QSC announced this week new Q-SYS Control solutions for Google Meet, namely that thanks to a new third-party control integration, users will be able to use the Q-SYS user control interface on Google-Meet supported controller consoles. In addition, Google Cloud has certified Q-SYS video capabilities and Google Meet will now support the integration of multiple […]

URC announced a new feature for URC’s Total Control smart automation and control system called Custom Device Layouts, which allows authorized dealers to customize the user interface for each device. Using URC’s Accelerator 2.0 programming software, dealers will be able to customize the landing page for each device with a modular button layout, combine features […]

RTI has announced its technology lineup for ISE 2020, taking place Feb. 11-14 in Amsterdam. At stand 1-N85, the company will showcase the advantages RTI dealers have with custom solutions that allow them to compete across markets and project sizes. On display will be media distribution and collaboration solutions for commercial spaces, including the new […]

Atlona is shipping Velocity 2.0, the next generation of its IP-enabled platform for AV control, room scheduling and asset management. The latest Velocity System platform offers a flexible new architecture to support various room and application requirements — several of which Atlona will demonstrate within its ISE 2020 stand (5-T50) in Amsterdam next month. The […]

cmdBridge is a new company aiming to provide a control system support box for customers to use when no control system source code is available. cmdBridge is primarily a command system language translator, sitting in the communication path between an AV control system and an end device, translating between the two in real-time. The translation […]

Atlona announced Version 2 of its Velocity IP-enabled AV control platform. Available in January, Velocity will transition from one to three systems to large, enterprise-wide installations. The new release will also integrate new capabilities at no extra cost, including room scheduling, unlimited BYOD usage for AV control, integration with leading soft codec platforms (Zoom Rooms, […]

Intellithings has expanded accessibility for RoomMe through integration with four major professional smart home brands at CEDIA Expo 2019. Intellithings created an open RoomMe API to invite developers and residential technology professionals to write customized applications for RoomMe. Chowmain software has developed the first four new drivers including Control4, ELAN, RTI, and URC, in addition […]

Pushing further into ProAV control, URC has announced the integration of Total Control 2.0 with automated lighting systems using the DMX protocol. The new DMX module, available to all authorized Total Control dealers on URC’s dealer portal, allows for two-way control of DMX-based lighting systems from a URC Total Control user interface. Additionally, authorized URC […]

If you’re a movie fan, you’re well aware of the ongoing conflict often portrayed between humans and machines in a dystopian future. Think “West World,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Terminator,” “I, Robot” and “The Matrix.” I can’t help but wonder if these movies are so popular because they reflect our own personal experiences of the […]

Semtech Corporation today announced its new AVX chipset series — basically, think HDBaseT or, we guess, what everyone wishes HDBaseT was — a consistent and standard “send” and “receive” platform where all the participants worked together. Semtech, with AVX, simultaneously transmits uncompressed-quality 4K-video, multi-channel audio, Gigabit Ethernet, USB and other control signals over CatX or […]

Extron has launched a new line of TouchLink Pro control systems that combine a TouchLink Pro touchpanel with an integrated IP Link Pro control processor. This all‑in‑one approach streamlines system designs by consolidating essential control system components, freeing up space and easing integration. Multiple devices can be controlled directly from the Ethernet port and the […]

Control4 Corporation today announced Control4 Smart Home OS 3. Control4 Smart Home OS 3 is an IoT platform-based control system designed to unify hundreds of connected devices within the home, control them all from a single interface. Control4 Smart Home OS 3 is designed to simplify the use of many connected devices throughout the home […]

Extron has announced the availability of the KNX 100G KNX IP Interface. This compact IP KNX Interface provides control and monitoring of multiple building management disciplines with an Extron Pro Series control system. The KNX 100G provides bi-directional communication to control and receive feedback on the status of KNX devices. This enables control of lighting […]

Extron just introduced the EBP 108 RAAP Rack Mount eBUS Button Panel. The EBP 108 RAAP is a fully-customizable AV system control interface designed for use with Extron eBUS-enabled control systems. This control panel connects to an IPCP Pro control processor to perform a wide variety of AV system functions such as power On/Off, input […]

I’ve spoken about the things that keep an AV professional up at night — in part the growing rise of one-box, easily configurable solutions sharply reducing the need for highly skilled integration in simple spaces. That trend continues with both industry stalwarts like Crestron and smaller upstarts like Owl Labs selling single-device collaborative solutions. That’s […]

In addition to including zoning, dimming and color into a single controller, Luxor can now create up to 40 distinct themes and includes calendar-based programming, timed sunrise and sunset offsets and dual 15V outputs. The new Luxor app provides total cloud-based remote system control as well as the ability to set schedules directly from a […]

Two new brushed metal wall plate enclosures from MuxLab are IP-based extenders that support HDMI 2.0b formats and 4K@60Hz resolutions. The wall plates can be configured and controlled remotely from any tablet, laptop or phone when combined with MuxLab’s ProDigital Network Controller (model 500811) and the new MuxControl App for Android and iOS. MuxLab’s HDMI/VGA/USB […]

Kramer Electronics just launched Kramer BRAINware, a software-only control processor that the company claims simplifies control installations. By containing all of the control logic, design and attributes of the Kramer Control platform, Kramer BRAINware turns a Kramer KT-107 touch panel to a fully functional Kramer Control processor brain, without requiring additional physical processor hardware. Think […]

  Update: Just two days following the publication of this blog, Barco announced exactly what I suggested — they’ve integrated Overture into ClickShare! It will be shown at InfoComm. Click here to read more about the announcement. At least year’s ISE show in Amsterdam, Barco officially launched itself into a (potentially) competitive fight with the […]

URC today announced the launch of the MXHP-R700 handheld remote for MX HomePro. URC also expanded MX HomePro system control to eight zones and introduced a new Sonos certified two-way module.This new programmable Wi-Fi handheld remote boasts a 2″ LCD with custom onscreen menus. The R700’s ergonomic design, backlit keypad, intuitive layout and finger grooves make it ideal for entertainment […]

Maybe I’m a skeptic. I don’t think I am but, maybe. Having lived in technology for nearly 30 years, it’s not often a new tech product debuts that I get excited about. The iPhone was a giant WOW. Wireless networking was an “its about time” kind of moment as I was one of those power-travelers […]

Voice control has become a new standard for our daily lives. We see it in media consoles, smart devices, automobiles, office environments and more. Some manufacturers partner on one platform while others embrace a larger audience on a completely different one. Most provide a similar concept of assistance, but others excel in the experience — […]

Is anyone really surprised that Amazon bought Ring Labs? It doesn’t seem like that big of a shock, or shocking at all for that matter. Since they released their original Echo product, initially to Prime members only, and then later to the masses in mid 2015, the smart assistant, Alexa enabled, speaker and personal assistant […]

Hogar Controls is launching their new Pro Solutions lineup of control and automation products for the residential and commercial markets at ISE 2018. At the core of Hogar Pro Solutions suite is the Home Controller (HC) Pro, a compact hub that uses Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee and Wi-Fi to connect and control smart home devices. This plug-in controller is small enough […]

ELAN today introduced the 8.2 software update to the ELAN UI at ISE 2018 in Amsterdam in the Nortek Security & Control Stand 1-N50. The new ELAN Discovery feature simplifies set-up with the auto-discovery and auto-configuration of compatible devices on the network. Discovery scans the system’s IP networks – including wireless – to find all devices by IP and MAC addresses. Devices with the ELAN […]

Kramer Electronics Ltd. just announced Kramer Network 2.0 – an enterprise management platform for IT/AV professionals to configure and manage their entire Kramer product range, Dante devices and third-party devices from anywhere in the world. Kramer Network 2.0 has all the features and capabilities for managing any AV deployment. Configuration time is reduced due to automated device […]

According to CodeEval in 2016 (the last year data is available), the world’s most popular programming language is Python — with nearly 27 percent of the market. Java is number two with a 22 percent share and C++ is third with 10 percent. That’s not just AV control system programming — we mean all programming languages for […]

I still remember my first concerns about user engagement with the technology we provide. It was over a decade ago; we were fitting out four conference rooms per floor over about a dozen floors. Video teleconferencing in two, local presentation in the other. Pack up, head for the elevator, repeat. It was one of my […]

An AV consultant once had a conversation with an executive from manufacturer about the most expensive home he’d seen. He asked what kind of control system one would build for a ten-million dollar home. The executive answered that there’d be a single button. When the button was pressed, a servant would walk into the room […]

Extron has updated its GlobalViewer Enterprise software to GVE version 2.7. This software simplifies AV system resource management with control for hundreds of common AV tasks and a way to manage, monitor and control nearly any device over a standard network. It allows administrators to access usage data, create reports and control systems from any […]

One could argue that Global Caché might have just won the AV-lottery with a new partnership with Barco to supply Overture control software and Global Caché hardware to integrators. The new partnership provides what global cache calls seamless compatibility of Global Caché hardware from within Barco’s IP based Overture control software. Thus, Overture, is shipping now with Global Caché support and connectivity built-in. […]

RTI today announced the availability of its special edition T3x handheld system controller. The flagship remote control features a white finish. RTI’s T3x was shown in different finishes for the first time at ISE 2017. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the company let its dealers vote on their favorite finish color, which would be featured in the special edition of […]