AV Institute
AV INSTITUTE LLCCommercial AV Programming Bootcamp
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AV InstituteAV Institute LLC
08Week 8 · 6–8 hours

Real-World Capstone Project

Design and defend a complete commercial AV system

Synthesize the course into a complete design package: interpret a client brief, develop architecture and equipment specs, prepare signal-flow, DSP, network, and control plans, draft commissioning and training, and present and defend the design. This week culminates in the capstone project and the course's final deliverables.

Key Competency

Produce and defend a complete AV design package for a real room.

AV Institute
AV Institute · Week 8Real-World Capstone Project
Lesson

Developing AV System Architecture & Equipment Specifications

Est. 60 minCompetency: Design the architecture and select equipment to a spec.

Learning objectives

  • Define the system architecture from requirements.
  • Select equipment types for each function.
  • Write equipment specifications.
  • Justify selections against requirements.

Lesson content

Architecture is the shape of the system: which devices, how they connect, and how control flows. Equipment specifications turn that shape into a buyable, buildable list.

Architecture decisions

  1. 1Sources: laptop BYOD (HDMI/USB-C); conferencing via codec.
  2. 2Video routing: matrix switcher to dual displays; extend with HDBaseT or AV-over-IP as needed.
  3. 3Audio: ceiling/table mics → DSP (AEC, automix, EQ) → amp → ceiling speakers.
  4. 4Control: processor + touchpanel; IP/serial to devices; status feedback.
  5. 5Network: VLANs for control, Dante, and AV-over-IP; PoE for panel and endpoints.

Equipment specifications

  • Specify by function and performance, not just model: '4K@60 switcher, 4 inputs × 2 outputs, IP control.'
  • Note power (mains vs PoE), mounting, and cooling for each.
  • Match the room size and participant count to speaker and mic coverage.
  • Choose active vs passive speakers with a reason.
Justify each choice

For every device, be able to say why it is there and why this type. A spec you can defend is a spec you can build and service.

Worked example

Architecture: laptop + codec → 4×2 matrix switcher → two 75" displays; ceiling mics → DSP (AEC/automix/EQ) → 8-channel amp → four ceiling speakers; control processor + 10" touchpanel; PoE switch with control/Dante/video VLANs. Spec justifies each choice against the hybrid-meetings and easy-control requirements.

Implementation checklist

  • ✓Architecture defined per function (video, audio, control, network).
  • ✓Equipment specified by function and performance.
  • ✓Power/mounting/cooling noted.
  • ✓Each choice justified against a requirement.

Downloadable study guide

study-guide.txtcopy-paste ready
01. Architecture = devices + connections + control flow for each function.
02. Spec by function/performance, not just model; note power, mount, cooling.
03. Justify each device against a requirement.
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