The importance of an Audio Video Cabinet Rack

[3PedalMINI]

Hey Guys, I just wanted to post something that im working on at my house, I Run a company doing AV every day and sell and install equipment racks all the time (in fact for 2013 ive implemented a new company policy that if we dont install a rack we dont do the job) I was getting sick and tired of opening my doors to see a disaster I avoid for my customers so I spent a day to do something that should have been done long ago. This was literally the definition of "plumbers have leaky pipes and electricians have faulty lights" i wanted to something about it, My father and I built this cabinet many years ago, before i was even in the business so alot of things were not done to industry standard lets call it  [eek] I tried to bring it up current but i didnt want to tear the entire cabinet apart. Its important to use a cabinet rack as it eases any service, any additions to the system and best of all it properly cools the components. These racks literally save the client money in labor of trying to finagle equipment on top of each other to only fail prematurely due to heat built up and ventilation issues. When im working with a cabinet maker i make sure we sit down and they get the dimensions of the rack and we alot space for wires and a slide out mechanism (my cabinet didnt have the space for one)

There are two sides to this, the right side is for the den media room and the left side is reserved for an outdoor 3 season multi purpose room.

Ill be adding the components for the 3 season room in the spring. I am also doing a RTI control system for both rooms. I wanted to show the importance of using a rack, unfortunately my pics dont do this justice on just how bad things were and how it turned out. Also the Iphone 4s camera sucks so the pics are atrocious. The back of the rack is really not as bad as it looks, when i pull it back out to install the RTI system in a couple weeks ill get some better pics.

Please feel free to use these awful pics in your portfolio. Maybe someone here could clean them up a bit? When you guys work with AV guys make sure you request a rack, it makes your life's a bit easier and quicker not having to deal with shelving and have some av guy come in and chop apart your new cabinet to get their wires in! if the clients AV guys are trying todo jobs without racks and cramming equipment here and there they should be seriously questioned.

Cooling is done using cool components toekick fan. also, the second tivo is for outside and were using it as a second DVR hence the electrical tape covering the IR receiver total time not including lunch or dinner....9 hours flat from start to clean up

Enjoy!

all the extra crap I pulled out

and waiting for the second rack

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

I've worked with the same a/v guys for years. Most a/v guys are better at the techie/computer stuff and don't enjoy or feel comfortable with the carpentry work. So, they supply me with all necessary lines and layout where they need to go, dimensions of rack & components. Plus I install the ventilation fans. They come after install is complete and do their thing.

 

[TurnagainD]

We are having a smart home system installed in the house we are building now and you are right, organization is the key and you can't organize the equipment with out a rack.  We did not take up the space originally but we made a spot up high in the garage where the installers are comfortable and the homeowners can live with it.  Plus it looks pro when it is done right!

 

[honeydoman]

thanks for the info.. so let me understand when you say "rack"  is that the shelf ?  you are talking about or a piece of equipment called a rack  thanks for clarifying this for me and 17 other people... 

and hey I really appreciate you sharing as this comes up a lot...

oh should I say you have a nice rack !!!!  lol

 

[nclemmons]

Would love some more details on this - lots of questions that could help me and others here...

- assume this is the metal frame in the cabinet, right?
- what brands do you recommend or have experience with?
- do they pull out on rollers for access or rotate?
- what kind of costs?
- how do you deal with cable management?  Just the zip ties?
- other considerations like ventilation?

Thanks -

neil

 

[woodie]

Nice improvement!  It’s insane the amount of time it can take to clean up wiring and components.  I’m in the A/V business as well and agree 100% that equipment racks should be specified in every job.

 

[3PedalMINI]

When I get a few minutes tonight ill answer all your questions  [smile]