See you in February!
TV Magic Shuts its Doors Permanently
After 16 years, San Diego audio/video systems integration company TV Magic, Inc. locked its doors in mid-December and dismissed their few remaining employees.
TV Magic had a good run, designing and/or building audio/video facilities large and small. In just the last five years, they worked on these projects:
- ESPN’s LA Live Center video facilities,
- Fox Sports West facilities in Los Angeles,
- design of the KPBS San Diego master control,
- the move of KVCR in San Bernardino,
- various improvements at the Trinity Broadcast Network,
- the giant Arena de Ciudad de Mexico,
- and Multimedios network center in Mexico.
During the recent recession, the company had a hard time regaining traction in the Los Angeles media market and lost its largest customer. But the nail in the coffin came when they lost a class-action lawsuit last year filed by a group of independent contractors demanding overtime pay and damages for an alleged violation of California laws governing whether installation workers should be regarded as employees or contractors.
TV Magic supported Chapter 36 for years as a sponsor and meeting host.
[The author worked as Chief Technology Officer for TV Magic from June 2010 to February 2012.]
Annual Holiday Banquet with Steve Lampen Speaking
Thanks to all of you who took time out from your day to join us at this year’s SBE banquet at Cozymel’s in UTC.
Veteran Belden spokesman Steve Lampen took a few minutes to speak to us about the up-and-coming Ethernet Audio Video Bridging protocol and was very informative.
None of the 20 attendees walked away without a gift from our generous vendors. Many thanks to:
- Doug Tharp of SCMS, giving an AKG professional microphone
- Mike Uhl of RF Specialties
- Mike LaPorte of Security Network Representatives
- Glen Thompson of Piper Digital
- Ken Tondreau of Grass Valley
- Barbara Lange of AV Supply
Doug Alman mentioned our new lineup of officers, mentioned elsewhere in this blog.
Chapter 36 Leaders Begin New Term
The election of officers concluded 12/12/12 at 12 midnight with–surprise–the slate of uncontested officers winning all 20 submitted votes. The convenience of online polling might have brought the highest participation rate ever.
These positions will be inducted at the Holiday Luncheon, December 12th:
Chairman – Doug Alman of AT&T UVerse Operations volunteered to keep the position for another year.
Vice Chairman – Steve Moreen of RF Specialties California would move into this position from Secretary/Treasurer.
Secretary/Treasurer – Matthew Schiller of KGTV stepped up to offer his help for the coming year.
Program Chair – New member Liza Lopez hopes to help the chapter organize meetings and other events in the coming year.
Another position is appointed by the Chairman. The new position of Social Media Director will incorporate Meetup, Facebook, and the chapter WordPress website management. Mike Clark of AT&T will work with Gary Stigall to fulfill the messaging needs of the chapter.
Willy’s Electronics Kearny Mesa Store Moves
If you were looking for Willy’s behind your favorite traffic court, they’ve moved west. Look for them in a new, larger store at 4925 Mercury Street behind Cheetah’s. We recommend visiting Willy’s first. The old location in National City at 1636 D Avenue remains.