What Do Audio and Video Equipment Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Audio and Video Equipment Technicians set up, or set up and operate audio and video equipment including microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment for concerts, sports events, meetings and conventions, presentations, and news conferences. May also set up and operate associated spotlights and other custom lighting systems. They also notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.

Other tasks include:

• Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
• Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
• Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
• Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
• Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.
• Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.

We asked Audio and Video Equipment Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 53% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Audio and Video Equipment Technicians meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition. They install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.

A typical day for an Audio and Video Equipment Technician will also include:

• Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
• Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
• Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.
• Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts.
• Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.

We asked some Audio and Video Equipment Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	56% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	33% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	52% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	15% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	33% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Audio and Video Equipment Technicians also produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs. They may also reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Audio and Video Equipment Technicians Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment. They might also Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.

In addition, they Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.

To some Audio and Video Equipment Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Audio and Video Equipment Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/media-and-communication/broadcast-and-sound-engineering-technicians.htm

http://www.nab.org/

http://www.sbe.org/

http://www.nsca.org/