There is an ongoing challenge for AV system designers to create new devices that allow users to operate and mesh older BYOD practices with rapidly evolving new technologies. The machinery can do wonderous things behind the scenes, but the human interface point is ground zero for success. Control systems must work for the specific array of devices on hand, the environmental setting in which they reside, and the skillsets of likely users. At the same time these parameters require careful thought, they also offer a creative canvas on which to give the system some personality.
The Alcorn McBride V4X all-purpose show controller is a proven performer capable of work in theme parks, art exhibits, museums, and many other environments. Hundreds of devices can be automated through its two Ethernet ports, four serial ports, digital I/O, DMX lighting control, and the integrated 4.3in. TFT status display. The V4X is for medium-sized attractions or larger show sub-systems. It is not a computer so there is no highlevel coding required and revisions or adjustments are quick and simple to do.
Another small controller with big functionality is the A-Neuvideo ANI-8WP. Among its features are eight direct macro command buttons and an additional eight macro commands in the WebGUI. This provides a total of 128 command capacity. Included is a relay terminal and voltage outputs. The unit may be powered on PoE, or an external DC power supply, and the LED intensity is adjustable. For time and date-specific events, there is also a scheduling control. Provided with the device are 56 button labels, half of which are printed, and the remaining 28 are blank for customization.
Mounted in a standard 2-gang wall box, the AMX MCP-108 8-Button Massio ControlPad with Knob is out of the way while readily accessible when needed. Once it is configured using AMX’s Rapid Project Maker or custom programmed using NetLinx Studio software, the panel can use its serial ports, digital I/O, relays, IR, and Ethernet ports to operate a wide variety of instructional and combined communications systems. The backlit buttons can turn devices on and off as well as flash to indicate a condition.
Where control requirements are high but physical footprint space is low, the ATEN VK1100A can be installed to fit both needs. The quad-core CPU, Gbps LAN, and 512MB memory size enable it to carry out complex control scenarios, present customized GUI designs, and provide multiuser access control. Via the LAN port, there is a connection to the ATEN Unizon central management platform for monitoring, troubleshooting and maintaining this and other such equipped rooms. Compatible ATEN units include the VK320 and VK330 touch panels.
The new Atlona AT-VKP-8E fits into a single gang wall box and is available in either black or white finish. Among its eight software buttons, this model controls up to ten devices, and customized icons and buttons may be shown for each controlled device. As a standalone unit, it is configured through Atlona Cloud. This allows configuration techs to define the label, icon, and LED behavior for each button as well as macros for controlling room technology.
Working right from its place on the tabletop, the Aurora RXT-4D 4in. desktop touch panel employs a ReAX JavaScript based control system and works as a Dante beam forming microphone. In this way it handles conference sound with feedback suppression, auto gain, and noise cancelation. The unit also has a 4W powered speaker, proximity sensor, and ambient light sensor to help present a perfect display in varying room conditions. Cellphones and computers can be used to remotely control it via the internal web server.
One longtime challenge with AV control occurs when just adding one more device puts the user over the top and requires a much more expensive product for that one added feature. The Aveo Systems’ Mira Connect 10 is part of a system that allows small upgrades through individual hardware device add-ons to build a room control solution and expand it as needed. The touch panel can be wall or desk mounted and it can include large LED bars on the sides that indicate when a call is in progress and when the system sound is muted.
Eight software configurable buttons, bi-directional and unidirectional RS-232 ports, three GPIO ports, and PoE powering are all featured in the Biamp Impera Uniform 8U single gang wall touch panel. There is a micro-USB connection for system configuration and maintenance as well as an expansion bus that supports up to eight additional devices such as keypads and port expanders. Users can get email notices concerning lamp/filter hours and other events. Project Designer software is used for configuration and updates.
A perfect example of the trend toward more functionality in less space is the Black Box ControlBridge Processor 100. This processor offers ports including serial, infrared, general I/O, and a relay. When used with the ControlBridge wired desktop touch panel, there is also bidirectional control of IP-enabled devices on the Ethernet port. An IR remote can be used to directly operate this control unit. Additionally, there is an internal clock for scheduling, and it can all be configured through the web server.
The Blaze Audio Wall S-1 is intended for use with the PowerZone Connect amplifiers in a wide range of environments. Up to eight of the wall controllers can be used for each of these amps and the panel can be purchased with a black or white faceplate. There are four color screen layouts, four brightness and four button backlight options. Once installed, there is instant network pairing and optional 4-digit PIN code protection that prevents tampering.
A familiar sight in conference rooms and classrooms everywhere are the Crestron 70 Series touch screens. They start working with their proximity detection to awake even before being touched. With AV Framework, there is a no-programming way of configuring a whole room system. Wi-Fi and PoE maximize installation options and features. Mobile devices can be used for control through the Crestron ONE app, and there is a full range of security standards. After initial setup, Crestron XiO Cloud, a cloud-based management platform, can be used to scale up the system
A group of up to 15 amplifiers working together gets a unified control product in the d&b audiotechnik R90 touch screen remote. The 7in. panel allows the user to adjust predefined functions such as volume level, power, mute amp grouping, and recall of up to nine AmpPresets. Cellphones and tablets connected to the same network can also be used for amp control. The device is based on a Beckhoff PC and uses a powerful 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor.
The Evertz MAGNUM-AV is Evertz SDVN control system and performs orchestration over the MMA-10G system. MAGNUMAV maps the entire MMA-10G system and communicates with each element to provide real-time reliable control. It can pair with the VUE-CUBE-G3 for a touch control surface. VUE’s customizable work surface is based on a widget approach and does not require any scripting. The VUE-CUBE-G3 is a self-contained hardware platform that accepts a single JPEG2000 or two H.264 over IP streaming inputs.
No longer are racks full of gear necessary for sophisticated room AV control, and the Extron IPCP Pro 250 xi is a perfect example. Capable of fitting into a few cubic inches of space, the processor can operate with TouchLink Pro touch panels, eBUS button panels, Network Button Panels, and IPL EXP expansion interfaces. It includes RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 serial, IR, digital I/O, and relay ports. Processing memory is complete with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of Flash.
The FSR Flex-LT300 is a self-contained wall or desk-mounted control system built around a 3.5in. color LCD touch screen. The whole unit fits into a 2-gang wall box and features an internal scheduling clock and calendar, scripting for multiple command strings, and PoE for easy installation. A very handy function allows automatic shutoff of displays that have been left on. For IR control, it has a library of devices, and for any of them not in the library, there is also an IR learning capability.
Originally designed as a single room controller, the Hall Technologies Hive Touch has been upgraded by Hive Node functionality and the Room Combo feature to enable control of 2 to 100 rooms while keeping the simplicity that made it a favorite. PoE-powered for quick and easy installation and connectivity, the panel integrates with Versa4K systems and the Hive Node Relay, RS-232, and IR kits. There is no software installation needed. Configurations and setups are completed directly from the front panel.
When control for a single room is all that is needed, the High Resolution Systems Enterprise ONE has a built-in web interface working with the System Designer web application for configuration and setup. Connectivity extends to HRS native iOS and Windows applications as well. For this, it uses a fanless INTEL quadcore processor, 2GB memory, and 64GB SSD storage along with network interfaces for IR, RS232, contact closures, and macros for complex multiple commands. There is also drag-and-drop scheduling.
Installed and used in a wide array of AV environments, the IDK SWC-2000 is a generic control device with 16 buttons, each of which can issue up to 10 commands. The web server allows control commands to be registered and linked to each button. Mounted on a desk or in a rack, the panel connects to its assigned devices via LAN or RS-232C. Options include a 12V power distribution unit and rack mounting hardware for one or two units.
The Key Digital KD-CX800 is a control interface with a variety of different operational modes to suit the specific environment. Equipped with two Ethernet ports, it can also control AV gear through RS-232, IR, and voltage triggers. These are converted from open API commands in Mode 1. In Mode 2 it operates with the Compass Control Master Controller. Mode 3 involves the KD-IP1080 AV over IP control interface and receives all video routing commands in simple ASCII format. The controller also uses PoE power.
At the end of an Ethernet cable used for connectivity and powering is the Kramer KT-2015 15-in. wall and table mounted PoE touch panel that uses advanced Wi-Fi connectivity options. Its 1920×1080 resolution with Android 11 brings the content and control options alive. +/- 80-degree off axis viewing allows it to be seen clearly from the sides. All of this is presented while the touch panel applies i.MX8M Plus Quad Core A53, 4GB RAM, and 32GB ROM processing to the task.
One of the best control systems for hidden IR-operated equipment is the PRO Control ProLink.r due to its four 3.5mm IR outputs for emitters. A single IR remote is all that is needed to control all the enclosed IR devices connected. A USB port allows programming and updates, while dual voltage sensing inputs can trigger automatic responses. The device provides unlimited system commands and macro storage. Four IR emitters are included, and the IR output level may be adjusted.
The QSC TSC-70-G3 HD touch panel controller, whether wall or table mounted, has 400 nits brightness and can operate in portrait or landscape orientation. An element from a Q-SYS design schematic can be put into UCI Editor and easily deployed to the touch screen and no programming experience is needed. Devices can be connected to the TSC Series Gen 3 USB-C connector to integrate Q-SYS AV feeds into meetings. PoE tops it off with single-cable installation
For fans of RS-232 control, the Radio Design Labs RU2-CS1 has eight open-collector outputs and eight separate 0 to 10 VDC outputs for devices with control inputs using those voltage levels. When any individual status input terminal changes state, an alert is provided; global commands allow enabling or disabling alerts from all status inputs. Front panel LEDs show any active outputs, active status inputs, transmit and receive data, errors, and power.
The third generation of the XP-8 control processor is the RTI XP-8v with more I/O and an HDMI output that introduces a new on-screen display interface. The RTI driver database allows the system to use a range of third-party devices. Interface ports include IP, RS-232, infrared, relays, and sensing to physically connect these devices. Included is a standard wireless Zigbee connection for bidirectional control communication with RTI remotes. Authorized RTI dealers can provide initial setup and configuration using the RTI Integration Designer software
One of the best combinations in AV system control includes a large touch screen, PoE power, remote control support, compatibility with thirdparty control systems, and a customized control interface. The Tekvox TCX10 10in. projected capacitive touchscreen has all these together. Whether wall or table mounted, the touch panel adds a second LAN port beyond the PoE terminal for running other devices. The screen resolution is 1280×800 to make it easy to see from a distance.
Another popular touch screen system is the Universal Remote Control TDC-8300 8in. tabletop touch panel which brings voice control to the mix with URC’s Total Control system. Responding to one-touch or voice commands, the TDC-8300 has a built-in mic and speaker to communicate directly with Amazon Alexa, Comcast Xfinity or Apple TV. This model is appropriate for home or commercial use controlling AV items, temperature, window shades, and many other items. It quick-connects through 2.4GHz or 5.0GHz and includes full support of TCL two-way modules.
