View Full Version : HDTV tech Jobs
authorpilot
08-18-2002, 12:05 AM
What kind of jobs are there out there for HDTV techs?
Who's hiring and where?
How is the job market?
What is a typical work day like?
Is this an area that is actively growing? expected to grow? or, already saturated with techs?
What's a good web site for HDTV tech jobs?
Is there now a lot of "in-home" repairs with the size of today's HDTV's?
Could this be a business/service to start up on my own and reap the benefits from?
Fire away! Thanks for any info!!
-Pete
zarlor
08-19-2002, 11:00 AM
I definitely don't know the answers to any of those questions (i'm mostly a computer geek, myself ;)) but you I would guess you'd have to narrow down what you mean by "tech". Do you mean a TV repair tech that specializes in HDTVs? Or a home theater calibrator who sets-up audio and video display units for optimal picture and sound quality in people living environments? Or a broadcast technician/engineer who would work at a TV station that specializes in HD distribution and technology? Or would it be for camera operators who specialize in HD video? I would guess there are other forms of "techs" that I haven't thought of, but I think you get the idea.
woodman
08-19-2002, 07:41 PM
Dear Mr.Pilot:
Take it from someone who spent the better part of 50 years in the TV servicing industry ... STAY OUT! There's no future in it at all. There might be some money to be made as an ISF calibration tech, but that is a somewhat limited market as well. It will only be valid until all of the people willing to spend hundreds of dollars to have something done to their RPTVs for a slight improvement to the set's performance have done so, and the rest of the population doesn't care enough!
Just what the career opportunities are in TV broadcasting I cannot say, but unless you're enough of a whiz-bang engineer to land a job as a Chief Engineer at a TV station, I don't think you can expect much in the way of a well-compensated career there either.
I hope you don't think I'm being a cockeyed pessimist here - I'm just wanting to help someone to avoid wasting a lifetime in a dead-end career which is what TV servicing became many years ago!
surfinguru
09-25-2002, 02:36 PM
Maybe woodman can correct me hear, but being a past telecommunications installer, you might want to call your local IBEW union hall. (I was out of San Jose Local 332 which has a Sound and Communications div.) There were training classes available for those interested in TV work. Don't know how old you are and how motivated you are, but you might end up doing behid the scenes work. ie., cabling, repair etc.
I on the other hand ended up being an "installer/foreman" for voice/data/network installs. Good luck and check it out.....
woodman
09-25-2002, 06:14 PM
Originally posted by surfinguru
Maybe woodman can correct me hear, but being a past telecommunications installer, you might want to call your local IBEW union hall. (I was out of San Jose Local 332 which has a Sound and Communications div.) There were training classes available for those interested in TV work. Don't know how old you are and how motivated you are, but you might end up doing behid the scenes work. ie., cabling, repair etc.
I on the other hand ended up being an "installer/foreman" for voice/data/network installs. Good luck and check it out.....
Yes indeed I'll correct you surferman. It doesn't warrant "looking into" as far as training, etc. It's a dead-end career choice which I definitely regret making some 54 years ago (when TV first appeared). It's a thankless task - about as complicated as a homicide detective/brain surgeon combination - but it doesn't pay as well as a garbage collector! Need I go on?
surfinguru
09-25-2002, 09:15 PM
"about as complicated as a homicide detective/brain surgeon combination..."
Hahaha! Yea, tell me about. Try installing/maintaining a corp. network. At least the pay over here is....better.
Well auto, maybe it's time for a new career choice?
