Where do you get AV advice from?

[Obiwan]

We are looking at fitting out several performance areas (including a hall) with a range of AV kit including lighting rigs, projection, sound and curtains. We have a quote from a supplier used to fitting out theatres etc. We suspect that much of the quote is over-specced for the needs of a school but do not have the in-house expertise to spot what is essential and what is overkill.

Any suggestions for sources of independent advice on this kind of project? The more experience of working with schools the better.

[soveryapt]

Reelife AV Ltd is one I've used for things outside of school.

Another good one is Wigwam, but I've not used them for a bit. Still, they are raved about quite a bit.



I'm in the position though that I do have some expertise so can shop around a bit and talk the lingo! lol ..

[RinSewand]

Might be an idea to post up quickly what they've specced you for, i imagine a few edu-geekers (including myself) have a bit of a theatre/sound/production background.

RwD

[timbo343]

We used a company called KPMS. Very good guys

[robins]

My housemate runs a forum called Blue Room technical forum (Powered by Invision Power Board) - much like this but for AV, Lighting, staging etc - good for independent advice.

If you're in Sheffield, consider...

AC (north) A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd. - Contact Us - they have a solid projects team and dominate new and used sales in the UK.

[dhicks]

Any suggestions for sources of independent advice on this kind of project?

The people we had in from Wizard Lighting yesterday seemed to be very good, although they're in Woking so probably a bit far away from you.

--
David Hicks

[Marc-Engineer]

Close to you i would recomend Aquila in worksop ask for Dan very helpful.

Marc
Projector Engineer

[Andrew_C]

My housemate runs a forum called Blue Room technical forum (Powered by Invision Power Board) - much like this but for AV, Lighting, staging etc - good for independent advice.

and I moderate on the forum! To get proper independent advice, You need to find a consultant. These cost cash, but can 1) save money overall, and 2) suggest options that you may not have considered.