MZC-66 Hardware Installation Instructions Page 15
SYSTEM PLANNING AND INSTALLATION
SYSTEM PLANNING
With all of the fl exibility and options of a MZC-66 System, careful planning can save time and money for both the installer
and homeowner. A few EZ steps can help in managing this process.
1. KNOW THE PRODUCT AND ALL OF ITS CAPABILITIES — This will help in making suggestions to the homeowner
for incorporating features they may want. It will also help in being able to combat feature capabilities, or inadequacies,
of a competitive product that another Installation Company may be proposing.
2. KNOW THE HOMEOWNER — Spend some time in the home if possible, and get a feel for how the prospective client
is going to want to use the system. If the home is in the planning stage, be sure to get involved with the architect to as-
sure proper allocation of space for system components, ventilation and access to the system for service (a closet with rear
access to the system connections is ideal whenever possible).
3. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING — When discussing the system with the prospective client, write down all of their ‘wants’
in terms of how they want the system to work. Do they want doorbell paging? Do they have lots of parties and want to
‘group’ zones in common areas? Will they need an external high-powered amplifi er for the patio/pool area?
Write everything down and review it with the homeowner to defi ne specifi c system features and functions. Suggest
options for future upgrading or expansion of the system, such as additional wire infrastructure, for adding rooms to the
system long after the walls have been sealed. Use the results of the review to create a formal proposal.
4. LEAVE PRODUCT INFORMATION — Leave the client with Brochures for the MZC-66, SpeakerCraft Speakers, Ampli-
fi ers and Accessories that will be specifi ed in the proposal. (Packaging it all in a nice folder or binder is a nice touch.)
Confi rm a date to review the formal proposal.
5. CONTRACT THE JOB — Get back to the prospective client with a professional, formal proposal. (There are some good
system planning and proposal software packages that can really help manage this whole process.) Review their ‘wants’
and show how they have been implemented in the overall system design. Inform the homeowner as to how the instal-
lation will be done. Phase 1, pull wire. Phase 2, install speakers and components. Phase 3, system programming and
tweaking. (Tying payments to the different installation phases is also something to consider. Spreading the payments can
help defuse potential sticker shock for the homeowner and also help manage cash fl ow for the Installation Company.)
If all is acceptable to the homeowner, have them sign the proposal as a formal contract and set a start date for work to
begin. (Having the homeowner sign the proposal as a contract can help avoid problems during installation in that the
system and work to be done is defi ned. Anything not defi ned in the contract is extra.)
6. DOCUMENT THE SYSTEM FOR INSTALLATION — If using one of the planning and proposal software packages
available from third parties, this part of the process will already be done. If not, carefully document the system for whole-
house wiring. Show all runs of CAT-5 for control, coax for video, two-pair 18-14AWG stranded for speakers and addi-
tional wires for doorbell/paging, and anything else in the system that needs to have wire pulled through the walls. Don’t
leave anything out. The person pulling the wire isn’t necessarily the same person that sold the system, so if the system
hasn’t been properly documented, critical feature wire components could be left out.
Detail what components will be installed in each room, and where they will be installed, including the control system,
speakers, TV/Video Display and any other sub-system interfaces by room, by component, by brand and by model. Be
sure the person pulling the wire has this information to cross reference the wires pulled and to where.
7. DOCUMENT SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY — Document all system functions by system, by zone, by source and any
special features that have been included. Be sure to include functions such as how the system turns on when the fi rst
source is selected, and how it turns off when the last zone shuts down. Include all special functions such as switch
closures for lifts and screens and EPR-1.0 mute commands for zones with multi-channel amps for sub-zone expansion.
Include Tuner preset preferences if applicable. Include Paging functions. All system functions should be detailed. The
person doing the system programming isn’t necessarily the same person who sold the system or pulled the wire. Be sure
everyone involved in the installation and setup knows what the system is and how it is supposed to work.
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Audio Specifications
Power
Weight and Dimensions
