Best products from r/CommercialAV

Do you have the study guide? This is really the best resource to study for the exam, but CTS General is not that difficult. The hardest part of the exam was knowing which was the 'most' right answer.

This part frustrated me a little. Not enough to come close to not passing, but the wording of their questions and options for answers are not always what you would expect. Sometimes, depending on what industry you're in, the best practice differs, which leaves room for more than one right answer. They are looking for their definition of the answer, which you'll only find in the study guide or prep classes. There are some other process questions related to project management that are only in the study guide as well, but probably not enough to make you fail if you missed a few of them.

That being said, if you're solid on the practice exam, you should be alright. The General CTS exam just isn't that tough if you know your basics you should be able to pass. The study Guide (you can buy it on amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Technology-Specialist-Guide-Second/dp/0071807969/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479329136&sr=8-1&keywords=cts+study+guide ) has a CD-ROM with a practice test that changes, unlike the InfoComm practice exam.

For CTS, I believe you are allowed 1 page of 'notes'? Bring along your Ohms law formulas if you need it, there's probably 5% on that alone. Spl/db calculations are good to know as well. Beyond that, it was MOSTLY common sense, at least enough to pass.

Good Luck! I got my CTS General and CTS-I back to back at InfoComm shows. For what it's worth, I DON'T recommend scheduling a CTS Exam at the Infocomm show in Vegas... That was no fun... Much better suited for Orlando where there's really not much else to do.. :P

Much thanks to everyone for sharing your ideas. As several people pointed out, the setup we currently have does indeed work. I am just curious if there is a more efficient way to accomplish the same goal without having to pass through multiple conversion devices. The PTZ camera setup sounds like a great way to go. Specifically, I am looking at the Logitech PTZ Pro 2. The price is not unreasonable, and it seems to match all my other criteria. Any opinions on this particular camera?

Not all of these are in our core training/ required knowledge, or related to our day to day functions as a university A/V department, but They are all available to my team for knowledge building and professional development. Additionally , and our job ladder includes Infocomm certifications, so the library is a little biased towards infocomm resources at the moment.
Books I use are

• [Master Handbook of Acoustics](
  http://www.amazon.com/Master-Handbook-Acoustics-Alton-Everest/dp/0071603328)
  
• CTS exam guide
  
• sound reinforcement handbook
  
• a/v best practices
  
• Sound system engineering
  
• show networks and control systems
  
• television production handbook
  
• tcp/ip illustrated vols 1-3
  
• PMBOK
  
• network wiring
  
• entertainment electricity
  
• sys admin
  
  just ordered digital video and hd
  based on a recommendation in r/videoengineering
  
  infocomm's audio and visual systems design, essentials of the av industry, av best practices, AV installation hand book
  
  
  white papers/ online training from extron, JBL, Dalite, surgeX, bluejeanscable, and others. (out of the office and do not have the exact list and links with me
  
  
  
  
  

We have been using these at the office for development. You can find them under different brand names as well. Screen quality is really good, an IPS 1080p panel. They do have VESA mount and pretty decent speakers. They have an HDMI port and, IIRC, support CEC. Their build quality is ok, certainly not rugged though, but their price is super cheap IMHO. And they work with the Raspberry Pi.
If you are looking for digital signage software as well, check out Yodeck.

Here is the exact cable I have used before in the past. You want to make sure your gain stages are set correctly; Because the mic inputs on phones and tablets are pretty hot, and are designed to add gain passive mics. You'll more than likely have to turn the volume down going in to make sure your not clipping it..

I've read this book a couple times in the last year and can pass the chapter quizes added up at like 90%.

I work in higher ed and have been doing AV work for a few years, but don't get much exposure to the project management side of things. I feel like most of it is easy enough and I can deduce a lot of answers through process of elimination.

I'm hoping that the book I read is a decent enough representation of the real test.

I'm moving in a couple months and really want to get this knocked out to add on my resume before applying for new jobs.

Edit: I forgot to ask, how much experience did you have when you took the test?

Like /u/PhoenixAV said, just get a webcam (I have the same one, it's rock solid), you might need a USB extender (https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Extension-Cable-Male-Female/dp/B00NH11PEY/ this works fine, would not go much farther)

For sound, I'd highly recommend getting a simple Jabra Speak 410 https://www.amazon.com/Jabra-Speak-Speakerphone-Retail-Packaging/dp/B007SHJIO2/ It's got decent sound for voice, some mute, volume controls. Between that and the webcam, you can support 4 or 5 people on a call and look professional at the same time.

Good luck!

I have the Ideal VDV IInpro and love it. Does everything you mentioned and I love how I can tone specific pairs and even verify the pairs by shorting the pairs will change the tone.

kit

testers

Probe


Edit: Fixed links

Coaxial input from where? what device is sending the "coaxial" signal?

Coaxial is the type of cable, you can have an coaxial cable with RCA plugs at the end.

Its important to know where the coaxial cable comes from.

If its like an antenna or cable tv, you need a demodulator tuner to tune-in the signal and convert it to rca or hdmi, just search for RCA demodulator, or HDMI demodulator. You need to make sure the demodulator supports the kind of signal you are sending.

If you are just sending a composite signal like from a camera or dvd, and you have already a RF cable, you can just use these adapters.

The ideal is to crimp new connectors, like these ones, but they are expensive and need a special crimp tool.

Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook: http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Reinforcement-Handbook-Gary-Davis/dp/0881889008

Shure has a bunch of great webinars online: http://www.shure.com/americas/support/training/materials
and Extron has a lot of stuff:
http://www.extron.com/technology/technology.aspx?techid=1&tabid=0&tab=training&s=th07

"CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide" would probably be a good resource for them, as well.

its the latest PDF from avixa thats free that contains pretty much everything you would need for passing the CTS.

The updated exam guide (physical book) can be found here:

https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Technology-Specialist-Guide-Second/dp/0071807969/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507908911&sr=8-1&keywords=cts+prep

Yes it is, you can find more info about the CTS course here
http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xchg/infocomm/hs.xsl/21952.htm

A Study guide if you think you need one

https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Technology-Specialist-Exam-Guide/dp/007173919X

With the study guide if you read it front to back over say 2-4 weeks and then challenge the test you should be able to pass, CTS is a recongnized certification and they also provide lots of info on the website for education in this field.