San Francisco Bay Area
Broadcast Distribution, Video and Media Production and Post Production. Testing, and evaluation of prototype and final production consumer video products. Continued work with equipment manufacturers to improve their products. Specialties: Display technologies for television and computers. Display evaluation metrology. Display measurement and alignment.
I was hired at THX to write a "set-top-box" DVR and streaming device specifications for the new Video Certification Program. Worked with CODEC experts when developing test for evaluating compressed media quality. I recommended and assembled the video testing department at THX for the testing of electronic video equipment, flat panel displays, video projectors and projection screens. Through various testing procedures I determine if the equipment under test is capable of achieving THX Video Certification. Through this process I perform equipment evaluation and co-ordination with manufacturer's engineers, on OEM datasheets, prototypes, pre-production, and finally production samples to meet the “THX Certification” Requirements. Recently I developed the “Tuned By THX” program that improves the display performance on products not seeking “THX Certification”, and “THX Game Mode” for better performance when using a TV for a gaming monitor.
I was referred to American Media Group by a former employer. American Media Group was an early High Definition (SONY 1920 x 1080) Production/Post-Production facility. At the time I was hired the facility was only partially completed. AMG needed wiring and router integration. The systems there were Sony F900 camera packages, studio lighting, Sony XPRI, and AVID Nitris DS High Definition Non-linear Editing, Avid Symphony, Sony Vizzaro DVD encoding/authoring, Adobe After Effects and Final Cut Pro. I built several HDTV MPEG2 HD playback computer servers, both for our use and for customer installation. I was also responsible for American Tapemasters. American Tapemasters is a dubbing facility that required many updates, control room installations, and maintenance. My computer skills made me the defacto IT person maintaining both workstations, networking and business machines.
I was offered the position at Total by a former employer. I was in charge of the Video aspects of the two facilities in San Carlos and S. San Francisco. This included AVID (AVBV, Meridian), Quantel Edit Box, D1 CMX Linear, and associated machine room equipment. HVAC, and Phones were included in my responsibility. Re-built the SSF Machine room in a new location adding new power, AC and facility wiring. I enjoyed my tenure at Total and was Laid-off for economic reasons.
I moved to VDI Multimedia following restructuring at San Francisco Production Group. Maintenance and facility upgrades were my primary duties as many systems were installed several years ago. Supervised and performed overhauls on the small format duplication equipment and 1” decks. Installed 140 VHS duplicator bay. Improved monitoring facilities throughout the machine room and audio area and edit suites. Responsibilities included Capitol and Maintenance budgets.
Promoted from technician to Chief Engineer where I supervised the engineering and tape room staff. During my employ, I remodeled four editing suites and changed their function. I designed a new D1 editing suite, built with proper acoustics and lighting for finishing work. I refurbished a sound room for audio sweetening including ProTools and new electronics throughout. Additional equipment included AVIDs, Paintbox, Flame and motion controlled camera. I was responsible for facility wiring of phones, Ethernet and for the computer maintenance of the MACs and their server.