~ Chinese Proverb
Courses
The Audio/Video Curriculum Overview included here represents a broad, high level snapshot of the major topics that will be covered in the Home Theater A/V segment of ESTA’s training program. Our purpose in presenting it here is to give you a sense of the logic and thoroughness that is being applied to the entire ESTA curriculum development process. Over time, we will flesh out the information on this page to give you some insight into the other areas of education we’ll be covering as the ESTA program grows and expands. These include, but are not limited to:
Distributed audio systems
Distributed video systems
IP networks and system control
Networking
Wireless media distribution
Gaming
Software control systems
Interface design and programming remote controls
Windows Media Center based systems
Systems integration
HVAC control integration
Security system design, control and integration
Business basics
Project management
Selling skills
Customer service
ESTA Curriculum Outline
Entertainment Systems
Basics of Sound and Audio Engineering
Waves, Ears, Brain
Basics of audio electronics, ohm’s law, basic filters, noise floor, headroom, frequency response, phase response.
Audio signals, analog, digital
Signal processing, multi-channel audio formats
Signal interconnection issues, loads, hum, wiring
Power Amplifiers. Voltage gain, current gain, clipping conditions, oscillation, load limits.
Loudspeakers. Transducer basics, woofers, mids, tweeters, horns, ribbons, ports, frequency response, crossovers, directivity, power handling.
Sound systems
Sound recording formats, 2 channel, 4 channel ProLogic, 5.1 channel, 6.1 channel, 7.1 channel, more?
Sound reproduction systems; Mono, 2 channel, 4 channel, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 channel systems.
Sound system layout guidelines.
Calculating headroom, coverage, load limits of sound systems.
Figuring out best directivity choices for speakers.
Acoustics
Sound radiation
Sound reflections
Standing waves
Echoes
Reverberation / reflection decay time
Sound isolation
Noise control
Listener position optimization
Treatment layouts
Esthetic integration
Basics of light and video engineering
Light, Color, Eyes, Brain
Basics of video electronics, ohm’s law, basic filters, noise floor, headroom, frequency response, phase response.
Video signals, analog, digital
Compression technologies
Signal interconnection issues, loads, hum, wiring
Display standards, dynamic range, contrast ratios, light output, bandwidth.
Display systems
Video formats, 480, 720, 1080
Display system technologies (LCD, DLP, Plasma, CRT)
Display system layout guidelines.
Calculating light output, contrast ratios.
Figuring out best directivity choices for screens.
Room optical ambient conditions
Light reflections
Influences of color on perceived picture
Ambient light levels
Bias lighting
Viewer position optimization
Esthetic integration and room finishes
Dedicated home theater design
Seat selection
Room and screen sizing and layout
Isolation design
Noise control design
Sound system design and layout
Acoustic treatment layout
Light control design
Screen aspect ratios (1.78, 2.0, 2.35)
Display system design and layout
Screen directivity
Room colors, textures, and finishes
Esthetic integration
Power supply standards, and hum prevention
Environmental control
Security and life safety
Codes and standards
System control
Documentation
Mixed use home theater design (a.k.a. media rooms)
Room, screen, and seating layout
Noise control design
Light control
Acoustic treatment solutions
Room colors, textures, and finishes
Speaker integration in cabinets
Display system design (direct/rear projection / front projection)
Projection screen selection
Environmental control
Security and life safety
Codes and standards
Esthetics
System control
Documentation
Distributed Audio/Video system design
Loudspeaker layouts
In-wall / On-wall / Back boxes
Sound isolation in walls
Directivity selections
Stereo and multi-channel sound considerations
Impedance matching
Power handling
Display resolution considerations
HDMI / component / composite signals
Impedance matching
Hum issues
Control systems
Audio System Calibration
System configuration
Component verification
Troubleshooting
Level and time Calibration
Frequency response calibration and equalization
Listening tests
Video System Calibration
System configuration
Component verification
Troubleshooting
Calibrate primaries and secondaries
Gray Scale
Color settings
Calibrations for various formats and resolutions
Resolution verifications, up-conversion, down-conversion verifications
Viewing tests
More to come...