I noticed that we don't currently have a specific thread in which to learn about other Lounge members - so let's start one!


I'll go first.

Hi, I'm Daniel, and I'm a remoteaholic. I'm from and currently live in Canada, and even though I'm not a Custom Installer I feel a part of the family since I've been living and breathing Remote Central for over 10 years now. (Plus I think everyone that has had to deal with CEDIA hotel booking shares something of a special bond.)

Before getting into RC full time I built and sold computer systems (and etc.) for my own company, but when the margins disappeared on that market I shifted my focus to online publishing.

What you see on Remote Central is essentially "me": I'm responsible. I also do most of my own programming for the site, so if you see something you don't like, would like to have changed or added, then please let me know. This site was built off suggestions, and I hope it's a useful resource!

And now let's hear about some of you!

I am a CI originally from Canada as well. Moved to So. Cal for the weather and have been here ever since. I started delivering TV"s for the Good Guys in the 90's. Saw the writing on the wall and jumped ship. Started programming the Intellicontrol when that beast first came out.

I hope I never have to grow up and get a real job...

Howdy, I'm Stanley, a Seattle "native".
Got addicted to music & hi Fi stuff thanks to my older brother & father who built a killer hi fi when I was a kid... Big Scott Tube-Amp, Empire turntable and refrigerator sized speakers (electro-voice drivers)LOL! It kicked ass back then, and all my pals would come over to the house, shoot pool, and we'd crank the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Yardbirds, Hendrix, Byrds, Steppenwolf and well, you get the picture---Gave those speakers, and amplifier a work-out! None of my friends had ever seen or heard anything like it --- we were in heaven shooting pool and cranking the tunes down in the basement!
Started out in the business of Hi-Fi in 1971 in a funky speaker factory sweat shop and soon had my own little store on a busy street near the University of Washington, selling HiFi and designing and building cool speakers for the wealthy Uof W kids.
One day Bob Carver came into the store and hired me away from my own business (which I turned over to my coworker), to work for Bob @Phase Linear (this was before CARVER CORP)... After that I worked for the original Speakerlab, running a couple stores and contributed design speaker design stuff and answering technical questions on their 1-800 help lines, then worked for Magnolia (when it was tiny company), and then Definitive Audio when it was just 7 guys. Got Definitive started in CI stuff, was actually successful there, then ever since have been sort of job-hopping for small guys and also doing my own stuff.
I hope to be able to start another Custom Division, like I did at Definitive, however it will be a little more challenging due to the general economic climate these days,, and it won't be a huge division --- just a few nerds and myself.
I can't imagine doing anything else, really (except maybe cartooning)... or getting paid to take naps.

Me too!

I've been in the biz since 1987........

I was a DIYer prior to that(everysince I was 13!).

Things sure were simple back then!!

I became obsessed with 'loud speaker' designs and crossovers when I was 14.

I spent every dime I made from mowing lawns and working construction on improving my 'system'!

Speakerlab was my friend!


After watching people struggle with multiple remotes for years and wishing It could be easier, universal remotes with 'macro's' became available and made me realize that 'control' was a very important part of any system.

We've come a long way!!

i'm ed, i cant spell, punctuate or use the shift key.

other than that, this is my 15th year being self employed and doing this crap for a living.

hire a pro is more of a way of life than a motto.

as the resident jag bag i keep my answers(posts) short and to the point.

to know me is to either love me or hate me. i can be your biggest asset or your biggest pain in the ass... your choice.

some days i wish i would have just stuck with designing cars..... its easier, hours are better and i would actually get paid... lets just say those days are more and more as of late.

haha, me either. that's awesome.

I'm Dan from West Palm Beach. I'm a graphic designer, mac user, electronics tinkerer, and interface builder. Started as a traditional print designer, moved into web and interactive cd/dvds, and now on a permanent quest to make a better touchpanel UI. I love this industry and I think I've found a home. Great site Daniel! Thanks!

Hi,
Im Jeff and I was pretty much born into this so if you ever meet my wife, please tell her its not my fault.
If you would like to learn more about some of us regulars, you can visit here: [Link: remotecentral.com]

I'm Chris. Been in this business officially since 1997. Started out in Eastern PA. Did a 7 year stretch in Salt Lake snowboarding and attending University of Utah. Now I'm living the dream, as they say, in Vegas. I'd like to think that I provide an equal amount of knowledge, ball busting and OT in the forums here (some days more ball busting than others). So don't be offended if you catch one of my sarcastic remarks; I'll buy you a beer (or a glass of wine if you're a fancy lad) to make up for it.

It's me

I have a long association with this business including running my own shop in Chicago for five years.

Even though I put and end to my business to pursue other ethereal goals... I still visit and comment on a semi regular basis.

Hi! I'm Ernie. I've been playing with this stuff since I was introduced to collecting 78 rpm records in 1961. Got a second hand record player; when it broke, I could toss it or learn to fix it. That was the start.

I love this stuff, I love the challenge of figuring out problems, I even love the simple work because somehow it's never repetitive. I learned to know more about an item than was needed just to use it, and that attitude has helped me come up with new ways to use old tools...just don't ask me to explain it as succinctly as ed.

The first remote I programmed was a Crestron Smartouch -- closed myself into my garage with it for a week and came out with a decent program. I could even charge for about half of that time, as only about half of it was wasted figuring out the program. Alas, that was when Crestron was simple. I now do mostly RTI, the occaisonal Prontoid, the rare Universal.

If you need advice on turntables, I'm still up on them, but not the exotic ones. If you want a 78 rpm needle, I know where to get it. And, Lord knows, if you've got a question about a word, go for it!

you already have a real job, Roddy!

How is Mrs Roddy, btw?


I'm Al, part time trunk slammer, part time lighting guru (I give free epilepsy screenings- after one of my shows, if you can walk out, you're not epileptic), full time beach bum sans beach, currently based in Vegas, bouncing between Houston, New Orleans, and Vegas

I'm Bryan, Spent most of my life in the suburbs of Seattle, and began my electronics quest when I got my first Radio shack 100 in 1 electronics board kits. Made my first alarm system and radio receiver when I was 8. Created my first Surround Sound system when I was 13 by playing around with a Bi-amplified Panasonic Platinum boom box, and a speaker box made from 1/4 inch board and some parts from radio shack.

I quickly graduated to DJ'ing at the age of 14 and retired at the age of 16, and sold my gear so I could by my first car...which in turn started my next business a few months later dealing with car audio sales and installation with a few friends, as well as a few home audio sales (from a catalog circa '94).

Gradutated High school and started collge, and then got a job at circuit city my freshman year, spent 10 months there, Gained my love for intuitive control systems (first with A UEI 8000 then a 9000 (with RF and Macro's) followed by a HK/Microsoft/Madrigal touch screen which I spent hours playing with) set some sales records, then moved to the good guys, and spent the next 5 years there on and off during and after graduating. That puts me at about 4 years ago when I left and started Eastside A/V. over the past 2 years I have been back in school getting my MBA, and now I am at a crossroads looking to leave the industry and get a 'real' job, while creating a way to still service my best clients.

Good morning.

My name is Mike, and I'm an A/V holic.

(in unison) "Hi, Mike!

In keeping with my AA theme, I hope I never have to live clean! lol

It all started for me, when my best friend bought a record store, almost 25 years ago. CD's just came out, and he realized it was the end of vinyl as we knew it. He became a Pioneer dealer, and put out his first big screen tv, and I asked him, "what's this hole for, marked S-Video?" He didn't know either! lol

Some time later, on older gent asked us to hook up a turntable to his stereo for him. I remember thinking, "You mean, people will actually pay us to hook this stuff up?" and the rest is history. When I think back to some of the early installs, I wish I could go back for free, and do it right! ;-)

These days, we sell Pioneer Elite, Marantz, Integra, Sony, Bose, (I know, I know...you don't have to say it. Some people actually like that stuff), and much more. We only do URC remotes. Pretty soon, maybe we'll do others too. We are in Central New Jersey. Our company name is The Sound System.

In my spare time, I like to go camping, fishing, ride my motorcycle, and go to the beach. Oh wait, it's not that kind of introduction! LOL ;-)

Mike

My name is Zach. I co-own an AV Company in Chicago, IL. My business partner is my brother. We have been in business since 2005. I've been in the CI industry for about 12 years. Before starting my own company I worked for a company computer networking company in New York. After doing networking for a couple of years I decided for a change and moved to California and worked for a CI company in San Diego for a little over 6 years. We specialized in High End Integration using AMX, Vantage, Linn, ADA, B&K, and many more.
After 6-1/2 years with the same company I decided to do some consulting work on my own before moving to IL and starting my own company.
Here in Chicago, I work with Integra, Niles audio and ICS, AMX, RTI, URC, Triad Speakers, Vantage Lighting, and many more.

Hey Now... (Thank you Howard)

My name is Joey, i'm not affiliated with CES, which I have been asked too many times. I enjoy long walks on the Beach, listening to the rain at night & watching my Mets give me heartburn.

I started in the Biz about 9-10 years ago, I grew up with electronics, my Pop was a Pro DJ for 18 years from the 70's to the 90's before he passed, so growing up with Technics, Stanton & Carver while the other kids were playing with comics was normal for me.

So now I run an A/V company, I am still into MK1210's, and yup, the METS still give me heartburn.