CTS Certified Technology Specialist EXAM GUIDE Sven Laurik Mc Graw Hill New York Chicago San Francisco Lisbon London Madrid Mexico City Milan New Delhi San Juan Seoul Singapore Sydney Toronto McGraw-Hill is an independent entity from InfoComm International and is not affiliated with InfoComm International in any fashion. This publication and CD may be used in assisting students to prepare for the CTS Exam. Neither InfoComm International nor McGraw-Hill warrants that use of this publication and CD will ensure passing any exam. Practice exam questions were not subject to the same item development process as questions on the actual exam and may or may not reflect the actual exam experience.
Foreword Acknowledgments About the Author xv xvii xviii Parti The CTS Exam I Chapter I What is the Certified Technology Specialist Exam? 3 Origin and Purpose of the CTS Exam 3 What Does a CTS Do? 4 Are You Eligible for the CTS Exam? 5 The CTS Exam Application Process 6 Chapter Review 7 Chapter 2 Preparing for the CTS Exam 9 The Scope of the CTS Exam 9 Studying for the Exam 11 Sample CTS Exam Questions Question-Evaluation Strategies 16 What to Expect on Exam Day 16 Identification Requirements 17 Items Restricted from the Exam Room 18 The Exam 18 Chapter Review 21 U Part II CreatingAV Solutions 23 Chapter 3 Conduct a Site Survey 25 Health and Safety Requirements at a Work Site 25 Safety Regulations 26 Safety Equipment 26 Communicating with Clients 27 Face-to-Face Communication 27 Speaking on the Phone 31 Business Writing 31 Gathering General Site Information 35 Interpreting Site Layout Drawings 38 Converting Drawing Views 38 Title Blocks and Drawing Schedules 45 Drawing Scales 46 Common Architectural Drawing Abbreviations 47 Architectural Drawing Symbols 47 Measurements 50 v
CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide vi Calculating Area and Volume 50 Chapter Review 51 Questions 52 Answers 55 Chapter 4 Gather Customer Information 57 Obtaining Information About Client Needs 57 Conducting Initial Meetings with the Client and End Users 58 Conducting a Needs Analysis 59 Benchmarking 67 Obtaining Scale Drawings of the Customer Space 71 Obtaining Client Contact Information 73 Obtaining Information About Constraints 74 Chapter Review 75 Questions 75 Answers 77 Chapter 5 Evaluate a Site Environment 79 Identifying Room Needs 80 Types of Rooms 80 The Technical Functions of a Room 82 Functions ofassociated Spaces 84 General Room Features and Characteristics 85 Assessing the Room Environment 86 Assessing the Acoustic Environment 86 Assessing the Visual Environment 88 Assessing Room Lighting 92 Assessing Services 94 Assessing Electric Power Availability 95 Assessing Data System Capabilities 95 Identifying Cable Access Locations 96 Assessing HVAC Components 96 Chapter Review 96 Questions 97 Answers 99 Chapter 6 Recommend Changes to a Site Environment 101 Addressing Room Environment Issues 101 Acoustic Issues 102 Sightline Issues 104 Ambient and Artificial Lighting Issues 106 Furniture and Room Finish Issues 107 Addressing Building Environment Issues 107 Building Service Issues 108 Building Structure and Substructure Issues 108 Building Regulation Issues 108
Contents vii Chapter Review Questions Answers 112 Chapter 7 Develop a Functional AV Scope 113 Chapter 8 Design Compiling Information for the Functional AV System Scope 114 Needs Determine Applications 114 Form Follows Function 115 An Overview of the Program Phase 115 Gathering Information About Facilities 116 Conducting Program Meetings 119 Documenting the Functional AV Scope with the Program Report 120 Objectives of the Program Report 120 Contents of the Program Report 120 Presenting the Program Report to the Client 125 Distributing the Program Report 125 Preparing for the Client Presentation 127 Conducting the Client Presentation 127 Program Report Approval and Next Steps 128 Design-Bid-Build Design-Build Ill Ill Process 128 Process 128 Design-Build RFP 128 Chapter Review 129 Questions 129 Answers 130 AV Solutions 131 Designing the Display System 132 Determining the Display System's Purpose 132 Identifying the Display Devices 133 Identify Monitoring, Feed, and Recording Requirements 134 Identifying the Display Signal Sources 137 Identifying Switching and Distribution Components 139 Addressing Video Signal Issues 140 Adding Processing and Conversion 140 Designing the Audio System 142 Identifying the Audio System's Purpose 142 Addressing the Three Parameters for an Audio System 143 Identifying the Audio Sources 147 Identifying the Audio Destinations 148 Meeting Mixing and Amplification Requirements 150 Adding Processing and Conversion 150 Considering Power Amplifiers and Loudspeaker Wiring 152 Calculating Power Required at the Loudspeaker 158
CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide viii Designing Control Systems 160 Defining the Control System 161 Developing Control System Specifications 162 Providing System Design Documentation 163 System Drawings 163 Bill of Materials 169 Other Design Considerations 170 Future Provisions 170 Value Engineering 170 Design and Measurement Tools 171 Chapter Review 171 Questions 171 Answers 173 Chapter 9 Sell an AV Solution 175 Developing a Proposal 175 Proposal Contents 176 Copying and Packaging the Proposal 177 Presenting the Proposal 178 Salesmanship 178 Typical Sales Mistakes 180 Creating a Formal Contract 180 Maintaining a Focus on Customer Service 181 Chapter Review 182 Questions 182 Answers 184 Chapter 10 Conduct avendor Selection Process 185 Identifying Potential Equipment and Service Vendors 186 Equipment and Service Considerations 186 Criteria for Selecting Potential Vendors 189 Creating an RFP for Equipment and Services 190 Contacting Potential Vendors About Your RFP 191 Reviewing Vendor Proposals 192 Communicating with Vendors 193 The Contract Award Process 193 Chapter Review 193 Questions 194 Answers 195 Chapter 11 Market AV Technologies 197 Defining Your Market, Audience, and Value Proposition 198 Defining the Market 198 Identifying Your Target Audience 200 Establishing Your Value Proposition 201 Developing Your Marketing Message 202 Establishing Your Marketing Budget 203
Contents ix Creating Your Marketing Materials 203 CommunicatingYour Marketing Message 204 Chapter Review 204 Questions 204 Answers 206 Chapter 12 Provide AV Solutions 207 Installing AV Equipment and Systems 208 Preparing for the Installation 208 Job Site Safety Concerns 209 Cable Termination 209 Rack Building 216 Cable Handling and Pulling 221 Mounting AV Components 227 Setting Up and Configuring AV Control Systems 233 Assembling the Control System 234 Using Control System Software 236 Testing and Installing the Control System 236 Final Control System Testing 237 Producing AV Events 237 Preparing for the Event 238 Loading and Unloading a Truck 238 Setting Up Equipment 239 Providing Support, Documentation, and Training for End Users 244 Training Users and Support Staff 244 Documenting AV Systems 245 Supporting AV Systems 247 Chapter Review 247 Questions 248 Answers 251 Part III Operating and Maintaining AV Solutions 253 Chapter 13 Operate an AV Solution 255 Verifying That AV Equipment Is Operating Properly 255 Commissioning Checklist (Portion) 256 The Commissioning Process 257 Checking Signal Flow 257 Briefing the Client on AV System Operation 258 Briefing Topics and Style 258 Documenting How to Operate the AV System 258 Documenting Preventive Maintenance 259 Striking a Room 260 Chapter Review 261 Questions 262 Answers 263
CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide X Chapter 14 Conduct Maintenance Activities 265 Maintaining AV Systems and Components 265 Maintenance Warranties and Agreements 266 Performing AV System Maintenance 267 AV System Testing Equipment 269 Documenting Maintenance Activities 270 Chapter Review 271 Questions 271 Answers 272 Chapter 15 Manage AV Business Operations 273 Working with Vendors, Suppliers, and Customers 274 Managing Levels of Stock and Materials 274 Ensuring Security of Equipment and Supplies 276 Hiring Security Guards 277 Deterring Theft 277 Keeping Up-to-Date Equipment Records 278 Maintaining the Professional Skills and Knowledge of Your Staff 278 Resources for AV Staff 279 Training 280 Monitoring Client Sites 280 Conducting Administrative Work 281 Chapter Review 281 Questions 282 Answers 283 Part IV Conducting AV Management Activities 285 Chapter 16 Manage an AV Project 287 Managing Project Activities and Resources 288 Creating a Work Breakdown Structure 288 Creating a Logic Network for Coordination of Resources 289 Managing the Project Budget 290 Monitoring Work at the Client Site 292 Coordinating Project Activities 292 Holding a Project Kickoff Meeting 293 Attending Project Status Meetings 294 Creating Project Schedules 294 Coordinating AVWork with Other Trades 295 Providing Project Documentation 296 Information-Related Documents 297 Change Documentation 297 Chapter Review 299 Questions 299 Answers 300
Contents xi Chapter 17 Manage AV Personnel 303 Hiring AV Staff 303 Determining Job Requirements 303 Writing Job Advertisements 304 Assessing Job Applicants 306 Interviewing Applicants 308 Maintaining and Improving Staff Skills 313 Assessing Staff Performance 313 Promoting Staff 314 Disciplining Problem Staff 314 Chapter Review 315 Questions 315 Answers 316 Chapter 18 Create Estimates forav Activities 317 An Overview ofav Project Estimates 317 Estimate Considerations 318 Estimate Markup 318 Creating a Project Estimate 319 Estimating Equipment and Material Costs 319 Estimating Project Labor Costs 319 Estimating Labor Costs 320 Estimating Other Costs 320 Providing Estimates to Clients 320 Chapter Review 321 Questions 321 Answers 322 Chapter 19 Purchase AV Supplies and Equipment 323 Identifying Purchasing Needs 323 Identifying General Categories of Purchase Items 324 Creating Purchase Lists 324 Identifying Vendors and Suppliers 325 Obtaining Pricing and Delivery Schedules 325 Chapter Review 327 Questions 327 Answers 328 Chapter 20 Perform Job Costing Activities 329 Gathering Cost Information 329 Producing Interim Invoices 331 Analyzing Utilization Rates 331 Creating Project Profit-and-Loss Documents 331 Chapter Review 332 Questions 333 Answers 333
CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide xii Part V Servicing AV Solutions 335 Chapter 21 Troubleshoot AV Solutions 337 Preparing to Troubleshoot 337 An Overview of the Troubleshooting Process 338 Recognizing Symptoms and Elaborating on Them 339 Selecting a Strategy 339 A Troubleshooting Scenario 340 Chapier Review 341 Questions 341 Answers 342 Chapter 22 Repair AV Solutions 345 An Overview of the Repair and Restoration Process 345 Addressing Common AV System Problems 346 The Top Ten AV Problems and Solutions 347 Maintenance and Repair Records 356 Billing for Repair Activities 356 Chapter Review 357 Questions 357 Answers 358 Part VI Appendixes 359 Appendix A About the CD-ROM 361 System Requirements 361 Installing and Running MasterExam 361 MasterExam 361 Using the Electronic Book and Help 362 Help 362 Removing Installation(s) 362 Technical Support 362 LearnKey Technical Support 362 Appendix B Essentials ofav Technology 363 Communication of an Idea 363 What Is an AV System? 364 AV System Goals 364 Analog and Digital Signals 365 Analog and Digital Waveforms 365 Digital Signal Processing and Sampling 365 Bit Depth of a Digital Signal 367 Bit Rate 368 Signal Compression 368 Digital Formats 369 Noise and Signal Transmission 369 Analog and Digital Signal Considerations 369
Contents XIII Networks 371 Types of Area Networks 371 Network Topology 372 Ethernet Standard 373 Network Connections 373 The OSI Reference Model 376 Network Interface Card and MAC Address 378 Internet Protocol Addressing 378 Dynamic Name Server 381 Network Switches and Routers 382 Light 383 Wavelength, Frequency, and Amplitude of Light 383 Units of Light Measure 384 Inverse-Square Law and Light 387 Mixing Colors of Light 388 Color Temperature 388 Ambient Light 389 Image Capture 389 Camera and Focus 390 Video Signals 393 Video Signal Decoding 398 Computer Signals 399 Producing an Image 402 The Projected Image 406 Projector Optics 406 Display and Projection Technology 407 Screens 409 Perceived Quality 410 Viewer Placement 411 Throw Distance 412 Keystone Error and Correction 413 Digital Display Alignment 414 Projection System Brightness 415 Brightness and Contrast Adjustments 416 Audio Systems 418 Soundwaves 418 Harmonics 421 Logarithms 422 Decibels 422 The Inverse-Square Law and Sound 423 Acoustics 424 Sound Capture 427 Microphones 428 Audio Signal Levels 434 Audio Devices 436 Loudspeakers 442 Audio Signal Level Monitoring 444
CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide xiv Control Systems 448 Control System Functions 449 Control System Components and Interfaces 449 Control Signals 450 Contact-Closure Control 450 Variable-Voltage Control 451 IR Control 451 RF Control 452 RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 452 Ethernet Control Systems 453 Control Systems on Ketworks 453 Electrical Systems 453 Voltage and Current 454 Resistance and Impedance 455 Power 456 Ohm's Law 456 Electrical Circuits 457 Series and Parallel Circuits 457 Grounding 458 Electrical Power and Distribution 458 Electrical Safety 459 Signal-Management Systems 460 Wire and Cable 461 Cable Types 464 Connectors 465 Signal Integrity 466 Distance Limits 467 Switchers 467 Distribution Amplifiers 469 Rack-Building Considerations 470 Signal-Management System Summary 471 Radio Waves 472 Transmitting and Receiving RF 472 The Importance of Antennas 472 Diversity Systems 473 RF Video Systems 474 Future AV Trends 476 Building Information Modeling 476 Green AV 476 LED Technology 477 Glossary 479 Index 505