CTS-I Certified Technology Specialist-Installation Exam Guide, Second Edition, 2nd Edition

CTS-I Certified Technology Specialist-Installation Exam Guide, Second Edition, 2nd Edition

by Inc., AVIXA
Released April 2021
Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill
ISBN: 9781260136104

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Book description

The Most Complete, Up-to-Date CTS-I Exam Study System

Published with AVIXA™, CTS®-I Certified Technology Specialist-Installation Exam Guide, Second Edition provides comprehensive coverage of all exam objectives on the leading internationally recognized certification for audiovisual installation professionals. Each chapter features learning objectives, best practices, diagrams, photos, and chapter review questions with in-depth explanations. Designed to help you prepare for the CTS-I exam, this authoritative resource also serves as an essential on-the-job reference.

Online content includes:

  • New CTS-I sample questions from AVIXA
  • Link to a library of installation and AV math videos
  • Link to AVIXA standards
Covers all CTS-I exam objectives, including how to:

  • Manage an AV project
  • Interpret AV documentation
  • Conduct pre-installation activities
  • Route, pull, and terminate cable
  • Mount AV equipment
  • Build and wire racks
  • Install audio systems
  • Install video systems
  • Verify systems
  • Work with networks
  • Perform system closeout
  • Maintain and repair AV systems

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. About the Author
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Contents at a Glance
  6. Contents
  7. Foreword
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. Part I. The CTS-Installation and CTS-I Exam
    1. Chapter 1. Getting CTS-I Certification
      1. What Does a CTS-I Certified Installer Do?
      2. AVIXA Certifications
      3. Why Earn Your CTS-I Credential?
      4. Are You Eligible for the CTS-I Exam?
      5. AVIXA Standards
      6. Getting Started
    2. Chapter 2. The CTS-I Exam
      1. The Scope of the CTS-I Exam
      2. Exam Preparation Strategies
      3. CTS-I Exam Sample Questions
        1. Answers to Sample CTS-I Exam Questions
      4. Mathematical Strategies
        1. The Exam Calculator
        2. Order of Operations
      5. Electrical Calculations
        1. Electrical Basics
      6. The CTS-I Exam Application and Processes
        1. Getting to the Testing Center
        2. Identification Requirements
        3. Items Restricted from the Exam Room
        4. About the Exam
        5. During the Exam
        6. Dismissal or Removal from the Exam
        7. Hazardous Weather or Local Emergencies
        8. Special Accommodations for Exams
        9. Exam Scoring
        10. Retesting
      7. Chapter Review
  10. Part II. The Basics of AV Installation
    1. Chapter 3. Managing an AV Project
      1. Scope of Work
      2. Project Planning
        1. Developing a Plan
      3. Managing Project Resources and Activities
        1. Work Breakdown Structure
        2. Gantt Chart for Project Schedules
        3. Logic Network Diagram for Coordinating Resources
        4. Managing the Project Budget
        5. Monitoring Work at the Client Site
        6. Other Project Management Activities
      4. Providing Project Documentation
        1. Information-Related Documents
        2. Change Documentation
      5. Types of AV Projects
      6. Key Stages of AV Installation
        1. Pre-installation
        2. System Fabrication
        3. AV Installation
        4. AV Verification
        5. System Closeout
        6. Ongoing Project Responsibilities
      7. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    2. Chapter 4. Audiovisual Documentation
      1. Types of Drawings
      2. Audiovisual Drawings and Diagrams
        1. Construction Drawings
        2. Facility Drawings
        3. System Drawings
        4. As-Built Drawings
      3. The Basics of Drawings
        1. Drawing Scales
        2. Calculating Dimensions from Scaled Drawings
        3. Converting Ratios
        4. Converting Measurements
        5. Drawing Dates
      4. Elements of Drawings
        1. Drawing Abbreviations
        2. Drawing Symbols
      5. Drawing Views
        1. Plan View
        2. Reflected Ceiling Plans
        3. Elevation Drawings
        4. Section Drawings
        5. Detail Drawings
      6. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    3. Chapter 5. Pre-installation Activities
      1. Types of Audiovisual Job Sites
        1. Construction Site
        2. Client-Occupied Space
      2. Conducting a Site Survey
        1. Technical Site Survey
        2. Evaluating Facility Conditions
        3. Drawing Review Process
      3. De-installing Existing Equipment
      4. Reusing Existing Equipment
      5. Job Site Safety Guidelines
        1. Safety Regulations
        2. Safety Equipment
      6. Audiovisual Tools
      7. Working with Stakeholders and Other Trades
        1. Typical Participants
        2. Professional Behavior
      8. Steps to Escalate a Problem
      9. Procuring Equipment and Supplies
      10. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
  11. Part III. System Fabrication
    1. Chapter 6. Cable Essentials
      1. Wire and Cable
        1. Conductors
        2. Insulation
      2. Types of Cable Used in AV Systems
        1. Coaxial Cable
        2. Unshielded Twisted-Pair Cable
        3. Twisted-Pair Network Cables (Cat x)
        4. Shielded Twisted-Pair Cable
        5. Shielded Twisted-Pair Network Cables
        6. Fiber-Optic Cable
        7. Combination Cables
      3. More About Fiber-Optic Cable
        1. Distance Limitations of Fiber
        2. Fiber Applications
      4. Identifying Connectors
        1. Fiber Connectors
      5. Plotting a Cable Route
      6. Cable Support Systems
        1. Cable Tray
        2. Conduit
        3. Cable Duct
        4. Hook Suspension Systems
      7. Cable Handling
        1. Electrical Boxes
        2. Cable Labels
      8. Cable Pulling
        1. Cable Pulling Tools
        2. Pulling Tension
        3. Cable Pulling Techniques
        4. Cable Snout
      9. Conduit Capacity
        1. Jam Ratio
      10. Cable Termination
        1. Stripping Cable
        2. Steps to Strip Cable
        3. Stripping Coaxial Cable
        4. Cable Termination Methods
      11. Continuity Testing
      12. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    2. Chapter 7. Mounting AV Equipment
      1. Mounting Process
      2. Mounting Preparations
        1. Review Tools Checklist
        2. Inspect the Building Structure
      3. Load and Weight Considerations
      4. Mounting Hardware
        1. Selecting Fasteners for Mounts
      5. Drilling a Pilot Hole
        1. Measuring Bolt Depth
      6. Mount Placement
        1. Floor Mounting
        2. Wall Mounting
        3. Ceiling Mounting
      7. Mounting Malfunctions
      8. Safety Considerations
        1. Fire Safety
      9. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    3. Chapter 8. Rack Build
      1. Types of AV Racks
        1. Rack Styles
        2. Rack Sizes
        3. Rack Accessories
      2. Rack Elevation Diagrams
      3. Ergonomics
      4. Weight Distribution
      5. Cooling a Rack
      6. Building a Rack
        1. Rack Assembly
      7. Mounting Equipment
        1. Mounting Wireless Equipment
      8. Rack Wiring
        1. Block Diagrams
        2. Connecting Devices
        3. Power Distribution Within a Rack
        4. Rack Grounding
        5. Signal Separation Within a Rack
      9. Rack Dressing
      10. Rack Build Checklist
      11. Load-In
      12. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
  12. Part IV. AV Installation
    1. Chapter 9. Audio Systems Installation
      1. Decibels
        1. Calculating Decibel Changes
        2. Decibel Reference Levels
      2. Perceived Sound Pressure Level
      3. Audio Signal Pathway
      4. Balanced and Unbalanced Circuits
      5. Audio Signal Levels
      6. Audio System Components
        1. Microphones
        2. Preamplifiers
        3. Audio Mixers
        4. Audio Processors
        5. Power Amplifiers
        6. Loudspeakers
        7. Loudspeaker Systems
      7. Installing Audio Components
        1. Microphone Installation
        2. Loudspeaker Installation
      8. Loudspeaker Installation Guidelines
      9. Direct-Coupled and Constant-Voltage Loudspeaker Wiring
        1. Direct-Coupled Loudspeakers
        2. Constant-Voltage Loudspeakers
        3. Loudspeaker Transformers
        4. Loudspeaker Taps
      10. Loudspeaker Wiring
        1. Series Loudspeaker Circuit
        2. Parallel Loudspeaker Circuit
      11. Connecting Loudspeakers
      12. Loudspeaker Impedance
        1. Impedance Meter
        2. Series Circuit Impedance Formula
        3. Parallel Circuit, Same Impedance Formula
        4. Parallel Circuit, Differing Impedance Formula
        5. Series/Parallel Combination Formula
      13. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    2. Chapter 10. Video Systems Installation
      1. Video Signals
      2. Video Terms and Concepts
        1. Aspect Ratio
        2. Frame Rate
        3. Refresh Rate
        4. Interlaced Scanning
        5. Progressive Scanning
      3. High-Definition Video Formats
      4. Analog Video
        1. Analog Video Signal Types
      5. Digital Video
        1. Digital Video Signal Types
      6. Video Transport
      7. Digital Video Bandwidth Requirements
        1. Signal Loss over Distance
        2. HDMI Repeaters
      8. Video System Components
        1. Cameras
        2. Video Signal Processors
        3. Media Servers
        4. Media Players/Recorders
        5. Projectors
        6. Video Projection Technologies
        7. Projection Screens
        8. Direct View Displays
      9. Video Wiring Schemes
        1. Direct Connection
        2. Looping Scheme
        3. Distributed Scheme
        4. Network Distribution Scheme
      10. Installing Video Source Components
        1. Cameras
        2. Media Players
        3. Media Servers
        4. BYOD Support Connections
      11. Installing Video-Processing Components
        1. Distribution Amplifiers
        2. Matrix Switcher
        3. Transmitters and Receivers
      12. Installing Video Display Components
      13. Front-Projection Screens
        1. Mounting an Electrically Operated Front-Projection Screen
        2. Mounting a Manual Wall-Mounted Projection Screen
      14. Rear-Projection Screens
        1. Rear-Screen Installation
        2. Rear-Screen Mirror Position
        3. Rear-Screen Mirror Mounting
      15. Projector Installation
        1. Projector Position
        2. Projector Offset
        3. Keystone Correction
        4. Ceiling-Mounted Projector
        5. Mounting a Projector to the Ceiling
        6. Flat-Panel Displays
      16. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
  13. Part V. System Setup, Verification, and Closeout
    1. Chapter 11. Introduction to System Verification
      1. Standards Compliance
      2. Performance Verification Standard
      3. System Verification Process
      4. Regional Regulations
        1. Resources for Regional Codes
      5. Verification Tools
      6. Circuit Theory
        1. AC and DC Currents
        2. Circuits: Impedance and Resistance
      7. Verifying Wiring and Power
        1. System Wiring
        2. Powering the System On/Off
        3. Electrical Safety
      8. Verifying Power and Earthing/Grounding
        1. Power Distribution Basics
        2. Safety Earth/Ground
        3. Safety Reminders
      9. Troubleshooting Methods
        1. Step 1: Symptom Recognition and Elaboration
        2. Step 2: List and Localize the Faulty Function
        3. Step 3: Analysis
      10. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    2. Chapter 12. Networks
      1. Role of IT Network Managers
      2. Network Device Inventory
        1. Ports and Protocols
      3. Network Components
        1. Nodes and Connections
        2. Network Interface Controllers and MAC Addresses
        3. Network Devices
      4. The OSI Model
        1. Layers of the OSI Model
        2. The Layers
        3. Data Transmission and OSI
      5. Network Connections
        1. Copper Twisted-Pair Network Cables
        2. RJ-45 (8P8C) Connectors
        3. Fiber-Optic Cable
        4. Wi-Fi Connection
      6. Ethernet
        1. Local Area Networks
        2. Topology
        3. What Is Ethernet?
        4. Isolating LAN Devices
      7. AV over Networks
        1. AV over Ethernet
      8. AV over IP Networks
        1. AES67 Interoperability
        2. Dante
        3. SMPTE ST2110
        4. RAVENNA
        5. Crestron DM NVX
        6. AMX SVSI
        7. Extron NAV
        8. BlueRiver and SDVoE
        9. Q-SYS
      9. Wide Area Networks
        1. WAN Topologies
        2. Private and Public WANs
      10. Internet Protocol
        1. IP Addressing
        2. IPv4 Addressing
        3. Types of IP Addresses
        4. IPv6 Addresses
      11. Address Assignment
        1. Static and Dynamic IP Addresses
        2. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
        3. Reserve DHCP
        4. Automatic Private IP Addressing
        5. Domain Name System
        6. Internal Organizational DNS
        7. Internal DNS Adoption
      12. Transport Protocols
        1. TCP Transport
        2. UDP Transport
        3. TCP vs. UDP
        4. Ports
      13. The Host Layers
        1. The Session Layer
        2. The Presentation Layer
        3. The Application Layer
      14. Bandwidth
        1. Quality of Service
        2. DiffServ
      15. Security Technologies
        1. Network Access Control
        2. Firewall
      16. Network Verification and Troubleshooting
        1. Network Troubleshooting Tools
      17. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    3. Chapter 13. Audiovisual Control Systems
      1. Control Systems Overview
      2. Control System Functions
      3. User Interfaces
      4. Control System Hardware
      5. Firmware
      6. Control System Software
      7. Types of Control Systems
        1. Serial Data
        2. USB
        3. Network Control
        4. Contact Closure
        5. Infrared Control
        6. Radio-Frequency Control
      8. Control System Cable Tips
      9. Control System Signal-Flow Diagrams
      10. Installing Control Systems
        1. Installing Firmware
      11. Verifying the Control System
      12. Troubleshooting Control Systems
        1. Talking Control with the Customer
      13. Performance Verification Standard
      14. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    4. Chapter 14. Audio Gain and System Equalization
      1. Audio-Testing Tools
        1. Piezo Tweeter
        2. Audio Signal Generators
        3. Sound Pressure Level Meters
        4. Multimeter
        5. Measurement Microphone
        6. Oscilloscope
      2. Setting System Gain
        1. Importance of Setting System Gain
        2. Selecting a Method of Gain Structure
      3. Unity Gain Method
        1. Setting Unity Gain
      4. System Optimization Method
        1. The Benefits of Using the Optimization Method
        2. Setting Gain Using the System Optimization Method
      5. Setting Gain Structure for Audio DSPs
      6. Mixer Input Adjustments
        1. Microphone Input Adjustments
        2. Line Input Adjustments
      7. Power Amplifier Adjustments
      8. Audio Equalization
      9. Equalization Methods
        1. Single-Channel vs. Dual-Channel Measurements
        2. Room-Based Loudspeaker Measurements
      10. Real-Time Analyzer
        1. The RTA Method
        2. Preparation for the RTA Method
        3. Taking RTA Measurements
        4. Adjusting at the Equalizer
        5. Recommended Response Curves
      11. Dual-Channel FFT
        1. Using Dual-Channel FFT
        2. Tools for Using Dual-Channel FFT
        3. The Dual-Channel FFT Method
        4. Next Steps
        5. Reading a Comb Filter
        6. Adjusting for a Neutral Transfer Function
      12. Finishing the Equalization Process
      13. Performance Verification Standard
        1. Audio Performance Verification Items
      14. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    5. Chapter 15. Video System Setup and Verification
      1. Video Verification
      2. Introduction to EDID
        1. EDID Packets
        2. How EDID Works
        3. EDID Table
      3. EDID Troubleshooting
        1. EDID Tools
        2. Resolution Issues
        3. No Handshake, No Picture
        4. Switching Sources
        5. Managing EDID Solutions
      4. Building an EDID Strategy
      5. Digital Rights Management
      6. High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection
        1. HDCP Interfaces
        2. How HDCP Works
        3. HDCP Device Authentication and Key Exchange
        4. HDCP Locality Check
        5. HDCP Session Key Exchange
        6. HDCP and Switchers
        7. HDCP Authentication with Repeaters
        8. HDCP Device Limits
        9. HDCP Troubleshooting
      7. Verifying the Video Signal Path
        1. Signal Extenders
      8. Verifying Video Sources
        1. Camera Adjustments
      9. Verifying Display Components
        1. Identify Display Parameters
        2. Set Contrast
        3. Set Chroma Level
        4. Image System Contrast
      10. Audio/Video Sync
        1. Verifying Audio/Video Sync
        2. Correcting Audio/Video Sync Errors
      11. Video Verification Checklists
      12. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
    6. Chapter 16. Conducting System Closeout
      1. Performing Site Cleanup
        1. Refuse Management
        2. Cleaning a Screen
      2. Closeout Documentation
        1. Verification Standard for System Closeout
        2. Drawings of Record
        3. Operational Documentation
        4. Punch/Snag/Problem List
      3. Customer Training
      4. Customer Sign-off
      5. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
  14. Part VI. Ongoing Project Responsibilities
    1. Chapter 17. Maintaining and Repairing Audiovisual Systems
      1. Troubleshooting
        1. Preparing to Troubleshoot
        2. Selecting a Strategy
        3. Troubleshooting in Live Events
      2. System Maintenance
        1. Preventive Maintenance
        2. Devising a Preventive Maintenance Schedule
        3. Creating a Maintenance Log
      3. Maintaining Your Tools
        1. Staying Sharp
        2. Staying Safe
        3. Staying Accurate
      4. Chapter Review
        1. Review Questions
        2. Answers
  15. Part VII. Appendixes and Glossary
    1. Appendix A. Math Formulas Used in AV Installations
      1. Using the Proper Order of Operations
      2. Steps to Solving Word Problems
        1. Step 1: Understand the Problem
        2. Step 2: Create a Plan
        3. Step 3: Execute Your Plan
        4. Step 4: Check Your Answer
      3. Rounding
      4. Some AV Math Formulas
    2. Appendix B. AVIXA Standards
      1. Published Standards, Recommended Practices, and Technical Reports
      2. Standards in Development
    3. Appendix C. AVIXA AV Standards Clearinghouse
    4. Appendix D. Video Link
    5. Appendix E. About the Online Content
      1. System Requirements
      2. Your Total Seminars Training Hub Account
        1. Privacy Notice
      3. Single User License Terms and Conditions
      4. TotalTester Online
      5. Technical Support
  16. Glossary
  17. Index

Product information

  • Title: CTS-I Certified Technology Specialist-Installation Exam Guide, Second Edition, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): Inc., AVIXA
  • Release date: April 2021
  • Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill
  • ISBN: 9781260136104