association’s refreshed training programme.

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Training | Editor’s Comment

Take time to train, it can be transformational

Find time to train Daniel J Sait, Editor-in-chief

One of the Founding Fathers of America and polymath, Benjamin Franklin, once said, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.” Helping to found a nation as well as being an author, printer, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, humourist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat operating in the 18th century, Benjamin’s world was very different to our own of course, however this phrase sums up well the best examples of learning and training in the world of AV and building automation.

Our industry changes faster than most, by definition being on the cutting-edge of technology means things change constantly. Methods, practices and technologies shift like sand constantly challenging integrators to learn, train and maintain their edge. Take networking for example, one of the main issues covered in this month’s main magazine. When EI first started writing about the industry, the concept was hardly part of the industry at all and to many was treated with suspicion as unreliable. Spin forward to today and installers have had to learn how networks operate to maintain their relevance and deliver the types of systems people demand. Challenging as this may be, learning new things is rarely a bad idea, in this instance the growth of networks and the industry’s ability to understand and then manipulate them has led to a whole new range of services and abilities in the world of remote management.

In this supplement we offer some more opportunities to learn from a wide range of sources offering very different approaches and different areas of expertise.

Alltrade’s training programme has been a major part of its success in recent years offering multi-location

opportunities to not just learn about its product range, but also expand knowledge around the concepts the industry is based on.

The Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) has its roots in the long-established sector of aerial installation.

First founded in 1978, the association has seen its members through many changes, perhaps none more so than the current period when its training mixes well established skills and practices for aerial and satellite installation with new techniques dealing with networking and fibre optics.

Meridian has always been mindful of the need to help its dealers understand what makes the company’s products tick. A pure engineering company with a flair for eye-catching design too, the maker goes to great lengths to engender an appreciation of and ability to deliver the benefits of what it produces. Currently the company is just one of the entities combining in-personbased training with online experiences and webinars, tailoring its offering to the busy schedules of installers.

RGB Communications has always led from the front on training, and this continues today with a whole range of classroom-based training mixed with some of the best hands-on training in the industry.

Lastly here, Bemco is a KNX-focused distributor which has made a priority out of educating its customers about the potential and opportunities surrounding the KNX platform.

So take the time to engage with the training that is on offer, of course it’s difficult to find the time, but choosing the right training for your business is one of the best ways to make it more successful.

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Daniel Sait, dan@allthingsmedialtd.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR: Jordan O’Brien, jordan@allthingsmedialtd.com SALES DIRECTOR: Ian Kitchener, ian@allthingsmedialtd.com PUBLISHER: David Kitchener, david@allthingsmedialtd.com ACCOUNTS: susan@allthingsmedialtd.com CIRCULATION: carol@allthingsmedialtd.com STUDIO MANAGER: Ben Bristow, ben@allthingsmedialtd.com GRAPHIC DESIGN: Jon Appleton, jon@allthingsmedialtd.com Essential Install magazine, Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8UD. T: +44 (0)1634 673163 F: +44 (0)1634 673173 Whist we make every effort that everything printed in Essential Install magazine is factually correct, we cannot be held responsible if factual errors occur.

All articles are copyright and remain the property of Essential Install magazine.

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Training | CEDIA

Contact CEDIA direct to get all the information about its comprehensive training programme

Train to Gain

CEDIA is renowned for its industry leading education programme, which features more than 200 courses for technology integrators, purpose-designed to support and elevate technical and business skills.

In the fast-developing world of smart home technology, professionals must constantly update their skills to keep up with the growing demand and success in their business. For those new to the industry and looking for the basic knowledge to get started, to industry professionals who want to further their expertise, CEDIA education has something to offer.

One of the major highlights in the forthcoming autumn programme is CEDIA’s Smart Home Technician City & Guilds accredited course. This programme provides integrators with a unique overview of the smart home installation process, how to improve specific skills in networking, as well as lighting and AV. Available to both CEDIA and non-CEDIA members CEDIA’s Smart Home Technician track comprises of 12 training courses, which make up Boot Camp, ESC Technical, and Networking School, plus the ESC-T and ESC-N certification. Upon successful completion of the ESC-T and ESC-N certification, attendees will be awarded with the only Smart Home Technician accreditation available in the home technology industry.

For CEDIA members, the price for the full-package is £1,999+VAT, and £2,799+VAT for non-members. The next Smart Home Technician course will begin on November 19, 2018. Split into three packages, the dates for the full training courses are:

ESC-T Technical School: (November 19-23)

• Basic Wired and Wireless Networking • Home Cinema and HD Video Distribution • Smart Home Control and Lighting Systems • Project and Business Processes • Rack Building and Wiring Fundamentals • ESC-T Certification Exam

October 29-31 – ESC-N Networking School and Certification Exam (Contact CEDIA for next date) • Residential Networking • Wireless Residential Networking • Advanced Residential Networking • ESC-N Certification Exam

November 5-9 — Boot Camp (Contact CEDIA for next date)

• Cables, Connectivity and Structured Wiring Workshop • Essential Technical and Personal Skills for Installers • Health & Safety Course • Safe Isolation • Audio, Video and RF Systems

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Training | CEDIA

What The Members Say

Richard Colman, Luxe Smart Homes, praises CEDIA’s training

CEDIA training is targeted at installers, dealers, and distributors in the smart home technology industry, offering a structured programme that helps them to create and build a career path. Those who complete CEDIA training courses walk away with expert knowledge and technical skills that are key to maintaining a good reputation in the industry, as well as ensuring that they continue to deliver high quality projects.

Richard Colman, company director at CEDIA member company, Luxe Smart Homes, discusses how attending industry training allowed him to set up a successful installation company and why all integrators should maintain standards by regularly signing up for education courses.

“I joined CEDIA just over a year ago, as I wanted to gain access to their training program at the membership prices. I was transitioning from a different industry and needed to gain a solid understanding of how to set up an installation company and all the various aspects involved in doing so. I’m now 12 months on from this stage, and looking back, I don’t think I would be where I am today if it hadn’t been for that CEDIA training I initially undertook.”

“I drove up and down the M25/M1 for three consecutive weekends as I threw myself into the Boot camp, Technical School, and Networking School courses.

While my brain may have been slightly overwhelmed by the sheer breadth of information I was taking in, it was all fitting into place and building upon the knowledge I had already learnt myself through playing around with AVRs, projectors, and computer networks in the past.”

Richard explains, “I think the biggest thing I took from those first few weeks was the confidence to go into a new industry and be taught with the highest of standards that CEDIA is committed to delivering.

“Once I had completed my ESC-T and ESC-N certifications, I was able to apply what I had learnt instantly when working on site. When I encountered

fellow technicians who had years more experience than I had, who didn’t understand the reason for using one wireless radio channel over another, or when to use a Cat 6a cable instead of Cat 6, I knew that the investment I made in training myself in those first couple of weeks was immediately paying off.”

Richard adds, “Another benefit of continued professional development that has helped me grow my business is all the fantastic people you meet on these courses. Not only that, after leaving the classroom, it’s been invaluable to be able to communicate with colleagues and friends on a regular basis. I’ve been able to build up a network that has years more experience than I have but have all happily helped me along my way.

Even junior technicians who I have met at these courses have been able to make connections post-classroom that have led them to further employment opportunities.”

Courses from CEDIA’s Smart Home Technician programme will be running from October to December 2018 at CEDIA’s training facility in St Neots, Cambridgeshire.

CEDIA 01480 213 744, cediaeducation.com

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Training | Habitech

Defusing the HDR Bandwidth Bombshell What do you say to a customer who insists on the best HDR picture everywhere?

Habitech’s new ‘4K HDR in Practice’ course has the answer

Just when you’d got the measure of 4K, along comes HDR to tip the full-fat payload beyond the limits of HDMI 2.0. So if a customer demands Dolby Vision, how do you respond? Habitech’s new HDR course will complete the picture, as Jay Brand explains.

For TV upgraders, High Dynamic Range (HDR) is this year’s star tech turn, marking a shift in video development away from years of pixel-packing toward a more natural rendering of the pixels themselves. But its advent has ignited a new arms race of rival HDR technologies, and greater bandwidth demands on home networks, leaving customers and integrators perplexed.

So what’s the truth in the rollout of HDR, and is it a meal or a minefield for installers? In the true spirit of Habitech, we’ll try to add clarity.

What is HDR?

HDR is designed to widen the range between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks in the TV or projected image, generating more natural tones and boosting perceived picture definition. For this to happen HDR TVs are brighter, exceeding 1000 nits versus 100-300 nits on standard TVs, and they’re capable of generating a wider colour gamut (Rec.2020) with 10-bit colour (that’s 1 billion potential colours per pixel). Of course all the added richness on-screen means extra data in the network.

Inevitably for HDR to travel, it needs a fatter pipe.

The HDR Five

And just to make it more complicated, HDR’s intro has become embroiled in yet another format war. Rather than build on market recognition gifted by phone tech, manufacturers are sharing the idea between as many as five versions, all doing much the same thing, but packaged proprietorially. Barely two years after HDR’s arrival, customers face a choice of HDR-10, Dolby Vision, HDR-10+, HLG and Advanced HDR. Once again, it seems, manufacturers are damaging their own bandwagon by jumping on it.

HDR10 is the default HDR format on Ultra HD Blu-ray, is free to use, and applies static metadata to every frame.

It’s the HDR found on most 4K HDR TVs, Netflix, Amazon and Amazon Prime streams, Apple TV’s 4K service, Xbox One S/X and Playstation 4 Slim/Pro. Dolby Vision pushes the tech to its limits with 12-bit colour, higher nit values (the highest spec is 10,000 nits) and dynamic metadata for scene-by-scene optimisation, created at source and sensitive to the capabilities of the display. LG and Sony are backing Dolby Vision, along with the big online content providers: Apple, Amazon and Netflix.

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Training | Habitech

Future proof now with SCP’s HDMI AOC, supporting HDMI 2.1 up to 24Gbps (6Gbps/ ch x 4) over 10, 15, 20, 30 metres, with 100m range coming soon

With the 4K bandwidth burger on today’s HDMI 2.0 menu you can have any two of the sides available: 4:4:4, 60fps, HDR, but never all three

HDR10+ from Samsung is the rival to Dolby Vision, backed by Panasonic and supported by Warner Bros Home Entertainment, Amazon Prime Video and Philips.

Slated for TVs, Ultra HD Blu-ray players (TBC), set-top boxes and 4K Blu-ray discs, the HDR10+ license is free (unlike Dolby Vision’s) and backward compatible with HDR10. Currently it isn’t supported by HDMI distribution systems.

Co-developed by the BBC and Japan’s NHK for broadcast HDR, Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) is potentially the most widely distributed HDR of all. It uses a tech magic called Electro-Optical Transfer Function (EOTF) to combine standard dynamic range and high dynamic range images, so it’s compatible with SDR and HLG-HDR TVs. Samsung, Sony, LG and Panasonic are implementing HLG; high-end projectors from Sony and JVC (DLA-X9900, 7900, 5900) are also on board. Technical issues have dogged HLG’s roll-out, but interest from the media giants remains strong with Google wanting YouTube’s HDR videos to support HLG and Sky intending to enable Sky Q. And of course it’s a natural fit for the BBC’s iPlayer.

Advanced HDR by Technicolor (sometimes SL-HDR1) is a 10-bit HDR format developed by STMicroelectronics, LG and Technicolor. The video bitstream is SDR with an extra HDR packet supporting static or dynamic metadata, which enables HDR on compatible devices (only LG at present).

HDR in Practice

Even though you’ll be wanting to place the highest performance on a plate for customers demanding Dolby Vision (for instance), the simple truth is that right now the highest calorie UHD/60 4:4:4 version at around 24Gbps is beyond the limits of current distribution tech. Same goes for full-fat 10-bit HDR and HLG. This bombshell revelation may come as a surprise when HDAnywhere, Blustream, Atlona et al have been claiming to carry 4K/60 4:4:4 and HDR. They really mean 4K/60 4:4:4 or HDR. As our HDMI 2.0 ‘meal deal’ metaphor explains, you can eat all of the 4K HDR bandwidth burger but only two of the three ‘sides’ available: 4:4:4 fries, 60fps flurry or the HDR apple pie. The simple truth is that uncompressed HDR with all the trimmings is not possible down 18Gbps pipes, and even if it were, there is no UHD/60 4:4:4 10/12-bit content available. As far as HDR is concerned, the practical world is way behind the paper one.

So keep calm and carry on. You don’t have to defuse the HDR bandwidth bombshell, just kick it down the road.

Deliver UHD with HDR at 30 frames (9Gbps), comfortably inside HDMI 2.0 and HDBT limits. With compression you’ll even squeeze UHD/30 4:4:4 10-bit HDR (but not 12-bit DV) data down HDBT. Ultra HD Blu-ray outputs 4:2:0 at 24fps.

Sprinkle 10-bit HDR on top and it’s still below 9Gbps.

You’re good to go

Until HDMI 2.1 arrives you’ll have to live with compromise, but what’s new? All your customer is asking for is bleedingedge 4K/HDR picture performance, so deliver it today with Wyrestorm’s peerless 10G and 18G copper/fibre matrix infrastructure, its innovative high-speed HAOCs and Network HD 600 AV-over-IP hardware, and SCP’s new AOC adaptors (already 24Gbps capable with 4x6Gbps lanes incidentally). And always keep the pipes in place, because as sure as eggs is eggs, upgrades will arrive at either end.

For the best guide to HDR tech and its implications read David Meyer’s excellent CEDIA Community blogs and come along to our new HDR training at Basingstoke; check the site for details. Integrating fast moving tech transition is all about managing client expectations. Armed with a longer view, you’ll be in the best position to plan and to profit.

Habitech habitech.co.uk, 01256 638 500

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Training | CAI Training

Traditionally modern

Peter Sealey, recently appointed senior executive at the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI), lays out the association’s refreshed training programme.

CAI training has kept pace with changes in the industry

During this time of ever increasing change within our industry, training and staff development become ever more important.

CAI continues to offer class-leading training and education programmes, with many of our courses accredited by City & Guilds. Interestingly, our most popular courses cover subjects that could be considered both traditional and modern.

Many companies still need engineers trained to do simple reception installations, so our basic aerial and satellite courses remain among our most popular, and yet at the same time our home networking and fibre optic courses are also among the most well attended. Clearly the trade is moving forward, but without throwing away the core disciplines and skills.

Another factor that the industry must consider is that their employees need a ‘skills card’ in order to be allowed on construction sites. Increasingly, companies are asked to design and install a variety of actual and potential abilities into new build properties, so access to these developments is important. Lacking NVQ type qualifications offered by colleges, the cabled distribution network trade found it tricky proving competence so that its workforces could gain access to building sites. From CAI, as the leading industry representative body for signal reception and distribution delivering recognised training programmes, a radical plan was required to maintain the work completion rates for TV system upgrades. CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) accepted that national framework qualifications were not going to be possible given the scale of the antenna industry, so an assessment process was drafted, which enabled installation workers to prove their competence in the business of signal reception and distribution.

Specific type of card

Many sites are now insisting that access is only granted to workers with a specific named skill on their card rather than the older ‘Construction Related Occupation’ card, which officially ceased to be issued by CSCS on March 31 2017. For the aerial, satellite signal reception and networking industry CSCS has two main routes whereby they except workers for a Blue Skilled CSCS card. A worker must either have achieved: • CAI Foundation Diploma in Signal Reception • VQ in Signal Reception at level 2 or 3 Traditional and more recently introduced skills sets are needed

To gain a CAI Diploma there are two pathways depending on experience and skill level. (CAI members always benefit from a discounted rate.)

Workers with less than five years’ experience

To verify an employee’s competence in the work they carry out, the CAI’s education and skills team need evidence that supports they have the necessary skills across several areas within the scope of their work.

For beginners, this will more than likely result in the attendance at relevant CAI training courses. There could also be a visit made by an assessor to look at the practical application skills of the participant.

Workers with over five years’ experience

Workers with over five years’ experience may well have considerable evidence of competent work stored in managed files. Most commercial projects generate a portfolio of evidence that the completed system is fully operational against the original specification. Nearly all the evidence to prove competence could be found in such a file that satisfies the necessary parameters. This can then be submitted to the CAI for assessment.

An added bonus for participants embarking on CAI training is the fact that the courses are now City & Guilds accredited; meaning the CAI certification of attendance carries the City & Guilds logo.

The full list of CAI training courses can be found at cai. org.uk, but also include An Introduction to IRS, Installation of Motorised Satellite Systems, Design and Build of SMATV and IRS Networks and Making the Bond (safety electrical connection requirements for aerial installers).

For further information on all of CAI’s training courses, including CAI membership, contact the association direct.

CAI 01923 803 030, office@cai.org.uk, cai.org.uk

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CAI members provide confidence to customers through quality workmanship - continuing to raise industry standards Untitled-2 1

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Training | Alltrade

Alltrade is continuing to expand its training offering

Improve skills, improve business

Alltrade’s training, planning and support trade strategy begins with free, first-class installer training at any one of its trade counter sites across the country. Get on board to see your business grow.

Courses cover a wide range of subjects

Alltrade has built a strong reputation in the CI sector, continuously improving its operation and developing an expansive portfolio for AV, security and home automation products. With almost 30 years’ experience distributing to the trade, the company now boasts seven trade counters, a large fleet of delivery vehicles, and a class-leading reputation for trade customer support. Key to this success is Alltrade’s comprehensive, nationwide training calendar, free planning provision and unrivalled technical support.

Alltrade MD, Steve Simper, comments, “Supporting our customers is at the heart of our business. Our three-tier approach, covering structured training, project planning and the technical help desk, is free and has allowed many of our customers to expand into new and profitable business areas. We will continue to expand our training programme and recruit the very best support staff for our branches across the UK.” Alltrade is committed to offering regular first-class training to help installers maximise business by diversifying across both residential and commercial environments. Few distributors can rival Alltrade’s geographical coverage or its comprehensive programme of level-tiered training.

Offering more than 30 courses every month, subjects currently include networking, IRS signal distribution, fibre optic installation, CCTV security, and home automation. In addition, manufacturer-specific courses are available from many of Alltrade’s key brands including Ubiquiti, Sonos, HDL and DemoPad. Training sessions include seminars, classroom sessions, virtual projects and hands-on practical installer training. Training courses are free and available every month throughout the year at Alltrade’s trade counters in Brighton & Hove, Cardiff, Hemel Hempstead, Maidstone, Bournemouth, Reading and Bolton. Alltrade encourages trade customers to attend these sessions to gain a fundamental understanding of the opportunities these profitable sectors can bring.

Local training saves the time and expense of travelling to typically London-based courses and allows attendees to interact with the Alltrade trade counter staff that they will be dealing with on a day-to-day basis. The formula has proven very successful for Alltrade and its customers across the country, and the training calendar continues to expand.

Check out the list of typical courses available each month.

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Training | Alltrade

The courses mix theory and hands-on experience

DemoPad software programming A fully interactive course for those looking to create compelling, easy-to-use home control systems for their customers, this free to attend one-day course covers the fundamentals of system programming with DemoPad. The day will include hands-on programming of a typical home cinema set up, covering communication with IP devices, controlling via RS232 and IR, iOS app creation and deployment to the end user’s devices.

CCTV (Introduction)

SONOS in CI

This free hour-long session is a basic introduction to the Sonos audio streaming products and their potential for building your CI multi-room audio business. The session covers basic Sonos system architecture, mesh networking, system controllers, Trueplay, room EQ and correct Sonos installation registration procedure.

Ubiquiti networking (Level 1 & 2)

Ubiquiti Level 1 is a free one-hour introduction to Ubiquiti Network’s range of robust access points for domestic use, covering installation, the use of 2.4GHz & 5GHz frequencies, and the UNIFI network management tool. Ubiquiti Level 2 is a free two-hour course covering different ways to control, monitor and secure Ubiquiti devices, Unifi PoE network switches, local area network planning, AirMax point-to-point wireless products and set up, and UNIFI mesh distribution.

HDL home automation and control

The free one-day course into HDL smart home for lighting, heating and AV control covers design, installation and commissioning of an HDL control system. Starting with an introduction and overview, the course dives into system design, real world application, voice and app control and AV integration. The afternoon session rounds off with an overview of the PC configuration software, advanced HDL features, the Certified Installer Programme and HDL’s class-leading installer support.

This immersive, free one-hour introduction session is aimed at installers looking to integrate CCTV into their business offering to customers. The course covers the types of CCTV systems available from our leading brands, Hikvision and MaxxOne, the choice of cameras, cable selection and an overview of the video distribution and storage options.

FibreIRS installation

This free hour-long course is a basic introduction to FibreIRS and explains why fibre optic technology in the distribution of satellite and terrestrial signals can prove to be a simple and cost effective solution. The overview covers basic fibre design and application, the technology and its benefits, and the product selection available. Larger systems, multiple satellite installs, and Sky Q requirements will all be an integral part of this packed session.

Blustream HDBaseT with 4k/HDR

Run by Blustream, this free half-day course gives an insight into distributing full 4K at 18Gbps over HDBaseT plus an overview of the impact of HDR and new specifications HDMI2.1. With new industry standards rolling out, delegates will learn about Colour Space Conversion in HDBaseT, Display Screen Compression and new Multicast software releases. Installers will also get to see and experience a raft of HDBaseT products from Blustream’s CustomPro Matrix and new Contractor Series.

Whyte/Promax dSCR/ IRS Advanced Sky Q installation

This free one-day course run by Whyte and Promax is ideal for installers involved in servicing and installing dSCR or Hybrid IRS systems. The recent uptake of dSCR technology has introduced many technical challenges to the installer. You will learn how to plan, commission and test dSCR and Hybrid IRS systems quickly and easily.

Learn how to identify and resolve reception problems associated with Sky Q on live dSCR IRS systems using the latest Promax spectrum analysers.

A full list of current, regional training sessions can be found and booked at: www.alltrade.co.uk/trainingsessions. Here you will find a fully downloadable calendar of the courses available at Alltrade trade counters across the country. If there are training courses you would like to see on the calendar, Alltrade, in conjunction with leading suppliers and technology brands, will do their very best to assist and create a viable training programme. Get on board with Alltrade’s free training today to improve your skills and improve your business.

All the training is free!

Alltrade 0344 225 2700, alltrade.co.uk

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Training | RGB

Contact RGB to book your place and plan your training

Sharing the knowledge

RGB explains the company ethos behind its support for dealers and installers in the form of first class training.

At RGB our aim is to share our knowledge with the industry and help grow our customers and their businesses. We pride ourselves on developing our staff to be experts in their field and therefore being able to deliver our extensive dealer training programmes at the standard that is expected of us. We strongly believe that training is one of the most important offerings to our customers, which is why we offer bespoke 1-2-1 courses, adhoc training events and seven different training courses on a regular basis at our premises.

1. Savant – Design & Specify 2. Savant – Technical Core Training 3. Lutron – QS HomeWorks Installation & Programming 4. ClearOne – Technical & Product Specialist 5. Networking & Wi-Fi for AV Systems – CEDIA CEU Accredited 6. Middle Atlantic – Integrating the Rack – CEDIA CEU Accredited 7. Lutron – RA2 Select Training (Overview and Setup) Our standard fee is £25 which covers the cost of

the administration, booking, refreshments, lunch and supporting course literature. The only exception with this is the two Lutron courses which do have a fee based on the manufacturer’s requirements.

The popularity of RGB’s training is self-evident with an impressive 236 delegates participating in our inhouse courses during 2017. Along with 66 delegates participating in offsite adhoc training events and 30 delegates participating in 1-to-1 bespoke courses.

At RGB, we are constantly looking at improving our courses and welcome criticism, which is why every delegate completes a questionnaire at the end of each training course. A review of some of the latest testimonials show a high degree of satisfaction, comments like ‘great facilities’ and ‘perfect tuition’ are not uncommon. But at the same time, we never rest on our laurels and the ‘can you suggest any improvements’ section is the most eagerly viewed section to see how we can take it to the next level.

As well as making the courses adaptable, we involve our dealers at many stages during the design of new courses.

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Training | RGB

RGB has a long history of providing well planned and effective training programmes

Our course tutors are well respected in the industry, with experienced technical backgrounds and a complete understanding of the challenges that our customers face.

In all of our training courses we encourage the audience to get hands on with the equipment, this is particularly important for courses such as our Savant Technical Core training. Without the equipment to hand it is really difficult to get complex technical aspects across in a meaningful way.

To achieve that we have limited the number of delegates so the participant to presenter ratio allows for more personal tutoring. Rob Thompson, one of our senior technical support engineers, provides the training. Being a support engineer allows Rob a greater understanding of the complex problems that may occur in the field and can easily modify the course to include the solutions to such problems.

Along with the personal touch each delegate has a rack of equipment to configure and train on, including lighting control, source content control, network set up and much more. Therefore, each delegate gets a real understanding of building a smart home automation system and can leave confident that they have the tools necessary to provide their customers with a highquality project.

For our Homeworks QS course we are able to call on the services of one of the best technology evangelists’ in the business – with Lutron’s Sam Woodward providing top quality training. His knowledge of all things lighting, with his vast experience at many high end lighting control and manufacturing companies, allows him to provide a fun and fact filled training course that delegates really enjoy.

Again, each delegate is allocated their own hands-on equipment to configure and commission, giving them a real-world scenario.

To enhance the dealers experience and help make our customers more productive, we are implementing a new piece of technology into the training room for 2019.

With the advent of BYOD it was felt that the training audience would benefit from real-time content sharing. To achieve this, we have included the crowdbeamer Go. This allows the presenters’ content to be shared with the audience without the need for an internet connection (the crowdbeamer has its own built in Wi-Fi), in an entirely secure way. All the audience participant needs to do is download the app via a simple QR code and immediately receive the presentation on their personnel device.

With the crowdbeamer app installed on their smartphone, tablet or laptop, each participant can decide what screen content to capture, add notes, mark-up, save content and immediately share. This content can then be exported at a later date for review and amendment.

RGB provides all the hands on equipment needed to make training really valuable

Alongside our standard training programme, we also encourage dealers to review our latest selection of webbased training through our new website https://www. rgbcomms.co.uk/training/web-based.

This has a wide selection of manufacturers web-based training courses, ideal for those dealers who cannot commit days away from the office to keep up to date with the latest technology.

Many manufacturers provide training that is nonproduct specific so new employees can learn about fundamental foundational elements of audio video distribution. Content will include terms and definitions, HDMI, common connection issues, 5-volt connection and hot plug, EDID, Audio, HDCP, bandwidth, differences in category cables, HDBaseT, 4k and basic trouble shooting techniques.

One manufacturer who provides a lead in this is Atlona with the Atlona Technology specialist – Level 100 and 200 https://atlona.com/training/ For more product specific training we offer a wide range including ClearOne’s university allowing selfpaced learning, easily consumed 5-15-minute training modules that fit around the dealer’s busy schedule and instructional videos for example, Cleerline SSF’s on how to terminate fibre easily and safely. All are well worth a visit.

For details on all our training courses visit our website https://www.rgbcomms.co.uk/training or contact Kate Wilson our training co-ordinator via email kate.wilson@ rgbcomms.co.uk or by phone 01488 73366.

RGB 01488 73366, rgbcomms.co.uk

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Home Cinema Insight | Meridian Audio

Immerse yourself in Meridian training

Get SMART

Meridian Audio highlights how both its bitesize, 30-minute SMART Education webinars and classroom-based Meridian Practitioner courses, are helping installers to create the most immersive in-home experience, whatever the application.

Long-recognised as a high-performance brand in the market, Meridian provides a wealth of training and support to technology integrators. Through its new SMART Education webinars, which are available globally, installers can get all the knowledge they need without the inconvenience of having to attend a classroom course.

Throughout the 30-minute webinars, Meridian’s education manager, Hugo Fitzjohn, discusses relevant industry topics, product-specific challenges that face integrators, and Meridian specific products. In fact, these webinars have been specifically tailored to give installers what they actually need to know, rather than taking the one-size-fits-all approach. It’s a more convenient way of learning and offers training to a wider audience, including those who can’t afford the time or money of attending face-to-face training.

Meridian hosts a Q&A session immediately after the webinar where attendees can follow up with any questions that they have. The webinar content is also always available to view again, so if the integrator feels that they need a refresh on the information – whether they are in the office or on site – they can login and watch it again.

After attending these sessions, integrators will be able to work with technologies and products that they weren’t able to do beforehand. This allows them to provide their clients with the best solutions for their projects, ensuring a reliable, repeatable performance. Check out what integrators thought of the recent webinar on the 271 Digital Theatre Controller.

Glowing feedback

According to Anthony Gallon from Clever Association (UK), “This webinar is concise and informative, explaining how the Meridian 271 can be used in a fully active Meridian cinema environment, or a hybrid solution where third-party passive loudspeakers are used. We have a couple of cinema projects looming where the 271 will be used and there was enough technical insight and useful tips to prepare us fully for those schemes.”

“The Meridian webinar was quite amazing! I loved the questions and polls, as I felt that they kept everyone engaged and provided live feedback on questions for future products,” adds Ricky Carver, Bravo AV (USA).

George Wong, Absolute Sound (Singapore), concludes, “It’s good to have the key information of Meridian products. I look forward to further workshops or new product information webinars, as it’s good to be updated on these developments to support future consumer queries. Thank you to Meridian and I look forward to future sessions.”

A classroom alternative

New for 2018, the Meridian Practitioner pathway provides integrators with a solid foundation and the confidence to install Meridian systems for their clients. For Meridian dealers wanting classroom-based training, this course provides attendees with an overview of key Meridian technologies and product features, as well as practical, hands-on tasks that replicate the challenges that integrators will face in the real world.

This free to attend, one-day course is designed for those already involved with setting up and installing Meridian products, and explores the best practice for installation, web-based product setup, how to update firmware in products, and covers further resources available for Meridian Dealers and Installers.

The Meridian Practitioner training course is available to book now. Contact your Meridian account manager to secure your place, or email info@meridian.co.uk to learn more about becoming a Meridian dealer.

To find out more and to register your place, visit: eventbrite.co.uk/e/meridian-practitioner-dealer-trainingregistration-47807690088 To find out more about Meridian and the training courses on offer, visit meridian-audio.com.

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INTRODUCING 210 STREAMER YOUR MUSIC, YOUR WAY Have your music at your fingertips with our most versatile streamer yet.

The Meridian 210 Streamer means complete flexibility.

GET IN TOUCH info@meridian.co.uk +44 (0) 1480 445678 meridian-audio.com

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23/10/2018 12:43

TRAIN FOR TOMORROW CEDIA membership gives you unprecedented access and significant savings on educational programmes designed to put you and your team at the forefront of the quickly evolving connected home industry.

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29/05/2018 16:03