Haunt Tech Tips

Uninterruptible power supplies are normally seen in server rooms and for mission-critical government and public safety equipment. They also have several uses in keeping your haunted attraction up and running with 0 downtime in the event of a quick power failure or brownout. They will only run a limited amount of electronics for a limited time but can keep your registers, credit card machines, security cameras, media players, phones, and controllers up and running in the event of a power interruption.

Here is a video review of a 600VA consumer grade model we have used with success in the past: https://youtu.be/UfZQ018JzAM

Taxes might just be one of the scariest parts of the haunted attraction business. In this episode we give you some insight how using phone apps that track expenses and income throughout the year can make filing your personal and business taxes a breeze. 

Don't miss out on all the mileage, material, and marketing expenses you could be deducting!

We use Quickbooks Self Employed, although there are various other versions out there for different business arrangements. 

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/oa/selfemployed

Cat5 twisted pair cable is typically used for computer networking.

What most people don't know is that it also has countless applications for audio, video, security cameras, sensors, triggers, controllers and more. 

Best of all, compared to most other types of cables haunters use, Cat5 is cheaper when bought in bulk!

In this episode, we review various uses and applications for Cat5 wire and how they can benefit your haunt.

Cat5 EZ Tool with EZ RJ45 ends mentioned in the podcast: http://a.co/cvbZZeL

Cat5 100% Solid Copper Wire: http://a.co/f1qf2dS

Transworld Halloween and Attractions Show: http://www.haashow.com

National Haunters Convention: http://www.halloweenshow.com

Audio is paramount to immersing your guests into the scenes in your haunt. Low-quality audio on the other hand, with clipping, underpowered, static-filled, or blown speakers, is all too common among haunts. In this episode, we review different types of audio systems and the appropriate applications for them. 

Let us know if you need help with audio for your haunt!

Products mentioned in this episode

Bluetooth Speaker

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-SoundCore-Bluetooth-Dual-Driver-Distortion/dp/B016XTADG2/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1517590407&sr=1-4&keywords=bluetooth+speaker

Battery Powered Jobsite Speaker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l59gU9XxSp4

2.1 PC Speakers

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Speaker-System-Z323-Subwoofer/dp/B002FU5QM0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1517589263&sr=8-7&keywords=logitech+2.1

Amplified DJ Speaker With USB and Bluetooth

https://www.amazon.com/ADJ-Products-ELS15-BT-SPEAKER/dp/B00HN3BSEO/ref=sr_1_20?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1517589891&sr=1-20&keywords=amplified+dj+speakers+usb

ButtKicker Transducer

https://thebuttkicker.com/commercial-installations/

Distributed Audio Amplifier

https://www.russound.com/products/audio-systems/multi-room-controllers/mca-series-controllers/mca-88-8-source-8-zone-controller-amplifier

70 Volt Amplifier

https://www.qsc.com/systems/products/power-amplifiers/commercial-amplifiers-dataport/cx-series-2-ch/cx302v/

Teespring is a surprisingly easy and free way to set up an online store for your merchandise. The service hosts your store, handles sales transactions, creates, and ships the product for you. All you have to do is upload your designs, advertise, and collect your payment.

www.TeeSpring.com

Check out our storefront:

https://teespring.com/stores/haunttechtips

Youtube is in the news because they just changed how video creators are paid. For haunters though, this is truly irrelevant as the true value in Youtube lies in the free video hosting platform with a MASSIVE built-in audience. The challenge is that playing by the rules and learning how to be found have never before been more important.

In this episode, we cover how Youtube and monetization work, the basics of Youtube SEO, copyright and community standards, and the value of free video hosting.

Youtube Haunters United Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2094169324193227/

Haunt Tech Tips Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC99QGVqV9FsanSto_FLOPnw

Haunt Tech Tips Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HauntTechTips 

With full HD Various types of video projectors are used for entertaining patrons, storytelling, special effects, decoration, and even simple movie nights at your haunted attraction. In this episode, we discuss the merits and drawbacks of various types of projectors and point out a couple problems that can be overcome while using projectors.

For Haunters on a tight budget, this economy 1500 lumen standard definition LED projector will outshine any store-bought digital decoration kit machine.

https://goo.gl/YNkJPS 

Welcome to the inaugural post of Haunt Tech Tips. We have a lot planned, covering everything from prop controllers to projectors, and audio to animatronics. Our goal for creating this blog and podcast is to help haunters, be they home or pro, to take their shows to the next level without breaking the bank. This is the story of how I became a haunter. Please let us know how you joined the industry, or if you need help doing so.