A seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience working in global operations, Tom Schwartz heads up Transformation Entertainment Group (TEG) with the skill and passion that only a self-proclaimed Technology Curator touting such an extensive resume can. Having originally gotten his start in the industry way back in 1994 as a cinema engineer at Edwards Cinemas, Schwartz has taken his passion for entertainment technologies with him all throughout his career, ultimately leading him to found TEG, a major AV distributor for integrators, in April 2020.
Five years later, and TEG has grown to become a premier distributor of high-end AV solutions, specializing in home cinemas, home entertainment, golf simulators, Pro AV, commercial cinema, image processing, and digital signage, and is even preparing for its first exhibition experience at this year’s InfoComm. Ahead of this great milestone, CE Pro had the opportunity to sit down with Schwartz and talk to him more about the role he sees TEG playing in the industry, what the company offers for integrators, and how integrators can navigate the quickly evolving landscape of high-end video formats. Below is
CE Pro: For those unfamiliar with the distributor TEG (Transformation Entertainment Group) can you explain the company’s role with the residential technology industry?
Schwartz: TEG provides a hands-on approach to AV technology distribution. From projectors to screens to audio and more, our mission is to go beyond simple order fulfillment and deliver a consultative, collaborative experience. Strong, long-term partnerships are the goal for us as your go-to source for leading-edge technology.
CE Pro: The company’s primary focus lies in the video market. How can integrators utilize the company’s expertise in the video market toward high-performance video systems?
Schwartz: With 30+ years of experience in the AV industry, a strong background of which focused on commercial cinema, we know how to enable incredible in-home experiences. Whether high-end projection or narrow pixel-pitch LED, we bring multiple options to the table that help to execute the right technology for the right budget for each project.
CE Pro: What mechanisms does the company use to help dealers grow their businesses beyond the design of residential video systems?
Schwartz: From design to install to post-install support, every stage is critical to the success of a project. Having spent almost 20 years with a major display manufacturer as an integral part of the Professional Services division, we understand the importance of each project stage. We have tools and resources available to assist in these stages where required. While technology is our focus, we are ready, willing, and able to augment your team where needed to ensure successful soup-to-nuts project implementation.
CE Pro: Can you briefly point out some of the company’s lines and how these products meet TEG’s requirements for performance and reliability?
Schwartz: On the projection front, we think there is a critical balance between technological capability and product aesthetics. Our projection partner, SIM2, has been thoughtfully curated to check the box in both of these categories. With every good projector comes a good screen and our screen partner, Screen Innovations, doesn’t disappoint. Their “Innovations” in the screen segment are best in class and fit a variety of use cases.
From an audio perspective, we understand that amazing presentation requires incredible sound. As such, our audio partner, Trinnov, delivers outstanding results. All partners have delivered quality products over many years with equally as strong support when needed.
CE Pro: How does the company’s experience in the commercial and cinema markets assist residential dealers?
Schwartz: An integral part of our mission is “the show must go on” mentality — very much a part of cinema and certain mission-critical commercial environments. While the technological requirements are critical to every project, the quality and standards of our brand partners are equally as important. Longevity and reliability play integral roles in the products that come together to create any solution. Our experience in these other verticals helps to create strong residential solutions as well.
CE Pro: Looking ahead, how can TEG help residential dealers navigate a video landscape with technologies with 4K, HDR, 8K, 120Hz refresh rates, and wide color gamuts as these technologies become more prominent?
Schwartz: Technology continues to mature at an incredible pace. We got our start with things like film and analog sound. We’ve been directly involved with the transition to digital cinema (audio and video) and the implementation of HDR systems in commercial venues.
As technologies continue to mature, we stay ahead of the curve to ensure we understand what’s happening and how to translate the cutting-edge technologies into your projects and solutions in a feasible and meaningful way. Technology will always try to outdo itself… understanding what makes sense in the residential space and how to implement it is where we work to help you succeed.
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