'Power is nothing without control', say Pirelli. Well the slogan applies in equal measure to complex systems. Any audio visual installation comprising more than 2 or 3 elements is likely to see require at least 2 remotes and 3 button presses just to turn the system on.

Let's take some worst-case scenarios:

Home Cinema Controls

Equipment: Projector, Screen, AV receiver, Bluray player, Remote lighting dimmer
Task: Continue watching a BluRay/DVD that is already loaded
Operations:

1. Screen - lower
2. AV Receiver - turn on
3. Projector - turn on
4. BluRay player - turn on
5. AV Receiver - set input to BD/HDP
6. Projector - set input to HDMI1 (may happen automatically)
7. BluRay player - press play
8. Lights - dim

Corporate Presentation System Controls

Equipment: Projector, Screen, Amplifier, Presentation Switcher, Lighting dimmer, Laptop
Task: Show a Microsoft PowerPoint slide show
Operations:

1. Screen - lower
2. Projector - turn on
3. Amplifier - turn on
4. Switcher - turn on
5. Laptop - turn on, login, setup 2nd display output
6. Switcher - select PC input
7. Projector - set input to VGA (may happen automatically)
8. Laptop - test run slide show
9. Switcher - set audio volume
10. Lighting - dim

The Answer - Programmable Control Systems

The above examples are for small systems - if you were to add blind or curtain controls, air conditioning and heating controls, a media server, matrix switching, conference phone, video-conferencing hardware, or any of the other technologies in your room, then the situations worsens considerably.

Whether you are simply fed up of having 6 remote controls on the arm of your sofa or want an easy-to-use, professional looking way of controlling a presentation suite, the answer lies in programmable controllers:

Programmable / Universal Remotes

The simplest and cheapest form of unified control, a number of manufacturers produce remote controls that may be programmed to control many items of equipment in a simple and intuitive way.

Our preferred choices at this time (dependant on budget and complexity of the system) are Logitech Harmony and RTI remote controls:

• Logitech Harmony 900i
• RTI T2C

Touch Panels

Well suited for fixed installation or highly complex audio-visual systems, touch-screen control panels offer customisable interfaces to an entire system - be it a large conference theatre or a highly-integrated smart home.

We are happy to work with Crestron, AMX and Control 4 systems - all of which offer different pros/cons for a given requirement and budget:

• AMX - (link)
• Control4 - (link)
• Crestron - (link)

Apple iPad and iPhone

A number of solutions exist for control of audio-visual equipment and systems via Apple's iOS devices. The iPad is particularly suited to this task, with a large and responsive touch screen.

Systems such as ThinkFlood's RedEye and Gear 4's Unity allow direct control of audio-visual equipment using an infre-red blaster connected to the iOS device via wifi.

More complex systems exist, such as AMX's TPControl, Crestron's Mobile Pro G, Control 4's My Home, Savant Systems and ControlFX allow highly configurable control of equipment and customisable user interfaces.

Please get in touch to discuss the best solution for you.