|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Engineering and Equipment Services
At Copen & Lind Consulting we bring a unique perspective to equipment selection, bidding and installation. We look at media production facilities as organic wholes not just a collection of rooms and equipment. We are dedicated to creating facilities and equipment packages that meet the needs of experienced producers and supervisors as well as novice users in a cost effective manner.
Equipment Package Design, Bidding and Installation
We consider that the essence of good equipment selection and installation is the creation of a flexible, smoothly functioning
equipment package that performs well, functions as an integrated system and anticipates future growth and upgrades. To meet
this goal our Engineer, Paul Lind takes a "systems approach" to the design of the equipment package by:
- Designing the equipment package on a room-by-room sub-system basis with careful attention to flexibility and compatibility
with the technical and physical system as a whole.
- Selecting similar types of equipment for different areas to simplify use, training and maintenance. For example, the
same make and series of audio board (with a different number of channels ) might be installed in the Edit Suites and in the
Control Room.
- Making equipment choices guided by knowledge of current equipment trends and the track records of specific pieces of equipment
in similar media production environments.
- Assuring that the selected equipment package avoids unneeded or overpriced equipment and unnecessary "bells and whistles".
We put an emphasis on the planning phase as we believe that this allows for the creation of an efficient and integrated equipment
package. Our engineer is committed to working closely with the client’s representative to assure that the equipment
decisions meet all technical and budgetary requirements. In addition it is a general part of our practice to work with one
or more of the staff during the entire installation/testing process. This results in the staff member(s) being trained in
overall design concepts, cable construction, basic equipment maintenance and equipment operations.
During the design process a plan is developed for equipment placement and wiring. The placement of equipment is carefully
considered so that producers will find comfortable and efficient access to the functions while working with a large array
of equipment. A schematic diagram (or wire map) is then developed for each room/sub-system to document the installation.
We also custom design consoles/workstations to house the equipment. Our consoles are designed to allow for ease of use, training
and maintenance and with an overall aesthetic appeal that is in keeping with the design of the rest of the facility. These
custom consoles, made of laminate and wood with metal rack rails, are less expensive then the prefabricated metal consoles
that are often found in production facilities. The consoles include the capability to be rolled out, away from the wall,
to simplify wiring and equipment maintenance while occupying the smallest amount of physical space.
Ongoing Engineering Services
On an as-needed or on a scheduled basis, usually monthly or bi-monthly, our engineer can be on-site to assess current functions,
deal with any equipment problems that have arisen, calibrate and align systems, alter configurations to meet new needs, discuss
equipment upgrades and facility improvements, and to select, bid out and install new equipment as needed. Between site visits
our engineer is available via phone to help diagnose problems and to determine effective solutions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copen & Lind Consulting * 22 Ward Street * Amherst, MA 01002
Voice: 413-256-4902 * Fax: 413-256-4944
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
