RETROFIT CHALLENGE
This installation tells the story of a 3-story home. The bottom floor has cement walls because it stands below the flood plain in Eastern Florida. Cement walls and other Florida building standards can make installing a modern audio-video distribution system very difficult. With cement walls and no conduit to run cables through, it's hard to find ways of distributing your cabling needed to handle high-quality signals.
ABOUT US
AVPro Edge specializes in full bandwidth audio/video distribution. Working alongside HDMI, HDBaseT, and HDCP, we pride ourselves on developing uniquely engineered solutions for today's integrator. From 18Gbps matrix switchers and HDMI extension products to audio down-mixers and scalers, AVPro Edge's product line-up is diverse. As an original equipment manufacturer, we are so confident with the reliability of our products that we offer an industry-leading ten-year manufacturer's warranty. At AVPro Edge, we continue to push audio-video technology into the future and make sure our customers receive dependable products along the way
INSTALLATION
This job has a 16x16 modular matrix switch that connects multiple sources to 16 different zones throughout the home, inside and outside. The audio-video distribution system runs out of a centrally located rack-mounted matrix switcher designed by AVPro Edge to handle the latest signals in technology. From this central location, the integrators from HD2020 were able to keep all the audio, video, and control electronics in one central place, using category and fiber optics to distribute signals. With a Control 4 system for control, the end-users can watch any connected sources in any of the zones. So when our homeowner is grilling on the patio and has to walk from the kitchen to the family room, they can view the same signal in each zone, being played simultaneously with no audio delays that could cause overlap echos.
"The 16x16 chassis system is what it is; it's a chassis, so you have eight input slots and eight output slots. Those slots can be various types of solutions, so in this case, we have some down-mixing what we call the AVDM input cards for multichannel theater, broken down and downmixed to a 2-channel type scenario. We're putting HDBaseT output cards in there to put receivers on the other end. Fiber input cards and fiber output cards, and so ultimately it's a configurable piece of gear that will do whatever you want to do with that product." Stefan Tonjes, Regional Sales Manager of AVPro Edge
Each zone has different types of displays, including Sony, LG, Samsung, and others. Even though the install has a complete 16x16 matrix switch, three zones are not being used but are available for future use. The ability to customize the matrix gives the integrator options when the customer is looking to change things up down the road. sources to 16 different zones throughout the home, inside and outside. The audio-video distribution system runs out of a centrally located rack-mounted matrix switcher designed by AVPro Edge to handle the latest signals in technology. From this central location, the integrators from HD2020 were able to keep all the audio, video, and control electronics in one central place, using category and fiber optics to distribute signals.
"We're taking and supplementing what wiring is already here with Cat6 cable and Cat6 shield and also fiber optic so that we can bring the infrastructure of the house up to the standards of today." Don Dunn, Senior System Designer of HD2020
FUTURE PROOFING
HD2020 is not only installing quality Category 6a cable throughout the entire home. They are also running duplex fiber optics. Even though these fiber optic strands are not in use right away, because the integrator is pulling cable, it only makes sense for them to pull fiber as well. When redoing the wiring, comparing the price of adding new fiber strands now versus five years from now, it's a no-brainer for a minimal cost. Just one more way HD2020 is setting itself up for happy customers down the road.
OPTIMIZATION
Murideo specializes in picture quality and signal optimization. Jason Dustal of Murideo was consulted on this project, even coming on-site and calibrating the displays. When calibrating different displays with different brands, it's essential to make them look similar. Some of the displays in this home are inside, and some are outside, dramatically changing picture quality on uncalibrated TVs. Brightness settings, in particular, can be challenging in these scenarios. Jason made sure the pictures on the various TVs look the best they can without blowing out the colors.
Our biggest concern at Murideo especially is making sure that the best possible image is making its way to the screen and making sure the screen is reproducing that image as accurately and as good as it can for that room that it's in." Jason Dustal, Training and Support of Murideo
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
