Home Entertainment Installers
Home entertainment installers install electronic equipment such as VCR and DVD equipment, televisions and radios, home theater systems, television dishes, stereo components and video cameras. Home theater systems include a large-screen television and complex surround-sound audio components.
Some sample job titles are home theater installer, electronic technician, television repairman, and satellite installer.
Home entertainment repairers often fix electronic entertainment equipment that doesn't work properly due to defective parts, poor connections or faulty circuits. Home entertainment technicians use a variety of tools and equipment. Some home entertainment installers specialize in a particular type of equipment. Some installers also install home security systems and intercom equipment.
Repair work of home entertainment equipment has become more difficult due to the miniaturization of audio and video recording devices. The components and acceptable tolerances are smaller.
Responsibilities
- Install, service and repair electronic equipment
- Tune or adjust equipment in order to obtain optimum auditory or visual reception
- Teach customers how to use the equipment properly and safely
- Utilize test instruments to find the problem
- Talk to customers to determine the nature of the problems
- Explain repairs to customers
- Use diagrams to determine which circuits require repairing and how to make the correct electrical connections
- Keep records of work orders and test and maintenance reports
- Make service calls to customers' homes
Job Characteristics
Bench technicians work in repair shops and field technicians travel to homes and other settings to fix equipment. Sometimes field technicians may have to take defective parts to a shop for diagnoses and repair. The more difficult repair jobs are often performed in a shop. Since field technicians spend time dealing with customers they should have good communication and problem solving skills.
Employment Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3 percent growth from 2006 to 2016 for electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers which is slower than average for all occupations.
Employment growth for home entertainment repairers will occur due to customers purchasing high priced sophisticated digital equipment. If the prices stay high, equipment owners will likely pay to have their equipment repaired. There should also be a demand for installation of complex home entertainment systems.
Technological developments have lowered prices of electronic home entertainment equipment, thus equipment owners often buy new equipment instead of repairing equipment.
Those with experience may become specialists or troubleshooters and assist other technicians diagnose or repair equipment that have difficult problems. Some experienced repairers may move up to a supervisor position.
In 2008 the median annual salary for electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers was $32,080.
Education, Certification, and Licensing
Employers typically prefer candidates that have a solid foundation in electronics as well as repair experience. The necessary skills are often acquired by candidates from community colleges and vocational training programs. Candidates may want to look for training schools that provide theoretical education and hands-on-training.
Certification for electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers is offered by various organizations. Repairers can specialize in a variety of areas.
Resources
- Electronics Technicians Association International
- International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians
- National Electronics Service Dealers Association
Major Employers
The top employers are home entertainment equipment manufacturers, home entertainment retail stores, electronic and precision equipment repair shops and wired telecommunications carriers.
Schools for Home Entertainment Equipment Installers And Repairers are listed in the Browse Schools Section.
