AV in our everyday

The world of AV touches many of us in our daily experiences from going to the shops or in normal times, attending a business conference or show. It’s crucial to get all the elements right for a successful performing system.

An obvious key part of these systems is the hardware, and certainly a key consideration of designing such installations is the hardware elements of what drives those systems. This would typically include amplifiers, speakers, microphones, screens and projectors. A lot of thought usually goes into these items, and rightly so, as they form the backbone of all major systems.

What is less obvious is the cabling and accessories that connect all these together and make the hardware a useful completed system, but these less obvious elements can be the weakest link in the chain and result in poor performance of even the best hardware, if not chosen correctly.

Connecting it all up

Key considerations in these vital elements are cable construction, connector resilience and the environment that the cables and connectors will be exposed to. For this reason, it is important to understand the full system requirements and ensure cable selection is made correctly.

It is also important to understand how the connectivity will be run and plugged together. For example, if connecting cables from a desktop fitting to a floorbox and then up to a wall, this may involve several HDMI connections within one total run, in which case it is best to use Active Cables for each length to ensure maximum performance.

Similarly, if installing fixed microphones or remote audio inputs in a building, it’s important to be aware of existing cable runs and understand the best routing. If that routing also involves cables being installed in ceilings, then it’s likely that these are subject to Euroclass standards for fire safety performance.

What to assess for different signal types

Different considerations are required for different signal types. Here is a quick breakdown of what should be considered.

  • Audio Cables
    • Total Cable lengths, try to keep to less than 15m, otherwise use a different transmission format.
    • Connectivity needed at each end, this can be RCA Phono, TRS 3.5mm or XLR
    • Routing considerations, is it secure from tampering, clear of voltage cables?

 

  • Speaker Cables
    • Type of Speaker Output being used, could be 4 ohm, 8 ohm, 100v and 30 watt or 1000 watts, all of these will affect the cable conductor size required.
    • Total Cable lengths, not usually an issue but certainly longer lengths could require a larger cable conductor
    • Routing environments, indoor, outdoor, subject to Euroclass?

 

  • Coaxial Cables
    • Type of signal being transmitted, Satellite, TV, Cable TV signal, CCTV, CCTV with power, BNC Audio Video?
    • Distances involved, indoor local connections or across the building network?
    • Termination requirements, BNC, F-Type or high end Video?
    • Routing environment, indoor, outdoor, subject to Euroclass?

 

  • HDMI Signals
    • Specification of signal requirements, 1080p, 4K 30Hz or 4K 60Hz 4:4:4
    • Type of system requirements, local equipment being connected in a room or a full blown video distribution system?
    • Routing environment, Direct A to B connection or through other terminations such as floor boxes or wall plates?

 

Working with a quality brand.

What also helps is to work with a brand that knows how to define its products for best performance and ease of installation. Cables should always use OFC copper materials with enough copper strands and size to give good performance over reasonable distances. Well shielded cables should always be selected to avoid outside inference from disturbing the signal along with flexible sheaths that allow for best routing.

The Aura brand is a quality solution with an excellent product choice, with the added advantage that all or the products are delivery in 100% plastic free packaging- a first for the AV market.

To find out more visit www.aura-av.com

Aura is available from Mayflex – visit https://mayflex.com/brands/aura or contact the sales team on 0800 75 75 65 or email sales@mayflex.com