My iPhone Talks To My Building And My Building Talks Back

Grant's Perspective on ... the AMX TPC-Apple application that lets me talk to my building and my building talks back to me.

I posted a blog a while ago on the Internet of Everything and wanted to post an example from AMX (audiovisual system control hardware and software). The AMX authorized touch panel application for mobile devices (for remote access to system in addition to wired controller) is TPC-Apple. TPC-Apple enables users to control their AV systems from their iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone to control office HVAC system, lighting, cameras, projectors and videoconference systems.

One of the TPC-Apple application features is that you can use your voice to send commands to the system. The text below was lifted from the AMX website and is a great example of the Internet of Everything as you can talk to your building (instead of another person) and the building can act on your commands and tell you that they have been executed.

VoiceControl - Using Speech-to-Text and Text-to-Speech functionality within TPControl allows you to talk to your control system and have it talk to you. For example, you say "Turn the entry lights on" and TPControl initiates the command and replies "The entry lights are on" when completed

BTW - We (Inland AV) are an AMX dealer and are available to talk to you about your AV system design and integration.

Grant

AV Seminars Winnipeg January 27

Grant's Perspective on ... Driving Technology AV Seminars and Demonstrations, January 27, Greenwood Inn, Winnipeg.

Inland AV is hosting a day of 5 educational seminars and over 20 audiovisual manufacturers demonstrating the latest in AV technology at the Greenwood Inn, Winnipeg. Seminars include: Crestron Digital Media, Navori Digital Signage Applications, Sharp 70" Interactive Touchscreen, Epson BrightLink and AMX System Control.

It is a great opportunity to meet with the manufacturer reps!

Grant

Crestron OnCue perfect For Classroom AV System Control

Grant's Perspective on ... user-friendly and cost-effective AV system control for K-12 classrooms.

Crestron has released the OnCue BPC-8AV system controller that is designed with the K-12 classroom in mind. The OnCue is user-friendly and cost-effective which is key in today's classroom.

The Crestron product web page sums up the features nicely so I have copied and pasted below:

• Ultra-affordable control for a single display device
• Also allows control of source components and other devices
• Compact design mounts in a single-gang wall box
• Affords an attractive and professional appearance
• Features large backlit buttons for easy control in any room
• Affords super-intuitive operation for any user
• Includes interchangeable button caps for flexible configuration
• Allows customizable LED button feedback behavior
• Supports up to 3 IR and 1 RS-232 devices
• Includes built-in IR library for simple out-of-the-box setup
• Allows advanced configuration via easy-to-use software and IR learner/programmer
• Macros enable sophisticated functionality from a single button press
• Enables user passcode protection and automatic projector shutdown

Contact us for more information on the OnCue system or any other AV system control questions you may have. 

 I wish everyone the best of the Holiday Season and look forward to what new technology 2012 will bring.

Grant

AMX Introduces 20" Touch Screen AV System Controller

Grant's Perspective on ... the widescreen touchscreen for controlling boardroom audiovisual systems.

I'm down in hot and humid Orlando as a part of the Inland AV contingent attending InfoComm 2011.

One of the items that caught my eye was the new AMX  20.3" Modero X Series Panoramic Table Top Touch Panel. This looks like a great solution for a boardroom requires a control system to include videoconferencing screens and lots of other control screens open simultaneously. Below is a photo I snapped at the AMX booth.

I was also intrigued by the Hitachi stacked projectors. They were promoting the idea of using two 4,000 Lumen projectors instead of one 8,000 lumen projector.

I will follow up with more detail once I return home to Winnipeg.

Grant

PowerLite Pilot Connection and Control Box

Grant's Perspective on ... Epson's new PowerLite Pilot Connection and Control Box.

Epson has introduced an easy-to-use AV system controller to help teachers keep AV technology organized. With many classrooms using projectors and audio systems with computers, DVD players, document cameras and iPods a controller system is a good addition to the AV system.

The Pilot mounts on the wall and comes with a cover to help protect it and keep the cables in place.  

I'm intrigued by the "Use as an extension box — expand the range of your cables for added flexibility" point on the Epson product website. I'm assuming this means that the Pilot works as a USB extender. This is a great feature as USB cables only work when the length of the cable run is short. I look forward to getting my hands on the unit and testing it out.

The photo below shows the inputs and outputs available: HDMI, AUX Audio, USB Type A, USB Type B, Audio inputs, 2 VGA inputs, Audio outputs, Rec out, S-video, Composite, RS-232.

While we are an Epson dealer, there are many other AV system control devices available to suit your needs and budget. AMX, Crestron, Kramer and Extron all make some great products. If you are tired or embarrassed having to plug in and unplug cables and maybe even tripping over the cables in front of people in classrooms and boardrooms, then it is time to look into an AV control system.

The Pilot will be available next month (June, 2011).

Grant

AMX Previews HDMI Matrix Switcher

Grant's Perspective on ... the AMX HDMI-UTPRO-0808.

AMX was previewing their new HDMI-UTPro 8x8 matrix switcher at InfoComm.

I was impressed with the demonstration and when I decided to post on it, visted the AMX website for a quick review.  I thought the AMX product page overview describes the product well.

" When you need true matrix switching of up to 8 HDMI sources, whether locally or over long distances, the new HDMI-UTPRO Matrix Switching and Distribution Solution is ideal for getting the job done crisply, cleanly and it's fully HDCP compliant. And unlike typical HDMI switchers, AMX HDCP InstaGate® technology allows for HDMI signal switching without delays due to HDCP re-authentication, and eliminates video stream interruption to existing HDMI signal paths."

The photo below shows Marc, our AMX representative, demonstrating the units ability to perform with long cables runs.

 It will be available this fall.

Grant

Hiding Amplifiers & Speakers

Grant's Perspective on ...

Last weeks short blog post on hiding cables was straight forward - keep cables out of sight.  This post is about what I call making a "clean" installation.

For example, take the basic ceiling mounted projector installation.  The projector becomes a fixture within the room once it's installed. I strongly believe it's important any additional peripherals take the same route and become "built into" the room.  An audio system (amplifier and speakers) are common AV peripherals  included on many projector installations.

Utilizing a very small sized but powerful amplifier that can be tucked up onto the projector mount hardware eliminates a wall mounted audio rack within the room, or a mixer amp placed haphazardly on a table, filing cabinet or hidden in a credenza under the coffee mugs.

There are many options when selecting speakers.  A pair of speakers can be wall mounted on either side of the screen, one or more flush-mounted speaker(s) in the ceiling, or a speaker designed to look like a ceiling tile (usually used in boardrooms for aesthetics).  These speakers are all driven from the small amp located on the projector mount and therefore the cables are also hidden above the ceiling. See a photo of a ceiling tile speaker below.

Another neat & tidy peripheral is a simple control system.  The keypad and controller are both housed as a single device and is flush mounted in the wall similar to a light switch.  The controller eliminates the need for the projector's remote control (which ultimately gets lost) making it easy for presenters to locate the controller on the wall and take control of the primary control functions: projector ON/OFF, input selection (COMPUTER, DVD, LAPTOP, etc), VOLUME UP / DOWN; and perhaps a few more: VIDEO MUTE or SCREEN UP / DOWN.  They may even perform an auto-shut down of the projector and more sophisticated systems can control lighting and HVAC.  This saves lamp life and energy - how green is that?! See a picture of a simple Extron wall plate style controller below.

These inexpensive solutions both contribute to a "clean" installation.  Basically nothing is loose in the room. You could remove all the furniture to create an entirely empty room yet still have a presentation!

Grant

AV Control Systems Save Money and the Environment

Grant's Perspective on ... programming upgrades to save electricity and extend projector life.

 “What are you doing for a blog this week?” a co-worker asked me at lunch time today. As I have more work on my plate than anyone can possibly handle, I wondered how to fit it in.  He responded with, “Write about what you’re doing this week”

I quickly realized the programming upgrades I’m currently involved with are worth mentioning.  Reason being?  These upgrades save operation costs and are “green”.

The upgrades to four systems were an extension of a feature that I often build into a control system.  The daily automatic shutdown of the projectors.  Obviously a smart thinking client!  In some systems I have built in two daily shut downs - just in case someone turns it back on.

Now if someone leaves the projector on, which happens very frequently in meeting facilities, the owner of that projector can rest assured it will not run all night.  Even worse, the next day too!  Triply worse, an entire weekend!!! (note the 3 exclamation points).  Running a projection lamp is like putting gas in your car, it’ll eventually run out. It’s an obvious point anyone would want to save gas.  Also, it’s very “green” as they won’t be unnecessarily using electricity and prematurely wearing out equipment.

Saving money and the environment, that is smart thinking.

Grant 

Crestron MPC-M5

Grant's Perspective on ... Crestron introduces an SSL encryption control device

My October 16 post AV System Integration Over IP touched on IT security issues. Crestron must have been taking note of my post as they just released the MPC-M5 Media Presentation Controller.



The MPC-M5 is a cost effective, functional and easy to operate AV system control device. But more to the point of the post, it provides for IP-based remote control that is SSL encrypted.

Grant