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Staying Green in AV Software Development

Neil Silver on April 21, 2023

In the past as a programmer in the Audio Visual industry when I thought about the environmental impact of my activities on the earth I would think about my Travel and immediately think of physical hardware like servers and devices.

Post covid the team at LCD rarely travel to sites to deploy code and that part of our impact has largely gone away although we still do travel and are always mindful of minimising the impact.

However, the software we use regularly also has a footprint on the environment. As we usher in the era of AI and our lives move futher online, it’s worth asking: how green is your audio-visual (AV) software development?

As AV software developers, we have earned a seat at the table in efforts to reduce carbon emissions to make the earth a better place to live in.

AV Software Development as an Energy Hog

The bulk of AV software developers rely on data centres to process and store user data. These data centres require copious amounts of energy to run and cool. They are energy guzzlers!

So, how can software development be made greener?

The typical approach is to shift to renewable resources. Ask anyone about what they think a company going green is all about, and they’ll mention solar panels and wind turbines.

Some companies are jumping on the bandwagon by investing in renewable energy projects like solar farms. While this may be a step in the right direction, becoming carbon neutral is more than solar and wind energy.

Perhaps the first step towards greener AV software development is awareness. Code writers play an essential role in determining the energy cost of the software. So, it’s vital to ask, how do coders fit in the grand scheme concerning carbon emissions?

How do you pick the most energy-efficient APIs without affecting performance? For example, choosing the correct API for a file reading with a focus on efficient use of buffer sizes can save as much as 76% compared to a less efficient solution. It all boils down to how much we know about green coding.

There are helpful resources such as Green Coding Berlin and Green Software Foundation developers can use as a starting point to better awareness.

Rooting for green AV software

Possibly the most practical way to make AV software development more environmentally friendly is to design it with sustainability in mind from the outset.

Consider the environmental impact of every functionality and feature during software development. LCD are towards greener software.

Google is leading the way by optimising its cloud infrastructure and data centres to be greener. Google’s goal is to reduce energy usage and carbon emissions.

With AV software development, it should initiate with articulating strategy. Establish targets and boundaries in the AV software development cycle.

Of course, there are obviously some trade-offs to consider between business and environmental objectives. Therefore, establish the limit beyond which the development process cannot cross. For example, does increasing product quality warrant the extra energy demand? This is a higher-level management decision.

How you measure the success of the green AV software development process is part of the strategy. Determine the metrics such as energy savings through dynamic code analysis, Scaphandre, and Kepler. Next, establish a threshold and leave room for flexibility. Green software is a largely unchartered territory and some flexibility comes in handy.

You can then keep reviewing and refining. There’s always room for improvement.

But apart from the software architecture and development, delivery must also be carbon neutral. The intermediary services you use to deliver the complete AV software to the client can support your green software efforts, as well.

We at LCD use Github for DevOps and delivery. Github has achieved net-zero carbon emissions and is working towards 100% carbon-negative operations.

Choosing green cloud and hosting

Of course, not every AV software firm has the resources or expertise to design software with sustainability in mind. But steps can still be taken to reduce the carbon footprint in software development.

For instance, companies can prioritise optimisation, energy-efficient hardware, and cloud services. Keep your development environment clean by deleting any “zombie VMs” and clusters you no longer need. Efficiency begets less energy use.

Indeed, cloud services are vital for developing and deploying modern applications. But these services use data centres that require large amounts of energy.

Some web hosting firms, such as GreenWeb, have gone carbon neutral, and others, such as Flywheel Hosting (who LCD partner with ), are working towards a net-zero goal . While most of the effort by the data centres is in optimising hardware and reducing energy consumption, most of the meat in the bone is in sustainable interventions.

For example, virtual servers can conserve energy while supporting rapid scaling for data centres. AV software development firms can adopt serverless computing to go green. So far, providers such as Microsoft Functions use a pay-as-you-use cost model, which can motivate coders to focus on efficiency.

At LCD we leverage Azure Cloud for some of our SaaS. This allows us to use serverless computing to support our carbon reduction efforts.

Admittedly, staying green in AV software development is not easy. It requires inter-organisational collaboration between developers and their service providers. However, AV software developers must have a strong will to go green and stay green.

Neil Silver

Lead Developer LCD – Crestron Programmer, CSP

Managing the Development and Custom Programming Teams on a day-to-day basis and responsible for Product Design and Project Oversight.

Crestron Home 3.19 HotSwappable

on March 30, 2023

Crestron Home 3.19 was released today.

This release has as one of its headline changes the ability to Hotswap drivers.

Here is the description of the new feature from Crestron’s Blog

“Hot-Swapping” Crestron Extensions

Prior to this update, upgrading extensions was not as quick and easy as it could have been. “We’d see extension developers add new features, and dealers would then want to upgrade that extension in existing systems,” Oster explains. “If one wanted to swap version 1.0 to 2.0, it was more painful in the past.” For example, suppose the driver brought a specific feature to every keypad in a home. As soon as the original version of the extension was deleted to make room for the 2.0 upgrade, all of the configurations, quick actions — name it — would disappear from every keypad. “With ‘hot-swappable’ drivers, a dealer can replace that extension without losing any of the programming,” says Oster. “All the quick connections, all the sequences, all still connected — which can save a dealer hours of labor.”

Another positive of the “hot-swap:” There’s no reboot required. Oster explains, “In the past if driver developers just changed one line of code to fix a bug or to test something, they would have to send their file again, reboot the processor, wait for a few minutes, and then finally test their line of code.” The update eliminates all those inefficient steps.

LCD produce a host of extension drivers and we have been working very closely with Crestron on Hot-Swap support for our drivers the since feature was announced to the developer community in June 2022. Some of the changes to the architecture behind the scenes meant that we had to re-invent a large portion of our code to achieve parity features for our driver ecosystem. This work went on throughout the end of last year alongside extensive testing of Crestron’s multiple beta versions of the hot-swappable solution.

After a thorough assessment of the readiness of the hot-swappable feature for production systems and our own position, we have made the decision not to implement the hot-swappable solution as at the release of 3.19. Our existing drivers will still work on a system upgraded to 3.19 however the process of upgrading or removing our drivers will remain as a manual process.

Although we have been anticipating the Hot-Swap solution being released we have discovered just today through Crestron’s blog post that the c.27th of March was the release date for 3.19 and indeed the Hot-Swap feature has been included. At this point in time we have not been able to confirm the final release candidate used for testing against our existing drivers. So where you have existing systems running our drivers in production we would recommend not upgrading them immediately to 3.19 until my team and I have had the opportunity to do further testing on the production release.

Advantages of Static IPs in Device Integration

on March 9, 2023

Audio-visual control systems like Crestron Home, allow users control of multiple pieces of equipment through a single cohesive system. That means a user can manage all hardware equipment, such as as distributed music, television, lighting, climate control, security, intercom, and even pool equipment, through a central interface. What you get, as a result, is the elimination of unnecessary frustration.

The following sections explain why static IP addresses are preferable for control system devices and what the best practices are to do so, as well as discuss the protocols upon which they rely.

Control Systems Reliance on TCP, SSH, and UDP

All devices communicate with each other over the network through communication protocols. One can think of these protocols as rules according to which data transfers from one device to another. When it comes to the control systems, they rely heavily on TCP, SSH, and UDP.

TCP, transmission control protocol, ensures secure transmission by organizing and guaranteeing the integrity of data sent over the network. It also helps break data into packets and handles dropped packets for retransmitting purposes.
Meanwhile, SSH, also called the secure shell, establishes a safe connection between two devices over an unsecured network. By building an encrypted connection, third parties cannot access the data stream without the required authentication.
UDP, user datagram protocol, works well for time-sensitive applications, such as streaming video and gaming, by expediting data transfer. It achieves fast data transmission by avoiding the overhead linked with error checks and missing data retransmission.

Maintaining System Devices on Static IP Addresses

Using a static IP address is popular for residential audio-visual (AV) control system devices. A static IP address refers to a permanent address that remains the same over time, in contrast to a dynamic one assigned by a server. There are many advantages to using a static IP for these devices.

Static IPs are necessary for these systems to work properly and offer the user security and convenience. An AV control system is designed to help manage and adjust the audio-visual components of a home. This system comprises several devices connected to the internet, such as media players, streaming devices, and speakers. Without a static IP address, the system might not be able to communicate with these devices properly. Therefore, in order to have an AV control system that is dependable and safe, it is necessary to have a static IP address.

The vast majority of residential networks consist of a single subnet and use a router that is provided by the internet service provider. In this scenario, having devices that can retain the same IP Address even after being rebooted or experiencing a power loss is useful.

A static IP address is also beneficial for security purposes. It allows the user to set up a firewall that will protect the system from any malicious attacks. Additionally, with a static IP address, the user can access the system remotely, which is useful for troubleshooting any issues that may arise.

Not only that, but a static IP address also allows the user to assign a unique name to their AV control system. This makes it easy to identify the system from other devices on the same network. An easy-to-navigate, user-friendly interface may be designed in this way.

Assigning Static IP Addresses to Residential Networks

Static IP addresses are more common in business networks than in private homes. Putting in place static IP addresses isn’t child’s play and usually needs the assistance of an experienced expert.

But if you want to ensure that your home network always uses the static IP address, you can. The Internet Protocol standard specifies a range of numbers that may be used for private networks, like those found in homes, which can be used for establishing private IP assignments to local devices.

10.0.0.0–10.255.255.255
172.16.0.0–172.31.255.255
192.168.0.0–192.168.255.255

These blocks or ranges may accommodate thousands of IP addresses. A widespread misconception is that any number within the range will do and that it doesn’t matter which one is chosen. We can assure you that this is not true. Meanwhile, the following are some pointers to keep in mind when you choose and assign static IP addresses for your network:

To avoid confusion, avoid picking IP addresses that finish in .0 or .255. Commonly, only network protocols are allowed to utilize these addresses.
Don’t select the addresses in the opening of a private range. Network routers and other consumer devices often use numbers like 10.0.0.1, 192.168.0.100, and 192.168.0.1 for their IP addresses. These IPs are the initial target when attempting to breach a private network.
Pick an IP address that is inside your private network’s range. For all devices to be able to communicate with one other and use addresses from the private 10.x.x.x range, for instance, the subnet mask must be configured to 255.0.0.0. Most static IP addresses under this range won’t function until this condition is met.

Hostnames for Devices on AV Control Systems

Hostnames for residential AV control systems allow users to easily identify and access connected devices on a local network. The hostname for an AV system is a unique name assigned to a device that is connected to a local or any other DNS server. It would help if you chose a hostname that describes your server and is simple to remember and identify.

In order for a hostname to be properly assigned to a residential audio-visual system, the system must have a static IP address. This will ensure that the hostname is always associated with the same address, making it easier for users to connect to the system.

Simply get in touch with us right away if you have any questions about the ways in which the static IP addresses will be useful for the device integration that is included in the domestic AV management systems. We will be more than pleased to assist you.

Tony Howard

System Architect LCD – Crestron Programmer , CSP

Tony produces scope and design for custom programming works and then manages the implementation and testing of software. In addition he owns a number of our software products as a product manager.

5 things you can do to weather the supply chain Crisis

Neil Silver on January 25, 2023

Supply Chain: What Does 2023 Hold?

Even as the world starts to recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic, the supply chain still faces hurdles affecting enterprises of all sizes.

The Economist reported on January 9th that the cost of container shipment from China to America’s West Coast had dropped 93% down from the peak in 2021.

While this drop sounds like good news, it does not mean that the supply chain will be smooth sailing in 2023. Shipping accounts for only a small portion of supply chain issues. Therefore, businesses must make adjustments to keep their projects on track.

Source: economist.com
https://www.freightos.com/

Let’s take a look at a few things you can do to mitigate the supply chain issues for your business:

Virtualise:

One way to mitigate supply chain issues is to virtualise your Audio Visual (AV) systems. With the increasing integration of AV and IT, virtualising some of your AV onto standard non-proprietary hardware can make sense.

Control processors are only one part of a solution, but virtualisation allows for a more consistent control experience that is easily deployable across enterprises or university settings. Crestron’s VC-4 expands the range of choices enterprise IT managers have for their in-room control

platform, providing a scalable software control platform while maintaining support for

existing hardware-based solutions. Capable of supporting up to 500 spaces on a single

server, VC-4 enables mass deployment of customised or standardised configurations with

the press of a button, delivering significant savings of time and labour costs while

dramatically increasing the overall control platform lifecycle.

Phone a Friend!

Reaching out to a Crestron Services Provider (CSP) can be a great way to find solutions for your audio-visual problems. LCD is a multiple CSP business and boasts industry experience that spans many years in the AV problem-solving world, including Crestron-specific knowledge that can help you find an available and deliverable solution. In the last couple of years, we have had to come up with some novel solutions to workaround the supply chain challenges and often the result is a positive innovation that stands the test of time.

Software Provides Alternatives

While the virtualisation of control processors can be a great solution, not all IO hardware in AV systems can be virtualised. In this case, integration modules can provide platforms with a broader range of manufacturers’ options for peripherals in your project. This also includes main backbone items such as audio and video transport and music streaming.

Communicate

Communicating with other AV professionals about your stock holding and shortages can help you find mitigations that stock transfers businesses can make.

Inter-business communication keeps you in the loop about stock holding and shortages elsewhere and helps identify potential opportunities for stock transfers. This can help you secure the necessary components for your projects, even in times of scarcity.

Sharing information can also help identify partners for joint procurement or bulk buying. By pooling resources and buying in bulk, businesses can reduce costs and secure the necessary components at a lower price.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is the bee’s knees in ensuring that your projects are not affected by supply chain issues. It entails forecasting demand, identifying potential risks, and implementing contingency plans. A proactive approach prepares your AV businesses and projects to handle any possible supply chain disruptions better. Involve CSPs in the planning stage to improve your success.

We understand that your audio-visual projects are at the heart of your business. Therefore, avoid supply chain issues by contacting LCD today. You can take advantage of Crestron-specific knowledge and vast industry experience through our CSPs. We provide available and deliverable solutions for any AV problems and go the extra mile to assist with technical issues related to the challenges of the global supply chain climate.

Neil Silver

Lead Developer LCD – Crestron Programmer, CSP

Managing the Development and Custom Programming Teams on a day-to-day basis and responsible for Product Design and Project Oversight.

Alltogether now Masters 2022

on August 18, 2022

Crestron Masters Returns as an In-Person Event in 2022 and LCD will be there in person for the first time in the United States, but this is not our first rodeo!

We have been attending Masters since 2015 and have seen the event evolve from a smal group of elite programmers to a multi faceted training and networking event involvings professionsals from all aspects of the industry.

As companies, campuses, and academic institutions continue to progress forward in their efforts to produce an optimal workplace experience, now is the time to learn from industry experts at the 2022 in-person Crestron Masters event.

What is Crestron Masters?

Crestron develops automation technologies that enhance people’s day-to-day lives by making it simpler for them to complete their regular responsibilities while also boosting their levels of effectiveness and productivity. During this process, they work hard to maintain their position at the frontline of cutting-edge technology by continuously providing quicker and superior solutions to meet the requirements of clients worldwide.

Crestron is a worldwide powerhouse in workplace innovations, including:

Technology
Reshaping organizational digitalization
Interoperable communication solutions for organizations worldwide

Moreover, Crestron has been developing hardware and software systems for almost half a century, serving clients in the government, classrooms, meeting halls, and the most distinguished residential properties worldwide. Crestron is setting a new fate of digitalization in a time when technology has become pervasive in the workplace and the home.

The Crestron Masters event brings together industry leaders to provide courses for continuing education and professional development as well as opportunities to network with other professionals in the industry.

Why is Crestron Masters Returning as an In-Person Event Important?

People who work in remote locations or have obligations that make it challenging to participate in in-person training may find online training an excellent alternative to traditional classroom instruction. However, in-person training allows for greater opportunities to gain hands-on understanding. Despite the significant strides that have gotten made in the field of educational technologies over the past few years, there are still a great number of industries that necessitate a certain form of in-person training.

Having to work side-by-side in person with teachers and other students offers possibilities for more engagement. In-person communication, as opposed to over the phone, via email, or text, typically results in greater directness and comprehension on both sides.

Training in-person typically offers more structure and organization than online instruction. In-person settings allow multiple staff members to progress through the material simultaneously. Instruction given to employees one-on-one keeps everybody on the same learning schedule. In-person training is likely the most beneficial option if more than one employee from the same company is interested in enrolling in and completing training.

Connect with Crestron Service Providers

Crestron Service Providers, also known as CSPs, are independent businesses approved by Crestron and employ Crestron-certified programmers. Certified Professionals hone their abilities through rigorous training and hands-on practical experience in the field. Because of the intensive training, significant expertise, and detailed testing requirements, Crestron-certified programmers enjoy great respect within the industry.

You can build connections with Crestron Service Providers to further your industry understandings at the in-person Crestron Masters event.

Returning as an In-Person Event for the First Time Since 2019

In addition to Masters , Crestron will be hosting a modern work summit event for two days. This work summit will focus on developing advancements and successful strategies for addressing the requirements of today’s blended workplaces. The much-awaited event will happen in Orlando, Florida, from September 20-21, 2022. Here, anyone can participate in conversations about the methods by which technology can influence and enhance employee engagement, as well as acquisition and employee and customer retention.

Now is not the time to hold back; register at Crestron today! If you will be at Masters and want to catch up drop us a mail using the contact page. We will also along with Crestron be in the Dallas for CEDIA Expo !

LCD becomes 2N Premium Partner

on June 21, 2022

LCD becomes 2N Premium Partner,

We have had the pleasure of working closely with 2N over the last year on providing software that brings advanced features to the integration between 2N intercoms and Crestron Home.

This interface is intended to simplify the connection of your Crestron Home system to the popular 2N range of intercom hardware. Crestron users do not only receive video intercom calls on their Crestron panel, but they can natively control doors and gates with 2N devices through intuitive Tiles or Quick Action. They can also benefit from higher comfort and security thanks to new options for interconnection of the intercoms with other smart home appliances.

System integrators can now work better with intercoms relays and I/Os and add them to the Quick Actions. This makes door or gate control quick and intuitive from the Crestron panel or mobile app. With the support of the Crestron Actions & Events, the intercom events like Motion Detection, Noise Detection, or I/Os states can be linked with actions in other smart devices connected and managed by Crestron. The driver brings new customized scenarios and added value to the 2N intercoms and access units.

Two options are available based on the project type: Single home site or MDU

Our partner page on the 2N Integration Hub provides another resource for users of 2N looking to integrate with other systems.

This complements our own resources which can be found in our support section of this website

“It’s great to be working with the team at LCD who make integration of our products more straightforward for our clients.”

Radka (Lachova) Talianova

Technology Partner Manager

2N Doorstation

Password Management in AV Projects

Neil Silver on February 26, 2022

Password management is a challenge within an audio-visual (AV) project, just as it is for individual households and businesses. AV integrators use default admin passwords to simplify the hardware installation and credential management. But new infrastructure security laws are on the horizon, requiring AV integrators and installers to be more careful with privileged passwords.

On January 1, 2020, California implemented legislation through Senate Bill 327 that requires a unique preprogrammed password for each device. The UK is working on similar legislation called The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Bill that will take effect in 2022. Breaking these laws has significant penalties. So, AV integrators should pay attention.

Unique Password Challenges for AV Integrators

The new regulations mean that AV Integrators need to make password change management an integral part of the project planning. Integrators and installers have to set up unique passwords and have a reliable way to manage the individual passwords for subsequent administration of the controller boxes and connected AV devices.

Generally, an installer is the first person to touch an AV controller. But after the setup, the installer should not have visibility of the newly set password. So, AV integrators need a method to set passwords securely for multiple devices.

But multiple unique passwords create a scalability problem. When AV integrators connect to the hardware remotely for maintenance, they have to factory reset the units and start with default passwords. It can complicate hardware maintenance and become a bottleneck.

Our approach for More Efficient Password Management

At Lighting Control, we set up a complex common password for all devices during the commissioning phase of an AV project. We can work faster without dealing with unique passwords at this stage. Then, at the end of the commissioning process, we use scripting tools to improve the security of the systems and add multiple user accounts.

But if the scripting tools use plain text configuration files, the control passwords and IP configurations are easily accessible. It can become a potential security risk. So, we found that the best solution is to use PowerShell scripts with Active Directory (AD) accounts. As a result, the passwords are encrypted. It ensures that installers and users can run the scripts without accessing the credentials directly.

We hope our password management best practices help you with your AV projects. If you are interested in our AV products and AV consultancy services, please feel free to contact us today.

Neil Silver

Lead Developer LCD – Crestron Programmer , CSP

Managing the Development and Custom Programming Teams on a day to day basis and responsible for Product Design and Project Oversight.

Interfacing with Technology Trends in Touching Less

Neil Silver on January 29, 2022

Seven years on from the launch of the Amazon Alexa, we are still finding our way into touchless control of hardware and software. Voice technology has matured, and so has our understanding of when and how to use it. Other touchless solutions are now emerging and provide options in many situations. Implementing these new solutions and seeking acceptance and adoption from users is key to the evolution of touchless interfaces.

The Changing Landscape of Touchless Technology

Touchless technology allows users to control systems and devices without physical contact. In a post-pandemic world, audio-visual (AV) manufacturers are using existing and new technologies to create solutions that can help people return safely to public facilities like offices, hospitals, schools, hotels, and restaurants. The 2020 estimate for the gesture recognition and touchless sensing market was around 23.6 billion US dollars.

Like AV manufacturers, AV system integrators are also thinking creatively. Integrators are combining multiple technologies to create more holistic solutions for their clients. They are designing touchless systems to automate door access, control meeting room equipment, and manage lighting, video, and digital signage.

Here are a few noticeable trends in touchless experiences:

QR Code and BYOD Control Apps

Shared screens, buttons, and remote controls are popular control mechanisms for building management systems. But shared devices spread germs, and they are vulnerable to vandalism, theft, and displacement. So, AV manufacturers and system integrators are harnessing the power of QR codes, custom apps, and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) philosophy to build touchless AV systems. These systems require minimal infrastructure investment.

Mobile apps, phone cameras, and wearable devices are replacing shared control devices. For example, A QR code can be placed in the room in printed form and displayed on one of the screens. Users can download an app on their devices and scan the QR code to gain control of the meeting room equipment. It eliminates the need for touching the equipment controls to activate the screens, microphones, and cameras. Crestron One and Atlona Velocity are examples of QR-based BYOD control.

Touchless Access Control

Public facilities require access control for physical and digital security. But keycard-based access control adds a lot of bureaucracy. Issuing keycards to employees and visitors takes up time and resources.

Mobile app-based access control systems are faster and more efficient. Multifamily, commercial, and office spaces can use the apps to issue visitor permits, log visitation information, and track arrivals and departures. The systems can be enhanced using face recognition technology. A robust software-based access control solution automates the processes and decreases security errors. No more dangling keycards that someone forgot to deactivate.

Voice-Controlled Scheduling Systems

Digital assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home are crossing over to commercial applications. Businesses are using these voice technologies to install AV systems that respond to scheduling requests. Whether users want to book a conference room or connect to a remote location during a meeting, voice assistants are becoming part of modern enterprise infrastructure. AV Integrators are installing voice controllers in conference rooms and shared public spaces. The no-touch automation of scheduling tasks is providing a better user experience for AV customers.

AirPlay for Touchless Content Sharing

Apple AirPlay has made video streaming, screen mirroring, and file sharing easier over wireless connections. Meeting attendants can share content without using a dongle or a wired device. Also, users are already acquainted with the AirPlay user interface. So, familiarity has led to more customers using touchless content sharing.

For AV integrators, wireless and touchless content sharing has simplified equipment installation and maintenance. Integrators have fewer wired connections and proprietary software to consider. It has decreased their workloads and freed up resources.

Evolution of Audio Control with Alexa and Other Voice Assistants

Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home are becoming central control systems for enterprises and small businesses. Voice assistants started as simple audio search engines, and they were initially useful only for digital information queries. But, they have entered the realm of the physical world with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Today voice assistants have become a crucial part of controlling smart homes and offices. With voice assistants, users can control lighting, elevators, conferencing systems, digital displays, security cameras, door locks, and more. Voice technology providers let organizations integrate custom AV control systems through application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs).

The Impact of Voice Assistants In the Professional AV Environment

For AV integrators, voice technology has changed the design, installation, and implementation of AV systems. Initially, AV integrators assumed voice assistant integration would require more proprietary hardware and software installations. However, as the technology matures and more wireless and IoT-based solutions come into the market, voice assistant technology makes AV integration easier.

AV manufacturers are using Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Google Nest as an integral part of their design. It is leading to more standardized solutions and opening new opportunities. AV integrators can use the standard APIs and SDKs to design customized solutions compatible with multiple AV vendors.

Touchless Solutions for Assistive Technology

A side benefit of touchless user interfaces is that the solutions provide more accessibility. Disabled people can use voice-activated controls to open doors, turn on lights, or activate and control AV equipment.

The Future of Touchless Solutions

Touchless technology has come a long way. But it is still an evolving field. New and exciting developments are already on the horizon. Here are a few things that might be interesting:

Motion Capture and Gesture Recognition: Advanced motion sensors will make it easier to control AV environments without any additional control devices. It might remove the necessity for BYOD devices. Combining voice recognition, face recognition, and gesture control will make the new systems true touchless experiences.
Mind-Controlled Interface: Scientists are developing brain-computer interfaces. These interfaces will allow users to issue commands without using voice technology. It will open new avenues for no-touch applications.

Haptic Interface: A challenge of using touchless technology is the absence of touch. Our brains have a difficult time understanding objects without tactile sensations. Haptic interface generates the feeling of touch, allowing users to manipulate objects more accurately. Imagine drawing on-screen using your fingers and having more tactile feedback during the process.

Touchless technology has already transformed the AV industry, and we can expect more innovations to bring better solutions in the future. If you want to learn more about implementing touchless technology and our consultancy services, please feel free to contact us today.

Award winning LCD project hits the target

lamine benbada on January 11, 2022

Working with 4GD and Nucleus AV the team at LCD created a control system for immersive training. Here is what the Judges thought!

“A remarkable use of Crestron technologies with the resulting project exceeding client expectations. Truly a project fuelled by pure innovation, relying on Nucleus to deliver a solution to the client’s unique requirements.”

– Judge Sarah Joyce

This project’s goal is to provide close quarters combat training for the British Army for a range of environments, that are traditionally difficult to simulate. These environments can be both physically and digitally reconfigured, allowing a countless number of permutations. The end result creates an immersive experience to simulate different geographical locations that can be anything from a jungle to a marketplace with a “God’s Eye View” of the facility for those in charge.

A big challenge was to allow for briefing, training and debriefing to take place all at the same time, including a dedicated physical training space and remote interaction with wrap-around screens to provide an easy-to-use solution that any instructor can use with little to no training on the system.

Being a project of many firsts, Nucleus developed solutions to allow the trainer to control visible light, infra-red light, sound effects, door sensors, and ‘surprises’ for soldiers via an iPad, all configured and controlled by Crestron, as well as an After Action Review CCTV system

A spokseperson from 4GD said: “This is the bleeding edge of military training. Our intention is to use technology to make training better and, as a result, troops safer. The critical requirements of immersion, reconfigurability and ease of use push the capability of the control system, its programming and interface. Nucleus have worked closely with us to help facilitate this ambitious strategy with a never ending “can-do” attitude. Some of the features of this project have shown both Nucleus as a market-leading integrator and the near limitless potential of the Crestron ecosystem.”

Software Developers might not know what a DSP is!!!

Neil Silver on November 4, 2021

How to integrate software developers into your AV team

The AV industry is going through a paradigm shift. New technology, APIs, drivers, and control modules have decreased the need for custom AV control programming. So, the industry is moving towards more holistic solutions.

Software developers are coming into the AV industry to help develop comprehensive AV applications. However, the software developers do not have the same depth of knowledge about AV control systems. They might not even know what Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is or how to optimize AV installations!

In this new hybrid environment, where control programmers and software developers have to work side-by-side, AV integrators must understand the differences between the two disciplines.

Traditional AV programmers vs. software developers

Traditional AV programmers are domain experts in the AV control space. They have deep knowledge about proprietary AV languages. An AV programmer might know the ins and outs of a language like Crestron SIMPL or AMX NetLinx as proprietary languages are not well-known outside of the industry, AV programmers learn through years of hands-on training, experimentation, and experience.

Software developers have more knowledge about developing larger applications to meet user specifications. Developers program in languages like C#, C++, JAVA, PHP, HTML5, CSS, etc. They might not understand the inner workings of AV hardware, but they have more experience interfacing various components (hardware and software) to develop for more complex user experiences.

Defining scope of work for software developers in an AV project

As AV integrators start working with more software developers, it is crucial to understand integrators might not find the same AV industry-specific expertise in software developers.

Software developers work in various industries to develop applications. For example, a software developer might develop a stock application for a stock brokerage firm without having financial training. The brokerage firm has to clearly define the scope of the application to get the best outcome.

Similarly, in the AV industry, integrators need to define the objectives of the AV application clearly. Due to the advances in modern AV products, system-level knowledge like DSP programming might not be necessary to develop applications that serve the customers.

The future of AV control development

Even though the AV industry is trending towards software development, control programmers will still have a part to play. Manufacturer’s APIs, drivers, and control modules might ship with bugs. Control programmers can deal with these hardware-level issues more efficiently.

Software developers and control programmers could share knowledge to increase their expertise. Developers can learn from control programmers about custom control management, while control programmers can learn from software developers about full-stack application development.

Ideally, a development team with control programming and software development expertise can provide the most elegant solutions.

If you want to learn more about our AV consulting services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We have cultivated a culture of developing custom solutions with the best software life-cycle practices.

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