Want To Rack Mount Some Gear But Don't Know How...

I want to purchase a TVSHD and a Hyperdeck and would like to get them mounted into a small portable rack, the issue is I've never actually rack mounted anything before. Is there a good brand out there for racks? Do most people build their own? Is there a tutorial anywhere for mounting it properly?

Rack mounting equipment is pretty easy for everyone, and there are tons of equipment out there to make it even easier for every size.

Most portable A/V equipment, such as the TVSHD, have screw holes in the bottom for mounting onto rack shelves, if they don't have have rack ears on them.

Blackmagic makes a product called the Teranex Mini Rack Shelf that will rackmount a TVSHD and a Hyperdeck Mini together on one rack shelf (the BMD Teranex units are the same size as the Hyperdeck mini - and the TVSHD is the same size as exactly 2 Teranexs - the shelf is designed to mount 3 Teranexs together). There are also cheaper, generic rack shelves that have various holes so you can mix and match equipment, but you may want to stick with the BMD one since you are new to rackmounting. The shelf will come with the screws that you need to mount the TVS and Hyperdeck. You literally flip the shelf over, line up the screw holes, screw them in and you're done.

As for the actual rack, they are a ton of choices, so you need to think about what you would want in the rack and if you might have any interest in expanding it in the near future. In addition to the switcher and recorder, you will definitely want to get a rackmount power conditioner, and then think about whether you might need monitors, drawers, etc. And perhaps leave a little space for ventilation.

All rack equipment will be displayed in rack units or RUs. For instance the Hyperdeck/TVS will mount in a 1 RU of space. An RU is 1.75 inches of space. Almost all normal rack gear is 19" wide, so there is a standard, so everything that you buy will fit into the rack that you buy. So you need to figure out how many RUs you need so you can buy the right sized racks.

Personally, for small racks, I'm a big fan of the SKB cases. They are super sturdy, especially the carrying handles, but I'm sure everyone's got their favorites. Just about every rack that you buy will already have the rack rails mounted in them, perfectly spaced 19" apart, most of them are already threaded for rack screws. You'll want to pick up a small pack of rack screws, if the racks or equipment don't already have them. You typically need 4 for each piece of equipment that you are rack mounting.

And then, simply screw the rack shelves and rack equipment in and you're done.

Rack mounting equipment is pretty easy for everyone, and there are tons of equipment out there to make it even easier for every size.

Most portable A/V equipment, such as the TVSHD, have screw holes in the bottom for mounting onto rack shelves, if they don't have have rack ears on them.

Blackmagic makes a product called the Teranex Mini Rack Shelf that will rackmount a TVSHD and a Hyperdeck Mini together on one rack shelf (the BMD Teranex units are the same size as the Hyperdeck mini - and the TVSHD is the same size as exactly 2 Teranexs - the shelf is designed to mount 3 Teranexs together). There are also cheaper, generic rack shelves that have various holes so you can mix and match equipment, but you may want to stick with the BMD one since you are new to rackmounting. The shelf will come with the screws that you need to mount the TVS and Hyperdeck. You literally flip the shelf over, line up the screw holes, screw them in and you're done.

As for the actual rack, they are a ton of choices, so you need to think about what you would want in the rack and if you might have any interest in expanding it in the near future. In addition to the switcher and recorder, you will definitely want to get a rackmount power conditioner, and then think about whether you might need monitors, drawers, etc. And perhaps leave a little space for ventilation.

All rack equipment will be displayed in rack units or RUs. For instance the Hyperdeck/TVS will mount in a 1 RU of space. An RU is 1.75 inches of space. Almost all normal rack gear is 19" wide, so there is a standard, so everything that you buy will fit into the rack that you buy. So you need to figure out how many RUs you need so you can buy the right sized racks.

Personally, for small racks, I'm a big fan of the SKB cases. They are super sturdy, especially the carrying handles, but I'm sure everyone's got their favorites. Just about every rack that you buy will already have the rack rails mounted in them, perfectly spaced 19" apart, most of them are already threaded for rack screws. You'll want to pick up a small pack of rack screws, if the racks or equipment don't already have them. You typically need 4 for each piece of equipment that you are rack mounting.

And then, simply screw the rack shelves and rack equipment in and you're done.

All very useful information. Thanks I appreciate it!